Counting on cultural heritage in isolated places with a good dash of nature? Kusu Island might be your best destination. Even better, getting there is quite easy and Kusu Island needs no passport!

Located about 5.6 kilometers to the south of the main island of Singapore, Kusu Island is a fascinating spot for those who have a deeper interest in culture, history, and traditional heritage. Not your taste? Kusu Island is also great for nature lovers! It is famous for its shimmering lagoons, beautiful beaches and serene atmosphere. It is truly a perfect setting to just jump into the water, swim around and savor in the incredible panorama. To ensure that you won’t miss its beauty, make sure to choose a hotel nearby to stay.

Unlike popular places of interest, this 85,000 square-meter island will make you rediscover Singapore. Singapore's modern identity is a single, diamond-shaped island. Yet, in reality, it comprises 63 islets (land reclamation is increasing their size and squeezing their number). Kusu Island is one of those that belong to Singapore, a favorite harbor for temple buffs or simply those who want to enjoy the picturesque lagoon, clean beaches, and varied animal life. Take a break from the fast-paced life in a metropolis like Singapore. Travelers yearning for a calm, peaceful, and unfiltered environment would love to visit this small beach

According to some historical accounts, the earliest mention of Kusu reef was during the 17th century when Dom Jose de Silva, Spanish Governor of the Philippines, was believed to have run aground at Kusu reef in March 1616. The island then became known as “Governor's Island”.

In 1806, the island was renamed "Goa Island" by James Horsburgh, a hydrographer at the British East India Company. Soon after Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore in 1819, his hydrographer Daniel Ross selected the island as a reference point for ships entering the new port. In 1822, a signal station with a signal mast manned by the Harbour Master's Department was built on the island.

Kusu Island used to be two islands before reclamation, separated by a sandbar that could have posed a hazard to ships during low tide. This island was originally 12,000 square meters, but landfill and reclamation in 1975 joined it with another coral outcrop, making it an 85,000 square-meter island resort. During the colonial era, the island served as the burial site for newly arrived immigrants who had died while in quarantine on St John's and Lazarus islands.

Kusu Island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay. Meanwhile, the name “Kusu” translates to “tortoise” or “turtle” in Hokkien Chinese. There are many legends telling how the island got its name, but they revolve around a story of a tortoise, a malay, and a chinese fisherman.

Legend has it that a giant and magical tortoise turned itself into an island in order to save two shipwrecked fishermen, a Malay and a Chinese, near the Singapore waters. The fishermen were so thankful to the tortoise that they returned to the island to give their gratitude. Thus, a Muslim keramat (shrine in Malay) and a Chinese temple were built on the island according to their beliefs. Since then, many other people have continued this tradition of giving thanks and prayers on the eleventh month of the lunar calendar which is also known as the “Kusu” season.

Traditional feng shui theories also indicate that Kusu Island is the “Star of Longevity”, which represents good health and a long life. That’s why this “tortoise island” is named after the animal with the longest lifespan.

Does the island look like a tortoise then? Nope. Kusu Island is not shaped like a tortoise but simply represents health and longevity. Making it into a destination for leisure and relaxation should be a good idea!

Home to sacred sites of two beliefs, many people come to Kusu Island to continue worshipping at them. Especially in the annual Kusu Pilgrimage season, during the ninth lunar month that usually falls between September and November, Kusu Island will be full of worshippers with different intentions, from various ethnic and beliefs.

Located on Kusu Island is the popular Chinese temple – Da Bo Gong 大伯公 or Tua Pek Kong (Grand Uncle) and Na Tuk Kong (Dato Keramat or "拿督公") . Da Bo Gong Temple was built in 1923 and dedicated to two Taoist deities: the Da Bo Gong and Guang Yin. The Da Bo Gong is also known as God of Prosperity, highly regarded as having the power to confer prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and avert danger. Meanwhile, Guang Yin is known as the ‘giver of sons’—the Bodhisattva of Mercy.

According to the signboard at the entrance of the temple, the temple was built in 1923 with donations from a wealthy businessman Chia Cheng Ho in honour of the Chinese deity Tua Pek Kong (or Da Bo Gong, which literally means “Grand Uncle”), the Merchant God or God of Prosperity. Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, is also prayed to at the temple.

At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stands three keramats (or holy shrines of Malay saints). The keramats are used to commemorate a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and sister (Puteri Fatimah) who lived in the 19th century. Many devotees will make laborious climb up 152 steps to the keramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines are also popular with childless couples who would say prayers for the gift of a child.

Inscriptions at the shrines revealed that Nenek Ghalib had visited a Strait Chinese man, Hoe Beng Whatt, in his dreams in 1917, and requested for the shrines to be built. In return, she would grant the donors success in their business. With so many sacred sites, it is almost impossible to build a hotel on Kusu Island.

Going to a desolate island will certainly need more preparation. There are certain things you need to bring to Kusu Island.

The only way to go to Kusu Island is by taking a ferry from Marina South Pier. There are 2 companies that provide Kusu Island ferry, namely Marina South Ferries and Island Cruise. Please note that you need to keep track of the Kusu Island ferry schedule since staying overnight is strictly not allowed on Kusu Island. Thus, be sure that you catch the last ferry back to the mainland.

Also, please note that the use of public transportation to Marina South Pier is encouraged especially in the pilgrimage season due to its limited parking lot. You can either take a bus (SBS Transit Bus 400), MRT, Taxi, or Shuttle Bus from Meadow Carpark at Gardens by the Bay. Or to be more simple, just choose the best staycation Singapore nearby.

The Kusu Island ferry ticket costs SGD$15 and it includes a stop at St John’s Island without additional costs. You can buy the ticket online or on site, but we recommend that you buy the ticket from Traveloka to pick up good bargains!

There are two types of ferry available: open deck or closed deck. For those of you who want to take pictures, sure it will be more convenient to choose the open deck, as pictures taken without the glare and reflection from glass windows are way better! Yet, always be aware that the open deck is maybe too hot for the elderly.

Even though the Kusu Island ferry usually stops by St John’s Island, on the way back, the ferry will go straight to the Marina South Pier. Marina South Ferry’s ticket also includes a stop on Sisters’ Islands if you visit on weekends or Public Holiday.

It takes 40 minutes to 1 hour from Marina South Pier to Kusu Island. Enjoy the journey and expect other cruise ships for you to spot on!

Kusu Island ferry schedule:

Marina South Pier to St John Island

10:00 – 11:00 – 14:00

St John Island to Kusu Island

10:45 – 11:45

Kusu Island to Marina South Pier

15:00 – 17:00

COVID Information: Be prepared for any last-minute changes in bookings! Plus, remember to mask up, practice social distancing and keep group gatherings to a maximum of 5 people.

There are many things you can do on this nearly untouchable island! Just make sure that you visit Kusu Island on one of the public holiday Singapore, to get the best experience.

Of course Kusu Island is a good place for temple buffs! Located 200m from the jetty, the Da Bo Gong Temple is easily recognized because of its prominent architecture. The temple’s green pagoda roof and red wall will be instantly noticed from afar.

But, before you reach the Da Bo Gong Temple, be sure to take a peek at a flower-shaped wishing well along the way – a well-preserved fixture that has stood the test of time despite being built decades ago.

Rumor had it that if you tossed a coin in and hit the bells, your wishes would be granted. And while the bells are no longer a fixture, don’t let that stop you from praying for whatever it is you’d wish for.

House of two deities—Da Bo Gong, the God of Prosperity, and Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy—the Da Bo Gong Temple today is the result of a rebuilding effort in the early 20th century, which is 1909 with an extension made in 1923. Inside the temple complex, you’ll see an altar where Chinese people usually put the incense. Many years ago, you were likely to see thick incense smoke engulfing the place. However, the smoke situation has alleviated exceptionally because of the pink notice on the altar, stating that 24 joss sticks would be sufficient. Some devotees are known to burn extra joss sticks to increase their "chance" to be heard by the deity.

If you want to have a kid, there is a tree with colorful papers tied to its branches. Yes, it is known as the child bearing tree. This tree is popular among childless couples who are trying to have kids.

Also, be sure you take a photo near the iconic statue on Kusu Island: the three tortoises! The statue has been around for at least 30 years ago.

If you notice the big pond in front of the temple, the entire 'water' area was used to house the tortoises! Yes, what is a tortoise island without tortoises, right?

Brace yourself before you decide to visit the Malay shrine because you need to climb a total of 152 steps! Some of them are very steep that may double your effort to get there. Fret not, the steps are much paved well! Plus, this activity is certainly not suitable for a toddler unless you want to carry them.

After you reach the top, you will see bright yellow walls scribbled with well wishes. The wall leads up to an equally-bright building with three shrines. The shrines were built to dedicate a pious man called Dato Syed Abdul Rahman as well as his mother and sister. This site of worship has attracted devotees from different ethnicities and religions all the way from Vietnam and Thailand!

Like those visiting the Da Bo Gong Temple, devotees here also usually pray for good health, offspring, as well as wealth and a strong marriage.

In addition to its wealth of heritage sites, Kusu Island is also a visitors’ favorite because of its picturesque lagoons and clean beaches. You will find its almost-crystal clear water is hard to resist! Imagine running your toes through the powdery soft sand while trudging along the shore.

There are two lagoons on the island situated on the north and south side of the island respectively. The northern lagoon is suitable for you who’s looking for a beach with a view. Of course we recommend bringing your beach mat to catch the distant skyline of the CBD area!

For young parents, exploring the lagoon and beach will be the star activity for kids during their day trip to Kusu Island! Walk along the beach to catch a glimpse of the marine life around the island such as coral reefs and sea turtles, you’ll be amazed!

You won’t definitely miss the tortoise sanctuary! The so-called sanctuary—situated somewhere near the center of the island—is actually a sunken concrete pit on the ground where plenty of tortoises are roaming around. Don’t be surprised to find hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of these hard-shelled reptiles wading away peacefully within the tortoise sanctuary!

There’s also plenty of tortoises at the Temple’s pond. For the Chinese, the tortoise is a sacred animal—it is believed to represent longevity. The chinese isn’t the only country that have this belief, since most of the people on earth believe that tortoises have been around for over 200 million years, longer than most other animals such as birds, lizards, snakes, mammals and even crocodiles.

The fun fact doesn’t stop there, tortoises also can live more than 100 years old. Imagine living on earth for 100 years, that is a long time. It is believed that the oldest tortoise that had ever lived on earth was Harriet, rumor has it that he was around from the Charles Darwin era, in 1835. The sad news is, Harriet died in 2006 and was predicted to be 175 years old by the time she died.

One of the reasons why most tortoises live for a long time is the fact that they can live almost anywhere in the world, through any kind of weather, except in Antarctica.

Enough of the facts about tortoises, let’s continue about things that you can do on Kusu Island.

Isn’t it nice to have a picnic in such a tranquil place? Pick the best spot to roll out your picnic mat on the island’s vast spaces. There are shelters, picnic tables and even barbecue pits on Kusu Island, perfect for an idyllic day out in the sun.

Pack plenty of snacks and water for a day out here as there are no eateries or convenience stores on the island. Don’t forget to take your trash with you when you leave!

Nearly untouched by commercialization, Kusu Island is popular for its pristine lagoons and beaches. You’d be missed out if you don’t bring your bathing suit! Have a blast in the sun, sand and sea while exploring the marine life around its coastal waters. You will probably notice a variety of hard corals and soft corals on the island. If you look hard enough, you might encounter some fishes, crabs, shrimps, and clams.

Kusu Island is not very popular for snorkeling. Though so, marine life is still pretty thanks to its untouchable urban development. If you prefer privacy and crowds are the one you want to avoid, then Kusu Island is your perfect choice!

Almost a stone’s throw from Kusu Island, you should also hop over to St John Island where its nature will make you mesmerized! From the quarantine zone for incurable disease no less than 100 years ago, this island has been transformed into a tranquil haven for nature lovers and travel enthusiasts.

In traditional Chinese culture, the Three Stars Prosperity, Status, and Longevity are known to represent material riches, descendants, and a long life. Many Chinese families display statues of these deities and Singapore even has commercial buildings named after them (such as Fu Lu Shou Complex). Some Singaporeans also believe that Singapore actually has three “biggest” and “most natural” manifestations of Three Stars.

It comprises three of the Southern Islands: Kusu Island, St John Island and Lazarus Island. In addition, the three islands have met feng shui formation with Kusu Island for the “Star of Longevity” while the others are “Status” and “Prosperity”.

For many people, Kusu Island is a place that has for almost a century drawn believers seeking answers to their prayers, and a place where those answers have been found. Tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected to make their annual visit to Kusu Island during Kusu Pilgrimage Season. Started as far back as 1813, this pilgrimage season has attracted tourists and devotees from Singapore and overseas, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Before ferry services to the island started in 1975, pilgrims had to travel in sampan and bumboats to reach the island. With the introduction of ferry services, pilgrims could take ferries from either Clifford Pier or the World Trade Centre to reach the island. Following the closure of Clifford Pier in 2006, all ferry services were relocated to Marina South Pier.

Ferry services departing from Marina South Pier to Kusu Island will begin operation from 7.00am on Weekdays and 6.30am on Weekends and Public Holidays. The last ferry will depart from Marina South Pier at 5.00pm and leave Kusu Island at 7.00pm daily. Be sure you don’t miss the Kusu Island ferry schedule! Also, please note that this schedule is only applied during the pilgrimage season.

Offerings such as joss sticks, fruit, paper money, and “prosperity cakes” (huat kueh, 发糕) are brought by devotees to the Tua Pek Kong Temple. In fact, you can buy the worshipping package for SGD 2 including joss sticks and other materials!

Data says that about 80 percent of the devotees are women, who mainly pray for prosperity, good husbands, healthy babies and obedient children. At least, five types of blessings are sought: longevity, wealth, tranquility, love of virtue and a fulfilled destiny.

Chinese pilgrims will also take part in worship at the Malay keramat. They will climb 152 steps up the hill to visit the shrines. Chinese pilgrims will have a vegetarian diet on the day of visit to the shrine. This practice stems from the fact that Muslims do not eat pork, and morphed into a general avoidance of meat for the day.

At the shrines, there are yellow pieces of cloth tied to the trees and branches, each symbolizing a wish made by believers. Plus, there’s a little wishing well near the temple where you can toss coins to hit the bell in the middle.

Some Singaporeans believe that you have to come again to the island if your wish comes true. This is done to offer thanks to the deities and some will also untie a yellow piece of cloth.

Even so, fewer devotees visit Kusu Island these days. Figures from Singapore Land Authority (SLA) show that over the past five years, about 42,000 people visited the island during the pilgrimage season each year. This is a decline from the island's heyday in the 1990s, when more than 200,000 thronged the island during the season, according to a 2014 Straits Times report.

Now older people find it harder to get there, while the younger ones are less likely to participate in the traditions associated with the island. However, children in Singapore schools still learn about the religious significance of Kusu Island.

Unfortunately speaking, there is no restaurant on Kusu Island. Unless you go there during the pilgrimage season, you will not see anyone selling foods/drinks. Yes, there is a hawker center opened during the pilgrimage season! Kway Teow, Bee Hoon, Red Bean Soup, Green Bean Soup, or Fresh Coconut will be there to feed your hunger and thirst. The choices are not cheap, be sure you need extra cash!

However, after your day trip you can return to the main Singapore island early enough to enjoy a nice dinner at Harbourfront Centre or Vivocity, as well as other nearby shopping malls.

Or, you can also try these awesome restaurants near Kusu Island that will pamper your taste buds!

Rag Mahal is one of the best fine dining Indian restaurants in Singapore. It serves Northern, Southern, & Coastal Indian cuisine and has won numerous awards for its service and culinary masterpieces. Having fine dining here on your little day out won’t hurt! Some people recommended its Quinoa Upma, Samarkand Prawns, and Tandoori Lobster. They also come with vegetarian and gluten-free options in their menu!

The Cliff is claimed to be the best Italian restaurant in Sentosa, offering the combination of sea view of the sea, cheerful staff, and relaxing vibes. Yes, its delectable food will certainly be a delight for the palate! Psst, be ready to return again and again to this resto, since the excellent seafood dishes and exotic Italian fare will leave you satiated.

As one of the best Michelin-star Sentosa restaurants, Osia Steak & Seafood Grill offers a memorable fine dining experience. Osia Steak will charm you with its excellent and well-presented food as well as friendly and efficient service. A modern open-kitchen & classy design sets the perfect warm and inviting ambiance, while their signature flatbread tingles your taste buds.

It will be a waste of time and money if you only visit Kusu Island and not spend your time on tourist attractions near this Island. With St John’s Island and Sister Island put off on the list, where would you go?

To save your time and make sure you have a joyful yet compact travelling experience, here are some of the places that you can visit after you have your fun on mesmerizing Kusu Island.

In social life, it is important to establish and maintain a good relationship with your neighbour. Occasionally sending food, creating a conversation to see how their life is going and maybe doing some communal activities together in order to create a harmonious life.

Sister Island is the friendly neighbor that Kusu Island has. Being the big sisters, the Sister Islands have to protect the ecosystem of the archipelago. That is why, after you thoroughly explore Kusu Island Singapore, you can try to visit Sister Island Marine Park.

The Sister Island Marine Park is one of the biggest Marine Park, along with some famous Marine Park like Savu Marine National Park in Indonesia. Consisting of 40 hectares, Sister Island Marine Park is the center of everything that is related to marine activity. The Singapore government has spent time to think carefully about the location of their national park, and the reasons why Sister Island was chosen is because the underwater habitat like coral reefs is well-maintained. Not to count the sandy shores and seagrass area that is thick.

The main goal of Sister Island National Park, like any other park, is to protect endangered species, like clams, sponges and seahorses and any other marine life. It is believed that Singapore has more than 500 coral species, while half of it is located in this very island.

Appraisal needed to be addressed to the caretaker of the Sister Island Marine Park because this marine park is located near the busiest ports that Singapore has, yet, they can protect these marine ecosystems and become a safe haven for most of them.

The good deeds don't stop there. Sister Island Marine Park serves its purpose by creating the first Singapore turtle hatchery, that simply put, becomes the incubator for the turtles before they make it out to the sea. Although the image of Singapore is the advancement of its modernity and the comfortable facilities, the Sister Island Park near the Kusu Island is a notable effort that is worth mentioning.

Before the turtle hatchery release, there were lots of researchers and scientists that helped with the concept and most probably the execution. The research in Sister Marine Park will help us, the tourists and locals, to understand the progress of the marine habitat and what steps that we can take to ensure that it stays protected.

The researchers and scientists have been proven to take good care of Sister Island Marine Park. As mentioned before, it is home to 250 species of 500 corals that are available in Singapore, and 32% of coral species in the whole world. A habitat to 100 species reef fish, 12 seagrass and approximately 200 species of sponges.

Kusu Island is not the only place to learn about the historic side of Singapore. There is the tourism attraction that is inspired by the remnants of World War II.

Fort Siloso, as its names represent, is the sole restored coastal gun or to put it in simple terms, the base for Singaporean Military on the port during World War II.

The location of Fort Siloso is behind the Sentosa Island, which once was named Pulau Blakang Mati. To put it in a bigger perspective, it is an island in the south of Singapore.

What was once the remnants of a war zone, now become the military museum that is open to the public, with many changes in the exhibition and free admission for the tourists.

There is a lot of military equipment that is old and now only displayed in all of the corners of Fort Siloso. Aside from the military vibes. One of the main attractions of this museum is the chance to learn about the military in the most exciting way. There are no history books, rather there is a miniature of Fort Siloso that has an on off button, or you can watch the visual of a black and white videotape to send the shivers to your bones

Once you ‘time travelled’, you can go outside and see the ammunition stores and military posts that can describe how much of a hard worker soldier back then. Fill your tummy and release your thirst by using the vending machine nearby.

You can also find a beautiful background for your Instagram post though Tunnel complexes that are available in Fort Siloso. Many vintage posters with a theme of war, completed with the bright color that can make your instagram page visually appealing. So interested to visit Fort Siloso after spending your time on Kusu Island?

To balance the scale after strolling around Kusu Island, you can see another tourism attraction near it, called Mount Faber Park. The difference between Kusu Island and Mount Faber Park is easily distinguishable. While Kusu Island is more on the nature side, Mount Faber Park is the opposite.

One of the notable features of Mount Faber Park is the Singapore Cable Car. There are two ways to spend your trip. First, you can take a one-way trip, from one side to the other. While the other is also putting the return trip on the tickets. If you happen to bring your own car, the latter would be the reasonable choice.

Just like Kusu island that keeps improving, Cable Car on Mount Faber Park also improves the facility, with the latest in 2010 where the limit of Cable Car is up to 8 people. If you want to visit Fort Siloso, you can take the one-way ticket.

Or, if you don’t plan to ride the car cable, you can always take a photo inside of it since there are two static cable car displays that are free to use for any visitors.

Kusu Island and its neighbor are not the only islands that are worth visiting. Separated only 12 km, Sentosa Island is another island that also gives a memorable experience to its visitors. There are massive complexes of live shows, Hollywood movie-sets and even themed rides that are catered by Universal Studios. These three elements of Universal Studios contribute to the US$4.5 billion Resorts World Sentosa development. Although it is more enchanting to the kids, the sheer size and variety of the park mean that there is something here for everybody.

If Mount Faber Park has a cable car, then Sentosa Island has Sentosa Skyline Luge & Skyride that is often the perfect way of getting from A to B all while getting some great views across Singapore. The Sentosa Skyride is an open-air cable-driven chairlift which stretches from Singapore to the Sentosa Island.

Sentosa Nature Discovery also has another captivating attraction on Sentosa Island for both nature lovers and families with kids. The attraction starts off with the educational approach, with visitors being treated to a range of interesting displays and interactive exhibitions; this is all a mandatory for entering the jungle, the idea being that you will come home with some skills and information needed for spotting some wildlife yourself.

Kusu Island and Sentosa Island have some similarities which are beaches. The most prominent beach is Palawan Beach which is located in Sentosa Island. The interesting aspect is the bridge linking to a small island which you can walk or even swim across to.

If the Palawan Beach isn’t enough, there is Siloso beach that is popular as a picnic spot for families at the weekend, as well as hosting a range of outdoor sports such as volleyball, beach football and canoeing. Also, don’t forget to check if a hotel is available before you visit this island.

Anyway, you can always check in to Traveloka, not only for hotel, but also for hotel promotion in Singapore or cheap hotels in Singapore, in case you need to find a hotel nearby before you start your journey to Kusu Island.

Also, you can check for the availability of redeeming your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers on your holiday. You can check it on Traveloka too, just like you check for the availability of hotels in Singapore.

Lastly, Kusu Island is one of the most complete tourism destinations available in Singapore. Sacred temples, tortoise sanctuary and incredible beaches should be enough to captivate even the most finicky of travellers. However, it is also worth visiting, whether you are a traveler that has interest in nature, or one that wants to try the simpler yet unforgettable experience.

But we recommend, to the majority of you, that you can find an unforgettable and magical experience in this small, yet affluent, island destination. Well, let’s hop on to the next ferry to Kusu Island and cast away all your worries.