If you love the sun and the sea, and you would like to enjoy over two kilometers of white sand tropical beaches, then I’ve got just the place for you: Sentosa, which is just 500 meters from the southern coast of the main island of Singapore.
Sentosa, which in Malay means peace and tranquility, has an area of about five square kilometers, and in addition to golf courses, restaurants, casinos and hotels nestling in the midst of nature, the island offers numerous attractions, including the Universal Studios theme park and Fort Siloso, which attracts 20 million tourists a year.
For a fantastic view of the island, you can take one of the disc-shaped cabins of the Tiger Sky Tower, which will take you up to a height of 110 meters, as it slowly revolves. On a clear day, you can even see the coasts of Malaysia and Indonesia.
One of the most interesting places on Sentosa is the Marine Life Park, which comprises the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.
The spectacular Aquarium, which contains more than 100,000 sea creatures of more than 800 species, recreates 49 aquatic habitats from Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa. The tank dedicated to the ocean is the largest in the world, and you can take a look inside it as you walk through a glass tunnel 36 meters long and 8 meters high. The Aquarium is home to the world’s largest collection of manta rays, including the only giant oceanic manta ray in captivity, 24 dolphins, hammerhead sharks and rare species such as the guitarfish and the nautilus.
The entertaining Adventure Cove Waterpark has seven water slides, a wave pool and a 620-meter long Adventure River, with 13 themed scenes, including tropical jungles and caves.
An interesting fact: moored behind the aquarium is Bruce Wayne’s luxury yacht from the Batman film The Dark Knight. The Royal Albatross is a 47-meter pirate ship with four masts and 22 sails, able to carry 149 passengers on cruises and tours around the island.
