There is a beautiful green gem nestling on the northeastern coast of Singapore at Punggol. This is Coney Island. Once there, you will immediately be transported away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore’s cityscape. The island is resplendent with tall, luscious casuarina trees, sea apple trees, tropical palms and mangroves.
In bygone days, its plants, herbs and mushrooms were used by kampong folks as homeopathic medicine to cure toothaches, stomachaches, arthritis, burns, bruises and other ailments.
Coney Island’s history
Coney Island was originally called Pulau Serangoon named after a rare bird. The river running along its eastern side was the Serangoon River, which had recently been dammed into a reservoir to conserve fresh water. The island has an area of 133 hectares and it faces Pulau Ubin on its East Side.
To cut a long history short, Coney Island had been owned by various entrepreneurs and was only acquired by the Singapore government in 1972. Land reclamation took place and trails were incorporated. In 2015, Coney Island reopened as Coney Island Park.
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Hiking on Coney Island
Credit: Josephine Chia
Coney Island is not a big island: from the West Entrance to the East Entrance is approximately 2.5km. There is a main path which connects the two. This path is broad, about three metres wide and is surfaced with bitumen and concrete, so it is easy walking.
The West Promenade, which runs alongside the Serangoon Reservoir is also easy to walk and is picturesque. Part of it faces the new SIT campus.
The East Promenade, however, can be a challenge for some seniors as the path undulates and is very winding. Pools of puddles tend to form after rain.
As a senior myself, I would say that caution must be exercised for this path as it is quite a distance away from any buildings should anything happen. So, I recommend that you walk with a companion or go on public holidays and weekends where there are other people about in case you need help.
But, the East Promenade is worth a venture as it is truly rustic and tranquil, with five small coves of white sandy beaches, each with its own type of habitat. On days when the sky is blue and the sun is shining, the waves gently wash the shore in mesmerising rhythm. It is blissful for me.
My favourite beach is Beach C, as there are rocks and square concrete blocks where I could sit and meditate with Pulau Ubin across the waters.
Credit: Josephine Chia
A boardwalk through mangrove swamps leads to Beach C. This area is an ecological wonder and worth the effort to see. Mudskippers and tree-climbing crabs forage amongst air roots and broad-leafed plants.
A Wealth of Fauna
Coney Island was created as a rustic park to keep things as natural as possible. Hence, it is highly likely that you will encounter mosquitoes and sandflies. Therefore, dress appropriately and wear insect repellent patches to safeguard yourself.
Though Coney Island is nowhere near the wildness of a tropical jungle, do be aware that wild animals do roam the island. Do not feed the animals and do not imagine them to behave like domesticated pets!
Credit: Josephine Chia
Macaques at Coney Island can be very pesky and they love shiny objects like spectacles, anything glittery and handbags! I carry a closed umbrella to use as a stick with me to ward them off when they bare their teeth and screech with fierce looks.
But on the whole, wild animals do not normally attack. You respect them and they respect you back. If you come across a snake slithering across your path, simply step out of its way. After all, it is you who are encroaching on his home and environment.
Don’t allow the presence of wild animals on Coney Island deter you from visiting the island. There are other fauna that will bring a smile to your lips and a lift in your heart. Birds like the electric blue, collared kingfisher or the white bellied eagles, squirrels, orange dragonflies and beautiful butterflies.
Coney Island is teeming with life. Enjoy its richness!
Credit: Josephine Chia
If you are keen to find out more about the nature on Coney Island, NParks has regular free guided tours as well as self-guided walks available.
Although you are not permitted to fish, you can swim, cycle, walk or picnic on Coney Island. You can even try to indulge in the art of forest bathing.
Forest Bathing
The Japanese popularised shinrin-yoku or forest bathing in the 1980s. But many of us from the Merdeka and Pioneer generations used to practice this activity called Mandi Hutan in 1950s, pre-independent Singapore.
This is the art of walking in the forest to absorb the peace and quiet of the forest and atmosphere whilst breathing in the oxygen and positive ions given out by the trees. Those were the days before HDB estates were in existence, when we could luxuriate in verdant-green forests close to our attap-thatched villages.
Forest bathing isn’t a speedy walk or a jog. It’s a gentle stroll to absorb nature, pick up its vibes and energy. You don’t have to remove your clothes! Modern science has provided us with the knowledge that trees and plants breathe out healing properties which energise and heal our tired body, mind and spirit.
Credit: Josephine Chia
In forest bathing, you want to fine-tune your eyes and ears to hear and feel nature – smell the wild pandan or garlic, sweet flowers; watch the butterflies flitting, birds sweeping in the air playfully, listen to their song and that of the cicadas.
So, put away your mobile phones and headphones. Allow the sound of the gentle swish of the whispering pines or waves to wash over you to help you relax your muscles, fill your heart with the joy of living.
Do select a walking companion who knows that silence is more constructive than mindless chatter on such an occasion. Try to forest bathe in the early morning, especially when the dew is still on the leaves and on the grass. The healing energy is very potent at such times.
Best sunrises on Coney Island
Credit: Josephine Chia
As a Punggol resident, I delight in going to Coney Island not just for forest bathing, but to watch spectacular sunrises.
One of my favourite spots to watch the sunrise is at the terraced stone steps facing Pulau Ubin. The second is further away on the East Promenade at Beach C.
As the sun rises, it casts splendid warm hues onto the trees and waters. When you’re standing or sitting opposite Pulau Ubin, it feels as if the waves are carrying the moving red and orange colours towards you. It is truly breathtaking!
How to get to Coney Island
When I was a little girl, we had to row a sampan or take a motorboat to cross to Coney island from the mainland. Now, it is simpler.
Two bridges were built to connect Coney Island to the mainland, the west entrance at the Punggol side near Punggol Settlement and the new Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) campus, and the east entrance at the Lorong Halus side connecting to Lorong Halus Wetlands and Pasir Ris.
The west entrance is more convenient to the island due to more connectivity options via Punggol. This entrance is only 500m away from the Punggol Settlement, with buses to Northshore and Punggol Central. There are also F&B options and a convenience store available here.
The 36km, cross-island Coast-to-Coast Trail also ends at the west entrance of Coney Island.
Credit: Josephine Chia
The new Punggol Coast MRT station on the Northeast line is just opposite the new SIT campus, which has a café.
With a stunning view of the Serangoon River Reservoir, the SIT café is open to the public when students are not dining – between 7am to 11:30am and 2pm to 5:30pm. Prices are kept low. You can enjoy a mug of coffee for $0.90!
The east entrance is not very accessible by public transport, so it would only be useful if you are planning to extend your hike beyond Coney Island to Lorong Halus Wetlands and Pasir Ris Park, or if you are cycling.
Coney Island is open from 7am to 7pm. There are toilets at both entrances but there is no residential or industrial estate nor any hawker centre, electricity or running water. So do remember to bring water and snacks if required.
Coney Island
Location: Beside Punggol Promenade Nature Walk
Opening Hours: Daily, 7am – 7pm
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/parks/park-detail/coney-island-park
