Every Singaporean has been to East Coast Park (ECP) at least once, be it for a BBQ night out, family outing or a casual date with your S/O. Frolicking or jogging by the beach are some of the common reasons people head down these days, but the 15km-long park stretching from Changi all the way to Marina Bay area has much more to offer for a whole day out.
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The East Coast beaches have reopened recently, but the public are advised to refrain from activities that will leave you in direct contact with the water. So avoid sports like swimming to play it safe.
If playing all the activities under the sun has left you sweaty, fret not, there are plenty of free shower facilities, for anyone to wash and freshen up.
For those who have booked your barbeque spot, it’s normal to want to pair your grilled meats with some alcohol, but there are some conditions:
Those camping would need to give drinking in the wee hours of the morning a miss, as drinking is banned in all public places from 10.30pm-7am the next day.
ECP is undeniably massive, which means lots of space for your doggo to run around and burn off all that extra energy. If you’re looking to hang out with fellow dog owners, there’s Parkland Green Dog Run, one of the larger dog runs in the East.
Don’t worry, hooman, there are plenty of people activities at Parkland Green too. Pick up a new sport like inline skating at Ernsports. The shop sells all you need to get started – skates, helmets, and padding. They even provide skating lessons for complete newbies, with a 45-minute long trial class ($49/pax).
After both of you are done, head down to the dog-friendly St. Marc Bakery and Bar place to chill.
One might think that beach clubs in Singapore can only be found in places like Sentosa but surprise, there’s one at East Coast: Aloha Beach Bar & Cafe. It’s got all the makings of a prime beach club too, such as picnic tables facing the sea, finger food, and alcoholic drinks, of course.
The best part: there’s no minimum spend required to chope one of their coveted spots near the water. Just stroll in and be prepared to chill.
It’s yoga with a view – need we say more? This is Yoga Inc. at Parkland Green, where classes are held in their glasshouse studios with floor-to-ceiling windows that face the beach.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie confused between Warrior 1 and Warrior 2, or already an expert in performing a headstand. You can start off with their foundational classes such as Basics, Hot 26, and Stretch that will help bring you up to speed on common poses. Then, learn to conquer advanced moves with their Hatha or Flow classes.
Test the waters first with their 3-class intro pass ($50). If you’re likely to come back for more, their unlimited passes are $350 each and valid for a month’s worth of classes.
If you’ve got wheels, bring ‘em to ECP. The Xtreme Skatepark is where you’ll want to head to, to build up your skills as a skateboarder, trick cyclist, or roller skater. It’s ok if you’ve only just nailed moving – there’s a beginner’s street course with gentle slopes and mini ramps for you to get the hang of your first tricks.
For the pros – keep your eyes out for the iconic 3.6m deep vertical bowl and over-vert. It has a 90-degree drop that will make your heart leap into your throat. If you’re looking to practice in peace, you might wanna drop by in the late evening to avoid not just the crowd, but the sun as well.
P.S. Check out these other skateparks in Singapore that are located all around the island.
Some say the East side is ulu, but never would we have thought it’d be so ulu that dinosaurs are a common occurrence here.
You could say they’re typically found in a Steven Spielberg film, in Universal Studios Singapore, or even in our kopitiams in the form of “milo dinosaurs”. Well, you can also experience them for free, at Changi Jurassic Mile, the cycling path that links Changi Airport to East Coast Park.
Within a 1km stretch, more than 20 dinosaur statues can be found chilling by the pavement, wreaking havoc, and doing other surreal things like quenching their thirst at a nearby pond.
The installment is so realistic, there’s even a T-Rex trying to bust its way through the metal fence of the connector. All you’ll need are some Jurassic Park theme songs to convince yourself you’re in John Alfred Hammond’s prehistoric theme park!
Cycling is a breeze here, especially because the land is flat, with dedicated cycling lanes that span from one end of the park to the other.
No worries if the only bike you’re familiar with are the ones at spin class. There are bicycle rental shops around, including Bike Stop, Our Family Corner, and Go Cycling. Prices for adult bikes range from $10/hour, tandem bikes from $20/hour, and 4-seater quad bikes from $40/hour.
If cycling around ECP is an easy feat and you’re ready to cover more ground, give the Eastern Coastal Park Connector Network a try. It’s an arduous 42km trail but leads to 7 other park connectors that link to Bedok Reservoir Park, Pasir Ris Park, and Changi Beach Park. There’s also the new Eastern Corridor for some fresh sights.
Have your young’uns unleash their inner monkey while getting a good dose with Vitamin D at the spacious Marine Cove outdoor playground, complete metal slides, netted bridges, and rope ladders. Right next to it is a toddler-safe sensory play area with bendy mirrors to have a good laugh at your twisty and swirly reflections.
Image credit: @semec.enterprise via Instagram
Alternatively, swing by Raintree Cove for their vibrant pink toddler-friendly swings that are wide and netted for extra safety.
If that’s still not enough to tame your child, add the Coastal Playgrove to the list of things to do with kids. Looming at 16m tall, it’s the tallest outdoor playground in Singapore with giant slides, vertical climbing nets, and even a water play area for a cool break from the heat.
Little ones won’t have to worry about missing out as there’s a low-lying leisure net playing area, as well as sandpits and nature play gardens from them to roam around. Running after the kids as they explore all the different play areas will probably leave you hungry, so you can just head to the Burger King nearby to refuel and relax.
Instead of surfing the net all weekend long, pick up wakeboarding at the Singapore Wake Park at the East Coast lagoon. Wakeboarding combines skateboarding and surfing, where you’ll be strapped on a board pulled along the surface of the water in a circuit.
The sloped ramps dotted along the route are also opportunities for you to pull off some sick stunts!
Take things up a notch with watersports at PAssion WaVe @ East Coast, located just a 5-minute-walk from carpark F3. Stand up paddling and windsurfing equipment are available for rental at affordable rates if you’re experienced in either sport.
Image credit: PAssion Wave Facebook
For complete greenhorns, no worries – you can still have a go with their beginners courses. Prices begin from $55 for a stand up paddling course, and from $102 for a full-day Basic Windsurfing Course for PAssion Members. Non-members can also sign up at $61 and $102 respectively.
After a day in the sun, you can also relax and refuel at High Tide Bistro & Bar, located within the outlet.
Address: 1390, East Coast Parkway, 468961
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9am-6pm (Closed on Mondays & Public Holidays)
Contact: 6444 0409 | PAssion WaVe @ East Coast website
Among all the camping spots in Singapore, East Coast Park is the best for catching the sunrise. The park has 2 camping spots – in areas D and G – where you can pitch your tent to spend a night. Combine it with a BBQ sesh with your pals to complete the camping experience.
You might also find that it takes you completely off-grid, which is a refreshing experience for those who’d like a break from urban life. But before you get all excited and start packing, you’ll have to apply for a permit on the AXS website first. You can also apply through the SingPass app (App Store | Google Play).
You can also apply to book a BBQ pit on AXS. Rates start from $12-$20, depending on the location.
That doesn’t mean those not too keen on being subject to the discomfort of sleeping in the great outdoors – read: mozzies, no light, and tight space – have to miss out.
Upgrade your camping experience to glamping, which trades the ruggard for rugs. Glamping Society has giant tents that fit up to 6, are inbuilt with ventilation windows and fans. It also comes with double air mattresses, and even flamingo floats as seats.
Stretching out into the sea, Bedok Jetty is a wonderful spot to take a breather. Jog or cycle along its length, or bring along your fishing rods for a therapeutic fishing session with your fishing kakis. What’s more, it’s one of the few fishing spots in Singapore!
The place is also a great spot to catch sunrise and sunsets. The best time would be to visit is before dawn, so you can catch sight of the sun breaking through the horizon
The easiest way to get there is by driving and parking at one of their 10 car parks lined along the length of the park.
The most popular car park appears to be car park B1, located opposite The MeyeRise. It’s known as a convenient starting point for runners for its toilet facilities and complimentary parking.
For those taking public transport, Bedok MRT is the nearest station to the park. From there, Buses 31, 137, 155 or 196 will take you to the middle of the park, where attractions like East Coast Lagoon Food Village and Singapore Wake Park lie.
Alternatively, you can take the MRT and alight at Marine Parade on the Thomson-East Coast Line. East Coast Park is a 7-minute walk from there, and you’ll reach it after crossing the underpass.
Whether you’ve run out of outdoor activities to do, or just want to go out and touch some grass, East Coast Park has got you covered.
[Explorer section for ECP]
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Cover image adapted from: Changi Airport Group, @technospaz via Instagram.
Last updated by Syahiran Sean on 16th August 2024.
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