The news was out recently that Singaporeans are unlikely to be able to travel for leisure this year due to COVID 19 situation. Well, why not explore within Singapore.
It was during the Mar school holiday that we went to Sentosa island, this is the first time that I explored Sentosa Island without any foreign tourists. There are so much to do in Sentosa Island and you could explore the whole day with the attraction pass.
Sentosa free transport
If you are coming with your own car, park at the underground car park and come up with an elevator near the Resort World Casino. You should also take advantage of the free internal transport within the island once you arrived in Sentosa.
Sentosa Express
The monorail is actually linked from Vivo City 3rd level, the station will provide easy access to and from the HarbourFront MRT station. If you are coming with your own transport, you can ride the monorail within the island. there are 3 stations on the island, Resort World Station, Imbiah Station, and Beach Station.
If you are coming in from Vivo City, you have to pay SGD 4.00 but if you coming in with your own transport and park in the underground car park, you can ride for free.
Sentosa Beach Shuttle
For those who don’t like to walk, you can travel with the beach shuttle, hopping from different beaches in Sentosa.
Lake of Dreams
You can watch flaming dragon, water cannons, and laser special effects come together in a dazzling choreographed show at night. Located not very far from the Universal Studio.
During the day, it is just a huge fountain with few statues displaying around the water.
Festive Walk Sentosa
Festive Walk is great for ladies who love shopping including both international and luxury brands. It is actually in the heart of the Sentosa and provides shopping and restaurants altogether.
Universal Studio Singapore
Universal Studio is one of the highlights in Sentosa, some of the must-do rides are 3D Transformers ride, Revenge of the Mummy, and Battlestar Galactica Coaster for adrenaline junkies lovers. There are two water riders so bring along a spare set of clothes.
The operating hours in July 2020 are as below but it may change so do check online before you visit.
Operating days: Thursday to Sunday
Operating hours: 2.00pm to 9.00pm
*Closed from Monday to Wednesday
Visit the Aquarium
A few years ago we visited the SEA Aquarium and I think it is one of the best underwater worlds. Tickets are limited each day during the pandemic period and on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are holding open-dated tickets and pass holders, then you are required to make a reservation before your visit.
Trick Eye Museum
The trick eye museum has 3-dimensional artwork which allows you to have an unusual experience. Great for fun pictures with your loved ones and friends. There are about 80 optical illusion paintings and installation which will boggle your mind. The paintings on the walls, ceilings, and ground bring you into the setting of a scene and you become part of the artwork! I enjoyed it so much.
Madame Tussauds Singapore
If you have not been to any wax museum, then come visit at least once. You will be able to meet many famous celebrity from Hollywood and all over the world. Below is my moment with Oprah.
Wings of Time Light Show
As I said, you can spend whole day in Sentosa Island. Wings of Time is one of the best light shows in the world, you will learn about Singapore culture, history, and future technologies from this fabulous fire, water, and laser light show. Tickets are always fully booked and there are few shows throughout the night. Currently is closed due to COVID 19 situation. We have been once a few years ago and I will tell everyone who visits Sentosa, not to miss this show.
Skyline Luge Sentosa
This is fun and we tried several times when we visited Sentosa. I can tell you once is never enough so buy multiple rides or combo tickets and experience different routes. You will enjoy it for sure. The ride is quite safe.
KidZania Kidz City
This is an indoor entertainment center for kids where children get to experience work like adults through many different role-play activities. Currently closed due to Circuit Breaker
Segway Ride
The two-wheeled Segway is the new way to move around. A little pricey but if you have not done it before, go try out in Sentosa. They will be staff briefing you on how to use it for the first few minutes and a guided tour will start.
Exploring the beaches free
If you don’t want to spend any money on the attractions tickets, then visit the beach in Sentosa. There are in total beaches in Sentosa, spanning about 2km. Siloso, Tanjong, and Palawan are the three beaches in Sentosa.
Palawan Beach
The iconic suspension bridge is at Palawan Beach, it makes great photo opportunities with the bridge as the backdrop.
Siloso Beach
There are activities at Siloso beach such as bungee jumping and flying down a zip-line at 60kph at iFly Singapore and water-jetpacking at Ola Beach Club. Beach sports such as volleyball and frisbee are welcome to do it here.
Few bars are available in Silosa Beach, you can grab your favorite drinks and suntan on the deck chairs provided here.
Is it really the southernmost point of continental Asia?
After you cross over the suspension bridge, you will reach the big sign of “Southernmost Point of Continental Asia”. The claim of being the southernmost point of continental Asia has been open to debate. Since the island is connected by a suspension bridge, it’s technically not part of continental Aisa. Well, maybe the big sign is to attract attention from the tourists.
Go Conquer the Wooden Tower
Next, there are two tall wooden towers in front waiting for you to conquer them. It is not very high up, about 3 storeys high with viewing decks that make a great vantage point to see many ships and boats travel along the Singapore Strait.
You will be able to view the Siloso Skywalk near Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa Hotel. Can you spot the skywalk?
Fort Siloso Sky Walk
Believe it or not, it was my first time to explore Fort Siloso Skywalk even I have been to Sentosa many times. I have never explored this part of Sentosa yet. Towering 11 storeys high and stretching 181 meters long, the Skywalk trail provides you with a scenic treetop trek on the way to Fort Silosa. What I love about it is free of charge. There are lifts to bring you up to the Skywalk.
Fort Siloso is located on a quiet corner of Sentosa, the interesting part is you get to ride the 11 storey high skywalk lift to come up the top of the skywalk. You will be rewarded with beautiful scenery of the surrounding of lush greenery facing the Harbourfront bay and Reflections at Keppel Bay. Singapore luxury waterfront residential complex, Reflection at Keppel Bay can also view it from here, super cool.
Fort Siloso Museum
The skywalk will bring you to Fort Siloso. Singapore’s only well-preserved coastal fort that served as part of the country’s defenses. The on-site military museum contains artifacts and old video clips of the Second World War.
The tunnel entrance is quite interesting and provides an eerie walk when you are about the enter, the labyrinth of underground tunnels house soldiers of wartime, performing their duty. Glad that the restoration is done and I wonder why this is a free attraction site but provide us so much to see.
You can do a self-guided tour at your own leisure. It was a hot day when we visited the museum but glad that the buildings inside offer shade and cold air. This is an excellent way to learn about Singapore during the Japanese Occupation.
The best part of this is, free of charge for this site.
The Forum in Sentosa
Where to eat in Sentosa? Go to the Forum and you will find many eateries both in the basement and first floor.
Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh
There are so many eateries in Sentosa but we choose to have Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh. It is about 2 min walk from the SEA Aquarium, located in the Basement of the Forum.
The must-have is the Peppery Bak Kut Teh, Peanut, Taukua(or bean curd), Taupok, and the salted vegetable. It is interesting to find out that the restaurant is self serve. First, you pay then you collect your dishes. Upon finishing your meal, you have to return the tray back to the tray return area so that you can have your tray deposit back. One dollar each for each tray. They have quite a few staff but all standing and do nothing. Ng Ah Sio is a famous Bak Kut Teh brand in Singapore but over here in Sentosa I was kind of disappointed with their standard. The Bak Kut Teh soup served was not hot enough so it was not satisfying at all. How can your soup is not even warm when served?
We purchased the Klook voucher to dine at Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh thinking it would be cheaper and more worth it. But the thing is you can only order the items from the A-la-carte menu and not the set meal. So I think there is no point to use the Klook voucher at all as the set meals are certainly more worth it.
You can find more information at the youtube below:
5 comments
We used to spend a lot of time on Sentosa island when we lived in Singapore. For us, it was all about the beaches! Sounds like they have some great newer attractions that weren’t open during our time there now.
I have always wanted to visit Singapore but with the pandemic, many plans had to be rescheduled and just plain cancelled. However, this post felt like a virtual trip there and I’d love to visit Sentosa Island in the future, so much fun things to do there!
Looks like such a fun place to visit. I’m still nervous to travel right now but it’s nice to see places reopening and life slowly coming back.
COVID has definitely changed everything. We haven’t gone anywhere since March and likely won’t until next year.
We just missed out on visiting Sentosa Island the last time we were in Singapore. Reading this has convinced me I need to return for a third time!