Beaches and Parks in Singapore

Although Singapore is a nation composed of islands, the physical state and extent of its beaches today pales in comparison to their proliferation and quality two centuries ago. Rapid urbanisation and land use pressures necessitated the disappearance of most of these natural beaches as a result of land reclamation.

Today, most of the beaches still in existence are man-made, formed at the edges of newly reclaimed land, the longest being the one along the East Coast Park. One of the oldest naturally existing stretches of beach is at the northern end of Changi Beach.

On the main island:

Beach along East Coast Park
The beach along East Coast Park is a free to enter beach where you can have fun in the sun before retreating into the shade of the park. The park itself is one of the most popular parks in Singapore, it is easily accessible by car and by bus. The park has entertainment facilities, barbecue areas and amenities for sports activities.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=14

Beach along West Coast Park
With the theme "Play Centre in the West", the western portion of West Coast Park has been transformed into a haven for park visitors who enjoy challenging and adventurous activities. Standing at the centre core of area 3 is the Adventure Play Area that caters to people of different age groups, from toddlers to young adults. This is the heart and most active zone of West Coast Park. If you like a quiet and peaceful environment, the eastern portion at area 1 would be a good choice for park users to rest and relax.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=41&Itemid=73

Beach along Pasir Ris Park
Pasir Ris Park is a beach park located in the eastern part of Singapore that opened in 1989. It occupies 71 hectares of land, including some reclaimed land. This coastal park is among the largest in Singapore. The full length of the park is around 6.6 kilometres. The park includes a beach, a cycling track, barbecue pits and picnic tables. Some resorts located near the park have gates linking to the park.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=26&Itemid=73

Changi Beach
Changi Beach is popular among locals as a hangout for overnight family picnics, especially on weekends. Some individuals enjoy fishing, watching landing airplanes, jogging and watching the sunrise or sunset here. Sunrise can be viewed from the SAF Changi Ferry Terminal on the eastern end of the park and sunsets can be viewed from Changi Point. Barbecue parties, camping and watersports are some common activities. In addition, food lovers visit Changi Beach for seafood at the nearby Bistro@Changi, or for different food options at Changi Village.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=11&Itemid=73

Punggol Beach
Punggol Beach is an area that is believed to have existed even before Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore. Nowadays it is known for the fabulous fresh seafood restaurants along the coast. The beach is divided into two parts; a white sandy and gorgeous part for picnic goers and a rocky part for the fishermen.
www.myonlinetour.com/poi/punggolbeach

On offshore islands:

Sentosa:
Visitors in search of solitude can stroll along Sentosa's 3.2km stretch of white sandy beaches to find the perfect spot for reflection. Framed by tall coconut palms, rustic alang alang huts and quaint flowering trees, the 30m wide beachfronts is a true tropical haven. The island's coastline is marked by three beaches, each with its own distinct characteristics – Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach.
Long, idyllic beachfronts, floating bridges and lush tropical islets with exciting recreational activities such as beach volleyball, waveriding, cycling, rollerblading and kayaking await beach lovers.
www.sentosa.com.sg/en/beaches

Palawan Beach
Whatever you decide to do, you are bound to have fun at this family-friendly beach.
www.sentosa.com.sg/en/beaches/palawan-beach

Siloso Beach
Get into your favourite bikini and take a dip. Or simply bask in the sun and admire the other hot bods. Themed bars abound - you can surf a man-made wave or chill-out in a whirlpool bath on the beach. A host of shopping options awaits, as well as tempting all-day menus from exceptional bistros and restaurants.
www.sentosa.com.sg/en/beaches/siloso-beach

Tanjong Beach
Here, you can while away the hours with the sun, a favourite book and a gentle breeze for company. This beautiful stretch of beach gets especially romantic by night, with the twinkling lights of nearby ships providing a magical backdrop.
http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/beaches/tanjong-beach

Beach on Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin, also called Ubin Island, is a small island situated in the north east of Singapore, to the west of Pulau Tekong. Granite quarrying supported a few thousand settlers on Pulau Ubin in the 1960s, but only about a hundred villagers live there today. It is one of the last rural areas to be found in Singapore, with an abundance of natural flora and fauna.

Beaches and camping on Ubin:

Noordin Beach has white sandy beaches and a view of Johor across the Straits. It is a popular camping site.

Mamam Beach was reinforced by a seawall and ringed by wooden railing after it was threatened with serious soil erosion in 1999. There are benches and tables and a nearby toilet.
Jelutong campsite has been opened near Ubin Town facing the mainland.
www.wildsingapore.com/ubin/places/beach.htm

Beach on Kusu Island
Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about 5.6 kilometres to the south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore. The name means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Chinese; the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay. It is popular for its lagoons, pristine beaches and tranquil settings. Visits are often made by ferry from the nearby Marina South Pier to see the wishing well and Tortoise Sanctuary. Afternoon picnics are also very popular. Overnight stay is not permitted on the island. However, most ferries to Kusu Island also take in Saint John's Island which does have overnight lodging.

Dhoby Ghaut Green
The special locality of this park and the diversity of the user groups in the vicinity create opportunities to provide a focal point for Art & Culture, Concerts & Performances and community activities, or just a resting place for users to appreciate the surrounding park and urban environment. The site is highly accessible to people from all over the island as it is at the confluence of 3 MRT lines, North-South line, North-East line and Circle line.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=87&Itemid=73

Esplanade Park
Esplanade Park is one of the oldest parks in Singapore. Built in 1943, it was redeveloped in 1991 to enhance the Civic District's identity. There are many historical landmarks in this park which are of interest to tourists and locals. These include the Lim Bo Seng memorial, the Cenotaph and Tan Kim Seng Fountain.
It also forms an important frontage for the Padang, Supreme Court and City Hall.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=15&Itemid=73

Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a small hill slightly more than 60 metres high in the southeast portion of the island city-state of Singapore, within the Central Area that forms Singapore's central business district. Its ancient artefacts are a must-see for history buffs, and its lush greenery and expansive lawns offer a variety of arts, heritage and nature experiences. The outdoor lawns draw picnics, concerts, theatre productions and festivals, while weddings, parties and gatherings are a regular sight in the park's elegant indoor function rooms. Visit the park today and experience the tranquillity once enjoyed by the Malay royals of yore.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=16

Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a park spanning 101 hectares of reclaimed land in central Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden.
www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

Hong Lim Park - Speakers' Corner
In Singapore, Speakers' Corner is an area located within Hong Lim Park where people can demonstrate, hold exhibitions and performances, and speak freely on most topics. It was launched on 1 September 2000 as a "free speech area" where speaking events could be held without the need to apply for a licence under the Public Entertainments Act.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=67&Itemid=73

Istana Park
Istana Park, Singapore's premier park, offers a number of unique features not found in other parks on the island.
The Festival Arch is the centrepiece of this park. A 26m long arch rising from a rectangular reflecting pool with slow, flowing water. Standing at a height of four storeys and flying banners and flags during National Day. It is designed to symbolise the gateposts and railings at the Istana Entrance, and it enhances the visual link across Orchard Road. The Festival Arch is a landmark marking the gateway to the Civic District.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=18&Itemid=73

Pearl's Hill City Park
This park was built around a reservoir on top of a hill. Tucked away in a corner of Chinatown, you can experience peace and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The park is located behind the Outram Park MRT Station and entrance is from Pearl Bank. The other entrances are at Pearl's Hill Terrance, Pearl's Hill Road and Chin Swee Road.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=28&Itemid=75

Raffles Place Park
Raffles Place Park is strategically located in the Central Business District and has extremely high pedestrian volume with commercial buildings on both sides of the park. Many office workers and professionals working in the vicinity visit the park.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=31&Itemid=73

Tanjong Pagar RICOH Park
This pocket park serves as a convenient location for people to gather and meet in a colourful and green environment. Some of its features include landscapes comprising colourful plants and trellises with climber plants which ameoliorate the harshness of the concrete buildings in the Central Business District. To encourage visitors' appreciation for the greenery, signs which give details about our green environment are installed in the park.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=35&Itemid=73

Tiong Bahru Park
Tiong Bahru Park was first developed around 1967 to serve the residents in Henderson, Bukit Merah and Lower Delta Road. In 1977, the park incorporated a nursery site. The park was later redeveloped in 2000 to reflect a theme of 'Old Frame, New Images'. The upgraded park features many new facilities to meet the recreational needs of different groups of park users and provides a livelier ambience to the park. An example is the tilting train in the adventure playground that is loved by children. More trees and palms were planted to provide better shade, more greenery and a cool environment for visitors
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=37&Itemid=73

War Memorial Park
The park is characterised by open lawn areas with Gnetum gnemon (Melinjau) trees lining the walkway leading up to the memorial from the four corners of the park. Around the memorial is a pond.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=40&Itemid=73

Youth Olympic Park
It is Singapore's first art park and is developed to foster a greater sense of community ownership and connection with Marina Bay. It was opened on 24 April 2010 and currently features art installations using different media by local youths, depicting life's aspirations. The park offers cool and shady corners for rest and a good vantage point for photography. A boardwalk connects the park to Marina Promenade and the Helix Bridge connects the park to Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.
www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=88&Itemid=73

Singapore Botanical Gardens:

Singapore Botanic Gardens
Over the past two decades, under the directorship of Dr Tan (1988–1996), Dr Chin See Chung (1996–2010) and Dr Nigel Taylor (2011 – present), the Gardens has seen numerous improvements and special features added. These include the National Orchid Garden, Symphony lake and stage, the Visitor Centre complex at Nassim Gate, Ginger Garden, the 17-hectare Bukit Timah Core, Evolution Garden, Botany Centre, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and the Healing Garden. From October 2011 the northern end of the Gardens has been served by a train station (Circle Line).

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 74-hectare (183-acre) botanical garden in Singapore. It is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every single day of the year, and does not charge an admission fee, except for the National Orchid Garden.

www.sbg.org.sg

National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden, located within the Singapore Botanic Gardens, The Garden is located on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Providing a place for 60,000 orchid plants - consisting of 400 species and more than 2,000 hybrids - is the three hectares of carefully landscaped slopes.

The National Orchid Garden is the only garden within the botanical gardens that charges an entry fee, however they have a free admission criteria on the website www.sbg.org.sg/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=869:national-orchid-garden-open-house Last entry into the Orchid Garden is at 6pm.

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