Just a bumboat away Â…
Bumboats operate from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal from as early as 6 a.m. until at least 8 p.m. The ride takes ten minutes and costs $2 per person ($2 extra if you are bringing your bicycle) each way. There are no scheduled departure times to and from Ubin, as bumboats set off only when there are 12 passengers.
About the Island
Shaped like a boomerang, Pulau Ubin (Granite Island) is situated just off the northeastern corner of mainland Singapore. The 1020-hectare island was once a cluster of 5 smaller ones separated by tidal rivers, but the building of bunds for prawn farming has since united these into a single island. Two other islets, Pulau Ketam (Crab Island) and Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island), lie to its south.
Ubin is largely a series of undulating, granite hills. In the early days, granite mining supported a few thousand settlers. Much of the original vegetation was cleared for the cultivation of rubber and crops like coffee, pineapple, coconut and jasmine. Today, abandoned granite quarries remain as picturesque relics of UbinÂ’s history, while forests and grasslands have regenerated to cover up the ravages of the past.
Life on Ubin
A trip to Pulau Ubin is a throwback to Singapore in the 1960’s. The island is home to Singapore’s last villages or “kampongs” – there are still about a hundred villagers living here. In contrast to the modern and efficient public utilities on mainland Singapore, Ubin residents rely on wells for water and noisy diesel generators for electricity. Some villagers depend on traditional farming and fishing for subsistence, while others tend to their provision stores and eateries. At the main village, near the jetty, some houses have been converted to bicycle rental shops to support a quiet tourist trade.
Activities
Ubin provides a much-needed escapade from the hustle and bustle of city life in Singapore. Its natural and rustic charm draws about 300,000 visitors each year. The idyllic setting is ideal for outdoor activities.
Rent a bicycle, or bring your own, to visit villages scattered round the island. Ride through coconut and rubber plantations, or pause at fruit orchards Â… perhaps you will chance upon a few durians or mangosteens!
Bring your tents and head out for beach campsites at Noordin and Mamam. Try your hand at fishing, or gaze at the myriad stars of UbinÂ’s night sky. For a more comfortable stay, the Marina Country Club Ubin Resort has well furnished chalets and a swimming lagoon.
If you like being close to nature, join our guided tours and discover UbinÂ’s amazing diversity of plants and animals. Look for the handsome Red Junglefowl, ancestor of the domestic chicken, and watch the antics of the Oriental Pied Hornbill. Perhaps, you will come face to face with a Wild Pig, or even the very rare Leopard Cat. Learn about the interesting adaptations of our mangrove plants and marvel at the beautiful blooms of their seashore cousins.
Safety Guidelines
Exercise responsibility for your personal safety.
Consult the National Parks Board if you are planning a group activity. Refrain from setting up any markers, checkpoints or signs without authorization.
Use only designated roads and tracks, and keep to the left, in a single file.
Keep away from granite quarries, ponds and rivers.
Put on protective gear when cycling and ensure that your bicycle is in good working condition before setting off. When cycling downhill or negotiating a bend, switch to a lower gear and slow down by braking gently.
Water from public toilets and wells is not suitable for drinking or bathing.
Avoid feeding, touching, harassing or capturing any wild animal. Hornets and wild bees are potentially dangerous when disturbed – stay clear of any nest or hive and report its location to the National Parks Board immediately.
