Pulau Ubin Singapore

Pulau Ubin Singapore

Pulau Ubin is an island northeast of mainland Singapore. Cycle trails and footpaths criss-cross the hills, going past disused granite quarries and traditional kampongs (villages). Kingfishers and bulbul birds inhabit the tidal flats and mangroves of the Chek Jawa Wetlands. The Jejawi observation tower and a looped boardwalk offer views of this area. Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple houses statues of local deities.

Photo by Jeremy Kwok on Unsplash

Nature and history intertwine on Pulau Ubin, located off Singapore’s north-eastern coast. Just a 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, this tranquil island sanctuary is a popular haunt of nature lovers and day trippers unwinding from the bustle of the city.

Originally known as Pulau Batu Jubin (Granite Stone Island in Malay), this 1020-hectare island’s granite quarries once provided the stone used to construct structures like the Istana and the Singapore-Johor Causeway.

Visitors to the island will be able to admire these historical sites, alongside coconut rubber plantations, fish farms and Singapore’s last-remaining kampong (traditional village).

Besides being a window into Singapore’s past, Pulau Ubin is home to diverse habitats and a variety of wildlife. Take a day trip to this beautiful island, and discover all the beauty that it has to offer.

Pulau Ubin is a small island located in the northeastern side of mainland Singapore, in the Straits of Johor. The island can be reached on a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, and the ride takes roughly ten minutes. Pulau Ubin means "Granite Island '' and it sits on abandoned granite quarries. The island is also known as 'tsioh sua’ in the Taiwanese Romanization of Hokkein, which means "stone hill". The island forms a part of the Ubin-Khatib Important Bird Area and is known to house various different species of the migrant as well as resident birds, many of which are threatened. Pulau Ubin is one of the few areas of Singapore that has been sheltered from real estate development.

It's wooden house villages, wooden jetties, uncultured wildlife and abundance of natural wealth makes it the last standing manifestation of the old 'kampong' Singapore.The island of Pulau Ubin prides itself in its variety of flora and fauna. Its star attraction, the Chek Jawa wetlands, is an ecological gold mine and houses over ten ecosystems at one place. Its rich wildlife has made Pulau Ubin a site for a number of ecological projects such as the Hornbill Conservation Project and the Seahorse Monitoring project. Pulau Ubin is home to one of Singapore's most popular mountain bike trails, the Ketam Mountain Bike Park. The trail is well marked throughout its stretch by indicating the difficulty level at each section and covers a wide range of terrains from open Meadows to thick forests.

Nature in all its glory

As you explore this emerald island, you’ll find yourself traversing a multitude of habitats, from seagrass lagoons to mangroves teeming with wildlife.

Seeing all that Pulau Ubin has to offer can be daunting on foot, so be sure to rent a bike from the stores that dot the main jetty.

We suggest heading along the eastern trail, towards Chek Jawa Wetlands. This ecosystem is a confluence of six distinct habitats, including coastal forests, rocky beaches and a mangrove swamp. Keep your eyes peeled for fiddler crabs, red jungle fowls and mudskippers, among many other wondrous creatures.

On your way to Chek Jawa, be sure to drop by the Ubin Fruit Orchard, which houses over 350 trees heavy with durians, mangroves and breadfruit.

Before you leave, be sure to visit Pekan Quarry for a picture-perfect moment at sunset. Located just a 15-minute walk away from the jetty, this former quarry is now a beautiful lake, surrounded by lush greenery and home to otters, dragonflies and various species of birds.

Exploring the great outdoors

Outdoor activities abound on Pulau Ubin, ranging from camping and hiking to challenging bike trails.

If you’re planning to spend the night on this idyllic island, camping sites can be found all across the island. Jelutong campsite is a short walk 6 minutes west of the jetty, but more adventurous visitors can head northeast to the Maman campsite or west towards Endut Senin beach.

Adventurous bikers and thrill seekers can head further west towards Ketam Mountain Bike Path. This trail snakes across 10 kilometres, with challenging slopes and rock-littered descents that will prove to be a challenge for even the most seasoned sports enthusiast.

Attractions In Pulau Ubin:

1. Chek Jawa wetlands: 

The Tanjong Chek Jawa cape is a 100-hectare wetland located in the eastern tip of Pulau Ubin Island. Among the last few places in Singapore housing a natural rocky shore, Chek Jawa houses about a dozen different ecosystems, ranging from coastal forests to lagoons. The Chek Jawa wetlands offer a 1.1km long boardwalk along the shore, allowing visitors to enjoy its rich plant and marine life at close proximity, and a 21-metre-tall watchtower which is ideal to enjoy sunsets or watch birds.

2. House No.1: 

A quintessential example of pre-war architecture in Singapore, House No.1 is a Tudor-style, two-storied building in the island of Pulau Ubin. It is believed that this house was initially built in the 1930s as a retreat for the then Chief Surveyor of Singapore, Langdon Williams, and is now converted to a Visitor Centre for the Chek Jawa wetlands. Fitted with its own jetty, House No.1 offers a great view of the Pulau Sekudu and mainland Singapore and houses the only working fireplace in the country.

3. Wei Fuo Ta Gong Temple: 

Located on a small hill in western Pulau Ubin, the Wei Fuo Ta Gong temple is home to shrines of multiple deities like the Hindu gods, the hillside spirits and Chinese Buddhas. Nearly 80-years old, this temple is maintained and looked after by Madam Ong Siew Fong and her family, and offers a place of worship for Chinese Buddhist devotees.

4. German Girl Shrine: 

Nestled within a wooden yellow hut beside an Assam tree, the German Girl Shrine is perhaps the most interesting haunt in Singapore and is invested with a unique history. The Shrine houses an altar to the daughter of a German coffee plantation manager, who fell into a quarry behind her house while escaping some British officers during World War 2. The girl's body was found the next day, and the shrine was built in her tribute. Over the years, the spirit of the German Girl is believed to have become a Taoist deity by the locals. To this date, the altar of the shrine is littered with a number of unique trinkets offered to the deity, including multiple bottles of nail polish and other items.

Restaurants In Pulau Ubin

1. Ubin First Stop Restaurant: 

A short walk from Pulau Ubin jetty, Ubin First Stop Restaurant is located on the East Coast Seafood Centre. This restaurant offers a laid-back al fresco dining experience and provides outdoor as well as indoor seating options. Known for its value for money, Ubin First Stop offers a variety of seafood dishes, made from fresh catches, at a relatively low rate.

2. New Ubin Seafood: 

As is made evident by its name, this restaurant specializes in seafood dishes. New Ubin Seafood initially started as a family-owned restaurant on the northern shores of Pulau Ubin. Their menu offers traditional Singapore seafood dishes with a twist, and over the years, many of their dishes have become a part of Singapore's tze char tradition.

3. Ubin Kitchen: 

Nestled in Greenwood Avenue, Ubin kitchen, Ubin Kitchen is popular for its traditional recipes and old school dishes, such as Kong Back Pau- braised pork bun, prawn rolls, and yam paste. This indoor restaurant also serves contemporary Singaporean dishes, savory and sweet alike. 

4. Saanjha Chulha: 

A popular name around the world, Saanjha Chulha serves vegetarian food that is North Indian, Kashmiri or Mughlai in origin. The food at this restaurant is well-priced and portioned handsomely. The restaurant has indoor, air conditioned seating options only.

5. Season Live Seafood: 

One of Pulau Ubin's most popular waterfront restaurants, Season Live offers a wide range of seafood dishes on its menu, complemented by the backdrop of the open sea. Specialty dishes of this restaurant include fried squid, butter prawns and the sambal sweet potato leaf.

6. Coachman Inn Restaurant: 

Housed inside the Changi sailing club, Coachman Inn restaurant offers an alfresco, waterfront dining experience, serving both Asian and Continental cuisine. The restaurant looks out to the South China Sea and is perfect for both romantic dine-outs and family dinners. The portions served are of a considerable size, and specialty dishes include Ribeyes, steaks and curries.

Things To Do In Pulau Ubin

1. Rent a bike: 

Stretching across nearly four square miles, the island of Pulau Ubin is perfect to be explored in a day-whether on foot or bike. The mixture of flat and rough terrains, the long coastlines and photogenic views of the sea make a biking experience along the Pulau Ubin coast a treat to the senses. Bikes on the island can be rented for an entire day for a nominal fee of 7-10 dollars.

2. Explore the Chek Jawa wetlands: 

Chek Jawa wetlands is the most prominent attraction of Pulau Ubin and houses various ecological habitats, exhibiting the country's largest collection of wildlife. The Chek Jawa wetlands offer a boardwalk along their coastline, which can be explored on foot only. The wetlands are an intertidal region and are best experienced when the tides are low and the marine animals are more visible to the naked eye. The wetlands also offer a guided walking tour to its visitors.

3. Kayak through the mangroves: 

If you are a thrill-seeker and love adventure, you might want to explore the mangrove tides by kayaking through them. Offered by Adventure by Asian Detours, these kayaking routines are divided into three main difficulty levels, costing between 79-95 SDG for adults. These expeditions last up to four hours, and are beginner-friendly ones, offering guides and mentors for those inexperienced in the sport.

4. Set up camp: 

The island of Pulau Ubin offers multiple camping spots on these grounds, along with hotels and resorts. Camping on the island does not require a permit, but make sure to be equipped with sufficient food, water and other essentials to last you through the night. Butterfly Hill, Jelutong Campsite and Endut Senin Campsite are some of the popular camping spots on the island.

Pulau Ubin Day Trip—A packing list

First-time visitors to Pulau Ubin should check out this list of items to bring along for their day trip:

1) Money: The bumboat to Pulau Ubin costs S$6 per person to and from the island, while bicycle rentals (available from stores along the jetty) cost S$6-20. Remember to bring sufficient cash!

2) Insect repellent: To avoid mosquito bites. You may also want to wear shoes instead of sandals or slippers.

3) Water and sunblock: Singapore’s tropical climes make for a great way to get your dose of Vitamin D, but do remember to hydrate and take care of your skin.

4) Camera: Beautiful sights abound on Pulau Ubin, and amateur photographers may want to bring along a camera to capture the moment.

Essential Information:

Location: The Straits of Johor, on the northeastern side of mainland Singapore.

Timing: The boat rides from the Changi Jetty Ferry commence at 5.30AM, and the last boat from the island departs at 09.00PM

Price: Entrance to Pulau Ubin does not require a fee and is free for all. The bumboat ride from the Changi Jetty Terminal, however, costs $3 per person.

Tips For Visiting Pulau Ubin

• Mosquitos and infestations are common in Singapore and especially rampant in this island filled with forest cover. It would be advisable to carry a mosquito or bug repellant.

• Once you enter the island, there is no place to buy food or snacks, except at the very entrance of the island. So have a hearty meal before you go, and don't forget to carry sufficient snacks and water along.

• The island gets considerably crowded towards noon, so it is better to start one's day as early as possible.

• Being a tropical island, Pulau Ubin experiences light to heavy rainfall throughout the year. It is advisable, therefore, to carry an umbrella or raincoat along while travelling.

• Exploring the island requires a lot of walking, and the temperature is usually high. Donning of comfortable footwear, loose clothing, caps, sunglasses and sunscreen is strongly recommended.

• Singapore has a strong rule against littering. There are plenty of dustbins stationed at regular intervals and should be used to keep the island clean.