ABC News – Mon, Dec 3, 2012
Fans of marine life, time to plan a trip to Singapore.
A new aquarium – which claims to be the world’s largest – opened in late November on the resort island of Sentosa.
It is called the S.E.A. Aquarium, and it is home to 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species in 45 million liters – almost 12 million gallons – of water. Comprising 10 different zones with 49 habitats, the aquarium aims to take visitors on an underwater voyage beginning from Southeast Asia, and continuing through the Arabian Gulf and the open ocean.
The Open Ocean habitat is viewed through the world’s largest viewing panel. It is 36 meters wide and 8.3 meters tall, or about 118 by 27 feet.
Aquarium admission is about $24 for an adult.
“S.E.A. Aquarium offers not only a stunning display of habitats, but also education and conservation programs in which families and guests can participate,” S.E.A. Aquarium Senior Curator Grant Willis said in a news release. “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.”
Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, which opened in 2005, has also claimed to be the world’s largest, with “more than 10 million gallons of water,” according to its website. The Georgia Aquarium was the result of a $250 million gift to the city of Atlanta from Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot.
The same day the Singapore aquarium opened, the resort also opened the Adventure Cove Waterpark, with six water slides including a water coaster, a wave pool and a lazy river. There are also opportunities for interaction with marine life. Rainbow Reef offers snorkeling with fish and swimming with sting rays. Dolphin and shark interactions are coming next year.
