Did you know Singapore is a city of not just one but 64 islands?!
And Sentosa is the largest offshore island of them all.
Singapore can sometimes be a little overwhelming and hectic at times, especially after you had experienced taking public transport during the peak hours. A visit to Sentosa for a fun filled, enjoyable day will take you away from the hustle and bustle. While majority of the island’s attractions requires an entry fee, however, there are also plenty of things to do and see without having to spend a penny!
Best time to visit
Singapore’s weather remains consistent throughout the year with consistent temperature. The temperature varies from 24°C to 32°C and makes the island an all year vacation destination. Being an island surrounded by ocean from all sides keeps the climate sunny for most of the year.
April to June are the warmest months here, with humidity between the range of 70% to 80%. These are the slowest months regarding tourism here, so the cost of accommodation and lodging is cheaper than usual. Tourists most likely experience rains during November to March, and around June to September.
Ways of getting into Sentosa
Getting to the island resort is fairly accessible by going to Harbourfront via Circle Line (CC29) or North-east Line (NE1). From there, there are 4 different ways to get onto Sentosa Island.
- Cable Car – This is the most expensive yet the best way to get to the island. It is both scenic and thrilling, with full views of Singapore’s skyline, the island, and its attractions. There are two cable car lines: Mount Faber and Sentosa. This mode of travel is kinda pricey at S$35 round trip per adult.
- Sentosa Express – Head into VivoCity mall and up to third floor. There is a Express Monorail Station to Sentosa with ticketing counters and machines. You can either purchase a Sentosa Express ticket or use an EZ-link card to deduct the fare. The cost is S$4 whereby you get to ride the monorail unlimitedly within the island.
- RWS8 Bus – Bus Service RWS8 is a shuttle route between Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) on Sentosa Island and HarbourFront on the mainland. You may catch the bus from the bus stops outside VivoCity mall or HarbourFront Center. The route charges a flat fare of S$1, inclusive of the Sentosa admission fee.
- Sentosa Boardwalk – From Harbourfront Station, take Exit E to VivoCity and take escalator up to the 1st level of VivoCity. Follow the direction to “Sentosa Boardwalk” and walk across the scenic boardwalk for about 15-minutes. This boardwalk has a portion equipped with covered travellators (moving walkways) that make your journey a little easier. Best part? It’s FREE!
Getting around
- By Foot – It is possible to explore the island by walking, especially if you’re fit enough to walk for hours. There are maps and signboards all over Sentosa island so it’s easy to navigate around.
- Sentosa Express – Sentosa Express is free for travel once you are on the island. There are 4 stations: VivoCity, Waterfront (where Resort World Sentosa is located at), Imbiah Station (where Madam Tussauds Museum is located at) and Beach Station (where all the beaches are located at). Do note that the Sentosa Express charges a S$4 fare if you enter from VivoCity station.
- Sentosa Line Cable Car – Sentosa Line cable car has 3 stations: Merlion Station, Siloso Point Station and Imbiah Lookout Station. This cable car line only operates within Sentosa and it’s a separate ticket from Mount Faber Line.
- Island Shuttle Bus – Another free transport service, the shuttle buses go on different routes across the whole island.
- Beach Trams – The beach trams only operate within the beach area. It starts from Beach Station and goes to Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach. The frequency of beach tram is every 10-minutes.
Selfie with the tallest Merlion in Singapore
At 37-meters above ground, the Merlion is said to guard the prosperity of Singapore. You can even climb to the top of Merlion and take in the breathtaking views of Sentosa and Singapore’s southern shores. Upon entering the attraction, you get to collect prosperity coins and receive a little souvenir from the mercub’s mouth.
Update: Sadly, the Merlion was demolished since 20 October, 2019.
Enjoy a tranquil walk at Sentosa Nature Discovery
Just a short distance away from the bustle of Imbiah Lookout, the Sentosa Nature Discovery gallery provides visitors an interactive exhibition of interesting facts and colourful displays of the flora and fauna on the island. After which, visitors can embark into a nature trail to experience a different and more tranquil side of the island. The Sentosa Nature Discovery gallery is open from 9am to 5pm daily with last entry at 4.45 pm. Admission to the gallery is free.
Learn Singapore’s war history at Fort Siloso
Built in the 19th century, Fort Siloso survived the World War II and is home to Singapore’s largest collection of WWII memorabilia. Don’t miss out the Surrender Chambers immersive show that depicts events in Singapore’s history starting from Japanese invasion until their surrender at the end of WWII. There are free tours available every 2nd and 3rd Saturday of the month but you need register in advance.
Do not miss the Fort Siloso Skywalk, a 11-storey high and 181-meters long Skywalk trail with scenic view among the treetops. Admission is free for both the Skywalk and Fort Siloso.
Awed at Singapore’s most luxury estate at Sentosa Cove
If you haven’t heard of it yet, Sentosa Cove is where the rich build their dream houses. There are also luxurious serviced-apartments for rental and hotels for luxurious tourists. So, don’t be surprised if you see hundreds of yachts parking at the dock here. To get here, you can take either 1) Sentosa Cove shuttle bus ($2 per ride) from VivoCity, or 2) Sentosa Bus B (free) from Sentosa’s Beach Station. Alternatively, you can also follow the jogging trail from Palawan Beach by following the sign.
Window shopping at Resort World Sentosa
Take a leisurely stroll along the Festive Walk, a vibrant promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The Galleria is home to several luxury boutiques and designer stores. Even if you’re not planning to make a purchase, you can still enjoy browsing through the shops and soaking in the luxurious ambiance. Every evening, there is free light and sound shows happening around the resort as well.
Have fun at the beach
Sentosa has not one, not two, but THREE beaches. All of them are located at the south of the island. So, if you’re taking Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity, you can drop at Beach Station to visit these beaches.
- Siloso Beach – This is the beach for the adventurous. There are plenty of thrill activities here such as Bungee Jumping, Megazip and Wavehouse. The beach itself is where fun-loving people are often seen playing volleyball, football or Frisbee.
- Palawan Beach – There is an iconic suspension bridge that connects the beach and a small islet dubbed the southernmost point of Continental Asia.
- Tanjong Beach – The quietest and furthest beach among all. It is the favorite beach for people who are looking for tranquility and with dogs.
Other attractions
If you have a bigger budget for Sentosa, there are tons of things to do that one day is not enough! From thrill-seeking activities such as iFly and Bungy Jump to family-friendly Madame Tussauds museum and Universal Studio Singapore, there is always something for everyone.
Lastly, if you want to keep a track of all my photos and travels, remember to follow @wanderrsaurus on Instagram!
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