S.E.A. Aquarium in 2024 – Genshin Impact event, Singapore Oceanarium upgrades underway

Resorts World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium has exciting changes coming its way, from the world’s first Genshin Impact aquarium experience, to its gradual transformation to the new Singapore Oceanarium in 2025.

New Event: Teyvat SEA Exploration at S.E.A. Aquarium

From 12 September to 28 October 11 November 2024, the Genshin Impact x S.E.A. Aquarium collaboration offers a new Teyvat SEA Exploration experience. Inspired by the Fontaine region, an underwater area in the world of Genshin Impact, visitors can expect decorative overlays around S.E.A. Aquarium, along with photo opportunities and guest cosplayer appearances.

Genshin Impact fans might be keen on the Teyvat SEA Exploration Pack, which offers an exclusive character enamel pin of Sigewinne (with display stand), a laser commemorative ticket with glow-in-the-dark design, plus a stamp rally passport for your adventure around the Aquarium’s galleries.

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From S.E.A. Aquarium to Singapore Oceanarium

In early 2022, Resorts World Sentosa announced more details on its revised resort expansion, also known as RWS2.0. It includes several new facilities across the resort, including Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore, and the expansion and rebranding of S.E.A. Aquarium to Singapore Oceanarium (SGO).

When completed, the Singapore Oceanarium will be three times as large as the existing S.E.A Aquarium. It will offer more immersive, digital exhibits, plus new facilities such as marine education and research centres. Singapore Oceanarium is expected to open in 2025.

A lot has changed since my last visit to S.E.A. Aquarium in 2021. This is also one of the few attractions that I have covered since its opening. If you are curious, the 2021 article also has an overview of Marine Life Park, a family of attractions of which the Aquarium was a part of.

As of mid 2024, upgrading works to build the Singapore Oceanarium are underway, and there are some significant changes to the current Aquarium. The interim entrance is still at the very end of the former Maritime Experiential Museum building, but at a different side. This building, also known as the “worm” or overturned ship hull with its unique design, is also gradually repainted blue.

Back in 2021, the Museum’s lower levels were already reused for exhibits and a retail store. Now, you can find most of its corridors sealed.

The actual underground “entrance” to the Aquarium is still the same, but looking quite barren for now – perhaps waiting for the Genshin Impact overlays to come in.

The School of Fish area was revamped with newer displays, but the Photo walls still remained.

The interactive Discovery Pool (which shifted out before SGO renovations started) has moved back into its original space beside the Coral Garden tank.

A new style of illustration can be found all over the Aquarium’s new wall murals – which I suppose was chosen to help brighten up spaces that were previously exhibits.

There’s only one gift shop in the Aquarium, and it’s right in the middle, taking over most of the original ‘S.E.A.side Snacks’ F&B outlet (which was not open when I visited).

Windows to the Dolphin Island were also shuttered – although I am not sure if this is temporary or permanent.

Notably, the eye-catching two-storey cylinder tank was also closed.

The popular Sea Jellies area in the ‘Ocean Diversity’ zone is still around, with slightly updated lighting design (and murals).

The biggest upgrade is at the Aquarium’s signature gallery – the Open Ocean Habitat. Now there are glass walls replacing the original dark railings, offering a much better viewing experience while seated at the higher tiers.

The Ocean Dome gallery still offers unique views into the Open Ocean Habitat.

For some time, SEA Aquarium has been running the Behind The Scenes: Aquarist Lab programme as an add-on, a 30-min educational experience which also gives you a backstage tour through some of its marine care facilities.

These two exhibits, previously part of the ‘Africa’ area, had open-top tanks, but are now sealed.

Even with all the changes over the years, the Aquarium remains as one of the most popular attractions in Sentosa – especially when it’s entirely indoors and protected from the sweltering heat. I would suggest arriving at the Aquarium early, just when it opens, for a more peaceful experience.

There were more pockets of unused spaces here and there, which I assume will be filled with some Genshin Impact activity stations as part of the seasonal event.

One small shop before you move ahead, where you can choose to buy prints from the “Welcome Photo” in the School of Fish area.

Complete your journey in S.E.A. Aquarium at the Apex Predator exhibit, along with the Shipwrecked! display, both of which are largely similar to the original concept when the Aquarium first opened over a decade ago.

Small reminders of a former attraction, Typhoon Theatre, remain in the Shipwrecked display – but perhaps only people who’ve been to the original attraction years back could tell.

After walking by the Shipwrecked display, you can re-enter Aquarium again for another walk through its galleries.

Get your tickets to S.E.A. Aquarium

From 12 September to 28 October 2024, visit the S.E.A. Aquarium for a new Teyvat SEA Exploration event inspired by the world of Genshin Impact.