So just a few weeks back I went to S.E.A Aquarium with my colleagues. It was supposed to be a Christmas treat of sorts. A team bonding outing similar to the one we went on in Malaysia.

While Malaysia’s Legoland was not as exciting as Universal Studios Singapore. I liked our Legoland outing more than the S.E.A Aquarium one. You see, it’s not about where you go, it’s about who you go with.

Anyway, back on topic – S.E.A Aquarium, the world’s largest oceanarium until the one in China opened. An adult ticket costs $28 for Singapore Residents and a child ticket is $15. Tourists pay $32 (adult) and $22 (child) and there’s also a $2 charge if you want to check out the Typhoon Theatre where you’ll get a 4D experience of what a typhoon is like. So is it worth the money?

That is a trick question.

Let’s start with an easy one. Typhoon Theatre, worth the time or the money? In my opinion, no. Coming from a media background I know how expensive it was to hire actors and animators to create the visuals for this 4D show. However, I have to be truthful and say I didn’t think it was worth it. $2 is not expensive, true. However, I was underwhelmed by the effects and the visuals.

I had experienced a Category 4 typhoon in Taipei during this year’s Pitchin Bitches annual trip. And what I experienced in the 4D show did not feel like the real thing AT ALL. I feel that if you claim to simulate what a typhoon feels like then go all out and do it well.

Because I knew what a real typhoon was like, even before entering the theatre, I asked the staff there if I was gonna get drenched or very wet. They said ‘no’. I was a bit confused and did not believe them at all. When we were in Taipei, the winds were so strong that our wet hair would whip our faces and the rain would beat down on us like small paintball pellets.

I had also been to a hurricane simulator in Universal Studios in USA before and while the staff said we would only be a little wet, their idea of ‘little’ was not the same as mine. I would not be fooled again. This time, I didn’t want to take my chances so I stuffed all my electronics into my small handbag.

But it turned out that S.E.A Aquarium’s Typhoon Theatre is just a little wetter than Shrek’s 4D sneeze.

And now for the main attraction, the aquarium itself. Is it worth the money?

That depends on what you like or do not like. Do you like attractions that will get your adrenaline pumping? If you do, then obviously the S.E.A Aquarium is not for you or worth $28. If you are the patient quiet sort who can stare at fishes all day long and like the feeling of being surrounded by water then you’ll enjoy the S.E.A Aquarium.

The Little Mermaid is my favourite Disney animation film and I like the feeling of being surrounded by underwater creatures so I thoroughly enjoyed the S.E.A Aquarium. The place feels a bit small for $28. But, if I took the time to slowly enjoy the place and admire the undersea life on display at the attraction, I believe I would have felt it was worth the price. I was like a kid in a candy store.

I went around snapping photos of these amazing creatures. I spotted Bruce, Dory, Nemo, Marlin and Gill, the Moorish Idol.

Nemo and Marlin’s relative

Hello Gill! You’re no Grissom are you.

I hope this regal blue tang doesn’t suffer from short term memory loss.

Oooo! From this angle, it really looks like Dory!

I didn’t see the exact type of starfish featured in the film but I really like the ones I did see.

I love this shot! Wallpaper worthy don’t you think? =P

A starfish, chiling in the tank.

But my all time favourite at the aquarium was the jellyfish! They’re so pretty! Check out these moon jellyfish!

The first tank we saw had colour changing lights so the jellyfish would either be blue, green, white or magenta! It was so cool! I could have stayed there watching it for hours methinks. It was so soothing watching them.

There’s also these cute ones that are a little less graceful – the white spotted jellyfish. They look so unique I had zoom in and get a close up of the jellyfish.

This last one is quite deadly from what I understand. I think its a sea nettle. One of the deadliest jellyfish in existence. The pain will be excruciating, so I read. Though not as bad as the box jellyfish.

I love how it suddenly disappeared when it wasn’t under the spotlight. Scary if you encounter them but fun to watch when you’re safe behind a thick aquarium glass.

The other creature I had fun watching as it swam in the tank were the seahorses! Can you spot them in the photo below?

Their tiny fins reminding me of the fluttering wings of a hummingbird. I feel like they’re working overtime in order to help it to move.

I’m not sure what type of fish this is but I love stripes and the pattern of this fish really caught my eye.

Other than the fact that there didn’t seem to be many exhibits, I really had quite a bit of fun. We didn’t get to see the dolphins though. So that was a bummer. And we didn’t queue to experience the touch pool.

Overall, I think the S.E.A Aquarium is worth a visit at least once. But my advice is to take your time and really admire these amazing creatures at a glacial pace. I would go again once more and really take my time to enjoy these lovely sea creatures. It’s quite soothing and since it’s indoors, you’ll enjoy the attraction in air-con comfort. The attraction may have one of the largest volume of water for an aquairum but the areas to walk really isn’t very big so don’t be too disappointed. At least its easy to explore.

What do you think?
Have you been to Singapore’s S.E.A Aquarium? How did you find it? Is there another aquarium you’d recommend us?

Related articles

• World’s largest oceanarium opens (travel.cnn.com)
• Going Behind the Scenes of the S.E.A. Aquarium Ocean Dreams Experience (passportchop.com)
• Ocean Dreams – Sleeping with the fishes at SEA Aquarium (theoccasionaltraveller.com)
• SEA Aquarium RWS review (thewackyduo.com)
• 10 Must-Visits At The S.E.A. Aquarium – A Guide To The World Under the SEA (thesmartlocal.com)

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