Joanna James
When it comes to family attractions in Singapore, you will be hard-pressed to find a better destination than Sentosa Island. Be it at thrilling theme parks or idyllic beaches, it provides a fun day out. Here are some fascinating facts about it that will make you want to visit sooner!
Amongst the key attractions in Sentosa Island is the S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the largest oceanariums in the world. It's home to more than 800 species encompassing over 100,000 sea creatures from around the globe in diverse habitats. It also features a viewing panel that's a little over eight metres in height and 36 metres in length, making it the largest of its kind in the world too. The Shark Seas Habitat with more than 200 sharks is not to be missed while you can also see giant moray eels, clownfish, reef manta rays, the giant Pacific octopus, Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins and more.
Adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers alike can take a ride on the tallest duelling rollercoasters on the planet! This exhilarating attraction is at Universal Studios in Sentosa which is only around a 10-minute drive from properties like Park Hotel Alexandra. The ride is called Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON and is based on the popular Battlestar Galactica TV series. It offers an experience like no other and features two intertwined rollercoasters that feature plenty of lifts, drops, turns and inversions; worth noting is that it reaches a height of around 14 storeys and has a top speed of 90 km/h!
There are free things to do in Sentosa as well. Easy to access from hotels near Mapletree Business City, Singapore, the island also has free transport options including beach shuttles, Sentosa buses and Sentosa Express trains. Attractions such as the Fort Siloso Skywalk is free to enter as are some of the best beaches in Sentosa like Siloso Beach, Tanjong Beach and Palawan Beach. Those who love the outdoors can also enjoy a hike along the 1.8 km trail through the rainforest area that's part of Sentosa Nature Discovery.
The island is home to Fort Siloso, the nation's only preserved coastal fort that has an onsite museum that's worth visiting. Here, you will find a fascinating array of memorabilia dating to World War Two ranging from what remains of tunnels and fortified structures to coastal guns. There are two trails to explore, namely the Gun Trail and Heritage Trail, while the Surrender Chambers complete with wax figures of British and Japanese soldiers, provides insights into key events from the past. As part of your visit, you can also head to the Fort Siloso Skywalk that offers spectacular views of the area 11 storeys from the ground.
Sentosa is home to diverse wildlife too and in fact, secondary rainforest covers around 70% of the island. Amongst the places, you can visit is Tanjong Rimau where you have a chance to see octopuses, hairy crabs and more at low tide and if you're lucky, long-tail macaques too. More wildlife encounters await at the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, a popular attraction that features numerous free-flying butterflies in a rainforest and various insect species too. Birdwatching enthusiasts can also spot an array of avifauna when here such as collared kingfishers, peacocks, grey herons and Brahminy kites.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
