Tired of the urban and noisy face of Singapore? Need a refreshing short getaway from hustle and your bustle? Pulau Ubin might be your best destination!

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Despite its rapid changing infrastructure, Singapore has another natural hidden gem that is still nearly untouched by urbanization. Yes, it is one of the last two kampongs left in Singapore and it truly excites us that this place is easy to get to. Yes, you guessed right, it is called Pulau Ubin.

Pulau Ubin or Ubin, a tourist attraction that offers rustic surroundings and natural wildlife, a then-center for granite extraction. Though it is just 10-15 minutes away from Changi Point Jetty, the ambience is totally refreshing and different. Pulau Ubin is said to be the picture of Singapore in the old times.

Singapore is famous for its modern infrastructure, facilities, and tourist attractions. Due to its economic growth over the past 50+ years, the need to modernize the country is unavoidable. Singapore has made a sturdy infrastructure ecosystem that is unbeatable by other countries in Southeast Asia.

Though so, Singapore is also known for its attempt to preserve historical buildings and places. This practice has shaped Singapore’s unique identity. It is modern and glamorous on one side yet we still can find places such as Little India, Kampong Glam, Chinatown in which different beliefs and races are still preserved.

After a little pro and contra, Pulau Ubin’s authenticity has been decided to be maintained. In 2014, the Ministry of National Development (MND) launched The Ubin Project to preserve the 10.2 km² island’s unique identity. Its country charm, rich history, lush greenery, and varied biodiversity make Pulau Ubin a unique sanctuary.

The legend of Pulau Ubin states that three animals—an elephant, a frog and a pig—raced to the shores of Johor. If any of the animals failed to land at Johor (in current day Malaysia) they would be instantly turned to stone.

None of the animals made it and were said to have turned into the islands of Pulau Sekudu between the Serangoon Harbour and Chek Jawa wetlands, and another two islands separated by the Jelutong River, which are now combined to make up Pulau Ubin.

This island was known as Pulau Batu Jubin (which means Granite Island in Malay), located in the north east of Singapore to the west of Pulau Tekong.

Pulau Ubin used to produce a great amount of granite stone, which is why there are many granite quarries found in this island. Most of the quarries are not operated nowadays and recolonized by vegetation or filled with water.

Interestingly, many of Singapore’s gazetted national monuments were built at that time using granite from Pulau Ubin, so in a way, a bit of the island is present in every major tourist attraction in Singapore.

The granite was used in the famous Thian Hock Keng Temple, one the most beautiful temples in Singapore and a must-see in Chinatown, and to build the Singapore-Johor Causeway.

Pulau Ubin is a hotspot for nature lovers. As the interest in nature increases, Pulau Ubin visitors have increased too since its wildlife is very rich.

The National Parks Board (NParks) estimates that the island has over 786 native plants, 242 birds, 201 butterflies, 89 mammals, reptiles & amphibians. Many of these species are very rare and some are not found on mainland Singapore.

One of Pulau Ubin’s key attractions is Chek Jawa Wetlands, located on the eastern coast of the island. It has one of Singapore’s richest ecosystems, where 6 major habitats meet and mix.

Each habitat is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, such as rare plants as well as local and migratory birds. The marine biodiversity here is amazing, with about 500 species, according to NParks’ records.

NParks runs a visitor center at Chek Jawa with a viewing jetty, over one kilometer of boardwalk and a 21-metre tall viewing tower.

Chek Jawa is also home to Singapore’s only two mangrove Heritage Trees, which are listed in the Heritage Tree Register of Singapore. Known as Perepat or Mangrove Apple, they are possibly two of the biggest in Singapore.

Now you may be wondering how to get to Pulau Ubin. It’s quite simple actually! You need to board a ferry (more like a bumboat, actually) at Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

Taking a taxi from the city center to the Terminal will cost around S$40, while taking bus 2 or bus 9 from Tanah Merah will cost S$2 per person. It is recommended to go to Pulau Ubin early in the morning, since there is no fixed schedule of Pulau Ubin ferry to route.

Pulau Ubin ferry fares are priced at S$3/person (S$4 during Covid) for a single trip and each ride takes about fifteen minutes. Please note that Pulau Ubin ferry will only depart once it has twelve passengers on board.

Fees are paid directly to the driver and are collected before the ferry jets off. An extra S$2 is charged for bicycle carry. If you want to be more hassle-free, you can always rent a bicycle on the island.

On your way to Pulau Ubin, enjoy the journey’s view of Changi Beach, blue skies and the sea as you approach Pulau Ubin. Instead of the usual cityscape and container ships, you will see small sailing boats, the constant traffic of bumboats and fishermen.

It takes only 5-10 minutes until the Pulau Ubin ferry reaches the island, but we’re sure that it will go by really fast as you enjoy the view.

During the pandemic, there were some regulations applied on Pulau Ubin. If you plan to visit during this time, this information may help:

There are 3 ways to explore Pulau Ubin, namely by taxi, bicycle and by foot. Each option certainly has strengths and weaknesses. Choose the most convenient option for you!

Upon your arrival, take a look on the left side of the jetty and there will be a Taxi Service Stand. Minivans offered have a maximum capacity of 10 passengers. You can book the taxi per trip or per hour (prices are negotiable), but expect to pay S$2–6 for a short trip and up to S$35/hr.

This option is probably the most common and cost-efficient way to explore Pulau Ubin.

There are four bicycle rental stores, located at House 18, 24, 25 and 45C. They are priced at an average of S$15 depending on the type of bike and number of hours. If you plan to explore Pulau Ubin by bike, make sure to follow the street signs and read the map provided in some spots.

There are also organized biking tours with a tour guide if you want to enjoy cycling and get a more in-depth understanding of Pulau Ubin.

Walking is always an option for unique encounters with the wildlife. Although it takes more time and effort, walking is the most peaceful way to enjoy the natural surroundings and spot wild animals. These include otters, boars, birds and bats.

There are many outdoor activities to enjoy with your families and friends in Pulau Ubin. From the most serene activity to the most adrenaline-rushing, you have a wide-variety of choices.

If you want to enjoy the tranquility of night on the island, you can choose any of the three camping sites: Jelutong, Mamam, and Endut Senin.

Jelutong is located closest to the village, Mamam is further north of the island, and Endut Senin is situated nearby to Sin Watt Estate, close to Puaka River. All locations have toilet facilities nearby; however, Jelutong is the only spot that is equipped to accommodate a campfire.

Please note that, staying at the island, the water at campsites is not safe to drink. Thus, you'll need to boil water or bring bottles of your own. In addition, don’t forget to register your stay at Pulau Ubin Police. For the terms and conditions for camping, you can find them on the website of National Parks.

Cycling is probably the best way to explore Pulau Ubin. There are routes to suit everyone’s preference on the level of difficulty. There are several types of bikes that you can rent: mountain bikes, tandem bikes, and tricycles, even bikes with sidecars for babies or really lazy partners.

For cyclists, it is also invigorating that Pulau Ubin has a world-class mountain biking part called Ketam Bike Part. Designed to standards set by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the park at Pulau Ubin is guaranteed to give bikers a thrilling ride. Amazing, isn’t it?

Haven’t found an activity that suits you best yet? Try mangrove kayaking in Pulau Ubin.

This is a great option for you who wants to explore the island in a whole different way. This 12 km kayak trail is beginner-friendly and perfect for kids aged 8 and above. The intricate waterways and mangrove make this experience very unique and highly valuable.

Pulau Ubin has a great option for hikers too, which is Puaka Hill. You can find the road to Puaka Hill in the big map of Pulau Ubin near the jetty or at strategic junctions around the island.

Puaka Hill is sited at the center of the island and is the location of the old Ubin Quarry, one of the six quarries that used to be operating in Pulau Ubin. It stands at 74m-tall with an entrance that looks similar to the other road forks.

As a result, people might easily bypass it. However, the 10-minute hike up is paid off with the panoramic scenery of Pulau Ubin from height.

Pulau Ubin is like a living time capsule, it suggests a face that is extremely unlike Singapore nowadays.

It’s like you leave the busy city life of Singapore, take a fifteen minutes ride with the Pulau Ubin ferry and—ta da!—you will see Singapore in its 1960s. You will absolutely love the rustic charm that Pulau Ubin offers. This has completed Pulau Ubin to be listed in your traveling bucket list.

Pulau Ubin retains much of its charming kampong setting. With its wooden kampong houses and scenic winding forest paths, it offers visitors a unique experience. Getting into Pulau Ubin is like stepping into a time travel machine and being instantly transported back to Singapore in the 1960s.

One of the houses is Teck Seng’s house. This house was owned by Mr Chew Teck Seng, a local provision shop owner from 1970 to 2005. It was home to three generations of his family.

Aside from poultry and vegetable farming, Teck Seng’s family ran a provision shop in the village center known as the 'Teck Seng Provision Shop' that supplied the canteens around the various quarries located around Pulau Ubin. In 2005, the house was returned to state since the family resettled to mainland Singapore.

In addition, exploring kampong houses in Pulau Ubin can be a little day out for younger ones to experience a simple kampong life and appreciate the past of Singapore.

You can have a self-guided tour or sign up for a 2.2 km Kampong Tour conducted by NParks’ volunteers held on the third Saturday of the month. This tour takes two hours for a maximum of 15 persons.

It is truly unbelievable that there is actually a fishing village in Singapore!

A very little number of foreign tourists know about the existence of this fishing village. The nicely paved bicycle road will lead you to floating houses somewhere down the hill, home for Ubin’s villagers who depend on traditional fishing for subsistence. This fishing village is known to be the last one in Singapore.

In Pulau Ubin village, aside from the kiosks and bicycle rental stands, you can also find an old Wayang (“Chinese Opera”) stage. This was an important part of Pulau Ubin social life in the past. For decades, street opera or wayang performances at the stage were the island’s only form of entertainment.

The present wayang stage was built in 1971 and is three times the size of the original stage. Its shape is rectangular and it faces the sun-temple in Pulau Ubin's main village. Traditionally, wayang performances are held at the Ubin wayang stage as part of the celebrations of Seventh or Hungry Ghost Month.

The Wei Tuo Fa Gong temple is located on a small hillock in western Pulau Ubin. At least 80 years old, the Wei Tuo Fa Gong temple is dedicated to different gods like Datuk Gong hillside spirits, Hindu gods and Chinese Buddhas. It is also a place of worship for Tibetan Buddhist enthusiasts.

The Wei Tuo Fa Gong temple is owned and run by Madam Ong Siew Fong and her son Mr Wong Ming Hua. Madam Ong’s property is House No 224J, where the temple is built.

In the 1950s, Madam Ong's parents-in-law started housing some of the quarry workers as tenants. Like many other Pulau Ubin residents, Madam Ong's family had an altar at home and their tenants started praying to the gods there. Since then, the home is more than a private residential place of worship.

Aside from the rustic charms mentioned, visitors can enjoy a variety of sights around the island such as former farms, rubber plantations and the now abandoned quarries. These sights are too lovely to be passed through on your trip to Pulau Ubin.

Pulau Ubin villagers used to cultivate a large variety of vegetables and fruits in their backyard—a practice that is impossible to find nowadays in the big city.

Papaya, banana, rambutan, and mangoes are a few fruits they used to plant. The Sensory Trail Garden is a site bearing a range of fruit, vegetable and spice trees that are commonly found in the village.

At the Sensory Trail, be sure to take a closer look at the cultivated vegetable plot maintained by Ubin volunteers. The vegetable plot showcases a variety of herbs and spices that are commonly used in Singapore’s local cuisine.

You can actually touch and smell each tree planted in this area. This is absolutely a great way to learn about herbs for cooking and medicine.

Butterfly Hill is a knoll created within the Jelutong Campsite area as a showcase home for 140 species of butterflies.

Over 50 butterfly-attracting plant species have been specially planted there to provide nectar for adults and for caterpillars to grow. The size of the hill is about a football field. While you are there, be sure to keep your eye peeled for Common Birdwing – Singapore’s largest butterfly!

Today, Butterfly Hill serves as a role model for enhancing butterfly conservation that can be applied elsewhere on Pulau Ubin, as well as other areas in Singapore.

NParks plant a diverse number of host and nectaring plant species to attract butterflies. It has become a perfect place to introduce butterflies to little ones. Or, you can simply enjoy your lunch in the hut nearby while watching the beauty of our flying friends.

Pekan Quarry is one of Pulau Ubin’s oldest quarries and closest to the main village of the island. After its closure, its two quarry pits were merged to form a scenic lake.

Now, we can see that lush greenery and thick vegetation surrounding the site. It has been converted to freshwater wetlands which showcase Pulau Ubin’s beauty and biodiversity.

This surely has become a scenic spot for Pulau Ubin visitors to appreciate the former quarry's natural beauty. Here, you can enjoy scenic views and observe wildlife that flock to the area.

Ah Ma Drink Stall is a rustic-looking blue wooden stall, just before Jelutong Bridge where kayakers usually gather. This iconic stall was set up by Ong Ang Kwee and her husband, the late Choo Lye Huat. They have been providing drinks and fruits to Ubin visitors since 1995, which means for more than 25 years!

If you are feeling thirsty when exploring the island, you can always quench your thirst with Ah Ma’s coconut drink. Its sweet juice and tender flesh will certainly recharge your body.

You can find mangrove trees around Ah Ma Drink Stall. It is really fun chilling there to spot schools of fish swimming near the banks. There are also tiny mangrove crabs near the shore.

Meanwhile, Jelutong is one of the main rivers of Ubin. From the Jetty towards the west of the island, the first river that one would cross is the Jelutong River. Ah Ma Drink Stall is situated by the Jelutong Bridge that spans the river. Jelutong is a tree found in Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo.

The Jelutong Bridge that divides the mangroves and leads to Puaka Hill is actually a dam. It was built to prevent predator fish from entering and the prawns from escaping The Second Prawn Pond owned by the Choo family before it was acquired.

Puaka Hill is the tallest point on Pulau Ubin. Overlooking the Ubin Granite Quarry with scenic views of Singapore and Malaysia, the hike up Puaka Hill takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Be ready with its rocky and steep trail, it will make you literally breathless.

Chek Jawa Wetlands is located at the eastern end of Pulau Ubin. Covering approximately 100 hectares in area, Chek Jawa has become the most favorite area even for its first-time visitor.

Chek Jawa Wetlands is unique because there are several ecosystems to find, that are sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest.

Chek Jawa comprises two sightseeing areas that are coastal boardwalk and mangrove boardwalk. You can complete the sightseeing within an hour and half.

To get to Chek Jawa, you can hire a van or rent a bicycle from the main village. For the more adventurous, a walk to Chek Jawa would take about 40 minutes. If you bring a bicycle, please note that bicycles are not allowed in the wetland. Thus, you have to leave it (park and lock) at the area around Punai Hut (outside the entrance).

The wetland is open daily to the public from 8.30 a.m. in the morning till 6.00 p.m. in the evening.

First time visitors in Pulau Ubin should consider essentials they should bring in their one-day trip:

Pulau Ubin has a lot of food delicacies to offer. Before heading back to the jetty, be sure to try one of these yummy local delicacies.

Encik Ali bin Montail's shop is just next to the Ubin Jetty. The shop has been around for more than 30 years. The homemade lontong is to die for (soft, unlike the plasticky hard stuff served everywhere else, with delicious gravy).

They also sell other traditional Malay food like mee rebus, mee siam and nasi lemak, all deliciously homemade as mothers would make it. The shop closed following the passing of Encik Ali and his wife, but reopened in 2017.

'Cheong Lian Yuen' is another restaurant that is near the Ubin jetty. It serves seafood and has a small alfresco dining area in front of the restaurant. You should try their fresh mud crab—they said it is a visitor's favorite!

In the middle of Pulau Ubin town or opposite the Wayang Stage, there is a little restaurant that features photos of Pulau Ubin now and then on its wall. Run by two sisters, it's simply called the Sisters' restaurant or 'Sin Nam Huat’ . They serve home-style food and seafood with friendly service.

Along the road towards Ubin Volunteer Hub is another seafood restaurant. 'Season Live Seafood Restaurant' has an alfresco dining area which offers a sea view facing the Ubin Jetty and mainland Singapore.

Sitting on your table you can savor your food while enjoying the cool breeze from the water. The special picks from this restaurant's menu are the fried squid, butter prawns and the sambal sweet potato leaf.

Some said the Hokkien Mee is also a-must-try. While visiting this restaurant, try getting a table near the water edge to enjoy your dining experience to the maximum.

Shops at Ubin Town centre (near the wayang stage) also sell fresh coconuts, desserts like ice kacang, chendol, and snacks like kacang putih, curry puffs, chicken nuggets. Don’t forget about the iconic Ah Ma Drink Stall near the Jelutong Bridge.

Pulau Ubin offers fresh seasonal fruits. You should try Ubin’s durians as people say it is the best. There are also rambutans, mangosteens, chempedak (jackfruit), local coconuts and other local specialities such as chiku that are sold at the provision stores in the centre of Ubin Town.

In the 1880s, a number of Malays were said to have moved to the island that began the thriving Malay community on the island.

During the 1950s and 1970s, there were 2,000 people living on the island and the Bin Kiang School was established in 1952 for the increasing number of children, from money donated by the Chinese residents.

In 2005, in the wake of the avian influenza the Singapore Government ordered the farmers rearing chickens or birds on the island to be shipped to mainland Singapore. In hope that the influenza could be more controlled, the Government provided them some government-approved farms to rear the poultry. In exchange, they were offered HDB government housing packages, although they could choose to live on the island.

As of 2012, there were only 38 people living on the island.

Can you imagine living on an island with no internet and all the privileges just like in the big city? And imagine how quiet this island is as it is lived by only 38 people (or even less!). Data shows that the youngest residents of Pulau Ubin are 50-60 years old, and maybe no one else will live on the island afterwards.

In an interview, a local said that life in Pulau Ubin is very quiet and stress-free. Pulau Ubin sees about 300,000 visitors a year and while the throngs of tourists, students, campers, and nature and fishing enthusiasts bring some noise to the island, on most nights, it falls silent.

Madam Ong Ang Kui, 80, who runs the 23-year-old Ah Ma Drink Stall, said in the interview that she will eventually leave the island once she gets too old to continue selling drinks. She said, even now she can’t hear any squabbles on the island.

Due to the difficulty of transportation from mainland Singapore to the island, the price of supplies and provisions in the island may be quite expensive. An old man selling supplies said that he has to pay S$50 to S$100 for a boat to bring in supplies for the shop. If you plan a visit, bring some extra cash – just in case.

In the spirit of preserving natural and cultural heritage in Pulau Ubin, there are several volunteering projects available in Pulau Ubin. You will absolutely love this island, and why not make your visit more meaningful by joining some volunteering that grows your interest?

Founded by NParks, this program allows you to be a nature guide, habitat restorer, wildlife researcher, gardener, photographer, designer or more! Don’t worry if you feel clueless, there will be orientation sessions that will help you get a better understanding about what to do.

Need a bit more scientific? You can always choose this programme founded by NParks too. Citizen science refers to the participation of the community in organized research endeavors.

Data derived from these projects informs decision makers about Pulau Ubin’s biodiversity and helps to formulate conservation strategies.

It is a ground-up community effort to give Mother Nature a hand in restoring mangroves at abandoned aquaculture ponds on Pulau Ubin. The volunteer opportunities available are:

Launched in 2014, The Ubin Project invites communities to enlarge existing efforts to tactfully magnify the natural environment of Pulau Ubin and keep its heritage and rustic charms alive for future generations of Singaporeans. In order to achieve this, the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN) was formed, comprising youths, residents, researchers, volunteers, residents and members from the heritage and nature communities.

With the variety of volunteering projects in Pulau Ubin, you can simply pick the one that you like. Still have no time to join any? No worries, you can do your part too!

You can visit Pulau Ubin and share the experience with your friends, upload your great photo in social media, make a youtube video, write your travelling journey in your blog—anything to spread the word. By raising awareness, you can already make a difference.

There are major events held in Pulau Ubin. These events are significant to raise awareness about the latest issue of the island.

Balik Kampung is a party for 140 current and former residents of Pulau Ubin. Held in February 2018, the event was chiefly organized by non-government organizations and individuals from the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN), including dedicated volunteers from Singapore Heritage Society (SHS).

It was kindly supported by the National Parks Board (NParks) team in Pulau Ubin and attended by Second Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee. The Balik Kampung Party included games, dinner, a documentary screening and even a “Lo Hei” session (the act of tossing Yu Sheng—raw fish and vegetable platter—to bring in good luck and wealth).

In 2014, members of the Friends of Ubin Network (FUN) had an idea to establish an educational and research center on Pulau Ubin for heritage and biodiversity conservation.

The research center is also planned for green and sustainable practices. The idea was also spread during public consultations with Singaporeans. A few months later, a team of FUN members made a presentation on the idea and got the support of all stakeholders.

And then in February 2016, Phase 1 of the Ubin Living Lab was officially launched. From there, school students, researchers and the nature and heritage community would have a convenient space to study about the heritage and rich biodiversity of Pulau Ubin.

These include conducting research on sustainable technology, exchanging ideas with one another and actively participating in conservation initiatives.

This community event is organized by about 20 community groups and supported by MND, NParks, URA and NHB. Ubin Day, held in 2014 and 2015, also saw the unveiling of several new initiatives proposed by and refined in consultation with the public through The Ubin Project.

They include shoreline restoration, habitat enhancement, species recovery, enhancements to trails and amenities, cultural mapping, and a new center for research and education at Pulau Ubin.

On June 7th 2014, 90 employees (and their families) from Bureau Veritas Marine Singapore took part in a Plant-A-Tree (PAT) programme on Pulau Ubin and planted a total of 50 native trees.

The PAT programme was organized by the Garden City Fund, a registered charity established in 2002. The Garden City Fund works with corporations, organizations and individuals to cultivate a love for the environment, promote a sense of ownership, and encourage the community to play its part in preserving Singapore’s legacy as a lush and vibrant garden city. Pulau Ubin is their latest planting site!

On 28 October 2006, there’s a celebration of the launch of Volunteer Hub, jointly set up by the National Parks Board and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.

This one-stop volunteer center is set up in recognition of the dedication and efforts of the volunteers. This event was also an excellent opportunity for volunteers from different organizations to get to know each other and catch up with the latest news.

There were members from Nature Society Singapore, Green Volunteer Network, NParks Ubin Volunteers, RMBR Toddycats, NIE Green Club and Wildfilm.

Don’t you think that Pulau Ubin is such a complete package for a weekend getaway? It’s perfect for family gatherings or friends day out! Wouldn’t it be delightful to do some kayaking with your besties? Imagine having a bike-race with your mom and dad in the middle of mangrove trees. It’s all about creating memories. Ooh, kids would love watching little fish in the lake, chasing the butterflies too! In fact, it’s still great for you who don’t feel like socializing, to go on a little hike to Puaka Hill and enjoy the serene moment alone.

Next time you crave for a short trip, a kind of adventurous journey, don’t rush to grab your passport. Go on to the offshore island of Singapore, where its unspoilt beauty, tranquil atmosphere will make you fall in love.

Now, what are you waiting for? Go check the public holiday Singapore to schedule your next trip to Pulau Ubin!