The highly anticipated Singapore Oceanarium is finally opening its doors to the public from 24th July 2025, and lucky for you – and us, TBH – we’ve gotten a sneak peek into what’s inside.
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We had to temporarily say goodbye to SEA Aquarium on 30th April this year, and the space underwent a 3-month-long renovation and rebranded as Singapore Oceanarium. This upgrading project isn’t just about prettier tanks and new exhibits – it’s also a hopeful look towards the future, inspiring generations to care about the ocean through more interactive storytelling and immersive natural habitats.
The Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa is now 3 times bigger, and is set to redefine the whole under the sea experience with 22 immersive zones and a new research and learning centre.
Tickets are already available on the Singapore Oceanarium official website, with prices starting from $42/adult and $35/child aged 12 years old and below.
Here’s a breakdown of the ticket prices:
| Resident (Non-peak / Peak) | Non-Resident (Non-peak / Peak) | |
| Adult (Ages 13-59) | $42 / 49 | $50 / $55 |
| Child (Ages 4-12) | $35 / 39 | $39 / $43 |
| Senior (Ages 60 and above) | $35 / $39 | $39 / $43 |
Do note that peak periods refer to all weekends, public holidays, as well as the months of June and December. Only weekdays are considered non-peak.
Image credit: Singapore Oceanarium
Pro tip: snag your tickets before 24th July and you’ll receive an exclusive free marine animal plushie blind box!
The aquarium hasn’t left its old spot – Singapore Oceanarium is still located a stone’s throw away from Universal Studios Singapore. Just take the monorail from VivoCity and alight at Resorts World Station – from there, it’s just a 5-minute walk to the attraction.
You’ll find the aquarium next to RWS’s new Weave mall – a great dinner spot if you happen to be visiting in the evening.
The layout of the aquarium is thoughtfully designed to bring you through the history of the sea. It takes you back millions of years when prehistoric creatures roamed the seas, before finally jumping forward to the present, as we think about the ocean’s future.
Drop of Water is the first zone you’ll see as you enter the aquarium. This exhibit goes full-on literal with a domed ceiling designed to look like a giant water droplet frozen in time. Inside the “droplet”, you’ll find magnified plankton projections, which pay tribute to the small but mighty organism that’s essential to marine life.
Another thematic zone that you can look forward to is Ocean Wonders, which houses one of the world’s largest kreisel habitats.
But first, what is a kreisel habitat? A kreisel tank is one that utilises a circular flow of water to create a gentle, smooth current, making such aquariums ideal for delicate marine life such as jellyfish.
Ocean Wonders is basically the Oceanarium’s glow-up version of the old Jellyfish Gallery in SEA Aquarium. The massive 6.8m-wide kreisel tank is filled with a whopping 5,000 glow-in-the-dark moon jellies, making it a dream to photograph. I still remember the trauma of squeezing through crowds back in the day just to capture the glowy creatures, but thankfully, those days are over.
Prehistoric ocean creatures & fossils
Ancient Waters takes you way back to the Devonian period, also known as the Age of Fishes, when multicellular organisms slowly evolved into the fish we know today. Here, you’ll find life-sized prehistoric creatures and living fossils while embarking on a journey through the story of evolution.
Spot the ferocious Dunkleosteus, known for its powerful armoured jaws, and the Xiphactinus, an apex predator with a massive appetite.
You might want to give the young ones some mental prep before entering this zone – the life-like animatronics were a little too realistic for my liking, and I found myself imagining scenarios straight out of Jurassic World as I was walking through the area.
For some hands-on fun, you’ll also get to see pieces of history like fossil displays and try your hand at an interactive touchscreen game, Fossil Quest, where you’ll get to play archaeologist and dig up fossils in the sand.
There’s also Conquering Lands, which takes you back to one of nature’s biggest milestones – when sea creatures evolved to take the bold step onto land. Keep an eye out for the fan-favourite axolotls – fellow visitors were practically lining up to get a glimpse of the shy little guys while we were there. I wasn’t even that into axolotls before this, but it’s safe to say that I’ve been converted.
Kids should have a whale of a time – pun intended – at Pier Adventure, the suspended net above the Jewel of Muscat that offers a bird’s eye view of the ship below. Here’s a short history lesson: the Jewel of Muscat was a 9th-century Arabian dhow that sailed from distant Oman to Singapore’s shores.
Tickets for Pier Adventure start at $8/adult and $6/child for Singaporeans and can be purchased at the booth near the zone’s entrance. Each session lasts 20 minutes.
To be honest, unless the kids are really begging, I’d skip this one. The net area is a little small, and the ship can still be viewed even if you’re not entering Pier Adventure. But this should be a blast for younger tots who love bouncing around.
Closer to home, Singapore Coast is a locally inspired zone that has recreated the mangrove habitats that we find around our island. It’s an immersive experience showcasing our native biodiversity, allowing visitors to step into the mangroves without having to trek to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
This zone lets you get up close with local species like archerfishes and barred mudskippers, all frolicking about in their natural habitats. The attention to detail here is honestly impressive – there is painted wooden flooring that feels like a boardwalk, and mangrove trees lining the walkways that make you feel like you’ve stepped outside.
And it isn’t just for looking – you’re actually encouraged to get in on the action. Dip your hands into the cleaner shrimp tank, and let nature’s tiniest spa workers get to work. These little guys are known for picking parasites off other animals, and now, apparently, from curious human hands too.
I was tempted to skip this one as I wasn’t a fan of the shrimps’ spider-like antennas, but I’d say do it for the lore – your palms will leave a little cleaner from the experience.
Another interactive zone next to the shrimp cleaner tank lets you place your phone in a glass-bottomed bucket, which is then floated along a tank filled with seahorses and starfish. It’s a cool aquatic I Spy game that lets you take some cool videos while you’re at it.
Reef Animals and Kelp Forest is home to more delicate species that live among vibrant coral reefs, like the gentle weedy seadragon and the adorable dogface puffer.
For a truly Jurassic World-coded experience, take a peek at some behind-the-scenes action at the Aquarist Lab, where hatchlings and plankton are nurtured to help in-house corals thrive.
If you’re up for the challenge, test your knowledge at the interactive screen where you try identifying venomous and poisonous fish. Fun fact: venomous animals refer to animals that inject toxins, while poisonous animals release toxins when ingested.
Some of the highlights in the old SEA Aquarium included the Open Ocean Habitat zone, as well as the Apex Predators of the Sea zone, both of which took visitors into the depths of the ocean. Now, you can get the best of both worlds at the all-new Open Ocean, where a 36m-wide viewing panel lets you come face to face with reef manta rays and zebra sharks.
For those with empty tummies, Ocean Bites is still at Open Ocean, serving savoury and sweet bites to fill you up as you continue your journey. Sip on a Sea Salt Caramel Latte ($7) or stick to the classic English Breakfast Tea ($5) as you sit back and take in the view.
The Migrators zone tells the story of creatures that embark on fantastic journeys, both across and from the depths of the great ocean.
First up, the Vertical Migrators habitat showcases species that pull off a daily disappearing act: migrating to the ocean depths in the daytime to avoid predators and returning to the surface to feed in the night.
Then there’s the Horizontal Migrators habitat – home to the fan-favourite Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Trying to take a shot with the fast-swimming creatures is always the challenge of the day at the aquarium – it’s a game of fast fingers and quick reflexes. But lucky for us, we were blessed by a close-up sighting of one of the speedy fellas.
The Benthos zone takes you down to the shallow sea floors and introduces you to creatures like green morays and Tasmanian giant crabs, which are masters of rocky terrains. Next to the impressive cylindrical habitat is Art-quarium, an interactive touch table where you can customise your own deep-sea creature.
I had a blast playing the sea version of Dress to Impress here and walked away with some cool facts about how marine fish use different adaptations to survive in the deep. This fish dress-up game was a crowd-pleaser – we spotted plenty of adults joining in on the fun, mixing and matching features for their personalised marine critters.
Stepping inside Life in the Deep feels like wandering into a mad scientist’s lair. The zone’s vibe is mysterious, if not a little eerie. You’ll be taking a rare glimpse at well-preserved deep-sea specimens that rarely see the light of day.
The diverse shapes and sizes of the specimens here look straight out of an alien movie – just the right amount of nightmare fuel to shake things up.
For extra fun facts about the specimen you’re ogling, scan the QR codes around the exhibit to access the Oceanarium’s web app for fact tidbits.
There are more close encounters with giants of the ocean at Whale Fall and Sea Mount, where a life-sized whale’s body on the ocean floor has been recreated, alongside the entire ecosystem that exists in it.
A whale fall is what happens when a whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor. Scavengers feast on flesh and bone, while remnants of the whale’s skeleton transform into a living habitat for creatures of the deep. This entire process can last over 100 years.
Don’t rush past this zone in the Singapore Oceanarium – stay to watch projections of deep-sea creatures slowly making a home out of the whale’s skeleton. It’s a magical recreation of life that finds a way even in the ocean’s darkest depths.
Heads up: don’t be confused by the pillars of projected smoke around the whale. They’re a recreation of underwater hot springs, usually found in areas with high tectonic activity.
The Trenches zone transports you to a place that few have ever ventured to – the valleys of the ocean floor, spanning thousands of kilometres. Here, a large-scale projection screens deep-sea footage taken by submersibles that travel deep into the sea depths. We promise it’s a humbling experience that’ll remind you of just how vast and unexplored the ocean is.
Ocean’s Future takes you to the polar regions as you witness a screening of a glacier crumbling into the ocean before your eyes – a sobering reality of global warming today. Located next to the projection zone is an artistic take on what would happen when the ocean finally overtakes our homes.
This tank is filled with sunken furniture commonly found in most HDB apartments, and is easily one of the most striking exhibits in the aquarium. In it, lionfish, which are known to be an invasive species, glide gracefully through the underwater living room. It’s a visual metaphor and a reminder that if we keep treating the ocean carelessly, we could one day see the sea quite literally take over our own homes.
Your visit to Singapore Oceanarium ends on a lighter note at the Hallway of Hope. This long stretch of info panels displays local initiatives to help out the oceans, encouraging visitors to do their part to protect our seas.
At the end of the hallway, you’ll find a digital screen, where visitors can scan QR codes and post personal pledges to help preserve the ocean and its precious inhabitants. It’s a thoughtful way to turn everything you’ve learnt during your trip into real-world action.
To spice up your trip to the Singapore Oceanarium, consider one of their add-on experiences, which take you behind the scenes to see what it really takes to keep their marine life flourishing.
Image credit: Singapore Oceanarium
If you’ve been to the former SEA Aquarium, chances are you’ve taken that iconic moon jelly shot. Now, the Oceanarium offers a 12-person guided tour called Animal Spotlight: Sea Jellies ($28/pax) that takes your experience with the sea jellies one step further.
On this tour, you’ll get exclusive access to the sea jelly nursery, plus a feeding session that lets you get up close to the sea jellies.
Image credit: Singapore Oceanarium
Contrary to popular belief, corals are actually animals, not plants. At Animal Spotlight: Corals ($28/pax), you’ll be learning about these unique animals on a 12-person guided tour that brings you to visit coral support areas in the Singapore Oceanarium.
It’s an eye-opening experience that lets you have a first-hand look at how corals are cared for and treated by the resident animal care specialists.
Image credit: Singapore Oceanarium
At Ocean in Focus: Into the Abyss ($88/pax), you’ll be plunging straight into the depths of the ocean and behind the scenes, to learn about the lives of deep-sea animals and the kinds of specialised care they need to thrive outside of their waters.
Take note that all of these add-on experiences require participants to be aged 4 years old and above. Prices do not include admission into the Singapore Oceanarium.
No visit to any attraction is complete without a trip to the souvenir shop, and the all-new Singapore Oceanarium Store is a marine-inspired space stocked with marine-themed tote bags ($22), educational books ($28-$40), and more, produced by sustainable brands.
What’s more, there will be seasonal pop-ups and capsule collections by local brands, so the lineup at the Singapore Oceanarium Store will always be something to look forward to.
If you’re sad to say goodbye to your new ocean friends, there are always the cute ocean creature plushies ($40) to take home a piece of the sea with you. You’ll be choosing from an adorable selection of seals, whale sharks, manta rays, and more.
Miffy lovers, there’s an entire section dedicated to Singapore Oceanarium exclusive merch. I was practically holding myself back from snagging one of their plushies ($50). For something more wallet-friendly, check out their Miffy-themed hats ($30) and keychains ($19).
Head to Explorer’s Nook and Tide Deli when you’re done with your underwater adventure – these themed F&B outlets are stocked with marine-inspired pastries and bites, plus lifestyle collectibles as keepsakes from your visit to the Singapore Oceanarium.
Explorer’s Nook is located in the Spirit of Exploration zone – you’ll find a large seating area, so there’s plenty of room to kick back after wandering through the aquarium. This place has a weekly rotating menu to look forward to.
Butter Chicken Pizza (left) and Sea Animal Man Tou (right).
We tried their Sea Animal Man Tou ($8) and their Butter Chicken Pizza ($8). The Sea Animal Man Tou was unfortunately a little bland – the flavour only picks up when you reach the creamy kaya filling centre. The Butter Chicken Pizza was much more flavourful with chunks of savoury chicken pieces. It’s a pretty large serving, so it makes for a good snack if you’re splitting it with someone.
Tidal Trove is located next to Tide Deli.
Tide Deli is located at the bottlenose dolphin zone, a prime spot to grab some snacks as you wait for a dolphin sighting. The deli specialises in gelato, serving up single cups from $7.There’s even a sea star croissant option (from $12) if you’re feeling fancy.
Tidal Trove is located next to Tide Deli, a great grab-and-go merch option if you’re not up for fighting the crowds at the main Singapore Oceanarium Store. You’ll find a smaller collection of plushies here and even shiny marine-themed bracelets ($15) to bling up your wardrobe.
Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa
Besides being at the forefront of aquarium exhibits around the world, Singapore Oceanarium will also lead the way on the marine research frontier with its new Research & Learning Centre.
Immersive learning labs, collaborative workspaces, seminar rooms and a rooftop event space are just a few of the many facilities at the Centre, which will support its goal to push the boundaries of marine research, education and conservation.
It walks the talk, too – the Research & Learning Centre is a certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy Building that minimises its environmental impact through the use of solar power and smart design.
As an avid fan of the former SEA Aquarium, the Singapore Oceanarium was definitely a highly anticipated attraction for me. I’d say the newly upgraded aquarium was well worth the wait. With its stunning new habitats and interactive zones, it builds on what made the SEA Aquarium great in the first place. Like its predecessor, this place is probably going to be a classic date spot, family day out, and solo venture, all in one.
Some of the older exhibits, like Open Ocean and Shark Seas, haven’t changed much, but don’t be so quick to rush through them. After all, it’s been a while since the aquarium opened its doors. Be sure to take your time at fresher exhibits like Life in the Deep and Ancient Waters. My personal favourite was Ocean Wonders – I would spend an entire day just looking at that magnificent kriesal tank if I could.
An entire walkthrough of the aquarium takes about 3 hours, depending on how many Instagram stories you want to take.
If you’re running out of day-out ideas, hop on the monorail from VivoCity and swing by the Singapore Oceanarium. From Insta-worthy moon jellies to interactive ocean-themed games, this place is definitely a must-visit that will keep you entertained for hours.
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Photography by Jaslyn Tan.
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