Best beaches in Singapore
Whether you’re guilty of posting selfies taken at a beach club or envying your peers who do, you can’t deny the allure of the sun, sand, and sea for some peace of mind on the weekends. Be it for overseas vibes, a sunkissed tan or some leisurely catch–up with friends, here’s a roundup of the best beaches in Singapore you can head to for that much-needed stress relief.
Table of Contents
- Best beaches in Singapore
- 1. Coney Island – 5 “secret” beaches
- 2. Sembawang Park – BBQ with views of Johor Bahru Straits
- 3. Kusu Island – Hidden beach with nearby tortoise sanctuary
- 4. Tanjong Beach – Chill beach & bar for the best of both worlds
- 5. Siloso Beach – Activities like zip lining & bungee jumping
- 6. Palawan Beach – Panoramic view of the island
- 7. Changi Beach – Plane spotting & seaside dining
- 8. Punggol Beach – Walking trails & scenic photo spots
- 9. Lazarus Island – Offshore getaway for day trips
- 10. East Coast Beach – Camping, BBQ & cable skiing
1. Coney Island – 5 “secret” beaches
As a tiny city, you may think that quiet beaches would be hard to find. Allow us to prove you wrong with Coney Island, which features 5 “secret” beaches named A, B, C, D, and E.
Visit here on a weekday afternoon, where the beaches will virtually be like private ones. If you’re keen on having a picnic here, you can head over to Punggol Settlement to dabao some food first. Beach C also has an estuary – the transition between rivers and seas – which you can visit.
Furthermore, a new beach is slated to open in June 2024, which means there’ll be 6 beaches in total in time to come.
Getting here: Take the train to Punggol station and take Exit C to get to the bus interchange. Board Bus 84 and alight at Punggol Road End, then take a ~10 minute walk along the Punggol Promenade Nature Walk to reach the West entrance.
2. Sembawang Park – BBQ with views of Johor Bahru Straits
Image credit: National Parks Board
When someone mentions the beach in Singapore, it’s highly likely that the word “BBQ” would appear in the same sentence. As a BBQ hotspot, the pits at Sembawang Park are available for use till 10.30pm.
Even if you’re not a big fan of all the grillin’ and smokin’, the shores are still perfect for you to roll out your picnic mats to ocean-watch. Since the beach faces the straits of JB, you might just be able to catch a glimpse of our neighbour’s skyline on a clear day. The shower facilities are located just beside the beach so you don’t have to worry about sandy feet.
A 5-minute walk from the shore is where you’ll spot a battleship-themed playground, which pays tribute to Sembawang Naval Base. Both kids and kids at heart can have their fill of fun here.
Getting here: Alight at Sembawang MRT. Ride Bus 882 from bus stop “Opp Sembawang Station” to “Opposite Jalan Janggus”. Afterwards, head on a 2-minute walk towards the park.
3. Kusu Island – Hidden beach with nearby tortoise sanctuary
Kusu Island may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of beaches. In fact, it’s mostly known for its temples and tortoises. Surprise, surprise – there are actually 2 hidden beaches here.
Technically, these are lagoons, but you can still get some sun-soaking action and stroll through the sandy cost. The north one faces SG’s mainland so you’ll be able to see the CBD sitting on the horizon. There are also beach shelters located along the coastal stretch so you can hide from the sun when it gets too hot in the afternoon.
We’ve also heard of people snorkelling here. Bring your own gear and you might just spot little fishes when you take a dip.
Book a Singapore Island Cruise Ferry ticket to Kusu Island.
4. Tanjong Beach – Chill beach & bar for the best of both worlds
Image credit: @kamsinkaneko via Instagram
Tanjong Beach in Sentosa should ring a bell amongst OG beach goers. Afterall, it’s one of the most popular beaches in SG. Although it’s gonna be rather crowded, its vast amount of space means you’ll still be able to get a shaded and isolated spot under one of the many palm trees.
Afterwards, head to Tanjong Beach Club which is just within walking distance – a seaside bar that offers food, drinks, day beds, and a pool to get a soak in.
Enjoy beers and Western fare by the pool at Tanjong Beach Club.
Image credit: @nhuhaont via Instagram
The beach area at the club also has free life-sized Jenga game sets and volleyball nets so you’ll never get bored throughout your visit.
Getting here: Alight at Harbourfront MRT and take the Sentosa Express to Beach Station.
5. Siloso Beach – Activities like zip lining & bungee jumping
Bungee jump at AJ Hackett with Siloso Beach right below.
For those whose idea of a fun beach day involves plenty of activities and getting a good sweat in, Siloso Beach in Sentosa is your best option. From bungee jumping to racing your friends in a luge, there’s plenty to see and do here.
AJ Hackett lets you channel your inner Batman by jumping off a 50m tower as you take in the full view of the beach below, while Skyline Luge Sentosa has racing tracks that light up in various neon colours at night. Over at Mega Adventure, you can zipline through the sky, rock climb or attempt an obstacle course of varying difficulty levels.
Ride the luge at Skyline Luge Sentosa.
Besides high-speed thrills, you can also take to the beach for group games like frisbee or volleyball, or even rent a kayak from Ola Beach Club and paddle out to sea.
Image credit: @rumoursbeachclub via Instagram
If winding down is your sole agenda, Ola Beach Club is also amongst the many bars and restaurants, like Rumours and Coastes, where you can strip down to your bikinis and boardshorts, chill out with a beer and soak in the sun.
Getting here: Alight at Harbourfront MRT. Take the Sentosa Express to Beach Station. Then, hop on their shuttle bus and alight at Siloso Beach.
6. Palawan Beach – Panoramic view of the island
Image credit: Sentosa
You’ve most likely seen shots on IG of adventurers in Sentosa in the middle of a suspension bridge. That very landmark is at Palawan Beach – located right in the middle of the island. The bridge isn’t just good for photos; it also leads to 2 towers with viewing decks where you get a 360-degree overview of your surroundings.
Image credit: @_valent._ via Instagram
Back on land, the pristine shore makes for a relaxed chill out spot where you can engage in kid-friendly activities like picnics, building sandcastles or tic-tac-toe in the sand. For some grub, FOC Sentosa will have your hunger pangs quelled with their Mediterranean menu.
Getting here: Alight at Harbourfront MRT. Take the Sentosa Express to Beach Station.
7. Changi Beach – Plane spotting & seaside dining
The Seagrill offers dining with a view.
Image credit: @theseagrillsg via Instagram
Dining with the calming sounds of waves crashing right next to you can be made reality at Changi Beach. Restaurants like The Seagrill have an alfresco setting that allow you to dine outdoors and feel closer to nature.
Expect surf and turf delights like Grilled Salmon Fillet (from $30) and Seafood Platter (from $59) to fit the beachy vibes. For something less fancy, the nearby Changi Village Hawker Centre or BamBooze Bar & Bistro are also worthy options.
Spot the “Inscription Of The Island” sculpture.
If you’re not peckish, you can slowly explore the entire stretch of Changi Beach that also includes the park and the Changi Point Coastal Walk. If you’re up for a challenge, you can even trek all the way to Changi Bay Point. Make sure to stop by the “Inscription Of The Island” sculpture – a signature attraction at the beach – for a fun photo op.
Image credit: @fspotter_photography via Instagram
Besides the usual activities you can get up to like cycling, rollerblading, and fishing, Changi Beach’s location in the far East also means that it’s a prime plane-viewing spot. Take this chance to count how many zooms past you on your day out.
Getting here: Take Bus 109, 19, 2, 59, 89, 9, to “Nicoll Dr – Changi Beach Cp 2” bus stop.
8. Punggol Beach – Walking trails & scenic photo spots
Away from the throngs of crowds, Punggol Beach is a serene escape in the Northeast of Singapore.
The first thing you’ll notice is how much quieter it is compared to most other beaches. Make your way to the bed of boulders sitting on the shore, where you’ll get to rest your feet or simply take photos for the ‘Gram without the worry of photobombers.
A little exploring will lead to The Punggol Settlement – a restaurant overlooking the beach, Coney Island, and Punggol Promenade Nature Walk where nature-lovers can attempt an easy hiking trail.
Getting here: Take Bus 84 from Punggol Interchange and alight at “Punggol Road End”.
9. Lazarus Island – Offshore getaway for day trips
Travelling to Bali, Batam, and Phuket could make for a rather rushed and pricey weekend getaway, so the next best thing to a private beach escape is one of Singapore’s many offshore islands.
Take a boat ride over to St John’s Island from Marina South Pier for $18/ticket, where you’ll get plenty of privacy. But why stop there? A further 10-minute walk leads you to Lazarus Island, an even more secluded spot where you can frolic with your friends and get some tanning done without the concern of your noise levels or awkward stares from strangers.
For those who crave a taste of quiet island living, you can actually book an overnight stay at St Johns island at the Eagle bungalow on St John’s Island Lodge ($27/night on weekdays, $54/night on weekends), which accommodates up to 10 people. Don’t expect anything fancy though, only the bare minimum like shower facilities and basic utensils will be provided.
If you’re not planning for a staycay here, don’t forget to board the last ferry from St John’s Island back to the mainland at 5pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends.
Book a 4-hour private yacht charter to Lazarus Island.
10. East Coast Beach – Camping, BBQ & cable skiing
Image credit: @loneshrek via Instagram
You’ll never mutter “I’m so bored” at East Coast Beach. The beach/park combination is never short of crowds at any time of day, whether they’re having picnics, jogging along the designated pedestrian footpaths or trying out rollerblading.
Image credit: @princessjysh via Instagram
Daredevils can show off their Tony Hawk moves at the Xtreme Skatepark or have a splash trying out cable skiing at Singapore Wake Park. Even if you’re not that adventurous, you can still marvel from the sidelines at the stunts and tricks of those participating.
Image credit: @_clarenceeee_ via Instagram
Dinner options include the famous East Coast Lagoon, where many get their zi car fix of BBQ stingray, sambal kang kong, and oyster omelette. There are also camping sites and BBQ pits that you can book beforehand for a late-night or overnight stay.
Getting here: Alight at Bedok MRT. From there, Buses 31, 137, 155 or 196 will take you to Parkway Parade. Afterwards, head on a 6-minute walk to reach the beach.
Comb the best beaches in Singapore
We live in an urban jungle, and sometimes we just need to be around nature to clear our headspace. These best beaches in Singapore will provide just that – filled with activities ranging from laidback tanning to thrilling water sports.
Start planning your next visit to the shores with your friends, family or SO – remember to bring along your sunblock, picnic mat and swimsuits.
Find out what activities you can do in Singapore:
- Upcoming green spaces 2023
- Hidden gardens and parks near offices
- Things to do in MacRitchie Reservoir
Cover image adapted from: @kamsinkaneko & @signaporewakepark via Instagram
Article originally published on 7th July 2020. Last updated by Ong Yee Ching on 30th June 2023.
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