Quick Island Getaways Without Requiring A Passport
Grab your sunnies and slap on the sunscreen! There are entire islands beyond Singapore’s familiar coastlines waiting to be discovered.
Away from touristy Sentosa and Pulau Ubin lie these lesser-known ones which you can easily visit in a day; no passports needed!
St. John’s Island
The closest you can get to a Robinson Crusoe-style castaway experience would be on St. John Island, located just 6.5 kilometres south of Singapore. Take a dip in its clear waters and feast your eyes on the beautiful coral reefs. If you’re lucky, you might even spot dolphins swimming in the distance! The island has no food and beverage facilities, so don’t forget to take a picnic basket with you. You may also opt to spend the night on St. John’s Island at one of its holiday bungalows and camps, but don’t forget to book ahead.
How to get there: Ferries depart daily from Marina South Pier. Check the Singapore Island Cruise website for schedule. Round-trip tickets cost $18 for adults, $12 for children. Entry to the island is free.
Kusu Island
Kusu (or ‘Tortoise’ in Chinese) Island got its name from a legend about a magical tortoise that saved two shipwrecked sailors by transforming itself into the island. In the ninth month of every lunar year, its Chinese temple draws more than 100,000 devotees to the island to pray for blessings. Make a wish and toss a coin into the island’s wishing well, or pay a visit to the hundreds of tortoises that reside at the Tortoise Sanctuary. The reefs around Kusu Island are also home to a rich diversity of coral life, so see how many species of fishes, crabs and other sea creatures you can find amongst them!
How to get there: Ferries depart daily from Marina South Pier. Check the Singapore Island Cruise website for schedule. Round-trip tickets cost $18 for adults, $12 for children. Entry to the island is free.
Sisters’ Islands
The legend goes that two sisters, following a forced separation by a pirate chief, swam after each other and drowned at the spot where Sisters’ Islands two isles lie. Snorkelling is one activity that should not be missed, since Singapore’s best reefs and marine life can be found here. Swimming from one island to another is not recommended, however, due to dangerous water currents that pass through the channel that separates the both of them. You might also want to watch out for the islands’ aggressive long-tailed macaques!
How to get there: Contact Singapore Island Cruise to charter a private chartered boat from Marina South Pier.
Pulau Hantu
‘Hantu’ may be the Malay word for ‘ghost’, but there is nothing you should fear when visiting this island, which actually comprises two islets separated by a shallow lagoon. Come here to fish and snorkel at its sheltered beaches, or set up camp to spend a night away from the city. Abundant mushroom corals surround the island, but keep your eyes peeled for the odd seahorse and giant clam that can be found in its waters.
How to get there: Contact Singapore Island Cruise to charter a private chartered boat from Marina South Pier.
