As someone whose idea of “getting close to nature” usually involves taking photos of my houseplants, the thought of sweating it out under the sun has never really excited me. Then I found out NParks offers free nature tours around Singapore, and suddenly, my curiosity was piqued. After all, anything labelled free will always catch a true Singaporean’s attention.
If you’re as intrigued or just in it for the free perks, here’s what you need to know:
Image adapted from: NParks
NParks has a whole range of guided nature tours across the island, so there’s something for everyone.
One-off events, like the Heritage Guided Walk at Rail Corridor (Central) or seasonal tours at Chinese Garden, are tough to snag since slots are limited – if you get in, lucky you.
But there are also recurring tours that are easier for the rest of us who either missed out or just prefer signing up spontaneously for weekend dates and family hangouts. Some happen once a month, while others have multiple time slots on certain dates.
To make life easier for you, we’ve rounded up some of NParks’ recurring guided nature tours that are worth checking out.
There’s more to Fort Canning Park than just IG-worthy photo spots.
Fun fact: Fort Canning Park’s history stretches all the way back to the 14th century! On the Heritage on the Hill Guided Tour, you’ll see ancient artefacts, learn how the hill has changed over the centuries, stroll through historical gardens, and visit the Fort Gate.
This tour is great for families and history enthusiasts, but take note that children 12 years and below must be accompanied by an adult.
Let NParks’ volunteer guides show you the beauty and variety of these iconic blooms on the National Orchid Garden Tour.
Bonus: the tour is also offered in Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese – consider bringing a foreign friend here for a proper Singaporean nature outing that isn’t just another selfie at Gardens by the Bay.
While it’s free to join, you’ll still need to pay the garden’s admission fee at $5/adult and $1/student for locals. Honestly, that’s a small price for a guided and colourful stroll surrounded by pretty flowers.
For a little island adventure without leaving Singapore, visiting Sisters’ Islands might be your vibe. The marine park actually has 2 islands – Big Sister’s and Small Sister’s – but the latter is closed for conservation, so you’ll be exploring the Big Sister’s side.
Big Sister’s Island Monthly Guided Walk is a 75-minute tour that happens on the first Sunday of every month, where NParks volunteers will show you around the island’s highlights, from the floating boardwalk to a turtle hatchery. Tours run in groups of 10 with a maximum of 30 participants per event, and you can register for up to 6 people.
BTW, the February 2026 tour is already fully booked, but get on the waitlist in case someone cancels.
You’ll need to grab your own ferry ticket – Marina South Ferries sells them at $22/adult for a round-trip. Make sure to catch the 9am ferry to arrive at 9.45am, and your guides will be waiting at the end of the jetty.
Even if you didn’t manage to book a spot, don’t worry – you can still explore the island yourself with our Sisters’ Islands guide.
Image credit: Joanne C via Google Maps
The Gallop Extension Tour lets you explore 2 refurbished, colonial black-and-white conserved buildings in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
It kicks off at the Gallop Visitor Centre and takes you through the OCBC Arboretum, where you’ll get to learn more about Singapore’s forest ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll also explore the Mingxin Foundation Rambler’s Ridge and the Botanical Art Gallery.
Screenshot from: NParks
There are 2 ways to secure a spot: online or in person.
You can register on the NParks website for tours like the Heritage on the Hill Guided Walk and Big Sister’s Island Monthly Guided Walk – simply fill in some basic info like your name, phone number, and email.
For other tours, you’ll have to head down to a ticketing counter or service desk at the venue 10 to 15 minutes before the tour starts and register on the spot. You’ll be able to find the tour dates and timeslots on the NParks website as well.
They’re all free – though for some, you’ll just need to fork out a tiny bit for ferry rides or admission tickets. So grab your family or that friend who swears they “don’t do nature,” and go see what’s out there.
More free things to do in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: NParks, The Smart Local
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