SENTOSA ISLAND

Sentosa Island

 Heritage &

 Coastal

Hiking Route

 Island

 attractions,

 Sentosa

Island

LITTLE RED DOT

 Sentosa Island  attractions,

 Sentosa Island is Singapore's premier island resort getaway, packed with world-class attractions, beaches, and entertainment for all ages.

Here is a comprehensive list of the main attractions, categorized for easy planning.

Thrill-Seekers & Theme Park Enthusiasts

1. Universal Studios Singapore

   • What it is: Southeast Asia's only Hollywood movie theme park. It's a massive park divided into 7 themed zones (Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar).

   • Highlights: Thrilling roller coasters like Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Revenge of the Mummy, and family-friendly rides with characters from Shrek, Minions, and Jurassic Park.

2. AJ Hackett Sentosa

   • What it is: An extreme sports hub for adrenaline junkies.

   • Highlights: The flagship Giant Swing, Bungy Jump (with a splash option), and the SkyBridge for panoramic views. The Vertical Skywalk is a tamer but still thrilling option.

3. iFly Singapore

   • What it is: Indoor skydiving in a giant vertical wind tunnel. It simulates the freefall sensation of skydiving in a safe and controlled environment, suitable for ages 7 and up.

4. Mega Adventure Park

   • What it is: An aerial adventure course.

   • Highlights: MegaZip, a 450-meter zipline that sends you flying over the jungle and shoreline to Siloso Beach. They also have MegaClimb (aerial ropes course) and ParaJump (a simulated parachute jump).

Family-Friendly & Kid-Centric Favorites

1. Adventure Cove Waterpark

   • What it is: A water park perfect for a full day of splashing fun.

   • Highlights: Riptide Rocket (Southeast Asia's first hydro-magnetic coaster), water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and the chance to snorkel with thousands of fish at Rainbow Reef.

2. S.E.A. Aquarium (Now part of Aquarium & Maritime Experiential Museum)

   • What it is: One of the world's largest aquariums. While the standalone Maritime Experiential Museum is closed, the aquarium itself remains a major draw.

   • Highlights: The Open Ocean habitat, a massive viewing panel with manta rays, sharks, and other pelagic species. It offers an immersive journey through marine habitats.

3. Skyline Luge Sentosa

   • What it is: A unique, fun-filled activity that's a cross between a go-cart and a toboggan. You ride a chairlift up and then luge down a winding track through the jungle.

   • Why it's great: It's incredibly fun for all ages, with multiple tracks of varying difficulty.

4. Trick Eye Museum

   • What it is: An interactive 3D art museum based on Trompe-l'œil ("deceive the eye") art.

   • Highlights: You become part of the artwork, posing for creative and hilarious optical illusion photos.

Beaches & Relaxation

Sentosa has three beautiful, manicured beaches, each with its own vibe.

1. Siloso Beach:

   • Vibe: The most active and vibrant beach. Popular for beach volleyball, kayaking, and parties.

   • Attractions: Lots of beachfront bars and restaurants (e.g., Coastes), AJ Hackett, and MegaZip.

2. Palawan Beach:

   • Vibe: The family-friendly beach.

   • Attractions: Features a suspension bridge that leads to the southernmost point of continental Asia, a pirate-themed water play area (Port of Lost Wonder was previously here, check for current status), and a great stretch of sand for kids.

3. Tanjong Beach:

   • Vibe: The most tranquil and chic beach, known for its secluded feel.

   • Attractions: Home to the famous Tanjong Beach Club, perfect for a relaxing day by the pool or a sophisticated evening out.

Iconic Sights & Viewpoints

1. The Sentosa Cable Car

   • What it is: A scenic cable car connecting Mount Faber on the mainland to Sentosa Island. It offers breathtaking aerial views of the harbor, city skyline, and the island.

2. Tiger Sky Tower

   • What it is: Southeast Asia's tallest free-standing observation tower.

   • Highlights: The circular cabin slowly rotates as it ascends 131 meters, providing 360-degree panoramic views of Sentosa, Singapore, and parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

3. Fort Siloso

   • What it is: A preserved coastal fort from WWII. It's Singapore's only preserved fort and offers a glimpse into the country's wartime history.

   • Highlights: Explore the tunnels, gun emplacements, and historical exhibits.

4. Wings of Time

   • What it is: A spectacular nighttime show over the water at Siloso Beach.

   • Highlights: An award-winning show that combines lasers, water jets, fire effects, and music to tell a story. A perfect way to end a day on the island.

Other Notable Mentions

• Resorts World Sentosa: The integrated resort that houses Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, a casino, luxury hotels, and a vast array of dining and shopping options.

• Nestopia: A new (check for opening) massive nature-themed playground with giant nets and slides built around existing trees.

• Various Golf Courses: Home to top-tier courses like the Tanjong and Serapong courses at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Tips for Your Visit

• Getting There: You can get to Sentosa via cable car, monorail (Sentosa Express from VivoCity), car, bus, or even on foot via the scenic Sentosa Boardwalk.

• Combo Tickets: Look for bundled tickets online (e.g., on Klook or Pelago) for attractions like Universal Studios + S.E.A. Aquarium for savings.

• Plan Your Day: The island is large. Prioritize the attractions you want to see most, as it's difficult to do everything in one day.

• Wear Comfortable Shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking.

For the most current opening hours, prices, and to book tickets, always check the official Sentosa website.

 Sentosa Island has an excellent network of nature and heritage trails that can be combined for a fantastic day of hiking, history, and beach hopping.

Here is a suggested full-day hiking route, focusing on the historical sites and popular beaches.

Sentosa Island Heritage & Coastal Hiking Route

This route combines the major nature trails and historic sites, concluding with the famous beaches. The total walking distance is approximately 7-8 kilometers and will take about 4-6 hours depending on your pace and how long you spend at the historical sites.

Phase 1: The Historical Forest Hike (Imbiah Trail & Fortifications)

Phase 2: Coastal Walk and Beach Hopping

 History of Sentosa Island

The history of Sentosa Island is a fascinating journey from a mysterious and ominous military outpost to a peaceful, world-renowned leisure resort.

The History of Sentosa Island (Formerly Pulau Blakang Mati)

Early History and the Ominous Name

• Original Name: The island was historically known as Pulau Blakang Mati (also spelled Belakang Mati).

  Meaning: This name translates from Malay to "the island behind which lies death" or simply "Behind Death".

  Origin of the Name: There are several theories regarding the origin of the ominous name, including:

  • A reference to the piracy and bloodshed that occurred nearby in centuries past.

    A mysterious deadly epidemic (later recognized as malaria) in the early colonial era which forced the British to abandon a signal station and severely affected the local villages.

  • A literal nautical interpretation, suggesting the island created an area of "dead water" or still currents behind it.
     

• Early Life: Despite the name, the island was home to Malay, Bugis, and Chinese villages (kampongs) and was a key producer of pineapples for Singapore in the 19th century.

British Military Fortress

• Strategic Location: Due to its location protecting the passage into Keppel Harbour, the British recognized the island's strategic importance as early as 1827.

• Fortifications: Beginning in the 1880s, the island was heavily fortified and served as a major military base. Key installations built included:
   
  • Fort Siloso
     

  • Fort Serapong
  • Fort Connaught
  • Mount Imbiah Battery

  By the 1930s, the island was a crucial component of the British defense known as "Fortress Singapore."

Transformation and Renaming

• Post-War: After World War II, the island continued to be a British military base, hosting various British units and later Gurkha infantry.
   

• Transfer to Singapore: The island was transferred to the newly independent government of Singapore in 1967 following the near-complete withdrawal of Gurkha units.

  Decision for Tourism: The Singapore government initially considered turning the island into an industrial complex, but economic advisors like Albert Winsemius and urban planners convinced Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to transform it into a resort for recreation and tourism instead.

   

  The Name Change: To align with its new purpose and shed its dark history, the Tourist Promotion Board launched a naming contest in 1969.

  • The winning name, Sentosa, was selected.

    Sentosa is a Malay word meaning "peace and tranquility" (derived from the Sanskrit word Santosha).

  • The name officially came into effect in September 1970.
     

  Development: Development into a major tourist destination began immediately, with a massive investment from 1972 onwards.

Sentosa's Role During the Japanese War and Occupation (1942–1945)

During the Battle of Singapore and the subsequent Japanese Occupation, the island—then Pulau Blakang Mati—played a significant, albeit dark, role.

The Battle for Singapore (February 1942)

• Coastal Defense Turned Inland: The forts on the island, such as Fort Siloso and Fort Connaught, were originally designed to defend Singapore from a sea invasion from the south. However, when the Japanese army invaded from the north and west, the British were forced to turn their massive coastal artillery guns 180 degrees inland.
   

  Artillery Fire: The guns were used to fire at advancing Japanese positions and troops in the center, west, and north of Singapore, including targets near the Causeway, Jurong, and Bukit Timah. Fort Siloso and Fort Connaught were among the busiest batteries during the battle.

• Last-Ditch Efforts: With the fall of Singapore imminent, the guns were also used to destroy British oil storage facilities on nearby islands like Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sebarok to prevent the valuable fuel from falling into Japanese hands. The British deliberately destroyed the gun batteries at Fort Siloso just before the surrender.

The Japanese Occupation

• Renaming: The Japanese renamed the island to Kashima Island (meaning "Deer Island").

• Prisoner-of-War (POW) Camp: The island's former military barracks were repurposed as a POW camp, housing about 400–1,000 Allied troops, including Australian and British soldiers and gunners. Fort Siloso itself was also used as a POW camp.

  Operation Sook Ching Site: A beach on Pulau Blakang Mati was tragically one of the execution sites used by the Japanese during Operation Sook Ching, a mass screening and purge of perceived anti-Japanese elements within Singapore's Chinese population.

  Kashima Jinja Shrine: An obscure Shinto shrine, Kashima Jinja, was erected on the island during the occupation, with deer reportedly imported to the shrine grounds. The shrine was destroyed by the Japanese before the end of the war, and its exact location remains unknown.

The Merlion was first designed in 1964 by British zoologist Alec Fraser-Brunner to be the logo of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The fish alludes to the nation’s beginning as a ‘fishing village’ (now debunked), while the lion references the ‘lion’ Sang Nila Utama claims to have seen (though highly unlikely). 

Largest Merlion Statue in Singapore

At 37 metres tall, Sentosa Merlion towers over all the other 6 Merlion statues in Singapore. Ever since its ‘birth’ in 1995, this giant being has courageously braved the Singapore heat for over 24 years. Never failing to shoot out lasers from its eyes every night, this majestic statue has delighted Singaporeans and tourists alike during its nightly laser shows. 

It Will Officially Close on 20 October 2019
Much to the dismay of some Singaporeans and tourists alike, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has decided to close its doors this coming 20 October. This means there will no longer be tickets or passes admitted into the iconic attraction. In addition to the iconic statue, 4 other eateries in the vicinity will also be closed from 21 October onwards.

Due to the size of Sentosa Merlion, there are currently no plans for relocation. Instead, developers are considering different ways to commemorate the island’s symbolic icon. Although the Merlion has been slated to be demolished after 20 October, the exact date of demolition has yet to be finalized.

Making Way for New Developments

Image credit: Sentosa Development Corporation

Also read: The New Sentosa? This Singaporean Island is Now Primed to Be its Next Lifestyle Destination

Sentosa Merlion’s demolishment will make way for a new themed thoroughfare. This comes as part of a new rejuvenation project that aims to reshape and re-establish Sentosa Island and her neighbour Pulau Brani into one of the hottest tourist attractions in Singapore.


Named Sensoryscape, this thoroughfare will link Resorts World Sentosa in the north with Sentosa’s beaches in the south. Costing over $90 million, this thoroughfare will be more than just a linkway! Sensoryscape will feature lookout points, water features and even other architectural elements that will be sure to give visitors a multi-sensory experience as they stroll across the island.

This Sensoryscape project will be completed by 2022, with the next few phases of the project rolling out over the next two to three decades.

Say Your Last Goodbyes!

With the last admission to Sentosa Merlion on 20 Oct, it’s definitely time to head down to say your goodbyes and take your last Insta-shots to immortalize the moment. You might just end up taking the last picture of Singapore’s greatest icon.