Underwater World, Singapore

Last updated

Underwater World, Singapore
Underwater World Singapore logo.jpg
Underwater World, Singapore 4, Sentosa, Aug 06.JPG
Entrance to Underwater World
Underwater World, Singapore
1°15′31″N103°48′40″E / 1.2586°N 103.8112°E / 1.2586; 103.8112
Date opened13 May 1991;32 years ago (1991-05-13)
Date closed26 June 2016;7 years ago (2016-06-26)
Location80 Siloso Road
Singapore 098969
Land area28 hectares (69 acres)
No. of animals2500
No. of species250
Major exhibitsAquatic Creatures

Underwater World, also known as Underwater World Singapore Pte Ltd, was an oceanarium located on the offshore Singaporean island of Sentosa. It was opened on 13 May 1991 and closed on 26 June 2016. [1]

Contents

History

The oceanarium was developed by the Western Australian Development Corporation in the late 1980s. [2] It opened to the public on 13 May 1991 and was sold to private investors a year later. [3] It had more than 2,500 marine animals of 250 species from different regions of the world. [4] The oceanarium was mostly underground and it was owned by the Haw Par Corporation. The Underwater World's ticket included admission to the Dolphin Lagoon at Palawan Beach. It re-opened on 23 February 2010 after a revamp of several attractions within the park. [5]

Underwater World was also involved in several environmental and educational projects, such as the Living in the Ocean Programme, Ocean Ambassador Programme and the Coral Club. The Underwater World also provided exclusive venues to host events, such as ocean-themed functions.

Attractions

Underwater World had a 83-metre (272 ft) long travelator that moved visitors along a submerged 6-millimetre (0.24 in) thick acrylic-windowed tunnel from which they could look at an array of marine life including coral reefs, stingrays, moray eels, turtles, sharks and others.

Adventures

The Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon offered numerous adventures to the visitors. Some of them included:

Dolphin Lagoon

Dolphin performing an agile feat at the Dolphin Lagoon Sentosabdolphinc.JPG
Dolphin performing an agile feat at the Dolphin Lagoon

The Dolphin Lagoon was home to several Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, also known as the "pink dolphins". Several "Meet-the-Dolphins" sessions were held daily that allowed visitors to enter the waist-deep pool and interact closely with the dolphins. The ticket to the Underwater World & dolphin show did not include the direct contact with the dolphins, an additional photo-coupon had to be purchased. The lagoon also included a Dolphin Suite where visitors could watch the dolphin performance from within an air-conditioned area. [1]

In August 2014 the organizations Wildlife Watcher Singapore, in collaboration with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, reported sub-standard living conditions for the animals. [7]

The pink dolphins have since been rehoused in Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, an oceanarium in Zhuhai, China. [8]

Effect of plans for Sentosa Integrated Resort

On 6 December 2006, Underwater World Singapore launched three new attractionsan interactive stingray feeding pool, a display of small marine reef species, and 'Fish Reflexology', Singapore's first fish reflexology spa, where two species of doctor fish gently nibble away at the dead skin on visitors' feet. The new features cost S$650,000.

This was amid plans that were being proposed for Sentosa's Integrated Resorts. Genting Group's S$5.2 billion proposal, Resorts World, would feature the world's largest oceanarium at that point in timethe 8-hectare (20-acre) Quest Marine Life Parkwhich would house 700,000 marine animals in a 30,000,000-litre (6,599,000 imp gal; 7,925,000 US gal) lagoon. Rival bidder Kerzner-CapitaLand's proposal would have an even larger marine habitat, with a capacity of 109,000,000 litres (23,977,000 imp gal; 28,795,000 US gal), including the world's largest jellyfish enclosure and an artificial reef for diving and snorkelling. [9] A week later it was announced that Genting International won the bid. In 2012, the Marine Life Park (also known as S.E.A. Aquarium) opened in Resorts World Sentosa.

Closure

On 6 June 2016, it was announced by operator Haw Par that the venue would close on 26th of that month. Its pink dolphins, fur seals and otters had been transferred to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China the week before the announcement. [1]

List of animals in Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon

Sharks at Underwater World Sentosaaunderwaterx.JPG
Sharks at Underwater World
Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin performing at Dolphin Lagoon Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin jumping.jpg
Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin performing at Dolphin Lagoon

See also

Transit

The Underwater World Monorail Station used to serve this attraction, but it no longer does since the station closed in 2005.

A 3 Cabin Beach shuttle ( Beach Tram ) Serve the Former attraction but little is known about it.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan</span> Largest aquarium in Japan

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is an aquarium located in the ward of Minato in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, near Osaka Bay. When it first opened, it was the largest public aquarium in the world. It is a member of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shedd Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Illinois, United States

Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago. Opened on May 30, 1930, the 5 million US gal aquarium holds about 32,000 animals and is the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, after the Georgia Aquarium and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham</span> Aquarium in Birmingham, United Kingdom

The National Sea Life Centre is an aquarium with over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, England. Its ocean tank has a capacity of 1,000,000 litres (220,000 imp gal) of water and houses giant green sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks and tropical reef fish, with the only fully transparent 360-degree underwater tunnel in the United Kingdom. The building was designed by Sir Norman Foster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marineland of Florida</span> United States historic place

Marineland of Florida, one of Florida's first marine mammal parks, is billed as "the world's first oceanarium". Marineland functions as an entertainment and swim-with-the-dolphins facility, and reopened to the public on March 4, 2006. In 2011, the park was purchased by the Georgia Aquarium for a reported $9.1 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarium of the Pacific</span> Public aquarium in California, U.S.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a public aquarium on a 5-acre (20,000 m2) site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California, United States. It is situated across the water from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth</span> Marine aquarium in the city of Plymouth, England

The National Marine Aquarium, opened in May 1998, is situated in Britain's ocean city of Plymouth; it is the largest aquarium in the UK. It is home to over 5,000 animals and acts as an educational institution, teaching visitors about marine environments. The National Marine Aquarium is run by Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity dedicated to ocean conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisbon Oceanarium</span> Aquarium in Lisbon, Portugal

The Lisbon Oceanarium is an oceanarium in Lisbon, Portugal. It is located in the Parque das Nações, which was the exhibition grounds for the Expo '98. It is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Life Sunshine Coast</span> Aquarium in Queensland, Australia

Sea Life Sunshine Coast at Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia is a marine mammal park, oceanarium and wildlife sanctuary. Sea Life Sunshine Coast is an institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA). The attraction is a Sea Life Centre owned by Merlin Entertainments, and is globally referred to as Sea Life Sunshine Coast by the firm. It was formerly known as UnderWater World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium</span> Zoo in Victoria, Australia

Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is a Southern Ocean and Antarctic aquarium in central Melbourne, Australia. It is located on the banks of the Yarra River beside and under the Flinders Street Viaduct and the King Street Bridge. The attraction is a Sea Life Centre owned by Merlin Entertainments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oceanarium</span> Marine mammal park

An oceanarium can be either a marine mammal park, such as Marineland of Canada, or a large-scale aquarium, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium, presenting an ocean habitat with marine animals, especially large ocean dwellers such as sharks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarium of Western Australia</span> Aquarium in Hillarys, Western Australia

The Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) is a privately owned aquarium in Hillarys, Western Australia. Located approximately 20 km (12 mi) north-west of Perth City, it is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is a public aquarium that features a large variety of Australian aquatic life, displaying more than 700 species comprising more than 13,000 individual fish and other sea and water creatures from most of Australia's water habitats. Opened in 1988, it is regarded as one of Sydney's premier tourist attractions with over 55% of its visitors each year coming from overseas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas State Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Texas, United States

The Texas State Aquarium is a nonprofit aquarium located in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. It aims to promote environmental conservation and rehabilitation of the wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1995. It is the largest aquarium in Texas, and one of the largest aquaria in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Life Park</span> Aquarium on Sentosa, Singapore

<i>Oceans</i> (film) 2009 French film

Oceans is a 2009 French nature documentary film directed, produced, co-written, and narrated by Jacques Perrin, with Jacques Cluzaud as co-director. The film, produced in association with the Census of Marine Life, explores the marine species of Earth's five oceans and reflects on the negative aspects of human activity on the environment, with Perrin providing narration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palma Aquarium</span> Aquarium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma Aquarium is a commercial aquarium and park that first opened in 2007 in Palma, Mallorca, Spain. The aquarium is the property of Coral World International. The aquarium is 500 m (1,600 ft) from Playa de Palma beach, and includes 55 tanks which are home to over 700 different species from the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. One tank, "Big Blue" is 8.5 m (28 ft) deep, the deepest shark tank in Europe, and it also contains the largest collection of live coral in Europe The park was awarded "Best Business Initiative in the Balearics 2007", awarded by Actualidad Económica magazine, and was awarded the "2007 Accessibility Prize" by the Consell de Mallorca.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ripley's Aquarium of Canada</span> Public aquarium in Toronto, Ontario

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is a public aquarium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The aquarium is one of three aquariums owned-and-operated by Ripley Entertainment. It is located in downtown Toronto, just southeast of the CN Tower. The aquarium has 5.7 million litres of marine and freshwater habitats from across the world. The exhibits hold more than 20,000 exotic sea and freshwater specimens from more than 450 species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chimelong Ocean Kingdom</span> Theme park situated in Hengqin, Zhuhai, China

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is a theme park situated in Hengqin, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China. It was designed by PGAV Destinations. The park broke ground on November 28, 2010 and soft-opened on January 28, 2014. The grand opening occurred on March 29 of that year. The first phase of the park cost RMB 10 billion to build. It is part of the Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort, which aims to become the "Orlando of China". According to TEA and AECOM, it was the 10th most visited theme park in the world in 2018, with 10.83 million visitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coral World Underwater Observatory</span> Aquarium in Eilat, Israel

Eilat's Coral World Underwater Observatory is a public aquarium, park and conservation center located in Eilat, Israel. It is the biggest public aquarium in Israel, and it hosts over 800 species. It was founded in 1974 and was the first of its kind. The park and aquarium is located to the south of Eilat's Coral Beach nature reserve.

Ocean Park Aquarium is a privately owned open-to-public oceanarium located approximately 10 km south of Denham in the Shark Bay area of Western Australia that is a major tourism drawcard in the area. Visitors can experience marine creatures on display such as coralfish, butterflyfish, clownfish, lionfish, stonefish, moray eel, stingrays, sea snakes, octopus and crustaceans in the indoor aquarium centre. The oceanarium's flagship display is the 3.5 ML (920,000 US gal) "Shark Lagoon" where kingfish, trevally and estuary cod cohabitate with sandbar shark, sicklefin lemon sharks and tiger shark which are publicly fed six times daily. The lagoon is the largest such exhibit in Western Australia. Diving experiences, shark feedings and other tours are also available to visitors for additional costs. The oceanarium prides itself on being eco-friendly and has won several tourism and education awards. The aquarium offers some degree of protection to key species particularly to loggerhead turtles that often undergo rehabilitation following injury or exhaustion after being carried too far south.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Channel NewsAsia. "Underwater World Singapore to close Jun 26". Channel NewsAsia . Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. Lague, David (22 June 1989). "WADC faces $6.7M Oceanarium Blow-out". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 10 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Gallop, Geoff (31 August 1992). "Sale of Sentosa Island Underwater World". Government of Western Australia, Media Statements. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  4. "Underwater World Singapore". NLB E-Resources . 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  5. "Underwater World revamped". The Straits Times . 23 February 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  6. Underwater World Staff. "Underwater World – Adventures". Underwater World. Haw Par Corporation . Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  7. Laura Elizabeth Philomin (27 October 2014). "Underwater World Singapore criticised for 'sub-standard' animal living conditions". Today Online.
  8. "Underwater World Singapore to close, animals sent to China".
  9. Jessica Cheam, "Underwater World not threatened by IR plans", The Straits Times , 7 December 2006