Islands in Singapore: Sentosa, Lazarus & More

Singapore's Tropical Island Paradise

Beyond Singapore's gleaming skyscrapers and bustling city streets lies a hidden world of tropical islands waiting to be explored. While most visitors know Singapore as a modern metropolis, few realize that this city-state actually comprises 64 islands, with the main island surrounded by smaller islands that offer everything from pristine beaches and lush mangroves to theme parks and marine adventures.

These islands provide perfect escapes from the urban jungle, each offering unique experiences. Sentosa Island entertains millions with world-class attractions, while Lazarus Island remains an untouched paradise with crystal-clear waters. Pulau Ubin preserves rural Singapore's traditional kampung life, and St John's Island offers peaceful beaches just 30 minutes from downtown. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, Singapore's islands deliver memorable day trips and weekend getaways.

This comprehensive guide covers the seven main islands you can visit, complete with practical information on how to reach each, what to do, and insider tips to make the most of your island hopping adventure in Singapore.

Sentosa Island - The State of Fun

Sentosa stands as Singapore's premier island destination, attracting over 19 million visitors annually. Located just 500 meters from the mainland, this 5-square-kilometer island packs an incredible variety of attractions, beaches, and entertainment options. Formerly a British military fortress, Sentosa has transformed into a multi-themed resort island that calls itself "The State of Fun" for good reason.

Top Attractions

Universal Studios Singapore: Southeast Asia's only Universal Studios theme park features 28 rides across seven themed zones. Highlights include the Transformers ride, Battlestar Galactica dueling roller coasters, and the Jurassic World rapids adventure. Plan at least 6-8 hours to experience major attractions.

S.E.A. Aquarium: Once the world's largest aquarium, this marine wonderland houses over 100,000 marine animals across 50 habitats. The massive ocean gallery features a giant viewing panel offering panoramic views of manta rays, sharks, and schooling fish. Visit during feeding times for the most action.

Adventure Cove Waterpark: Perfect for families and thrill-seekers, this waterpark features Southeast Asia's first hydro-magnetic coaster, snorkeling with rays, and a lazy river through tropical gardens. The Rainbow Reef experience lets you swim with 20,000 tropical fish even without diving certification.

Sentosa Merlion: Standing at 37 meters tall, this iconic half-lion, half-fish statue offers panoramic island views from its mouth and head. As the guardian of Singapore, the Merlion represents the island's heritage as a fishing village (Singapura means "Lion City" in Sanskrit).

Madame Tussauds Singapore: Get up close with wax figures of celebrities, world leaders, and sports stars. The attraction features interactive experiences where you can pose with figures, including Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew and K-pop superstars BTS.

Sentosa's Beaches

Palawan Beach: The most family-friendly beach, Palawan features a suspension bridge leading to a small islet that's supposedly the southernmost point of continental Asia. The beach has calm waters, playgrounds, and beach bars. It's perfect for families with children.

Siloso Beach: The vibrant heart of Sentosa's beach scene, Siloso buzzes with energy. Beach volleyball courts, water sports rental stations, and lively beach bars create a party atmosphere. Try the Segway tours or pick up a game of beach volleyball with locals.

Tanjong Beach: For those seeking peace and quiet, Tanjong offers the most secluded experience. The beach attracts fewer crowds and has a more relaxed vibe, making it perfect for reading, sunbathing, and sunset watching.

Entertainment & Night Shows

Wings of Time: This award-winning night show combines water effects, lasers, 3D projection mapping, and pyrotechnics to tell a magical story. The 25-minute performance runs daily at 7:40 PM and 8:40 PM at Sentosa's Beach Station. Book tickets online for better seats.

How to Reach Sentosa

• Sentosa Express Monorail: From VivoCity's Level 3, the monorail takes 5 minutes to reach Sentosa. SGD 4 for return ticket. Operates 7 AM to midnight.
• Cable Car: From HarbourFront Tower 2, the cable car offers spectacular views. SGD 35 for round trip. Runs 8:45 AM to 10 PM.
• Sentosa Boardwalk: A scenic 700-meter walk from VivoCity. Free and takes about 15 minutes with great photo opportunities.

Lazarus Island - Singapore's Hidden Paradise

While Sentosa draws crowds, Lazarus Island remains an untouched gem that feels miles away from civilization. Connected to St John's Island by a causeway, Lazarus features one of Singapore's most beautiful beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters and powdery white sand. What makes Lazarus special is its undeveloped nature - no commercial attractions, just pristine nature and peaceful surroundings.

The island's main beach stretches 800 meters along the southern coast, lined with casuarina trees providing natural shade. The water here is remarkably clean and calm, perfect for swimming. On weekdays, you might have the entire beach to yourself, creating a private island experience. Weekends see more visitors but it's still far less crowded than Sentosa's beaches.

Things to Do on Lazarus Island

Beach Picnicking: The pristine setting makes Lazarus perfect for picnics. Bring your own food and drinks as there are no shops on the island. The casuarina trees offer natural shade, making it comfortable to spend the entire day here.

Swimming and Snorkeling: The calm, clear waters are ideal for swimming. Visibility is good for snorkeling around the rocky areas at the beach's eastern end. You might spot small tropical fish, crabs, and even starfish in the shallow waters.

Photography: Lazarus offers some of Singapore's most photogenic coastal scenery. The contrast between turquoise waters, white sand, and green foliage creates stunning images. Sunrise and sunset provide the best lighting for photography.

Nature Walks: Explore the island's interior using the walking trail that connects to St John's Island. You'll pass through secondary forest and might spot birds, butterflies, and monitor lizards.

How to Reach Lazarus Island

Ferries depart from Marina South Pier (SGD 15 return). The journey takes 30 minutes, and you can purchase tickets that include stops at both St John's and Kusu islands. Ferries run twice daily on weekdays and more frequently on weekends. Check the Lazarus Island Singapore guide for current schedules.

Pulau Ubin - Rural Singapore

Pulau Ubin offers a glimpse into Singapore's past that has largely disappeared from the mainland. This 10-square-kilometer island northeast of mainland Singapore preserves rural kampung (village) life with traditional wooden houses, rustic farms, and untouched forests. Just a 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi, arriving here feels like traveling back in time to 1960s Singapore.

The island's name means "Granite Island" in Malay, reflecting its history as a granite quarry. The abandoned quarries have now filled with rainwater, creating scenic lakes surrounded by cliffs. About 100 residents still live on Pulau Ubin, maintaining traditional lifestyles in simple wooden houses without modern amenities.

Chek Jawa Wetlands

Chek Jawa is Pulau Ubin's crown jewel - a 100-hectare wetland ecosystem comprising six distinct habitats. The coastal boardwalk allows visitors to explore mangroves, sandy beaches, coral rubble, seagrass lagoons, and coastal forests. Rich in biodiversity, Chek Jawa is home to fiddler crabs, mudskippers, wild boar, and over 150 bird species. Free guided tours are available by booking with NParks.

Cycling on Pulau Ubin

Cycling is the best way to explore Pulau Ubin. Rent bicycles at the main village (SGD 5-15 per day depending on bike quality). The island has trails ranging from easy village roads to challenging off-road tracks through the forest. Popular routes include the ride to Chek Jawa (about 20 minutes each way) and the loop around Ketam Mountain Bike Park, which has trails for all skill levels.

Puaka Hill

For panoramic views, hike or cycle up Puaka Hill, the island's highest point. The trail takes about 30 minutes from the village and rewards you with 360-degree views of Pulau Ubin, the surrounding sea, and even Malaysia's Johor Bahru on clear days.

How to Reach Pulau Ubin

Bumboats depart from Changi Point Ferry Terminal (take bus 29 or 29 from Changi MRT). Boats leave when they have 12 passengers, which typically takes 10-30 minutes. The ride costs SGD 3 per person (SGD 2 extra for bikes). Boats operate from sunrise to sunset, roughly 6 AM to 8 PM. No reservations needed - just show up and join the queue.

St John's Island - Beach Escape

St John's Island lies just south of Sentosa and offers a peaceful retreat with lagoons, beaches, and walking trails. The island has an interesting history as a quarantine station, detention center, and refugee camp over the decades. Today, it's a peaceful getaway popular with day-trippers seeking tranquility.

The island features several swimming lagoons with calm waters protected by breakwaters. The main lagoon has a sandy beach and basic facilities including toilets, showers, and picnic shelters. The island's interior has walking trails that lead through secondary forest and offer glimpses of wildlife including monitor lizards and numerous bird species.

Camping on St John's Island

For an overnight adventure, camping is permitted at designated areas on St John's Island. Permits cost SGD 15 per tent per night and must be booked online through NParks. The camping areas have basic facilities, and waking up to sunrise over the sea is a memorable experience. Note that there's no freshwater or electricity, so come prepared.

Holiday Bungalows

For more comfortable accommodation, the island has holiday bungalows that can be rented for staycations. These colonial-style bungalows offer basic amenities and accommodate up to 10 people. Book well in advance as they're popular for family gatherings and company retreats.

Kusu Island - The Sacred Turtle Island

Kusu Island, meaning "Turtle Island" in Malay, holds special religious significance for Singaporeans. According to legend, a giant turtle saved two shipwrecked sailors by transforming into an island. Today, the island attracts thousands of pilgrims during the Kusu Festival (usually in October).

The island's main attraction is the Chinese temple dedicated to the God of Prosperity and the Muslim Kramat (shrine) on the hilltop. Pilgrims climb 152 steps to reach the shrine, praying for health, wealth, and peace. The island also has a turtle sanctuary that breeds and releases turtles into the sea.

Outside the pilgrimage season, Kusu offers a peaceful day trip with swimming lagoons, picnic shelters, and great views of the Singapore skyline. The ferry from Marina South Pier includes a stop here if you purchase the multi-island ticket.

Sisters' Islands - Marine Park

Designated as Singapore's first marine park in 2014, the Sisters' Islands protect rich coral reefs and marine biodiversity. The islands are named after a legend of two sisters who drowned here and were transformed into islands.

Big Sister's Island has basic facilities including a jetty, shelters, and toilets. The clear waters around the islands offer excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. You might see clownfish, angelfish, nudibranchs, and even reef sharks if you're lucky. NParks organizes regular guided tours including intertidal walks and snorkeling trips.

Camping is permitted on Big Sister's Island with permits from NParks. Waking up to sunrise over the South China Sea with no other people in sight is a magical experience, though you must bring all your own supplies including water.

Island Hopping Tours

For those wanting to experience multiple islands in one day, island hopping tours offer the best value. Singapore Island Cruise operates a ferry service that connects Marina South Pier to St John's Island, Lazarus Island, and Kusu Island. A single ticket (SGD 15) allows you to hop on and off throughout the day.

A typical island hopping itinerary starts at Marina South Pier at 9 AM. The first stop is St John's Island (30-minute journey). Spend 2-3 hours exploring, then take the ferry to Lazarus Island (just 5 minutes away by foot across the causeway). After lunch and beach time at Lazarus, catch the afternoon ferry to Kusu Island if you're interested in the temples. Return ferries typically depart at 3 PM and 5 PM - don't miss the last ferry or you'll be stranded overnight!

Private boat charters are also available for customized experiences. Prices start around SGD 200-400 for a half-day charter, depending on boat size and itinerary. This option is ideal for groups or special occasions.

Best Time to Visit Singapore Islands

Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with consistent temperatures year-round. However, some months are better than others for island visits:

The best months are February to April when rainfall is lowest and the seas are calmest. The northeast monsoon (November-January) brings more rain and rougher seas, which can cause ferry cancellations to the southern islands.

Whenever you visit, check the weather forecast and sea conditions before heading out, especially for trips to Pulau Ubin and the southern islands. Ferries may be cancelled during rough weather.

Essential Travel Tips

What to Pack

For island trips in Singapore, pack light but bring essentials. Sunscreen is crucial as the tropical sun is strong even on cloudy days. Insect repellent helps with mosquitoes, especially on Pulau Ubin and in the evenings. A hat or cap and sunglasses provide additional sun protection.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes if you plan to swim. A waterproof phone case or GoPro lets you capture underwater moments. For island camping, bring all supplies including water, food, and basic cooking equipment as facilities are basic.

Ferry Schedules

Ferry schedules to the southern islands are limited and not strictly adhered to. Arrive at Marina South Pier at least 30 minutes before departure. The last ferry back is typically at 3 PM or 5 PM depending on the island - missing it means paying SGD 100+ for a private boat back or camping overnight (bring a tent!).

Cash and Cards

While Singapore is a cashless society, the islands have limited digital payment options. Bring enough cash for small purchases, especially on Pulau Ubin where the bicycle rentals and village eateries may not accept cards.

Respecting Nature

Singapore's islands are home to diverse ecosystems. Don't litter - use the bins provided or take your trash back with you. Don't touch or step on coral reefs when snorkeling. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife including monitor lizards, wild boar, and birds. Some areas of Sisters' Islands Marine Park are no-take zones - fishing and collecting marine life is prohibited.

Singapore's islands offer incredible diversity just minutes from the city center. From the thrills of Sentosa's theme parks to the pristine beaches of Lazarus Island and the rustic charm of Pulau Ubin, each island provides unique experiences. Whether you're a visitor with limited time or a resident seeking weekend escapes, these islands deliver memorable adventures that complement Singapore's urban attractions. Combine your island visits with a trip to Places to Visit in Singapore for a complete Singapore experience. For those planning longer trips, check out our Gardens by the Bay Singapore guide to complement your island hopping adventure.