World Manta Day BTS tour at Singapore Oceanarium
We’re sure you’ve heard of the reopening of Singapore Oceanarium at Sentosa. It’s 3 times bigger and has a giant glow-in-the-dark jellyfish tank that you’ve been seeing pictured on social media. If you’ve yet to make a trip down, here’s another reason to head there this month.
To celebrate World Manta Day on 17th September, Singapore Oceanarium is hosting an Animal Spotlight behind-the-scenes tour dedicated to the beautiful creatures. If you’ve ever been mesmerised by the way manta rays glide gracefully through the water, you’ll want to mark 6th to 20th September 2025 on your calendar.
What to expect during the Animal Spotlight: Manta Rays Tour
The star of the celebrations is the 45-minute Animal Spotlight: Manta Rays tour. Limited to just 12 people per session, this intimate experience takes you into areas that are usually off-limits to regular visitors.
Say hello to Manja!
During the tour, you’ll meet Singapore Oceanarium’s 3 resident male reef manta rays – Manja, Mako, and Mika. Fun fact: each has unique spot patterns on their underside that work just like fingerprints. Manja has a heart-shaped marking, Mako is almost entirely black with some white patches, and Mika sports a stripe resembling the number “1”.
Catch the divers in action twice a day- once in the morning and once in the evening.
You’ll also learn how aquarists prepare food for the aquatic animals, from chopping various types of restaurant-grade seafood to portioning them out for each habitat. These gentle giants, in particular, munch on up to 5kg of krill daily, target-fed using a long pole and bucket so they don’t miss a bite.
That’s Mako.
Watching them somersault in the water while feeding is a real treat – and yes, the water does get a little cloudy because of the plankton frenzy.
Don’t confuse other rays for a manta ray.
The difference between manta rays and stingrays lies in the fact that manta rays have 2 forward-facing “horns” instead of stingers. You can easily spot the manta rays as they are generally larger than their bottom-dwelling counterparts.
As part of the tour, you’ll get a glimpse into the Aquarist Lab where plankton is cultured. While you can’t go in during this tour, if you’re interested in finding out more, attend the Sea Jellies tour which gives you exclusive access to the lab.
Bonus: Each participant goes home with a manta ray plush keychain and Animal Spotlight lanyard set as keepsakes.
Meet the manta ray mascot
Image credit: Singapore Oceanarium
If you’re visiting with kids or just young at heart, swing by the Open Ocean exhibit at 3pm daily for a meet & greet and photo op with the adorable manta ray mascot. It’s the perfect way to commemorate your trip.
Try manta-themed treats & pick up adorable souvenirs
Festivities wouldn’t be complete without themed bites and merch. Throughout the celebration, you can grab manta ray-inspired treats like ice cream and cupcakes as well as souvenirs at the retail and dining outlets inside the Singapore Oceanarium.
Whether it’s a cute plushie or a quirky edible shaped like a manta, you’ll find something worth bringing home.
Beyond the tours – stories & expert sharing
There are special one-off programmes to indulge further into the world of manta rays:
On 6th September, catch Ocean Tales: Manja’s Adventure, a storytelling session at the Children’s Biodiversity Library, tailored for little ones.
On 13th September, Daniel Fernando, Associate Director at Manta Trust, will dive deep into manta and devil ray conservation, threats they face, and what we can do to help.
While all this sounds fun, there’s a contemplative side too. The tour compels us to think about why manta rays matter. Reef manta rays are listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, facing threats from overfishing, climate change, ghost nets, and microplastic ingestion.
Singapore Oceanarium’s 3 manta rays have been under care for more than a decade, and the team goes the extra mile with specialised diets, vet checks, and enrichment.
By joining these programmes, you’ll not only learn how to tell manta rays apart but also how you can play a part in protecting them – from choosing sustainable seafood to avoiding products with microplastics
Don’t miss the mural “Between Wonder and Waste” that’s been created using debris collected from Singapore shores. This work of art features all sorts of sea creatures, reminding us of the marine biodiversity and importance of a thriving ocean.
How much does the Animal Spotlight: Manta Rays programme cost?
Do note that you’ll need to add on $28/pax to your admission ticket to be on the tour.
| General admission prices: | Peak (weekends, PH) | Non-peak (weekdays) |
| Resident | $49/adult | $39/child | $42/adult | $35/child |
| Non-resident | $55/adult | $43/child | $50/adult | $39/child |
The ticket includes a manta ray plush keychain and lanyard that all participants can bring home.
Is the tour suitable for kids?
Yes, the tour is open to anyone 4 years old and above. There are also family-friendly activities like mascot meet-and-greets and storytelling sessions.
Can I buy manta-themed merch without joining the tour?
Yes, the retail shops will have manta-inspired goodies available to all visitors during the celebration period.
Enjoy a splashing good time at World Manta Day being celebrated at Singapore Oceanarium
Whether you’re a marine life enthusiast, a parent looking for an educational outing, or just someone who wants a cool selfie with the 3 resident manta rays, World Manta Day at Singapore Oceanarium offers something for everyone. You’ll walk away with not just fun memories, but also a deeper appreciation of why these gentle giants deserve our protection.
Find out more about World Manta Day at Singapore Oceanarium
Admission: $28/pax add on
Date: 6th-20th September 2025
Time: 11.30am, 2pm, 4.30pm
Venue: Singapore Oceanarium, Resorts World Sentosa
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Photography by Thea Imelda.