Pulau Ubin, Singapore Overview

Pulau Ubin is a 10.2 square kilometre island lying northeast of Singapore. Translating to Granite Island in Malay, it is one of the last two kampongs of Singapore - a place where one can truly enjoy and experience Singapore for what it used to be. The main attraction is the Chek Jawa Wetlands. It is also ideal for activities like kayaking, hiking, camping and mountain biking.

Whether it is the adventurous mountain biking or cycling around the pristine island, with lush green forests and wide rolling meadows, Pulau Ubin is an ideal relaxation spot. Flanked by the mini Puaka Hill with the chirping of birds reverberating in the background, it is also popular for hiking and bird watching. Visitors to this island also go kayaking among the mangroves and camp amidst the peaceful settings to watch the sparkling night stars.

1. Cycling

Away from the busy traffic and the blaring horns, from the soaring skyscrapers and the bustling highways, explore your way through the peaceful streets of Pulau Ubin at your own pace on a bicycle. Sit (Read More)uated off the coast of north-eastern Singapore, Pulau Ubin, which means "Granite Island", is endowed with towering coconut trees which sway with the cool breeze, wonderful shorelines, and an abundance of flora and fauna. Explore the scenic beauty of this dense island, teeming with fascinating wildlife like monkeys, wild boars and Malayan water monitors, surrounded by bright and beautiful flowers while breathing in the fresh, unpolluted air.

Chek Jawa Wetlands

The Chek Jawa Wetlands is the most popular place for sightseeing in Pulau Ubin. It is a natural intertidal flat, with very rich biodiversity and is managed by the National Parks Board of Singapore. It is s very unique melange of six different habitats - mangroves, forests, lagoons, rocky and sandy shores, and a coral rubble area. Tours are conducted every day at Chek Jawa, although visitors are welcome to explore it on their own too. Visitors can explore the 1km boardwalk which loops around the mangroves and the coast and is hence called the Mangrove and Coastal Loops. They can also climb up the 20m tall Jejawi Tower which provides them with a breathtaking view of the entire island. It is advisable for tourists to time their visit to Chek Jawa when the tide is at 0.5m or below, as that is when the various ecosystems are revealed.

Chek Jawa can be reached by taxi or bicycle from Ubin Town. No vehicles and bicycles are allowed within Chek Jawa, and hence bicycles and vehicles have to be parked at selected lots near Punai Hut. Tourists can also walk to Chek Jawa from Ubin Town, which is approximately a 40-minute walk.

Timings: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Activities at Pulau Ubin

Mountain Biking: One of the most popular activities to do at Pulau Ubin is mountain biking as it houses the Ketam Mountain Bike Park. Around 8 km long, it runs through thick jungles and open terrain and has various steep and short climbs and descents. Each section of the trail is well marked about its level of difficulty. Explore the entire island on bikes, stopping by lakes, farms and rubber plantations - bikes are available for rent, in case you cannot bring your own.

Kayaking: Visitors can take a four-hour kayaking journey through the mangroves of Pulau Ubin island, experiencing the beautiful and unique biodiversity of the region. Kayakers often spot a number of unique wildlife like jellyfish, black-capped kingfishers, otters, hermit crabs, white-bellied sea eagles, Oriental-pied hornbills and even pink dolphins. These kayaking journeys have to be booked beforehand and a minimum of two people are needed to book. The minimum age allowed is 9 years and children below 12 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Hiking: Those interested in hiking can hike up Puaka Hill. It is a very steep hike and takes around 15 to 20 minutes to complete. On the top of the Hill, visitors are greeted with a magnificent view of Ubin Quarry.

Camping: There are several designated campsites at Pulau Ubin where visitors can camp through the night. One has to apply for a camping permit and register at the police post. Camping at Pulau Ubin is the perfect getaway from the busy life of Singapore - relax under the trees and relish a calming experience.

Attractions

Ubin Town: Ubin Town is the tiny settlement at Pulau Ubin, located right next to the main jetty. It is a sleepy little town that caters to the visitors with stalls serving fresh seafood and staging traditional Chinese opera called 'wayang'. Visitors can take a leisurely walk around this small town and truly experience what Singapore used to be like during the olden days.

Sensory Trail: Pulau Ubin is heaven on earth for nature lovers. They can go on walks along beautiful trails, go bird watching and even relax on the bank of a beautiful lake. The Sensory Trail is one such trial which is 15kms long and is decorated with native flowering plants, bushes and fruit trees growing along its path. It even has a vegetable and spice garden which has plants like basil, turmeric, curry leaf tree, winged bean and ginger.

Butterfly Hill: Another interesting place to visit is Butterfly Hill, which is home to over 140 types of butterflies. Spot various types of butterflies ranging from the Black Veined Tiger, Common Bluebottle to rare ones like the Dwarf Crow.

Pekan Quarry: What was once an old granite quarry is now a beautiful lake surrounded by lush green forests. Hear and spot various types of birds in these forests including the rare Oriental Pied Hornbill. The Quarry is a fifteen-minute walk from the jetty and is located west of Ubin's main village.

Pulau Ubin Tee Trail

The Pulau Ubin Tree Trail is a rustic walking trail located on the island of Pulau Ubin and offers tourists a pleasant recluse from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Visitors who opt to enjoy a walk amidst nature on this trail not only get to enjoy the rustic atmosphere of the surroundings, but they also get to firsthand experience the village life of the kampungs, which are the last villages of Singapore.

The Tree Trail begins right in front of the Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub and then passes through several interesting places en route, which include old coconut and rubber plantations, the house of Pulau Ubin, the late village head; and also a myriad of different species of trees. These include the Malayan Banyan, Jackfruit trees, Cacao plants, as well as candlenut and banana trees among others. The trail finally ends at the viewing jetty outside the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre, which is a Tudor style cottage which has been renovated to be a Conservation building.

Tips

If camping, register at the Police Post.
It is advisable to carry their water, insect repellant and wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
Carry hats, sunglasses and sunscreens as it can get quite hot on the island.
Season Live Seafood is a tiny restaurant that has been serving delicious seafood for 20 years. The most popular of them are Chilli Crab, priced at SGD 40.00 a kg and Sambal Squid Rings priced at SGD 8.00. It is closed on Tuesdays.

How to Reach Pulau Ubin

Pulau Ubin is a fifteen-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. The fare ride per passenger is SGD 3.00. Each bumboat leaves as soon as it is filled with 12 people. Passengers can also pay SGD 36.00 if they want the boat to leave immediately.