Sentosa is a beautiful island and one of the popular attractions that lie just off the coast of Singapore. It has white sand beaches, lush green rainforest, and wildlife galore. Most people are familiar with Sentosa island because it is home to many amusement parks and fun activities, but there are so many more things about this little island that you may not know.
Join us as we explore the fascinating history of this beautiful island and find out 5 unfamiliar facts about Sentosa!
It Has the Largest Oceanarium in the World
The S.E.A Aquarium, located in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), is the world’s largest oceanarium. More than 100,000 sea animals from over 800 different species live in its 45 million gallons of water. If it’s marine life you’re seeking, from hammerhead sharks to pufferfish, you’ll almost certainly find it here. The attraction also features the world’s largest viewing screen, which is 36 metres wide and 8.3 metres tall.
It Was Originally Home to Asia’s Coldest Playground Feature
Children were given the opportunity to zoom down Asia’s first-ever ice slides along the beach as part of Sentosa’s 40th-anniversary celebrations in 2012. The slides, which were 5m and 8m long, provided a welcome respite for the island’s younger visitors. But the fun only lasted a day, as the slide had all but melted by September 2, only a day after it was built.
The Island’s Famed Merlion Statue Is One Tough Clean-up Job
Cleaning the Merlion is no easy task. The previous time the Merlion was cleaned, in 2012, it took a team of cleaning professionals ten days to clean the 37-meter-tall monument. The cleaners had to rappel down from its head with jet sprays in order to wash away grime and apply preserving chemicals. Regrettably, the Merlion has since been demolished.
Despite Its Urbanisation, Sentosa Remains a Very Wild Environment
Sentosa is teeming with wildlife. Around 70% of the area is covered in secondary rainforest, which is home to monitor lizards, peacocks, and monkeys, among other animals. If it is not enough to persuade you, consider the following: More than 15,000 live butterflies and over 3,000 insect species can be found in the Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom, respectively.
It Used to Have a Really Unappealing Name
Sentosa used to be known as Pulau Belakang Mati, which translates to “The Island After Death” in Malay. Before it became linked with sandy beaches and a fun day in the sun, it was known as Pulau Belakang Mati. During the Japanese rule, the island was used to keep prisoners of war, hence the name was likely appropriate. The island was renamed Sentosa in 1972 as the Singapore government decided to promote it as a tourist attraction. Sentosa means “peace and quiet” in Malay.