5 offshore islands in S’pore worth a visit from you besides Coney Island

Looking for a place to unwind on a weekend, or a weekday off? Thinking about going over-the-seas without going overseas? Want an adventure without the luggage-packing, passport-stamping, immigration-clearing hassle? Look no further, we have found 5 off-shore islands in Singapore for you to explore.

St John’s Island
This very island was where Sir Stamford Raffles, sailing aboard the ship “Indiana”, actually landed, back in 1819. It was later used as a quarantine station for cholera patients and lepers, with a plague hospital also built on the island to screen immigrants (arriving by boat) for diseases.  After mass immigration ceased, St John’s Island was used as a detention centre for political detainees and leaders of secret societies around the 1950s. A few years after, the island was converted into a drug rehabilitation centre. After redevelopment by the Sentosa Development Corporation, it is now a place for a relaxing getaway. Its very epic past is now deceptively masked by the island’s tranquility.

Sites to visit: Beach, Tropical Marine Science Institute, Marine Aquaculture Centre. (PS: Try to find the old superintendent’s abandoned single-storey sea-facing bungalow, constructed in 1894.) Nature walks are also offered by guides from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

You can even stay overnight in the bungalows and camps here, booked through Sentosa’s website. The largest Camp here offers accommodation up to 60 people. BBQ facilities are also available. So instead of your normal Changi chalet gatherings, why not try one at St John’s?

Lazarus Island
This is your #budgetBali. From St John’s Island, you can comfortably walk over to Lazarus Island. Tucked away on this island, is a beautiful beach with a really, really clear blue lagoon. Far from the crowded beaches of Sentosa or East Coast Park, you may be the only group of people here lounging on the sand! Time to snap a shot and hashtag #privatebeach. There are also some covered shelters around the beach where you can hide from the sun when it gets scorching. Bring along a picnic mat and some food as well!

Kusu Island
Meaning “Tortoise Island” in Chinese, this place is home to many legends offering explanation for its name (which you, the savvy online warrior, will be able to discover with the help of Google). Its history dates back to the 17th century, which gives us a pretty interesting perspective of Singapore. This isn’t really a place where you’ll find clear waters. Instead, Kusu Island is where you will discover interesting pieces of Singapore’s history and various religious practices. Annually, between September and November, nearly 100 000 people flock to Kusu Island on their respective Taoist/Buddhist/Confucian pilgrimages.

How to Get Here: Hop onto the ferries departing from Marina South Pier (which is conveniently located next to the MRT station of its namesake), which travel from the Pier, to St John’s Island, to Kusu Island before going back to the Pier. This full loop costs $18 (not bad, considering you can visit all three islands mentioned above). Do take note of the last ferry’s timings for each day, if you do not have accommodation on St John’s Island. You don’t want to end up stranded on the islands. Find out more on the Singapore Island Cruise website. Private charters are also available.

Sisters’ Islands
Legend has it that two very close sisters drowned here, resulting in the two islands being formed at that very spot. Today, it is home to Singapore’s first Marine Park. Join in for an intertidal guided walk, set off on NParks’ Dive Trail or snorkel around the reefs here. Unfortunately, due to ongoing maintenance works, access to Sisters’ Islands will only resume in April 2016. Alternatively, you can visit the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery on St John’s Island to learn more about the rich marine biodiversity and current research around the area.

How to Get Here (from April 2016): Charter a boat from West Coast Pier or Marina South Pier. If you join introductory guided walks by NParks, boats will be chartered for you.

Pulau Semakau
“Just a landfill?” Rubbish! When you get here, you will be surprised by the change of scenery (you’ll hardly believe you’re in Singapore). Besides learning how Singapore manages its waste (our waste, actually), you will also be able to discover mangroves, a vast seagrass meadow and even spot rare/endangered birds if you are lucky. On stargazing trips, as the island is located quite a distance from mainland Singapore and “light pollution”, you will also be able to take in spectacular views of galaxies, constellations and nebulae!

How to Get Here: Currently, entry to Pulau Semakau is restricted. You will need to join different the following groups to access Pulau Semakau: Nature Society’s birdwatching trips, Sport Fishing Association’s angling tours, Astronomical Society of Singapore’s stargazing trips, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research’s inter-tidal walks for the public. Do look out for trips to the island offered by different nature groups in Singapore (some do get permits to visit the island).

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