It is hard not to be impressed by the S.E.A. Aquarium at Resort World Sentosa Singapore described as ‘one of the planet’s largest windows to the ocean’ which statement is backed by some pretty impressive statistics. Visitors can expect to see 100,000 sea creatures of 800 species displayed in 45 million liters of water divided into 10 zones and 49 habitats. One of prominent Singapore 5 star hotels, Westin Singapore offers modern luxurious accommodation and a location close to one of the most happening areas of the city.
The most impressive part of the facility is the open ocean tank containing more than 18 million gallons of water in which 50,000 marine animals swim around. Its 36 meter wide, 8.3 meter high viewing panel is intended to give visitors the feeling of being in the water with the animals. Adjacent to it is the ocean dome where the restaurant is located and guests here are afforded unobstructed underwater views. The aquarium also has a walk through acrylic tunnel that provides incredible views of various shark species.
More impressive statistics relate to its collection displayed in habitats that mimic different ocean and coastal conditions in South East Asia, the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the South China Sea and the freshwater habitats of the lakes of East Africa. It is said to have the world’s largest collection of manta rays and the only giant oceanic manta ray in captivity. Other exhibits include 24 Indo Pacific bottle nose dolphins whose capture caused much controversy and scalloped hammerhead sharks that live in warm tropical waters. The long limbed Japanese spider crab that has the longest limbs of any arthropod and some rare marine creatures such as the elongated guitar fish with its flattened head and body and ray like fins, the chambered nautilus a very special kind of shell fish that is in danger of disappearing due to overfishing and large pelagic varieties such as Napoleon wrasse, Goliath grouper among others make up its collection.
Interactive education programs offered at the aquarium are the Discovery Touch Pool, the Lens Aquarium and Floor Aquarium that provide young visitors with opportunities to get to know marine creatures from oceans around the globe and to learn about conservation.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
