From 1 to 23 November 2025, the Singapore Oceanarium will shine a light on one of the ocean’s most captivating creatures through Animal Spotlight: Sea Jellies, a three-week event held in conjunction with World Sea Jelly Day on 3 November.
The programme celebrates the beauty and importance of sea jellies, exploring their role in maintaining ecological balance within marine ecosystems.
Often mistaken as simple drifters, these organisms are in fact key players in the ocean’s food web, acting as both predators and prey.
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Through this special programme, visitors will gain a better understanding of how sea jellies contribute to ocean health and the science behind their care and conservation.
Behind-the-Scenes Sea Jelly Experience
Central to the celebration is the 45-minute Behind-the-Scenes Sea Jelly Experience, a guided session that gives visitors an insider’s view of how these ethereal creatures are bred, nurtured, and maintained at the Singapore Oceanarium.
The experience takes place in areas usually closed to the public, offering rare access to the intricate work that happens behind the displays.
The tour begins in the husbandry area, where aquarists share insights into the life cycle of sea jellies.
From their early stage as tiny polyps attached to surfaces, to their transformation into free-swimming ephyrae, and eventually into the adult medusae commonly seen in exhibits.
Guests will see cultivation tanks housing sea jellies at different stages of growth, each tank carefully monitored for temperature, salinity, and lighting to replicate their natural habitat. These controlled conditions are essential, as sea jellies are particularly sensitive to environmental fluctuations.
The guided experience continues into the nursery section, a holding area for animals that are either expecting or rearing their young.
While sea jellies are the focus, visitors may also observe juvenile marine species such as fish and seahorses.
This section is where visitors can see the Oceanarium’s broader conservation efforts, where staff work to provide a safe and stable environment for young and developing marine life. Seeing these nurseries firsthand helps guests understand the dedication required to maintain marine populations in a sustainable way.
Another highlight of the experience is the feeding demonstration, where aquarists prepare and introduce food into the tanks while explaining the different diets of sea jelly species.
Each type of sea jelly requires specific food, often consisting of finely prepared plankton or specialised feeds that match their natural diet. Through this session, visitors gain a sense of the precision and care needed to ensure the animals’ wellbeing.
Throughout the 45-minute session, guides also share details about the Oceanarium’s research and conservation work, including breeding programmes and collaborations with scientists studying jellyfish behaviour and reproduction.
By the end of the experience, participants walk away with a deeper appreciation for how much science and attention goes into caring for such fragile creatures.
The Behind-the-Scenes Sea Jelly Experience runs four times daily and is available as an add-on activity at $28 per person for guests aged four and above. Each participant will also receive a cute and complimentary sea jelly plush keychain as a keepsake from their visit.
Themed Dining and Retail Experiences
Beyond the exhibits, visitors can extend their Oceanarium visit through a selection of sea jelly-themed dining and retail experiences.
The entrance area features a curated range of ocean-inspired souvenirs, including plush toys, stationery, and marine-themed trinkets. These items make for thoughtful mementos, allowing guests to take home a small reminder of their visit while supporting the Oceanarium’s educational mission.
For those looking to enjoy themed treats, Explorer’s Nook presents the Sea Jelly Mantou Set, a soft, steamed mantou filled with yam. Its playful design pays tribute to the graceful movements of sea jellies, offering families, especially children, a fun and accessible way to connect with the theme of the event.
Meanwhile, dessert lovers can stop by Tide Deli, where they can try an exclusive Bubblegum Gelato is topped with jellybeans and accompanied by a Sea Jelly Mini Cookie. This colourful and whimsical creation adds a light-hearted touch to the Oceanarium’s celebration of marine life.
How to Join the Animal Spotlight: Sea Jellies Programme
Visitors interested in attending Animal Spotlight: Sea Jellies or booking the Behind-the-Scenes Sea Jelly Experience can do so by purchasing tickets through the official Singapore Oceanarium website at www.singaporeoceanarium.com/en/world-sea-jelly-day
