If you want a break from the common vacationer sights or wish to escape from the tall buildings and fast-paced metropolis life for a bit, why not try a few of Singapore‘s most popular Southern Islands – St John’s Island, Lazarus Island and Kusu Island could be simply visited in a single day. Here’s how one can plan a Southern Island day journey at the same time as a solo traveller.
Looking for different offshore islands in Singapore to go to? Why not try the character reserve and quarries on Pulau Ubin within the north or do an intertidal stroll or go scuba diving off Pulau Hantu?
About the Singapore Southern Islands
What’s shocking to loads of guests is that Singapore is only one in an archipelago of over 60 islands – most of those offshore islands are situated within the south, with probably the most well-known one being Sentosa Island which is a vacationer favorite with the Integrated Resort, Universal Studios and plenty of actions – you’ll be able to simply get to Sentosa by bus, monorail, cable automobile and even on foot.
The different Southern Islands you’ll be able to go to are referred to as the St John’s Island Complex, which consists of St John’s Island, Lazarus Island, Seringat Island and Kias Island which have been mixed by land reclamation. The different island that may be visited is Kusu Island only a quick distance away.
Pulau Tekukor is a small uninhabited island between Sentosa and St John’s Island. It was previously an ammo dump and at present closed to public.
Sisters’ Islands are two islands to the west of St John’s Island which have been designated Singapore’s first marine park. The smaller of the islands is closed for conservation, whereas the bigger one is often open, it’s additionally present process works proper now and solely slated to reopen round 2024. There is a turtle hatchery right here, and Singapore’s first underwater dive path for scuba divers.
How to get to Singapore Southern Islands
The least expensive approach to go to Singapore’s Southern Islands is to hop on a ferry from Marina South Ferry Terminal which is conveniently situated on the North-South MRT Line (NS28). There is a few parking on the ferry terminal if you’re driving.
A round-trip ferry ticket for the Southern Islands prices S$15 for an grownup. The regular ferry route is a loop from Marina South to St John’s Island, then to Kusu Island, and again to Marina South. Sometimes there are particular direct routes to and from St John’s or Kusu Island in the course of the vacation season.
You can get ferry tickets both instantly from Singapore Islands Cruises or Marina South Ferries, or purchase by aggregators like Klook: Singapore Island Cruises or Marina South Ferries [affiliate links] which generally supply reductions or packages that embrace meals or bubble tea coupons. You may purchase tickets on website on the ferry terminal, however I extremely suggest getting your tickets on-line if you happen to plan to go to on the weekends when it tends to be crowded.
Getting across the islands
In basic the islands are fairly small and really walkable so long as you will have respectable sneakers. Mostly flat as properly aside from bits of St John’s Island the place you might need a couple of upslopes, however nothing loopy.
You can deliver alongside your bicycle on the ferry at no cost if you wish to discover St John’s and Lazarus Island extra shortly. There was a motorcycle rental kiosk (GoGreen Southern Island Bicycle Rental) in 2021 which I used after I first visited St John’s Island, however sadly it doesn’t appear to be working anymore as of 2022. You don’t really want a bicycle to get round to be sincere, however it can velocity up exploration particularly in bits the place it’s largely forest and never a lot else.
St John’s Island
I visited St John’s Island twice – the primary was by myself however sadly I obtained rained out within the afternoon so I didn’t get to discover St John’s a lot, and the second time was on a tour with My Community Festival the place an ex-resident of St John’s Island confirmed us round his outdated house earlier than he was relocated to the mainland.
St John’s Island previously often called Pulau Sekijang Bendara (Red deer flag island) has had fairly a vibrant historical past – apparently again within the day it was the primary place that Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles landed at having mistaken it for mainland Singapore, although he was ultimately corrected and located his approach to the mainland the next day.
Since then it has been used for a number of totally different functions: a quarantine space for brand spanking new immigrants to forestall the unfold of illnesses to the principle land, holding camp for Southeast Asian refugees, a restoration facility for opium addicts and even a jail for political dissidents within the British colonial days.
There have been as soon as villages and communities on this island, and whereas among the outdated buildings have been preserved, not a lot is left. There is a few signage however might not be loads of historic context to deserted buildings if you happen to wander round by yourself.
Arrive on the jetty
St John’s Jetty is the principle touchdown level for St John’s and Lazarus Island through the general public ferry and most boats to the island.
This easy jetty really stands on a base of coral. As you exit the boat, you may discover one other derelict wood jetty to your left – this was the unique jetty.
Stroll alongside the seaside
If you flip proper as you exit the jetty in direction of the northern finish of the island), there’s a small stretch of seaside and a pleasant little cove for chilling out at. Lots of individuals have picnics on the benches or grass stretch alongside the coast. There is a staircase subsequent to the massive St John’s Island signal main as much as a small home which apparently used to belong to the Governor of the islands again within the day. If you come throughout low tide, you are able to do a little bit of intertidal exploration right here because the waters are fairly shallow.
See stays of the outdated settlements
Follow the paved street across the heart a part of St John’s Island that begins from across the Govenor’s House, previous the previous holding centres and downwards the southeast the place the Marine Lab is situated.
St John’s and Lazarus Islands each had their very own villages full with colleges and different amenities. Some of those outdated buildings have been torn down, others boarded up and left in disrepair. It was good on my strolling tour to have a former resident level out issues like the place the island minimart was, or the sector the place all of them used to play soccer in.
Somewhere within the heart of the island is a crossroads that was one of many essential assembly factors for islanders again within the day. They apparently used to name this place ‘Orchard Road’ although there are not any malls wherever close by just like the precise Orchard Road – that they had avenue distributors promoting snacks as a substitute.
Interested to be taught extra about St John’s Island from an knowledgeable? NParks conducts free guided excursions on the first Sunday of every month. More particulars in regards to the tour and the way to enroll right here. It’s very restricted and tickets disappear extraordinarily shortly, so set a timer for when tickets are launched!
Visit the Sisters Islands Marine Park Gallery
The japanese facet of St John’s Island is devoted to the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory which is Singapore’s solely offshore marine analysis centre. Most of the grounds are closed to public, however they do have a small gallery – Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery that showcases Singapore’s marine biodiversity for the reason that neighbouring Sisters’ Islands is a restricted space. It sounds fairly cool to take a look at however sadly they’ve been closed since COVID and stay closed up to now.
Another space that’s closed on the east facet of St John’s Island is Bendera Bay which has been fenced up. This was the place the island’s faculty children used to apply their swimming – they have been nationwide champions as a result of their coaching floor had pure currents! They’ve saved it closed for conservation functions and to raised examine the rocks, coral and marine creatures discovered right here.
Stay in a single day at St John’s Island Lodge
If you’re up for a bit of tenting, you’ll be able to really keep in a single day in St John’s Island Lodges. The former holding camps on the western facet of the island have been changed into sleeping shelters (some with beds, others with raised platforms you want a sleeping bag for) and tenting amenities, and there’s a bungalow proper on the pier space that will also be rented for in a single day stays for as much as 10 pax.
Find out extra details about tenting on St John’s Island at SLA. You might want to apply for a Temporary Occupational License (TOL) through the SLA web site (you want Name, IC and call for all individuals concerned) and pay a deposit. Currently solely Otter (former Camp 5, wants sleeping bag) is open for reserving – Eagle, Turtle, Dolphin are nonetheless closed.
Lazarus Island
What we consider as Lazarus Island (previously Pulau Sekijang Pelepah) at the moment is basically made up of three islands which have been joined collectively by land reclamation: the unique Lazarus Island, Kias island and Seringat Island. This was all a part of early plans to make the Southern Islands right into a extra touristy place like Sentosa, however these plans by no means actually went wherever. Lazarus Island was the place they used to bury those that died within the St John’s camps.
Cross the Causeway
Lazarus Island is related to St John’s Island by a brief causeway which isn’t removed from the ferry terminal – flip left as you exit the pier or simply comply with the crowds.
Frolic on Lazarus Beach
Lazarus Beach is a brief 10 minute stroll away from the St John’s jetty space – the general public coming off the ferry make a beeline to Lazarus Beach to allow them to get first dibs on what might be the nicest seaside in Singapore. This crescent cove is on the east facet of the island (going through Kusu Island) and has lovely (imported) white sand. The water usually is fairly shallow and gently sloping.
A notice that there isn’t any shade on the seaside itself – there are some bushes away from the shore and extra empty grass patches on the ends of the cove, so I’d recommend deliver your personal tent to remain out of the solar. On the northern finish there’s a small pavilion for shelter – I do know this as a result of it began pouring fairly abruptly within the afternoon and I hid there for a bit.
Seringat Island
Seringat was a separate island, however is now situated north and west of Lazarus Beach. You can comply with the paved roads however there’s not a lot right here apart from bushes and a pleasant coastal view. If you desire a quiet spot with a pleasant view and also you hate sand, Seringat Beach on the north facet of the island going through Singapore does have some good views and little pavilions you’ll be able to relax at.
Kias Island
Kias Island additionally was a separate island that’s now the northwestern tip of this mixed island. It really barely was seen, solely revealed at low tide, however throughout land reclamation, they put in an influence generator right here that’s linked undersea to Sentosa Cove. There is a causeway that hyperlinks out to the sting of the island however there isn’t a lot right here aside from a pleasant vie of Pulau Tekukor.
Kusu Island
Kusu Island or Turtle Island 龟屿岛 was beforehand often called Peak Island, is situated simply east of Lazarus Island. There are many legends as to how this island obtained its identify, hottest of which being {that a} big turtle reworked into an island to avoid wasting drowning sailors – as a result of the sailors have been Malay and Chinese and thus the temple and keramats have been constructed.
Kusu Island was apparently as soon as formed just like the turtle it was named after, though after some land reclamation it doesn’t look remotely turtle-like anymore. Unfortunately after I visited Kusu Island it was nonetheless raining on and off so I didn’t get to discover it as a lot as I wished and you’ll see loads of rain in my images, however I’ll replace it once more after I return!
Pray on the Chinese temple
The essential characteristic of Kusu Island is the Chinese Taoist temple courting again to 1923 when it was constructed by a rich Chinese businessman. This temple is devoted to Tua Pek Kong (Da Bo Gong) who folks pray to for well being and wealth, in addition to Goddess of Mercy Guan Yin that {couples} like to hope to for fertility.
On a standard day, this temple situated on the south coast of the island is usually quiet and simple to wander by, perched over a picturesque little pond. However, it’s particularly busy in the course of the ninth lunar month (September or October) when devotees make a pilgrimage to the temple for Tua Pek Kong This is while you undoubtedly have to guide your boat tickets prematurely, and there are particular direct boats to Kusu Island accessible.
Climb as much as the Malay keramats
On the east facet of the temple is a stairway main up 152 stairs to three Malay Keramats or holy shrines that are over a century outdated. Muslim devotees needed to make the climb to show their piousness. Unfortunately the keramats have been closed after I visited, and earlier in 2022 they caught hearth and have been destroyed, so I’m unsure if they’ve been restored but.
Pop by the tortoise shelter
Somewhere within the centre of this tiny island is a crimson tortoise-shaped tortoise shelter over a pond with a lot of tortoises in it. Many Chinese temples maintain tortoises on floor as they think about it a sacred animal in Chinese tradition and an emblem of fortune, longevity and sometimes used to inform the longer term.
Swim on the seaside
The remainder of Kusu Island is fairly flat throughout, with a lot of picnic tables and pavilions scattered in regards to the grassy bits for folks to loosen up at. There are additionally a lot of little coves and seashores which might be good for a bit of dip. No tenting on this island although!
Travel Tips
Bring your personal meals: there are not any meals stalls on any of the islands. Make certain you pack sufficient meals and drinks to picnic on the islands and clear your trash while you depart. The Marina South Ferry Terminal does have some small retailers promoting bottled drinks, snacks and sizzling meals if you happen to want some final minute eats.
Bring your personal shade & mats: there are some benches and pavilions on the islands, however you’ll need your personal shade and mats simply in case it’s crowded or the nice spots are taken up. Lazarus Beach particularly has little or no shade on the seaside itself. Bring a hat and slap on the sunblock! Singapore additionally tends to rain a good bit although it doesn’t often final for too lengthy.
Buy your ferry tickets early: weekends are notably crowded, so get your tickets on-line early to ensure a seat. In specific, the ninth lunar month (round September/October) is especially busy for Kusu Island as its worshippers go to pay pilgrimage throughout this era. The ferry schedules could embrace some direct to Kusu Island journeys, and should not cowl the same old St John’s and Kusu Island route, so make sure to examine throughout this specific time.
Looking for extra uncommon issues to do in Singapore? Check out the opposite offshore islands like Pulau Ubin and Pulau Hantu, or get some concepts to get off the overwhelmed path a bit: