S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa: tickets, opening hours and what to see
The Sentosa oceanarium survived a closure and came back on a new scale. The old Underwater World shut down long ago, and the island's main marine attraction is now the Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa.
The complex reopened on July 23, 2025. It is three times larger than the former S.E.A. Aquarium: inside there are more than 100,000 marine animals, over 800 species, and 22 ocean zones (as of 09/2026, official Sentosa website). Tickets start at S$43, children under 4 enter free.
What to see inside, when to visit, and how to get there from central Singapore, let's go through it in order.
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History: from underwater world to Singapore Oceanarium
💡 In short:
- The oceanarium is located in Resorts World Sentosa and is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
- A visit takes 2-3 hours; tickets from S$43, children under 4 free.
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.
The first major Sentosa oceanarium was called Underwater World. It opened on May 13, 1991, and at launch it was considered the largest tropical oceanarium in Asia (according to English Wikipedia).
© GoAheadFan95 · CC BY-SAPhoto: GoAheadFan95, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe park stood at the western tip of the island, near Siloso Point. Inside there was an underwater tunnel with a moving walkway, open pools for animal encounters, and Dolphin Lagoon. In the open enclosures you could pet rays and small sharks, while large predators swam overhead in the tunnel.
Live corals were brought to the park from seas where dredging was underway, to preserve the reefs. Guests could do more than just look: there was an overnight stay option in the tunnel under the aquarium and events in the halls.
The opening of S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa in 2012 shifted public interest, and on June 26, 2016, Underwater World closed for good (according to the park's page). S.E.A. Aquarium remained Sentosa's main oceanarium for many years, and in 2025 it was renovated and reopened as Singapore Oceanarium.
What to see
© Smuconlaw · CC BY-SAPhoto: Smuconlaw, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsInside Singapore Oceanarium there are 22 ocean zones. The route runs from the coast to the depths, and each hall showcases its own type of marine life (as of 09/2026, oceanarium's official website).
At the center of the route is the Open Ocean zone with a giant panoramic window. Sharks, large rays, and schools of fish swim past the glass. You sit on the wide steps right in front of the panel and watch them for as long as you like. The best time at the window is in the morning hours, when the halls are still less crowded.
A separate hall is dedicated to jellyfish. Their transparent bodies look like umbrellas and pulse in the illuminated water. In neighboring tanks live sea turtles, sharks and rays, coral fish, and seahorses. Feedings and shows run on a schedule; check the times on the board at the entrance.
Small inhabitants are displayed in separate tanks: crabs, seahorses, and the sea dragon. The latter camouflages itself as seaweed and is listed as an endangered species. For children, there is a Pier Adventure zone with nets and water games. Wear comfortable shoes, as the complex has many halls.
Tickets and opening hours
Parameter | As of (09/2026) |
|---|---|
Opening hours | daily 10:00-20:00; may change on specific dates |
Tickets | from S$43; children under 4 free |
Age categories | children 4-12, adults 13-59, seniors 60+ |
Where to buy | online with a time slot or at the ticket office on site |
Opening hours vary by date. The official schedule is published three months in advance (as of 09/2026, oceanarium's official website). Check it before your trip: on certain dates the complex closes earlier.
Tickets are easier to buy online for a specific entry time. On weekends the ticket office builds up a queue, and you will have to wait to enter. You can buy in advance here: oceanarium tickets with a time slot on Tiqets.
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How to get to Sentosa
Four routes lead to Sentosa Island. The fastest is the Sentosa Express monorail: it departs from the VivoCity station on the third floor and takes you to Resorts World in a few minutes. The Sentosa Boardwalk pedestrian bridge connects VivoCity on the mainland with the island, and it is convenient to walk from HarbourFront.
The Singapore Cable Car links Sentosa with Mount Faber and HarbourFront, and from the cabin you see the port and parks. By car or taxi you enter via Sentosa Gateway. Inside the island, free Sentosa buses run and take you to Resorts World Sentosa. There are plenty of signs, so it is hard to get lost.
Plan your journey with extra time: on weekends the monorail queues are longer. Arrive in the morning, before the crowds build up at opening.
Sentosa oceanarium on the map
Below is a map of Resorts World Sentosa showing the complex's location. Signs lead from the Resorts World entrance to the oceanarium, a walk of a few minutes.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a ticket to the Sentosa oceanarium cost?
Tickets start from S$43, children under 4 enter free (as of 09/2026, Sentosa's official website). The price depends on the date and time slot, so check it before purchasing. At the ticket office on weekends there can be queues; online you buy entry for a specific time.
How much time do I need for a visit?
Allow 2-3 hours for the route through 22 zones. If you are going with children or want to linger at the Open Ocean zone, allow 3-4 hours. Arrive at the 10:00 opening: before noon the halls are noticeably less crowded (as of 09/2026, oceanarium's official website).
Is the old "Underwater World" still operating?
No. Underwater World closed on June 26, 2016, and its site is no longer used as an oceanarium (according to Wikipedia). Sentosa's modern oceanarium is called Singapore Oceanarium and is located at Resorts World Sentosa, a different place.
What to do on a rainy day on Sentosa?
Singapore Oceanarium is fully indoors, so rain does not affect it. The halls are located inside Resorts World Sentosa, and you move between them without going outside. In a downpour, queues at the island's open-air attractions are shorter, but the oceanarium itself is more crowded.
Is the oceanarium suitable for children?
Yes, for families this is one of the most convenient attractions on Sentosa. There is a Pier Adventure zone with nets and water games, interactive aquariums, and scheduled feedings. Children under 4 enter free, everyone else needs an age-based ticket (as of 09/2026, official aquarium website).
How to get to the aquarium from central Singapore?
First you take the MRT to HarbourFront station, then walk to VivoCity. From there the Sentosa Express monorail takes you to Resorts World in a few minutes. You can also walk across the Sentosa Boardwalk. Free Sentosa buses run around the island and stop at the complex.
In short: what is worth booking
If you are going to Sentosa for one day: get a ticket with a 10:00 slot and combine the aquarium with the neighboring Resorts World parks. If you are traveling with kids: plan for the Pier Adventure zone and scheduled feedings. If you do not want to wait at the ticket office: buy entry online in advance.
Aquarium tickets are convenient to buy in advance: tickets and tours on GetYourGuide.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.