Meet the eight critically endangered Hawksbill turtle hatchlings being raised at Singapore Oceanarium before their eventual release into the wild.
Venue: Singapore OceanariumĀ
Dates: For a limited timeĀ
Admission: Tickets to Singapore Oceanarium applies
If you are looking for a meaningful family outing, the Singapore Oceanarium (SGO) has just welcomed eight very special residents. In a collaboration with NParks, SGO will be helping 8 Hawksbill turtle hatchlings have a "headstart" to improve their probability of surviving in the wild.Ā
Because these turtles are critically endangered, their first few months are incredibly perilous. In the wild, only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. By giving them a safe place to grow bigger and stronger before they are released, the programme looks to boost their chances of survival. This is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to watch these turtles in action and appreciate that the oceanarium is more than just a place to see fishāit is a working hospital and nursery for our local marine life.
The Journey from Hatchlings to Explorers
The eight turtles originally hatched at the NParks turtle hatchery at Small Sisterās Island in October 2025. After spending their first few months in quarantine and undergoing veterinary checks, they have officially moved to their public-facing habitat.
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Active Care: To ensure they stay "wild," the keepers use natural feeding practices.
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Privacy First: You might notice tinted privacy films on their tanks. This allows us to see in, but not for the turtles to see out. This is a deliberate step to prevent the hatchlings from becoming too used to humans, ensuring they can integrate back into the ocean successfully.
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Tracking the Future: Previous turtles from this programme were fitted with satellite tags. Some have been tracked swimming as far as Indonesia and Southern Thailand, proving that the work done here helps repopulate the regionās oceans.
Observe The Turtles Up Close
This will be your chance to observe these turtles up close as they go about their daily lives. You can watch them as they swim around their habitat. Here are a couple of tips to make your trip more interesting,Ā
- Visit early or later: we were shared that the turtles tend to be more active in the morning or in the evenings. Thus you may wish to time your visit accordingly.Ā
- Identifying the turtles: you will note that there are white dots on the turtle shells. The SGO team identifies the turtles based on the location of the dot on the shell. See if you can spot them.Ā
- Look at the 2 ends: from our visit, we found that the turtles tend to be at the 2 ends of the water body. If you can't spot any turtles, try looking at the deepest and the most shallow ends.Ā Ā
- Patience is key: we also noted that the turtles tend to swim away from the glass but they do occasionally pop-up near the glass, which makes for great photos and videos - you just have to wait for them!Ā
Learning About Our Local Biodiversity
Located at the Horizontal Migration Zone, the exhibit is designed to be educational rather than just decorative. Families can learn about the specific threats these turtles faceāsuch as habitat loss and plastic pollutionāand the science behind wildlife recovery in Singapore.
It is a gentle but impactful way to introduce themes of sustainability and environmental responsibility to young minds.
BYKidO Pro-Tip: Since these hatchlings are part of a conservation programme, they won't be here forever! They are expected to be released back into the wild in early 2027 once they are deemed strong enough. Entry to see them is included in your standard Singapore Oceanarium admission, so make sure to stop by the Horizontal Migration Zone during your next visit.
Singapore Oceanarium
The Singapore Oceanarium is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm (check official website for latest timings). Admission is priced from $55for adults and $43 for children.Ā
Visit the Resorts World Sentosa website for tickets
