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Guide to Exploring Pulau Ubin, Singapore Off the Grid
- Where is Pulau Ubin?
- How to Get to Pulau Ubin
- Top Things to Do in Pulau Ubin
- Explore the mangrove forests on a kayak
- Bike through the island’s undulating terrain at Ketam Mountain Bike Park
- Hike up Puaka Hill for the views
- Visit Chek Jawa Wetlands for an escape to nature
- Try to spot rare butterfly species at Butterfly Hill
- Hike the Sensory Trail for more lush scenery
- Visit the temples and places of worship around the island
- Where to Eat in Pulau Ubin
- Season Live Seafood
- FAQS
Did you know $4 is all it takes to explore one of Singapore’s hidden gems? That’s right—just $4 gets you to Pulau Ubin, one of the island’s most underrated nature spots.
Pulau Ubin is a treasure trove of lush greenery, scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, and diverse wildlife. From mangrove forests to sandy beaches, muddy paths, and rocky steps, this island has it all.
For me, it’s the perfect escape from the city bustle, and it costs less than a pint of craft beer! If you’re interested in this retreat to nature, here’s your guide to Pulau Ubin.
Where is Pulau Ubin?
Pulau Ubin is a small island located on the northeastern coast of mainland Singapore.
How to Get to Pulau Ubin
You can reach Pulau Ubin by ferry from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Rides last around 15 minutes and costs about $4 per one-way ticket.
The terminal operates its own bumboat or ferry service to Pulau Ubin. Some boats are even owned by the local fishermen!
Top Things to Do in Pulau Ubin
Explore the mangrove forests on a kayak
Media from seeksophie
Admission Fee: Starts at $70 per person
Mangrove kayaking is one of the most popular activities you can do in Pulau Ubin, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves adventure. There are several tour operators that offer this experience, with some even adding fishing!
You’ll hop on a kayak, either by yourself or with another person, and follow your tour guide around the coast of the island. You’ll also get up close and personal with the many aquatic creatures calling the forests home here!
Tips:
- The tour operator Seek Sophie offers pet-friendly mangrove kayaking experiences on the island. Just note that you’ll be rowing the kayak with your pet on your lap, so consider the size of your dog and its weight before booking the experience!
- Expect to get wet here. You’ll be kayaking in the open sea, so if you’re not a good swimmer, I recommend skipping out on this experience (or finding a tour operator that doesn’t take you to the open sea).
Bike through the island’s undulating terrain at Ketam Mountain Bike Park
Media from bikesession101
Contact Details: +65 1800 471 7300
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Aside from mangrove forests, the island is also known for its mountain bike trails. Many areas on the island can be explored via bike, but the best spot is at Ketam Mountain Bike Park.
This park is Singapore’s first bike park to meet international standards for mountain biking competitions, making it very attractive to professional and amateur bikers around the world. The trail spans 10 kilometres, featuring undulating terrains and steep drops.
If you’re a beginner, I highly recommend trying out the flatter trails in the park. If not, well, test your skills and see how far you can go!
Tips:
- The bike park features three trails rated by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, namely Blue Square, Black Diamond, and Double Black Diamond. Note that the last two are only for professionals. Beginners should stick to Blue Square.
- Food and drink stalls are far from the bike park, so pack a lot of water with you on your visit. You’re free to bring your own bike here or rent one on the jetty once you arrive on the island!
Hike up Puaka Hill for the views
Media from shuutravels
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Puaka Hill is the island’s highest peak and offers splendid vistas of the sea and forests. It’s also not a long hike, but its rocky and steep climbs make the 10-minute trek a little challenging.
Along the trail, you’ll walk through lush foliage and dirt paths (don’t wear white shoes!) as well as some rocky sections. You’ll start to feel the burn in your legs once you reach Merbah Hut, but trust me, it’s all worth it in the end!
Tips:
- Make sure to wear hiking shoes with good grip because the steep slopes can make the trail slippery for others. Forgo the slippers or sandals too!
- The fastest way to get to Puaka Hill is by bike from the Pulau Ubin Jetty. There is a parking area designated for bikes at the base of the hill!
- If you don’t want to rent a bike, you can walk to the base of Puaka Hill. It’s only about a 20-minute walk from the jetty!
Visit Chek Jawa Wetlands for an escape to nature
Media from nparksbuzz
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Admission Fee: Free or $60 per group of 15 for guided tours
The Chek Jawa Wetlands is one of the best spots on the island to get your dose of nature. Located on the eastern side of the island, the wetlands are easily accessible via bike rental or a 40-minute hike (I recommend the latter).
The wetlands are a melting pot of ecosystems. You’ll find a sandy beach, a coastal forest, a rocky beach, coral rubble, a mangrove forest, and even a lagoon! There’s also the Jejawi Tower you can climb for better views.
That said, there are many spots to sit back, relax, and enjoy the views after a long day of exploring the island. Hit the boardwalks for a quiet stroll along the coasts too!
Tips:
- Just note that the Chek Jawa Wetlands undergoes maintenance work regularly. Tune in to the National Parks Board website for updates on construction or maintenance works ahead of your visit!
- You can book a guided tour for $60 per 15 people. Tour dates are scheduled in advance, and you can check out available tours on this page.
- Once you confirm your payment for the tour, remember the booking number. You’ll need this to register your attendance on the day of the tour at the Chek Jawa Information Kiosk.
Try to spot rare butterfly species at Butterfly Hill
Media from xploresapp
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Butterfly Hill is another one of my favourite spots on the island. As the name suggests, this hill is home to dozens of butterflies, and it’s one of the most Instagrammable spots here!
Once you reach the top of the hill, you’ll end up in a pavilion that looks like a dead end. However, walk a little further around the roundabout and you’ll find a flower garden and fruit garden where the butterflies flutter around the whole day.
Tips:
- There’s a sign that enumerates all the rare butterflies you’ll find up the hill. Take note of what you can find up there!
- Despite it being called a hill, the uphill climb isn’t challenging. You can bring your kids up to the pavilion without them feeling tired. I recommend renting a bicycle if you want to head to the pavilion faster, though!
- There’s a trail at the base of the hill that leads towards Pekan Quarry. This is a detour I highly recommend taking right after Butterfly Hill.
Hike the Sensory Trail for more lush scenery
Media from chua.gareth_tfc99
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission Fee: Free
If Butterfly Hill wasn’t enough, you can continue your walk surrounded by lush greenery at the Sensory Trail. As you walk through the lush fruit orchards and see traditional plants, you get a real sense of the island’s heritage.
Observing the local residents going about their daily lives adds a charming, authentic touch. What I found particularly fascinating was learning about the plants that were once economically vital to the island in the 1970s.
The highlight for me is the Sensory Trail Pond, where the variety of plants truly engages your senses—it’s an immersive, refreshing way to connect with nature.
Tips:
- Some parts of the trail are muddy and sometimes slippery, so I highly recommend wearing shoes with good grip. Avoid wearing white footwear, too, if you don’t want to get them stained or dirty!
- Wear lots of insect repellent. Mosquitoes are abundant in this area, so keep reapplying when necessary.
- While the trail is generally safe, you may encounter wildlife like wild boars in some areas. If you encounter one, stop your tracks and wait for them to pass through. Don’t try to pet them or call their attention!
Visit the temples and places of worship around the island
Media from nationallibrarysg
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Admission Fee: Free
In addition to its natural beauty, watersports, and scenic trails, Pulau Ubin is also home to temples and shrines dating back to the early 1900s. One of the most well-known is the German Girl’s Shrine, which has a rather eerie backstory.
According to legend, the shrine was built to honour a German girl who tragically fell off a cliff while fleeing from British soldiers.
Though the shrine is small, its interior holds Buddhist relics and, intriguingly, a Barbie doll encased in glass—a detail that adds to its mysterious charm.
Tips:
- Many visitors say they experience supernatural occurrences whenever they visit the shrines and temples. People say they see ghosts lurking about, so if you’re particular about these kinds of stuff, consider skipping out on the temples and shrines!
- People are known to offer skincare and cosmetic items as gifts and offerings at the shrine. You don’t have to offer anything, but I thought this was something visitors ought to know in case they wonder why there are so many odd and non-religious items inside!
Where to Eat in Pulau Ubin
Season Live Seafood
Media from kelvinlim001
Address: 59E Pulau Ubin
Contact Details: +65 6542 7627
Operating Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
Pricing: $$
What’s a trip to Pulau Ubin without a taste of their fresh seafood offerings? While there aren’t many food establishments on the island, Season Live Seafood is one spot where you can taste the freshest catch off the coast!
They sell local fare like egg fried rice, fried noodles, and stir-fried veggies as well as fresh seafood like oysters, squid, fish, and crabs. The restaurant also serves refreshing coconut water and drinks to quench your thirst after exploring!
Tips:
- Establishments on the island primarily only accept cash as payment, so prepare cash before you arrive. It’s best to stock up on a lot since the food here is known to be a little pricier than what you can get on the mainland.
- The restaurant also sells live seafood that you can bring back home for cooking later on. Just ask the servers or go straight to the live seafood section and shop for the seafood you want!