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A Guide to Exploring Chek Jawa Wetlands’ Unique Ecosystem
- Background
- Things to Know
- Rules and Restrictions
- How to Get to Chek Jawa Wetlands
- Things to See and Do
- Check out the Visitor Centre
- Visit House No. 1
- Climb the Jejawi Tower
- Stroll along the boardwalk
- Spot unique wildlife
- Explore the coastal forest
- Check out the coral rubble area
- Cross the viewing jetty
- Go birdwatching
Chek Jawa Wetlands is one of Singapore’s hidden gems, offering a rare glimpse into the island’s natural heritage. Every time I visit, time slows down, and the natural beauty takes centre stage.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just looking for a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle, Chek Jawa is a must-visit. In this guide, I’ll tell you all the reasons why.
Background
Chek Jawa Wetlands is a unique natural area on Pulau Ubin. Six distinct ecosystems—including mangroves, coastal forests, and coral rubble—converge there to create a rich tapestry of biodiversity.
Its diverse habitat supports a wide range of marine life, from mudskippers and fiddler crabs to seagrass beds and rare coastal species. This makes it a vital sanctuary for Singapore’s natural heritage, and care must be taken to treat it like so.
Things to Know
Google Maps
Website
Contact: +6565424108
Hours: Daily, 7 AM–7 PM
Fees: Free entry
Pet-friendly? No
Accessibility: Uneven paths and stairs are not PWD-friendly
Amenities: Visitor centre with toilets and small shelter, no food or drinks vendors
Rules and Restrictions
✔ Stay on designated paths
✖ No pets
✖ No littering
✖ No smoking
✖ No fishing
✖ No collecting shells or plants
✖ No feeding of wildlife
✖ No camping
✖ No loud noises
✖ No BBQ
How to Get to Chek Jawa Wetlands
By bus, bumboat, and bike/van:
1. Take bus No. 2 or No. 29 and alight at the Changi Village Bus Terminal. From there, walk a short distance to the Changi Point Ferry Terminal and hop on a bumboat to Pulau Ubin.
2. The bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin takes about 10 minutes and costs around S$4 per person each way. Boats depart when there are about 12 passengers, so you might have a short wait during less busy times.
3. After arriving at Pulau Ubin, you can either rent a bicycle (S$10–20/day) or a van (S$2–3/person, one way) to take you to Chek Jawa, located on the island’s eastern tip.
Things to See and Do
Check out the Visitor Centre
Media from cats.and.corgi
Inside the Visitor Centre is a treasure trove of information about Chek Jawa’s unique ecosystems. I spent a good while browsing the exhibits, which highlight the rich biodiversity of the area–it’s a great way to start your exploration!
Everything from the mangroves and coastal forests to the coral rubble and seagrass lagoons are mentioned there. The displays are informative yet engaging, making it easy to understand what makes this place so special.
Visit House No. 1
Media from wonderlustvlog
Part of the Visitor Centre is a structure affectionately known as House No. 1. I remember the first time I stepped inside—it felt like I was walking into a piece of history.
This quaint, Tudor-style building used to be a holiday retreat back in the 1930s, and you can still feel that old-world charm as you explore its cosy interiors. The house itself is perched right by the water, offering stunning views of the surrounding wetlands.
Climb the Jejawi Tower
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Climbing the Jejawi Tower was one of the highlights of my visit to Chek Jawa. The tower is nestled within the lush greenery of the coastal forest, and as you climb higher, the view gradually opens up, revealing the breathtaking beauty of the wetlands below.
From that vantage point, you can see the intricate ecosystem tapestry that makes Chek Jawa so special. The mangroves stretch out in a green expanse, the coastal forests form a dense canopy, and beyond that, Pulau Ubin’s shoreline curves gently in the distance.
Stroll along the boardwalk
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The Chek Jawa boardwalk is approximately 1.1 kilometres long, allowing visitors to explore the wetlands and its diverse ecosystems up close while enjoying scenic views of the coastal and marine life without disturbing the delicate ecosystems.
I remember stopping to watch a group of mudskippers hopping around on the muddy banks, completely oblivious to my presence!
The boardwalk winds through the heart of the wetlands with the gentle sound of the water lapping against the shore, combined with the rustling of the leaves creating a sense of calm.
Spot unique wildlife
Media from tristan.chan
Expect the thrill of spotting the unique wildlife that calls the wetlands home. Fiddler crabs, with their oversized claws, scuttled about in the mangroves, blending perfectly with their surroundings until you spotted that telltale flash of movement.
At one point, I heard a rustling in the underbrush and turned to see a wild boar foraging just a few metres away. And it’s said that smooth-coated otters are occasionally spotted in the area, often seen swimming in the coastal waters or resting along the shores!
Explore the coastal forest
Media from mapaks13
To truly appreciate the uniqueness of Chek Jawa, you’ll need to venture into the shaded canopy of the forest, where the atmosphere changes dramatically. The air is cooler, filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and the sweet fragrance of native plants.
Now and then, I’d spot a flash of colour as a bird flitted between the branches or hear the rustle of leaves as a small animal moved through the underbrush. It was fascinating to see how this coastal forest blended seamlessly into the surrounding ecosystems.
Check out the coral rubble area
Media from drcsgp
As I stepped onto the exposed coral rubble, I felt like an explorer uncovering a secret that few get to see. Crouching down to get a closer look at a starfish moving across the coral, I noticed a sea cucumber resting lazily in the shallow water.
The coral rubble area is a delicate environment, and being there made me realise just how important it is to protect these natural wonders. Unlike a typical beach visit, this felt more intimate, as if I was being given a glimpse into a world usually hidden from view.
Cross the viewing jetty
Media from danial_azroy
The jetty offers a unique perspective, allowing me to look back towards the mangroves and coastal forests while also gazing out at the open sea. I could see fish darting through the clear waters and the gentle movement of seagrass swaying with the current.
I remember pausing midway, just to take in the vast expanse of water meeting the sky, with the distant horizon blurring the line between the two. It’s a perfect spot for a quiet moment of reflection or to simply soak in the beauty of Chek Jawa.
Go birdwatching
Media from zachhh_yup
Equipped with a pair of binoculars and a bit of patience, I found a quiet spot near the mangroves and waited. It wasn’t long before I spotted my first bird—a striking white-bellied sea eagle soaring gracefully overhead, its wings cutting through the air with effortless power.
As I continued to scan the treetops, I caught a glimpse of a collared kingfisher perched on a branch, its bright blue and white plumage standing out vividly against the greenery.
