Take me under the sea - world's largest aquarium, Singapore

Today is cold and windy outside far removed from the warm sultry humid conditions of our recent trip to Singapore. So rather than show you pictures from around my cold wintry Western Australia, I decided to warm up by taking you back for a visit to another of our favourite Singapore attractions.  If you missed my last two posts about Singapore, please scroll down to the bottom to find the links.

The S.E.A Aquarium at Sentosa Island, opened in November 2012, is the world's largest acquarium, home to over 1000,000 marine animals.  But first we have to get there. 

There are several options, but we decided to take the Cable Car from Mount Faber (a taxi from your hotel might be the easiest option to get to Mount Faber). The cable car deposits you in the heart of Sentosa, and gives you spectacular views of Singapore and an overall view of what is install for you at Sentosa.  There is so much to see and do at Sentosa you could easily spend several days here - or stay in one of the hotels on Sentosa and be only a short stroll or bus or tram or monorail ride away from the many attractions.

But one attraction you must visit is the S.E.A. Aquarium -  home to 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species in 45 million litres of water. Comprising 10 different zones with 49 habitats, the aquarium takes you on an underwater voyage beginning in Southeast Asia,  through the Arabian Gulf and the Open Ocean. 

 But first up we went through the Maritime Museum where you can learn about the history of sea exploration and trade in Asia.

The entrance to the Aquarium is through a dome tunnel - we chose to go on a week day to try and avoid some of the crowds, but found out later it was a pupil free day in Singapore so there were lots of people! I loved the huge central round tank you can see in the second picture here.

 The various exhibits were amazing!  There is even a shipwreck and a dolphin tank !I And I couldn't help wonder what it was like for a dolphin living in a tank, even though he had some mates to play with. He kept zooming around and coming up to the glass to look at us. Were "we" a curiosity?

I was fascinated by this exhibit showing below and above the water - it represents the Sundarbans Mangrove, home to a myriad of endangered plants and animals found along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

You wouldn't want to get tangled up with this elegant but stingy creature - the Japanese Sea Nettle.

S.E.A. Aquarium Senior Curator Grant Willis said: “S.E.A. Aquarium offers not only a stunning display of habitats, but also education and conservation programmes in which families and guests can participate.Younger guests will be thrilled to know that we have specially designed exhibits such as the Discovery Touch Pool, the Lens Aquarium and Floor Aquarium, to provide them up close

encounters with our marine residents.”

 Our grandsons were certainly enthralled with the underwater world only inches from them - 

 The centerpiece of the Aquarium is the Open Ocean Gallery seen through the world’s largest viewing panel - 36 metres wide by 8.3 metres tall. (how much water pressure must be pushing against that panel !)  The viewing area is tiered and there was soft "underwater" music playing in the background - you could just sit here being mesmerised by the amazing under water world. I can see now why my husband and son love scuba diving.(but I am not sure I am ready to take it up - too many "bities" for me!)

This manta ray was gliding up and down, turning over and over in a bubble stream. I must say I did feel a little sorry for him trapped in this aquarium, even though the aquarium is huge. He reminded me a bit of a big cat prowling back and forth in front of a wire fence at a zoo. 

If you are going to Singapore I encourage you to add Sentosa's Aquarium to your "must do" list, but plan to go to Sentosa for the whole day and make sure you allow a few hours to enjoy the Aquarium properly.  Of course, on the way out, you can always buy a souvenir of your visit. 

Afterwards you might like to relax on Siloso Beach, participate in some Fish Reflexology , snorkel with the fish, or enjoy the Adventure Cove Waterpark or Universal Studios (but Universal would take another whole day!) - just a few of the activities on offer at Sentosa. Don't worry there are lots of food outlets to keep your energy levels up! 

To find out more, please go to - SEA Aquarium and Sentosa

Thankyou for stopping by to visit - I hope you have enjoyed this little look under the sea. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a wonderful week.

 I am linking up to Mosaic Monday, Travel Photos Monday, Our World Tuesday, Tuesday Around the World, Travel Photo Thursday, Oh the Places I've Been, and the "What's It Wednesday" party going on over at "Ivy and Elephants". Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday
Travel Photo Mondays
Our World Tuesday
Tuesday Around the World  
What's It Wednesday
Travel Photo Thursday
 Oh The Places I've Been

You might also enjoy - 
The breaktaking world of Gardens by The Bay, Singapore 
High Life at the Raffles