Sisters’ Islands Marine Park
Beach lovers, your dreamy island-hopping itinerary just got a new addition. Rejoining the fam of Southern Islands – namely St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu Island, – is their long lost sister, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, which reopened in late October last year.
The marine park is made up of 2 islands – Big Sister’s and Small Sister’s island – the latter of which is closed off to the public for conservation purposes. But from a scenic lagoon to photo-worthy lookout points, we hear Big Sister’s Island has more than enough to keep visitors entertained throughout the day. We take a trip down to see what it has to offer.
How to get to Sisters’ Islands?
Getting to Sisters’ Islands is fairly simple by ferry, which you’ll have to take from Marina South Pier. Some ferry services will require you to transit at neighbouring islands, but excluding the time spent waiting during stopovers, the journey takes roughly 45 minutes per trip.
We purchased our tickets from Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services, which cost us $18/pax for a round-trip. To get to Sisters’ Islands, we had to stop by St John’s Island along the way.
Image credit: Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services
We started off by catching the 9am ferry, which reached St John’s Island at around 9.30am. From there, we waited to board the 10am ferry to Sisters’ Island, which we arrived at roughly 10 minutes later.
Likewise, the journey back to Marina South Pier followed a similar route – we first boarded the ferry back to St John’s Island, then waited for the next ride back to Marina South Pier. The route back, however, had an additional stop at Kusu Island on the way back from St John’s.
This didn’t really affect our trip, though – as the ferry servicing Kusu to Marina is the same as the ferry from St John’s to Kusu, we simply stayed on the ride till it returned to Marina South Pier.
Alternatively, you can choose to island hop and explore the other islands on the same day since you’ll be stopping by with the ferry anyway.
If you’d like to book tickets online, you can do so via the Singapore Island Cruise site, or buy tickets on the spot from their counter. Another ferry service to consider is Marina South Ferries, which has rides to Sisters’ Islands for the same price. You can book tickets via their website, or at their counter at the pier.
FYI, the island is closed on the first and third Wednesday of every month, so be sure to block out those dates.
What to pack for Sisters’ Islands?
Before you set sail, there are a couple of things we recommend packing for your island trip. First and foremost, the essentials – unless you wanna come home with insect bites and a nasty burn, be sure to bring along sunscreen and insect repellent. And if you’ve got enough bag space, accessories like a hat, sunnies, and portable fan will also help you brave the heat.
Next, be sure to pack in some snacks for your day trip. There are no convenience stores on Sisters’ Islands, so you’ll have to prep your own food and drinks in advance. As we didn’t want to lug heavy bags around, we brought lighter bites like buns and muffins for our trip, plus a picnic mat for extra vibes.
Last but not least, remember to bring a swimsuit, towels, and a fresh change of clothes if you’re planning to swim. There are no private showers on the island, but you’ll still be able to take a quick rinse outdoors before leaving.
– What to see at Sisters’ Islands –
1. Floating Boardwalk
IG-worthy boardwalk with gorgeous water views
Located right next to the jetty, the floating boardwalk was the first attraction we laid eyes on when our ferry arrived at Big Sister’s Island.
You can enter the boardwalk (no.6 on the map) from 2 points on the island.
It spans a total of 220m and connects the entrance and South-Western end of the island, making it the perfect spot to either start or end your trek round the marine park.
We personally walked the boardwalk twice – once from both entrances – and both times, we thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the sea breeze, while taking in gorgeous views of the clear waters below.
Check out this stunning view from the boardwalk.
Aside from the occasional Kingfisher swooping down to nab some fish, we weren’t lucky enough to spot much wildlife along our walk. However, we hear corals, turtles, and reef fish reside in the area, so we suggest keeping an eye out for them on your stroll.
2. Ocean Network Express Coastal Forest Trail
230m trail with hilltop view deck
If you love nature spotting but hate long hikes, we’ve got good news for you – Big Sister’s Island’s Ocean Network Express Coastal Forest Trail is just 230m long, meaning you’ll be able to complete it in just 10 to 15 minutes.
Aside from the few flights of stairs you’ll have to climb to access it, the short and sweet trail is a super easy hike, with nicely paved pathways and barely any bumps along the road. Keep a lookout for plants like the Mangrove Fan Palm, plus animals like bats, snakes, and cockroach wasps.
In the middle of your hike, you’ll find this 2-storey hilltop deck that’s definitely one of the main highlights of the trail.
The view from the deck.
Simply climb 2 short flights of stairs, and you’ll be treated to this photo-worthy bird’s-eye view of the Singapore Strait.
3. Lagoon Tidal Pool
Picturesque lagoon to take a dip in
Feeling parched from the hot sun? Go for a refreshing swim at the Lagoon Tidal Pool. This aesthetic spot gives us lowkey Maldives vibes, with crystal clear waters and a white sandy beach ideal for romantic strolls along the shoreline.
BTW, the lagoon was reconstructed in a way that protects it from wave-induced erosion, whilst encouraging the growth of the flora and fauna that live here. Over time, it is expected to house a stunning array of marine ecosystems, which snorkellers will be able to catch glimpses of underwater.
4. Sheltered rest spots
Clean resting areas to hide from the sun
As fulfilling as it is to spend a day exploring the great outdoors, there’ll definitely come a time when you’ll want some shelter from the scorching heat. Thankfully, the island has a couple of sheltered rest spots scattered around, equipped with clean wooden benches and wheelchair-accessible ramps.
We decided to lay down our picnic mat and stop for a quick lunch break here. Do note that there are no food stalls and vending machines on the island, so you’ll have to pack some snacks for a quick nibble.
5. Water Tower & Solar Farm
A closer look at the island’s conservation efforts
Water tower (left) & solar farm (right).
Before you leave the island, don’t forget to check out its water tower and solar farm. FYI, Big Sister’s Island is fully powered by solar energy, and you can see all 88 solar panels it relies on at this solar farm. Nearby, there’s also a huge water tower that stores up to 8,000 litres of water for usage in the toilets on the island.
Bonus: clean toilets & shower area
While we’re on the topic of toilets, we can’t leave out how pleasantly surprised we were by the cleanliness of the toilets here.
For starters, the cubicles were all squeaky clean, and complete with cosy wooden flooring and spotless sinks. There are even changing rooms for those who want to change out of their swimsuits.
Though there are currently no showers inside the toilet, those who need a quick wash can head to the outdoor shower facility, which has high and low taps for full-body showers or a quick foot rinse.
Explore the newly reopened Sisters’ Islands Marine Park
If you’re looking for a new island to whisk yourself away to, there are a tonne of exciting new attractions to explore at the revamped Sisters’ Islands. The gorgeous nature spot is also super easy to navigate, and has a bunch of accessible facilities that make it perfect for a family outing.
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Find out more about Sisters’ Islands Marine Park here
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Photography by Andrea Wong.