Secluded beaches, diverse marine life, and day trips in lush greenery await on the less explored islands surrounding Singapore.
Islands with soft sand beaches, serene turquoise waters, and opportunities to spot diverse oceanic life while snorkelling are much closer to Singapore than most people think. Fun fact: the furthest of these islands are less than an hour’s ferry trip from the mainland.
Unbeknownst to many, Singapore counts approximately 64 islands within its territories. Amongst them are a handful with accessible, regular routes for those looking to trade the skyline for quiet shores. These are the best islands to visit close to Singapore.
Coney Island
Back in the mid-1950s, Coney Island was envisioned as a resort and amusement park. When its ownership was transferred from the entrepreneurs Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par to businessman Ghulam Mahmood, that vision never materialised. And in 1972, the island was repossessed by the government to preserve its natural landscape.
Today, visitors can explore Coney Island’s mangroves and beaches on a nature trail without having to journey through Singapore’s waters — the island is connected to the mainland via a bridge located in the town of Punggol in northeast Singapore. Attractions here include the Casuarina Exploratory, a play area constructed from the island’s upcycled materials, and five natural beaches. Wildlife photography enthusiasts and birdwatchers can also keep an eye out for over 80 species of resident and migratory birds sheltering on the island.
Kusu Island
Legend has it that Kusu Island was once a giant tortoise, transformed by a deity into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors — one a Chinese Taoist and the other a Malay Muslim — stranded at sea. In gratitude for the gesture, religious landmarks from both religions were constructed on the island’s grounds. Best known for its cultural significance, Kusu Island is a destination for pilgrims during the annual Kusu pilgrimage that occurs in the ninth month of the lunisolar calendar.
This island also houses a tortoise sanctuary on its grounds, and in its clear waters, visitors can find stretches of coral reefs protected by Singapore’s national environmental agency. To get to Kusu Island, ferries depart from Marina South Pier.
Lazarus Island
More a beach than an island, Lazarus Island is uniquely recognisable by its crescent-shaped formation. Historically, the island — along with neighbouring St. John’s Island — served as a quarantine station for those contracted with infectious diseases such as cholera. Prior to its modern reputation as a getaway hotspot for sunbathing and recreational sports, Lazarus Island was also a penal settlement and a drug rehabilitation centre.
Overnight stays on the island are welcomed for visitors with glamping-like facilities in the form of fully sheltered tents and tiny homes. Regular ferries to Lazarus Island run from Marina South Pier, along with day cruises offering hop-on hop-off trips for private parties exploring the southern Singapore Islands.
Pulau Ubin
While no definitive source can be found for its name, Pulau Ubin is widely believed to derive from the Javanese word for granite — a nod to its quarrying past. The island is one of the last remaining places in Singapore where the rustic kampong way of life still exists. Today, much of the island is covered by dense forests rich in wildlife, including monkeys, native birds, and wild boars. Due to Pulau Ubin’s large land area, its natural attractions are best explored by bicycle, which visitors can rent from shops on the island.
Situated off Singapore’s northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is accessible via ferries from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal on the mainland. Curiously, there are no fixed departure schedules for boat rides to the island — the journey begins once enough passengers come aboard.
Sentosa
Sentosa is Singapore’s most widely known island escape, combining white sand beaches, five-star accommodations, and world-class attractions as a one-stop destination. From taking in the sea views from shorefront beach clubs lining its main beaches — Palawan, Siloso, and Tanjong, to indulging in the happenings at Resorts World Sentosa, there always seems to be something new to discover on the island.
Those looking to uncover Sentosa’s history can take a heritage trail that offers a self-guided tour of landmarks from Sentosa’s days as a British military stronghold. Alternatively, thrill seekers will enjoy attractions such as the Skyline Luge and Universal Studios Singapore. The island is accessible via land transport, walking on a connected boardwalk, or by cable car from Harbourfront’s Vivocity shopping mall.
Sisters’ Island
According to folklore, two sisters who were swept out to sea and separated were transformed into the islands that give the archipelago its name. Made up of Big Sister’s Island and Small Sister’s Island, the islands are home to the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, first established in 2014 to protect its rich biodiversity — with coral reefs, seagrass meadows and marine life — found along its southern coastline.
While access to Small Sister’s Island is restricted for conservation and research purposes, visitors can explore designated areas of Big Sister’s Island at the Marine Park Public Gallery. Snorkelling and guided intertidal walks are also popular ways to experience the island when programmes and conditions permit. To get there, visitors can take a ferry or private charter from Marina South Pier.
St John’s Island
A 30-minute journey by sea is all it takes to usher city visitors to St John’s Island. Despite its distinctly British-sounding name, the island was originally known as Pulau Sekijang, or “Barking Deer Island”. Over time, European sailors are believed to have misheard and anglicised “Sekijang” into “St John’s”, a name that eventually stuck. Just like Lazarus Island — connected by a causeway — St John’s Island shares the same history as a settlement for communities isolated from the mainland.
Currently, the island is a popular holiday camp for city dwellers seeking a calmer setting to unwind. Since 2002, the Marine Aquaculture Centre has been established on its grounds, alongside development facilities for ecological preservation. On walking trails, visitors can make pit stops for a dip in its lagoons teeming with marine life. St John’s Island is accessible to visitors on ferries departing from Marina South Pier.