Greater Sentosa Master Plan
Goodbye, Island Playground. Hello, Island Sanctuary. Come the early 2030s, our favourite island getaway, Sentosa, will be unveiling a brand new look – its first massive refresh since 2002 – and we’re here for it.
What is the Greater Sentosa Master Plan?
Artist’s impression of Sentosa 2.0.
The Greater Sentosa Master Plan, as it’s called, will take place over the next 20 years, with the first changes expected to roll out from the early 2030s.
TL;DR: Over the next 20 years, Sentosa and its neighbouring Pulau Brani will merge into one expanded resort holiday island, with new attractions, a multi-modal transit hub, and a focus on sustainability and climate resistance.
What can we expect from Sentosa 2.0?
One Sentosa, double the size
Artist’s impression of a bird’s eye view of Sentosa.
If you’re wondering where Sentosa’s going to find the space for more attractions, you would be correct. To solve this issue, the island is going to absorb another island, AKA Pulau Brani. FYI, Pulau Brani, translated, means Island of the Brave, and has long been an industrial area that the average Joe is not allowed to enter.
With the addition of Pulau Brani, Sentosa is set to grow to twice its current size.
An “Island Heart”
Artist’s impression of the Island Heart Transport Hub.
Along with Pulau Brani, Sentosa is also due to gain an Island Heart Transport Hub, which is slated to become the major gateway and key arrival point into the island, linking the Singapore mainland, the current Sentosa island, as well as Pulau Brani.
Water taxis & a new people mover
Artist’s impression of the Island Heart Transport Hub.
With this new transport hub comes refreshed modes of transportation into and around Sentosa. First up – water taxis, a concept which at this point is not fully set in stone. But one might imagine a Venetian sort of vision, albeit around, instead of through the islands.
Then, there’s the new People Mover System, which will replace the existing Sentosa Express, providing a more seamless connection from the mainland to Island Heart and throughout the island. The network will, of course, also expand to include coverage of Pulau Brani.
Artist’s impression of elevated walkways at the Island Heart Transport Hub.
With the massive increase in visitor count to come, we expect that the upgraded people mover will come with a much larger capacity and/or frequency than the Sentosa Express.
Massive revamp of its 3 beaches
Artist’s impression of the rejuvenated beachfront.
Bad news: there won’t be any new beaches on Sentosa.
Good news: Palawan, Siloso, and Tanjong Beaches will undergo an enormous rejuvenation, with new lifestyle developments and multi-use, day-to-night spaces that one hopes will make them world-class festival destinations.
Artist’s impression of the islet-hopping experience.
More coastal activities are in the pipeline, with new beach clubs to come, and even a floating boardwalk that connects the islets fronting the 3km of beach.
While unconfirmed, it seems that treetop dining, as well as sunrise and sunset beach club experiences, have been floated as potential beachfront ideas too.
A new Mount Imbiah
Artist’s impression of Imbiah Canopy.
Mount Imbiah will see a complete facelift, with Imbiah Canopy being its headline attraction, quite literally. Perched at the top of Mount Imbiah, Imbiah Canopy will house attractions, F&B options, retail shops, and sheltered event spaces, with a treetop walk that will connect new nature-based experiences to Siloso Beach.
Artist’s impression of Imbiah Lookout Walk.
That aside, the key canopy walk to look forward to is Imbiah Lookout Walk, a planned passageway aboveground that will take you from Sensoryscape to Imbiah Lookout, and other walking trails. This will be one of the earliest completions that we’ll see on the Greater Sentosa timeline, estimated to be ready by 2030.
New, nature-based attractions are also planned for Mount Imbiah, encouraging visitors to pop into the secondary forests and heritage buildings in the vicinity.
Artist’s impression of the waterfront between Imbiah Canopy and Southern Ridges.
P.S. In time to come, these trails will be connected back to the Southern Ridges on our mainland. Even further down the line, they’ll all merge into an expanded green network, joining with forests across Brani, Serapong, and Imbiah.
Huge attractions zone in Brani West
Artist’s impression of Brani West.
Move aside, Super Nintendo World, because Brani West is where our eyes are at. It’s one of the largest sites on the new Greater Sentosa that’s up for development, and the drawing board, AKA initial plans, has earmarked it as the location for “game-changing attractions”.
All we can do now is wait with bated breath to see what’s in store.
Expanded RWS with 2 new hotels
Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa
Prior to the reveal of Sentosa 2.0, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) had announced plans for a new waterfront development that would be ready by 2030. This is set to set the stage for a most magnificent sight from VivoCity, with an 88m-tall light sculpture taking centre stage on a waterfront promenade, with retail, dining, and entertainment options.
Visitors to the revamped waterfront will also get the chance to climb up the 88m-tall “mountain trail” for a view of the mainland and the island. Completing this posse of newbies are 2 new luxury hotels, though further details are scant.
Look forward to the all-new Sentosa from 2030
It’s an exciting 2 decades ahead for Sentosa, with the completion of this grand plan set to bring in even more tourists and visitors. We’ll obviously be raring to get first dibs on everything that’s in store, so it’s fingers crossed that there aren’t significant delays.
Find out more about the Greater Sentosa Master Plan
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All images courtesy of Sentosa Development Corporation, unless otherwise stated.