Singapore’s Southern Islands consist of eight offshore islands located to the south of Singapore. Most famous for Sentosa island, the Southern Islands cluster includes St John’s Island, Lazarus Island, Kusu Island and the Sisters’ Islands.
Recently reopened as part of the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park in October 2024 after being closed for three years, Sisters’ Islands is now a place for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and snorkelling as well as learning more about marine life.
You can explore Big Sister’s Island, with an interesting boardwalk for observing coral formations and marine life.
Marine enthusiasts would want to stay longer to examine different corals, fish, rare birds and other creatures. Frequent sightings of blacktip reef sharks confirm that there are enough fish in the park to support reef predators.
Small Sister’s Island is tiny and not open to the public.
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Legend behind Sisters' Islands
Legend has it that two sisters drowned in the area. Hence the name. Minah and Linah lived with their uncle and were inseparable. A pirate chief fancied beautiful Linah and captured her despite objections from Minah and her uncle. Minah jumped into the sea swimming after the pirate’s sampan, only to lose the battle to the storm and the strong currents.
Seeing this, Linah jumped into the sea to save her sister. The waves were overwhelming and both sisters drowned. The following day two islands appeared exactly where the two girls had drowned. They were named Pulau Subar Laut and Pulau Subar Darat; Big Sister Island and Small Sister Island (when translated from Malay).
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
Highlights of Big Sister’s Island
The salient feature of Big Sisters’ Island? It is a living laboratory for marine scientists to study corals, fish and other marine creatures surrounding Singapore.
Most of Singapore’s coral reefs are found in the Southern Islands and Singapore is trying to stimulate the growth of hard corals by subjecting them to low-voltage electricity. The project is being carried out in a research pool at the newly-added boardwalk on Big Sister’s Island.
- Floating Boardwalk
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
This is the most exciting part of exploring Sisters’ Islands because the 220-metre-long floating boardwalk rises and falls with the tides, allowing visitors to peer through the boardwalk openings to observe coral experiments.
If you are lucky, you may even catch a researcher diving into the sea from the moon holes adjacent to the boardwalk. Coral reefs built by hard corals over time become a habitat for different species of reef fish, sea sponges as well as rare and endangered seahorses and clams. They provide coastal protection and serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion.
- Lagoon tidal pool
A partial seawall built at two ends of an existing lagoon has created a tidal pool. You can take an intertidal walk to observe marine life. With time, the tidal pool could become an ecosystem because the sheltered lagoon allows seagrass and mangrove saplings to thrive.
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
The sheltered waters make the lagoon-turned-tidal pool a good private swimming and snorkelling area. I saw two primary-school-aged kids having a fun dip on a family outing. However, there is no lifeguard on duty. The restroom nearby has shower facilities if you plan to swim or snorkel. It is one of the prettiest spots on the island to have a picnic; but stay alert for nosy monkeys.
- Energy-saving facilities
The Big Sister’s Island is self-sufficient; churning out its own supply of water and electricity. A water tower supplies clean water to the island and the solar-panel station provides the electricity for lighting and running the desalination plant. At the plant, seawater is turned into clean water especially for the large garden-like toilet and shower facilities.
- Hilltop View Deck
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
Apart from the panoramic view from the hilltop, visitors can spend time birdwatching to spot wood owls, sea eagles and herons. Perched at the pinnacle is also a telescope that gives you a close-up view of Pulau Semakau and Pulau Bukom with its oil refineries. The hilltop connects to the Ocean Network Express Coastal Forest Trail.
- The Coastal Forest Trail
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
Walk leisurely along the 230-metre Forest Trail and see if you can spot coastal flora and fauna such as mangrove fan palms and paradise tree snakes. Otherwise, just enjoy the canopy as the trail meanders around the island. Before you know it, you’ll be back at the pier.
- Hiking Routes
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
You can stroll around Big Sister’s Island (level one grading; easy) in one-and-half hours because it is barely a 1.9km walk around the island. It is also wheelchair-friendly.
Those who clamour for a little challenge (level 2/3 grading; slightly difficult) and a bird’s eye view of the islands to the south of Singapore can climb the 122 steps in the centre of the island to the Hilltop View Deck.
Kusu Island
Don’t pass up on the opportunity to explore and enjoy Kusu Island when your ferry stops here enroute back to Singapore. Since you will have to disembark and wait for the next ferry, why not use that time to pick one of the cosy huts lining the coast to relax in and savour the view or walk to the famous Chinese Temple where devotees throng in October (Kusu Festival). They pray for good health, good luck, peace and happiness.
Image courtesy of Valerie Valberg-Yeoh.
It has an interesting history. A Spanish ship was grounded in the vicinity in the 17th century and the island became named “Governor’s Island”.
In 1806 hydrographer James Horsburgh renamed it “Goa Island” (no reason). Kusu Island means “Tortoise Island” in Chinese. The island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay. A Malay shrine on the island is also frequently visited. Ferry services started in 1975. Prior to that, pilgrims took bumboats (sampans) to reach the island.
How to get to Sisters’ Islands?
The ferries to Sisters’ Islands depart from Marina South Pier. An adult two-way ferry ticket costs $18 and allows you to visit three islands: Sisters’ Islands, Kusu Island and St John’s Island. Should you be above 60, you can get a senior ticket for $12.
There are two ferry operators to Sisters’ Islands, and both include St John’s Island and Kusu Island in their ferry tickets. However, the travel routes are slightly different for the operators.
You can either approach the orange Singapore Island Cruise booth or the yellow Marina South Ferries booth for your tickets at Marina South Pier. The two booths are positioned just across the waiting area. Alternatively, you can also buy your tickets online ahead of time.
The boat ride in itself is an adventure. Feel the wind on your face or travel in air-conditioned comfort as you take in the beautiful watery surroundings admiring Singapore’s coastline. It is as if you are going on a short holiday.
Big Sister Island is open to the public from 7am to 7pm daily.
- Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services
The first ferry from Singapore Island Cruise ferries departs Marina South Pier to St John’s Island at 9am. From St John’s Island, you’ll need to change ferry to the one heading to Big Sister’s Island three times a day (earliest at 10am). To head back to mainland, you’ll need to take a ferry back to St John’s Island to catch the ferry to Marina South Pier.
Timings change with the season so do check the schedule.
Credit: Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Service
To buy tickets: From booth at Marina South Pier or online.
- Marina South Ferries
Marina South Ferries offers direct ferries to Big Sister’s Island three times a day, starting from 9am and is a 30-minute trip. You would need to still take the inter-island shuttle to Kusu Island to catch the ferry back to mainland Singapore.
Do check the schedule online in case of changes due to the season.
Credit: Marina South Pier -> Sisters' Island
To book tickets: From booth at Marina South Pier or online.
Tips for your travel
- Take MRT to Marina South Pier (NS28)
Start your adventure by catching the MRT to the ferry terminal at Marina South Pier (there is limited parking there, so don’t recommend driving).
The closest MRT station is NS28 Marina South Pier MRT station, on the North South Line (NSL). Should you take the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and need to change train, we suggest changing trains at Orchard (TE14/NS22) for the NSL instead for a shorter transit walk (if changing train at Marina Bay (TE20/NS27), it is a good 500m walk).
- Pack a picnic basket
No food and drinks are sold on the island. So do prepare your own picnic basket and take along lots of water or go early after a hearty breakfast and time to return to shore at about 2.30 pm for a late lunch. The small shops at the Marina South Pier ferry terminal sell an array of snacks and swimming/beach items like hats and slippers. Only one shop has takeaways for your picnic like burgers and bee hoon.
- Proper attire
Shield yourself with a hat or umbrella and sunscreen but most importantly, wear long trousers if you are concerned about insects hovering around your legs.
- Manage expectations
A trip to the Big Sister’s Island and Kusu Island cannot be compared to a trip to Sentosa. Cherish the rustic atmosphere and peace and tranquillity. You will be getting away from the distractions of city life. This is a destination for nature lovers or eco tourists.
