Sentosa Island, Singapore

Any first visit to Singapore is incomplete without going to the Resort Island of Sentosa. I have been there two times in the last two decades, but last week (10 May 2019) while we were in Singapore for vacation as a family, we decided to go again. There are multiple attractions inside Sentosa, like S.E.A. Aquarium,  Universal Studios, Butterfly Park, Madame Tussauds wax museum, Fort Siloso, Waterpark, iFly Wind tunnel, Trick Eye Museum, Wings of Time light & sound show and more. You need a minimum of a day to see a few of them. If you have the interest and can afford it, I will suggest you stay for 2-3 days on Sentosa Island, there are some good hotels there, and explore the place in leisure.

During our trip last week, we travelled from the city to Sentosa by MRT Train service to HarbourFront (Vivocity) and walked outside to the cable car station to board the cable car, which takes you to Sentosa Island. Within the Island, there are regular bus services to take you to different parts, or you can take a taxi – many of the attractions are walkable from one another – you can refer to the brochure with the map they give you at the ticket counter for directions. Before you buy the ticket at the cable car station, if you had decided on the attractions you are interested in, you can buy a package ticket that cost less than the individual passes.

Harbourfront and Cable Car Station

View from the cable car ride to the island

View of Singapore City from the cable car

The shuttle bus service within sentosa

The casino is open for foreign travellers to Singapore

The main street (The Forum) at Sentosa

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Sentosa

S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the earliest underwater aquariums in the world, is still the best. There are over 100,000 marine animals of over 1000 species, across 50 different habitats here. You need a few hours to see half of the place.

S.E.A. Aquarium

The beautiful Jellyfishes

The mesmerizing sea nettles

The underwater tunnel where you can walkthrough

Next to the aquarium, the other major attraction here is Universal Studios. While it is much smaller than the Universal Studios in Los Angeles or Orlando, it will still interest first-time visitors and kids. This attraction requires you at least half a day or more to complete at least a few rides – for each ride you have to wait in line and proceed.

Universal Studios, Sentosa, Singapore

The Egyptian Pyramid model and Marilyn Monroe dance Show

Hollywood Show – Light, Camera, Action by Director Steven Spielberg

Dreamworks Shrek castle and show

Venkatarangan in front of the Dreamworks Shrek castle

After seeing many of the attractions, you end the day at Sentosa, by sitting down for a light and sound show called “Wings of Time”.

Wings of Time – Light show about time told through a story of friendship and courage

Wings of Time, Sentosa

I remember the show I saw twenty years before to be grandeur and enchanting, where they narrate the story of the founding of Singapore (Singapura), but now the show seems to be much tamer and smaller in scope. Still, if this is your first time for a light and sound show you should check it out.

The story of Singapura used to be on display here – Sentosa in 2004