Glamping at the Singapore Oceanarium – Glamping Passion

Ten tents have been set up in the Ocean Gallery, while one premium tent sits in the Ocean Dome. They come equipped with air-conditioning, ambient lighting, plush bedding and charging ports.

There are lots of thoughtful little touches: a basket of snacks and drinks, earplugs, a travel pillow, a blanket, a towel, a lamp and even a hair dryer. We also get an amenities pouch with socks and an eye mask.

Families will appreciate features like a dedicated kids’ activity corner with storybooks, marine-themed board games, a badge-making activity and colouring sheets.

My tent, called Reef Manta Ray, is in the Ocean Dome, housed in a space that showcases a 270-degree view of the Open Ocean Habitat. It comes with a private lounge area, kids’ activity corner and hot beverage station.

From the edge of the tent, I lie back and watch manta rays and leopard sharks glide past in the water.

It feels like a childhood fantasy come true. It is the closest thing to sleeping in the ocean itself – calming and therapeutic.

Good morning, ocean dreamers

The next day begins with breakfast at 7am. Just as we are finishing our meal, two divers surface before the viewing window, unfurling a banner that reads: “Good morning, ocean dreamers.”

The sight, which feels like a whimsical wake-up call from beneath the sea, draws delighted gasps.

Then comes a behind-the-scenes tour of the support areas where animal-care specialists work. These are parts of the oceanarium that most visitors do not get to see: Aquarist Lab, Coral Fragment Room, the support area at the Open Ocean Habitat, Amphibian & Reptile Centre, and Feed Preparation Room.

In the Coral Fragment Room,  Foo explains the different coral specimens and the process of coral fragmentation, a delicate method used to propagate corals, as well as how these unique animals feed, reproduce and form an essential marine ecosystem known as coral reefs.

In the Feed Preparation Room, I discover that more than 1,500kg of high-quality fish food is prepared each week, from krill to mackerel. The reef manta rays alone eat 4kg to 5kg of krill daily, with extras like garlic added for nutrients.

The highlight is watching an animal-care specialist feeding the manta rays at the Open Ocean Habitat support area.

The rays’ graceful movements and wide, flapping fins make for a mesmerising display as they glide effortlessly through the water.

By 11am, the programme has officially ended. But I stay a little longer to roam the oceanarium, reluctant to trade the quiet watery realm for the busy city.

I have eaten, slept and dreamt with the ocean. For one night, the underwater world felt like home.

The experience will run across four sessions, on Nov 28 to 29, and Dec 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20.

Each Ocean Dreams session has two tent types available for booking: the Ocean Gallery tent and the Ocean Dome tent. The gallery tent accommodates up to four guests at $1,800 (US$1,388) a tent. The dome tent, which accommodates up to eight guests, costs $3,800 (US $2,935).

The Straits Times

Asia News Network