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Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Southern Islands, Singapore [Updated-2026]

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November 24, 2025

Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Southern Islands, Singapore [Updated-2026]

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Introduction: The Call of the Untamed Sea

Imagine a Singapore where the soundtrack is not the city’s hum, but the gentle lap of turquoise waves on a pristine, white-sand beach. Where the skyline is not steel and glass, but a jagged silhouette of untouched jungle and granite rock. Where the air carries the salty perfume of the sea, untouched by exhaust fumes. This Singapore exists, just a 30-minute bumboat ride from the mainland, scattered across the sapphire waters of the Singapore Strait.

This is the Southern Islands—a forgotten archipelago that guards the nation’s wilder, more rustic soul. Comprising over a dozen islands, including the popular St. John’s, Kusu, and Lazarus, and the ecologically vital Sisters’ Islands, this chain is a sanctuary for biodiversity, a repository of folklore, and the ultimate urban escape. For those who believe Singapore is all manicured order, the Southern Islands offer a thrilling dose of raw, natural beauty and a journey back to a simpler, slower time.

This guide is your ticket to this hidden paradise. We will explore the best places to visit and things to do in the Southern Islands, revealing a side of the Lion City where nature is firmly, and beautifully, in charge.

Chapter 1: The Island of Pilgrimage & Myth – Kusu Island

The name “Kusu” means “Tortoise” in Chinese, and the island’s origin is steeped in a beautiful legend. The story goes that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors—one Chinese, one Malay. This duality of cultures defines the island to this day, making it a unique pilgrimage site.

1. The Sacred Sites: A Tale of Two Faiths

Kusu is a tiny island, but it packs a powerful spiritual punch, especially during the annual pilgrimage season (September/October).

What to Do:
- Da Bo Gong Temple: Climb the 152 steps to the Chinese temple on the island’s hilltop. Dedicated to the God of Prosperity, Da Bo Gong, it is a vibrant complex of prayer halls, turtle ponds, and a stunning Chinese-style kylin (mythical creature) statue. The view of the surrounding sea from the top is a spiritual experience in itself.
- Kramats: At the base of the hill, you’ll find three Malay kramats (holy shrines) dedicated to a pious family. These simple, white-domed structures are a place of quiet contemplation for Muslim devotees, showcasing the island’s harmonious blend of faiths.
Descriptive Detail: The air on Kusu is thick with the scent of frangipani and burning incense. The atmosphere is one of quiet devotion, punctuated by the gentle chiming of bells from the temple and the murmured prayers of visitors. The juxtaposition of the colourful, ornate temple against the serene, minimalist kramats is a powerful symbol of Singapore’s multicultural tapestry. During the off-peak season, the island is almost eerily peaceful, a world away from its frenetic pilgrimage months.

Chapter 2: The Beach Lover’s Paradise – St. John’s & Lazarus Islands

Connected by a short, scenic causeway, St. John’s and Lazarus Island form the ultimate beach getaway, offering what many consider the best beach experience in mainland Singapore.

1. Lazarus Island: The Quintessential Escape

Lazarus Island is the crown jewel of the Southern Islands for one primary reason: its breathtaking, crescent-shaped beach.

What to Do:
- Beach Bliss: This is the main event. The sand is fine and white, the water is a stunning shade of turquoise, and the slope into the sea is gentle. It’s the perfect place to lay down a mat, dive into a book, and spend hours doing absolutely nothing.
- Swimming and Picnics: The calm, sheltered waters are ideal for a refreshing swim. The shady casuarina trees lining the back of the beach provide the perfect spot for a picnic.
- Photography: The view from the causeway looking back at Lazarus Beach, with its perfect curve and lush greenery, is one of the most photogenic scenes in Singapore.
Descriptive Detail: The moment you step onto Lazarus Beach, you feel a million miles from the city. The only sounds are the rustle of the casuarina trees, the gentle crash of waves, and the distant cry of a seabird. The sand is cool and soft between your toes, and the water is crystal clear. It’s a place of pure, unadulterated relaxation, a tropical idyll that feels both exclusive and welcoming.

2. St. John’s Island: The Rustic Big Brother

Larger than Lazarus, St. John’s Island has a rich and varied history, having served as a quarantine station for immigrants, a prison, and a rehabilitation centre. Today, it’s a rustic retreat with its own unique charms.

What to Do:
- Explore the Trails: Wander the island’s paved paths that cut through dense foliage, leading to rocky outcrops and smaller, secluded beaches. It’s a great place for birdwatching.
- Visit the Lagoon: A serene, man-made lagoon offers calm waters for a safe paddle, separate from the open sea.
- Overnight Stay: For a truly unique experience, you can book a stay at the St. John’s Island Lodge. Waking up on the island after the day-trippers have left is a magical experience.
Descriptive Detail: St. John’s has a wilder, more untamed feel than Lazarus. The old colonial buildings, now repurposed, stand as silent sentinels to a complex past. The jungle feels closer, more enveloping. It’s an island for explorers, where you can find your own quiet corner and feel like a castaway.

Chapter 3: The Marine Sanctuary – Sisters’ Islands

The Sisters’ Islands are the heart of Singapore’s first marine park and are dedicated to conservation, research, and education. They are a haven for marine life and a glimpse into what Singapore’s coastal ecosystems once were.

1. The Legend and The Reality

Legend says the islands were two sisters, Minah and Lina, who drowned and were turned into islands to be together forever. Today, they are a sanctuary for a different kind of life.

What to Do:
- Intertidal Walks (with a permit): During the lowest tides of the month, the sea recedes to reveal a spectacular underwater world. Join a guided tour to see hard corals, sea stars, anemones, octopuses, and nudibranchs up close. It’s a fragile ecosystem, so access is controlled to protect it.
- Snorkeling: The waters around Sisters’ Islands, particularly the lagoon between Big Sister’s and Small Sister’s Island, are among the best in Singapore for snorkeling. The visibility is often better, and the coral and fish life are thriving thanks to conservation efforts.
- Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery: Located on St. John’s Island, this gallery provides fascinating insights into the marine biodiversity of the area and the ongoing conservation work.
Descriptive Detail: A visit to the Sisters’ Islands feels like a privilege. The focus here is on preservation. The water is a clear, brilliant blue, and beneath the surface is a quiet explosion of colour and life. On a guided intertidal walk, you are tiptoeing through a living nursery, witnessing the resilience of nature when it is given a chance to recover. It’s a hopeful, inspiring place that showcases Singapore’s commitment to being a “City in a Nature.”

Practical Information for Your Island Escape

Getting There: The only public access is via public bumboats from Marina South Pier. You buy a return ticket that typically covers St. John’s, Kusu, and sometimes Sisters’ Islands (check schedules). There is no direct public ferry to Lazarus; you must alight at St. John’s and walk across the causeway.
- Private charters are also an option for more flexibility.
Essential Tips:
- Pack Everything: There are no shops on the islands (except for a small provision shop on St. John’s). Bring all your food, water, sunscreen, and any other supplies.
- Leave No Trace: This is crucial. Bring trash bags and take all your rubbish back to the mainland with you.
- Sun Protection: The islands offer very little shade. Hats, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen are non-negotiable.
- Check Tide Timings: If you plan to walk between the Sisters’ Islands or explore intertidal areas, you must consult the tide tables.
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays are blissfully quiet. Avoid public holidays. Go early to secure a good spot on the beach and leave ample time to catch the last ferry back.

Conclusion: The Singapore That Was, and Still Is

The Southern Islands are a beautiful anachronism. They are a living reminder of the Singapore that existed before the skyscrapers—a place of fishing villages, rich mythology, and untamed nature. They challenge the very definition of the nation, proving that the wild, romantic soul of the tropics still beats strongly just offshore.

A trip here is more than a day at the beach; it’s a journey to the heart of Singapore’s natural and cultural heritage. It’s a place to walk in the footsteps of pilgrims, to swim in waters teeming with life, and to simply lie on a perfect beach and remember what silence sounds like.

So, pack your bag, grab your swimsuit, and head to Marina South Pier. Your escape to Singapore’s secret archipelago awaits. You’ll return to the mainland sun-kissed, salt-tinged, and with a profound appreciation for the wild, beautiful, and enduring spirit of the Southern Islands.

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Best Places to Visit & Things To Do in Southern Islands, Singapore [Updated-2026]

Introduction: The Call of the Untamed Sea

Chapter 1: The Island of Pilgrimage & Myth – Kusu Island

1. The Sacred Sites: A Tale of Two Faiths

Chapter 2: The Beach Lover’s Paradise – St. John’s & Lazarus Islands

1. Lazarus Island: The Quintessential Escape

2. St. John’s Island: The Rustic Big Brother

Chapter 3: The Marine Sanctuary – Sisters’ Islands

1. The Legend and The Reality

Practical Information for Your Island Escape

Conclusion: The Singapore That Was, and Still Is

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