Resorts World Sentosa unveils Singapore Oceanarium ahead of official opening

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Singapore Oceanarium redefines visitor experiences through ocean education and conservation.

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS, 圣淘沙名胜世界) announced that Singapore Oceanarium (新加坡海洋生态馆) — a transformation and expansion of the former S.E.A. Aquarium — will officially open its doors to the public on 23 July 2025. More than just a new name, Singapore Oceanarium represents a bold transformation into a world class ocean institute that inspires deeper knowledge, love and action for our oceans.

Reinventing the Ocean Experience: An Immersive Journey Across 22 Zones

Three times larger than its predecessor, Singapore Oceanarium reimagines the ocean experience, spanning across space (from shallow waters to the deep sea) and time (from prehistoric oceans to the present day). Guests will embark on a journey across 22 purposefully designed zones that guide visitors from curiosity to commitment, building a powerful emotional connection with our marine world.

Guests will traverse rich thematic environments including Ocean Wonders, home to one of the world’s largest kreisel habitats, housing thousands of mesmerising moon jellies, and Singapore’s Coast, where mangrove-inspired landscapes and interactive habitats spotlight native biodiversity.

In Ancient Waters and Conquering Land, life-sized prehistoric animals and living fossils trace the epic story of evolution, while zones like Migrators unveil the vibrant ecosystems of today’s open waters. The adventure deepens in Open Ocean where boundaries dissolve into endless blue, and Reef Manta Rays and Zebra Sharks glide gracefully among thousands of other marine animals behind an awe inspiring 36-metre-wide viewing panel.

Rooted in education, the experience is designed to deepen understanding through multisensory storytelling and immersive digital displays. From witnessing an astonishing life-sized recreation of a whale fall ecosystem in Whale Fall and Sea Mount to learning stories of successful marine protection initiatives in Hallway of Hope, every element is crafted to transform wonder into action, empowering visitors of all ages to protect and cherish the ocean that connects us.

The Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a ninth-century Arabian dhow from the former Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium, makes a return in Spirit of Exploration. Nearby, guests are invited to experience Pier Adventure, a suspended web that offers a fresh, elevated view of the ship and its surrounding areas. Those seeking a breather can step into Explorer’s Nook, a themed cafe that serves pastries, light bites and lifestyle keepsakes inspired by marine life.

Before departing, guests can round off their visit at the Singapore Oceanarium Store, located at the exit. This marine-inspired retail space offers a curated range of marine-inspired apparel, educational books and keepsakes created by sustainable brands. The store also serves as a platform for seasonal capsule collections and pop-ups by local brands.

From Aquarium to Ocean Institute

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and holding membership in both World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Southeast Asian Zoo and Aquarium Association, Singapore Oceanarium has forged meaningful partnerships with top academic institutions to push the boundaries of marine research. These include a five-year applied research collaboration with the National University of Singapore and a two-year research collaboration with the Earth Observatory of Singapore at Nanyang Technological University on climate resilience and marine conservation.

Adjacent to Singapore Oceanarium, the Research and Learning Centre (研究与学习中心) supports its mission to further education, marine research and conservation. Equipped with immersive learning labs, collaborative workspaces, seminar rooms and a rooftop event space, the centre enhances Singapore Oceanarium’s robust educational offerings and provides advanced facilities for scientists and researchers to conduct valuable research work and drive marine science outreach on-site.

As a certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy building that uses solar power and smart design to minimise environmental impact, the centre also reflects the oceanarium’s commitment to sustainability.

“Singapore Oceanarium represents the next frontier for marine education and sustainability,” said Tan Hee Teck, Chief Executive Officer, Resorts World Sentosa. “We have created not just a destination, but a catalyst for change, a place where curiosity transforms into knowledge, and knowledge into real action.”

Lam Xue Ying, Vice President, Singapore Oceanarium, added, “This transformation from S.E.A. Aquarium to a purpose-driven institute has been years in the making. We are dedicated to inspiring a new generation of ocean stewards by taking ocean education and interactive storytelling to the next level, through naturalistic habitats and immersive technology. Supported by academic partnerships, international accreditations and memberships, as well as our new Research and Learning Centre, we are furthering our commitment to marine conservation, research and education.”

Opening on 23 July 2025, Singapore Oceanarium invites all to explore immersive marine worlds, connect knowledge to real-world action, and be inspired to protect our oceans. Further details on programmes and ticket prices will surface soon.