Family-Friendly Islands In Singapore Perfect For Your Vacation

Beyond Singapore’s gleaming skyscrapers and urban efficiency lies a surprising maritime realm of over 60 islands and islets scattered around the main island. These smaller islands in Singapore offer refreshing escapes from city life, each with unique character.

This guide explores the top islands in Singapore for tourists, highlighting each island’s distinctive attractions and essential information to help you plan the perfect island-hopping adventure in this tropical city-state.

1. Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island stands as Singapore’s premier leisure destination, transformed from a British military fortress to a world-class resort island attracting over 20 million visitors annually. This 500-hectare island connects to mainland Singapore via causeway, cable car, and pedestrian boardwalk.

From theme parks and beaches to luxury resorts and historic sites, Sentosa blends entertainment, recreation, and relaxation options. The island’s strategic development exemplifies Singapore’s vision for tourism.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) year-round with high humidity

Location:Sentosa Island, Singapore

Timings: 24 hours (individual attractions have varying hours)

Entry Fee: Free island entry (attraction prices vary)

What to do:

• Experience Universal Studios Singapore, Southeast Asia’s first Hollywood movie theme park with seven themed zones, 28 rides and attractions.
• Relax on Sentosa’s three distinct beaches, Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong, offering different atmospheres from family-friendly areas to trendy beach clubs.
• Visit S.E.A. Aquarium, housing over 100,000 marine animals across 50 diverse habitats, featuring the breathtaking Open Ocean Habitat panel.
• Explore vibrant nightlife on Singapore islands at Sentosa, from the Siloso Beach Party to Tanjong Beach Club and casino entertainment at Resorts World. 

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2. Pulau Ubin

Source: Wikimedia

Pulau Ubin offers a nostalgic glimpse into Singapore’s rural past before urbanization transformed the mainland. This 10-square-kilometer granite island preserves the rustic kampong (village) lifestyle that disappeared from modern Singapore decades ago.

The island serves as Singapore’s outdoor recreation haven with extensive trail networks through diverse ecosystems including secondary forests, mangroves, abandoned quarries, and coastal areas. 

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with slightly higher humidity than mainland

Location:Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Timings: First bumboat 6 AM, last return 6 PM (weather dependent)

Entry Fee: Free (bumboat fare: S$4 per person, one way)

What to do:

• Cycle through the island on rental bicycles with trails ranging from easy flat paths to challenging mountain bike routes at Ketam Mountain Bike Park.
• Visit Chek Jawa Wetlands featuring six distinct ecosystems accessible via a 1.1-kilometer boardwalk with a 20-meter viewing tower.
• Explore Sensory Trail and Puaka Hill to discover traditional fruit orchards, medicinal plants, and abandoned granite quarries with turquoise waters.
• Experience authentic kampong culture in the island’s last village with attap-roofed wooden houses, simple provision shops, and seafood restaurants. 

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3. St. John’s Island

Source: Wikimedia

St. John’s Island, lying approximately 6.5 kilometers south of Singapore’s main island, presents a remarkable story of transformation, from quarantine station and penal settlement to tranquil recreational getaway. 

This 39-hectare island once housed cholera and leprosy patients, wartime prisoners, and drug rehabilitation inmates, but today welcomes visitors seeking quiet beaches, lagoons, and fishing spots away from urban bustle.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with sea breezes providing slight relief

Location:St. John’s Island, Singapore

Timings: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last ferry departure from Marina South Pier)

Entry Fee: Free (ferry fare: S$18 round trip from Marina South Pier)

What to do:

• Swim in specially constructed lagoons with clear blue waters and white sand beaches providing safe family-friendly swimming conditions.
• Explore the island’s rich history through interpretive displays explaining its past as a quarantine station, detention center, and drug rehabilitation facility.
• Visit the Marine Park Outreach and Education Center with interactive exhibits explaining Singapore’s marine biodiversity and conservation initiatives.
• Stay overnight in holiday bungalows or camp at designated sites to experience peaceful stargazing and early morning wildlife viewing.

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4. Lazarus Island

Source: Wikimedia

Lazarus Island (Pulau Sakijang Pelepah) remains one of Singapore’s best-kept secrets despite growing popularity. Connected to St. John’s Island by a 100-meter causeway, this crescent-shaped island preserves a natural beach experience increasingly rare in Singapore.

Unlike most Singapore islands for tourists, Lazarus maintains minimal infrastructure, no shops, restaurants, or permanent facilities beyond basic amenities like trash bins and occasional temporary toilets. This undeveloped character creates both its appeal and challenges, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies for a day at the beach.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with limited shade beyond treeline

Location:Lazarus Island, Singapore

Timings: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last ferry departure from Marina South Pier)

Entry Fee: Free (ferry fare: S$18 round trip from Marina South Pier)

What to do:

• Relax on Lazarus Beach with its remarkably fine sand and transparent waters ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and beach photography.
• Explore the concrete causeway connecting to St. John’s Island, passing smaller Seringat Island with varied coastal views and marine life.
• Pack a picnic and enjoy beach relaxation under Casuarina trees, bringing all essential supplies as the island maintains a “pack in, pack out” policy.

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5. Kusu Island

Source: Wikimedia

Kusu Island (Tortoise Island) combines natural beauty with powerful spiritual significance as one of Singapore’s most important religious sites. This 8.5-hectare island, according to local legend, formed when a giant tortoise transformed itself into an island to save shipwrecked sailors, inspiring both its name and the tortoise sanctuary that has become a visitor attraction.

The island hosts dual religious sites, a Chinese temple dedicated to the deity Tua Pek Kong and three Malay shrines (keramats) honoring a 19th-century Muslim missionary family, drawing thousands of pilgrims during the annual Kusu pilgrimage in the ninth lunar month.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with limited shade beyond temple grounds

Location:Kusu Island, Singapore

Timings: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last ferry departure, extended during pilgrimage season)

Entry Fee: Free (ferry fare: S$18 round trip from Marina South Pier)

What to do:

• Visit the Da Bo Gong Temple (Tua Pek Kong Temple), a vibrant Chinese temple dating to 1923 where devotees pray for wealth, health, and fertility.
• Climb 152 steps to reach three Malay shrines (keramats) atop the island’s highest point, dedicated to a 19th-century pious Muslim family.
• Explore the tortoise sanctuary housing hundreds of tortoises and turtles of various species connected to the island’s origin legend and name.
• Swim in two lagoons featuring clean waters and sandy beaches protected by concrete breakwaters, with picnic shelters and BBQ pits available. 

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6. Sisters’ Islands

Source: Wikimedia

Sisters’ Islands comprise two small islands, Big Sister’s Island (Pulau Subar Laut) and Little Sister’s Island (Pulau Subar Darat), separated by a narrow channel with strong currents. Sisters’ Islands now serve a critical scientific role supporting coral nurseries, marine research, and educational programs

These islands gained protected status in 2014 as Singapore’s first Marine Park, preserving rich biodiversity in their waters and establishing a vital marine conservation area spanning approximately 40 hectares around both islands.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with significant sun exposure during low tide walks

Location:Sisters’ Islands, Singapore

Timings: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (only for guided visits, subject to tide conditions)

Entry Fee: Free (guided walks: S$60 per person, ferry fare additional)

What to do:

• Participate in guided intertidal walks at Big Sister’s Island where trained guides lead small groups to observe diverse marine creatures during low tide.
• Discover marine biodiversity through guided diving programs with experienced instructors leading small groups to observe coral and reef fish.
• Visit the Marine Park Public Gallery on St. John’s Island with interactive exhibits explaining conservation efforts, coral reef ecology, and research projects.
• Learn about the island’s role in Singapore’s marine conservation strategy with scientists monitoring reef health and maintaining coral nurseries.

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7. Coney Island (Pulau Serangoon)

Source: Wikimedia

Coney Island Park (Pulau Serangoon) reopened to the public in 2015 after extensive ecological restoration, providing a 50-hectare nature retreat that balances public recreation with habitat conservation. 

This ecologically sensitive island, despite its American-inspired name, features predominantly native coastal vegetation, mangroves, and casuarina woodlands supporting diverse wildlife within Singapore’s increasingly urbanized environment.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with high humidity in forested areas

Location:Coney Island, Singapore

Timings: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily

Entry Fee: Free

What to do:

• Cycle the full length of the island on the main 2.4-kilometer dirt path, renting bicycles from vendors near either entrance with additional tracks available.
• Spot native wildlife including over 80 bird species particularly at the bird hide overlooking the mangrove area where migratory and resident birds gather.
• Explore five distinct beach areas labeled A through E along the northern coastline, connected by footpaths through coastal vegetation.
• Visit the restored Haw Par Beach Villa near Beach Area C, a preserved example of Singapore’s pre-war seaside architecture from the 1930s.

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8. Pulau Hantu

Source: Wikimedia

Pulau Hantu consists of two small islets, Hantu Besar (Big Ghost) and Hantu Kecil (Little Ghost), connected by a narrow strip of sand visible only during low tide. Despite its ominous name, this island paradoxically hosts some of Singapore’s most vibrant marine ecosystems, with fringing reefs supporting remarkable biodiversity.

The island lacks permanent infrastructure besides a simple jetty, basic shelters, and rudimentary toilet facilities, creating a rustic atmosphere that appeals to outdoor enthusiasts searching alternatives to more developed islands. 

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with minimal shade except under beach shelters

Location:Hantu, Singapore

Timings: Daylight hours for charter boats and organized trips

Entry Fee: Free (private boat charter: S$300-400 for round trip)

What to do:

• Dive the surrounding reefs with organized groups like Hantu Bloggers to discover coral communities supporting over 250 fish species.
• Camp overnight on Hantu Besar (with proper permits) to experience a night under the stars with sunrise views and night fishing opportunities.
• Swim and picnic on the small beaches fringing both islets, with shallow protected waters suitable for families and simple shelters for sun protection.
• Join guided nature walks during organized trips to learn about coastal ecosystems including mangroves, seagrass beds, and intertidal zones.

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9. Pulau Semakau

Source: Wikimedia

Pulau Semakau represents one of Singapore’s most innovative environmental engineering achievements, the world’s first offshore landfill designed with ecological preservation as a priority. 

Operational since 1999 and expected to serve Singapore’s landfill needs until at least 2045, Semakau balances its waste management function with remarkable ecological diversity including mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows carefully preserved during construction.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with limited shelter during walks

Location:Pulau Semakau, Singapore

Timings: Available only through pre-booked guided tours

Entry Fee: Tour costs vary by organization (typically S$50-100 per person)

What to do:

• Join educational tours organized by approved groups to learn about Singapore’s integrated waste management system and innovative engineering.
• Participate in guided nature walks through preserved natural areas including replanted mangrove forests with over 700 documented species.
• Observe marine life during guided intertidal walks where healthy ecosystems support sea anemones, crabs, mudskippers, and coastal species.
• Learn about Singapore’s sustainability initiatives through formal educational programs using Semakau as a living laboratory for environmental management.

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10. Pulau Tekong

Source: Wikimedia

Pulau Tekong, Singapore’s largest offshore island after the main island, serves as the primary military training facility for the Singapore Armed Forces, specifically for Basic Military Training (BMT) that all male Singaporean citizens and permanent residents undergo as part of mandatory National Service. 

Before military requisition in the 1980s, Tekong supported several thousand residents across multiple kampongs with schools, places of worship, and small businesses. Today, access remains strictly limited to military personnel, enlistees, and authorized visitors.

Weather: 25-32°C (77-90°F) with high humidity year-round

Location:Pulau Tekong, Singapore

Timings: Not open to public (restricted military area)

Entry Fee: Not applicable (restricted access)

What to do:

• Learn about Singapore’s military service through exhibitions at the Army Museum of Singapore documenting National Service training on Pulau Tekong.
• Understand the island’s transformation through historical resources including oral history recordings preserving memories from former residents.
• View the island from designated public areas along Changi coast, particularly from Changi Beach Park and near the SAF ferry terminal.

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FAQs

How many islands are in Singapore?

Singapore comprises one main island and approximately 63 offshore islands, though the exact count fluctuates due to ongoing land reclamation projects. Many islands in Singapore remain uninhabited, while others serve as military training grounds, industrial zones, recreational facilities, or nature reserves.

What are the most famous islands in Singapore for tourists?

The most popular Singapore islands for tourists include Sentosa Island with its resorts and theme parks, Pulau Ubin with its rustic kampong atmosphere and nature trails, and the Southern Islands group (St. John’s, Lazarus, and Kusu) offering beaches and cultural sites.

Are Singapore islands open to public?

Most major Singapore islands are open to public visitors, though accessibility varies significantly. Sentosa welcomes visitors 24/7 with multiple transport options, while islands like Pulau Ubin require ferry transportation with specific operating hours. 

How to reach World Islands Singapore?

To reach islands in Singapore, visitors typically use ferries, private boats, or bridges depending on the destination. Sentosa connects to mainland via causeway, boardwalk, cable car, and MRT, while public ferries serve Pulau Ubin from Changi Point and the Southern Islands from Marina South Pier.

What is nightlife on Singapore islands like?

Nightlife on Singapore islands centers primarily on Sentosa, where options include beach clubs like Tanjong Beach Club and Coastes, casino entertainment at Resorts World, and themed bars at Quayside Isle. Other islands typically lack nightlife options, with most requiring visitors to depart by evening as ferry services conclude by 6:00 PM.

Which is the most luxurious island in Singapore?

Sentosa Island offers Singapore’s most luxurious island experience with world-class accommodations including Capella Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, and W Singapore Sentosa Cove. These properties feature private beaches, championship golf courses, premium spas, and exclusive dining experiences.

Which Singapore island is best for families?

Sentosa Island provides the most comprehensive family experience with attractions including Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and family-friendly beaches with protected swimming areas. The island’s excellent transportation, diverse dining options, and range of accommodations create a convenient environment for families.

What is the best time to visit Singapore islands?

The optimal time to visit Singapore islands is during the dry season from February to April and May to September when rainfall is less frequent and seas are calmer. While Singapore maintains warm temperatures year-round (25-32°C), monsoon seasons can affect ferry operations and outdoor activities.