13 Beaches In Singapore

Although Singapore is a tiny island, many people forget that this means it’s home to an array of pretty beaches. A small country with futuristic architecture, a sustainable outlook, endless activities and a thriving art, food and culture scene, sometimes the skyscrapers get a little much, and a beach escape can be just the solution.

Although the beaches in Singapore can’t compare to neighbouring Malaysia or Indonesia, as many of Singapore’s beaches are manmade, they still hold plenty of draw for those looking for a day out. Clean, soft sand, sparkling water and endless activities await, whether you’re just looking to chill out on the sand in beautiful sunshine, participate in water sports or do a little exploring.

Sentosa is Singapore’s most famous island and holds a majority of great beaches, but there are other islands scattered off the southern coast that are arguably more stunning and just as worthy of a visit for their untouched stretches of sand.

13 Beaches In Singapore

1- Siloso Beach

Silosa Beach is one of Singapore’s largest and most popular on Sentosa Island.

On any given day (weather permitting), you’ll find locals, expats and tourists here soaking up the sun, drinking at a beach bar or taking a dip in the sea.

The beach has great eateries, bars, cafes, beach clubs and shops to explore, and plenty of places to rent water sports gear.

During the day, it’s the perfect place to go if you’re not searching for a quiet spot but want a buzz of activity and things to do.

At night, live music, clubs and outdoor dining take centre stage, making it ideal all day long.

Where to stay in Sentosa:

• Siloso Beach Resort 
• Capella Singapore

2- Tanjong Beach

A little further south than Siloso lies Tanjong Beach, one of Singapore‘s most beautiful stretches of sand.

Despite having a reputation as the go-to party beach, the sand and water remains pristine, and the beach is dominated by just one hangout, the Tanjong Beach Club.

White sand, swaying palm trees and not much else gives it desert island vibes, but if you’d prefer to enjoy it from a daybed or over drinks, reserve the club ahead of time.

You can bring a towel and enjoy the beach for yourself, but be aware that parties are thrown frequently, so visit if you’re looking for a good time in paradise.

Recommended experiences: 

• Singapore: Sentosa Mega Adventure Park Ticket
• Singapore: 4-hour Kayak Fishing Tour
• Singapore: Guided Boat Tour and Kelong Fish Farm Visit

3- Changi Beach

This beach is part of the wider Changi Beach Park and stretches for over 3km.

This is where the locals go dog-walking, jogging, cycling or for a summer barbecue, and surprisingly to watch planes thanks to its proximity to Changi Airport.

The water here is pleasantly clear and calm, making it one of the best places to enjoy a swim, plus you can go fishing, camping and more.

Many great food stalls around the area sell affordable, local food, so on a warm day, Changi Beach Park is ideal for a picnic or outdoor lunch by the water. 

Where to stay: Changi Cove

4- Punggol Beach

If you’re searching for a slightly more off-the-beaten-track beach, consider making the MTR trip out to Punggol Beach.

With sand just as soft as any on Sentosa (although there are many boulders too), the beach was the tragic location of the Sook Ching Massacre in 1942.

You’ll find a monument to the event if you wander along this beach, and there are rarely many people here.

It may not be as picture-perfect as the southern beaches, but it sees amazing sunsets, has a variety of excellent restaurants serving fresh seafood and is a popular spot with photographers.

5- Pulau Ubin

Pulau Ubin, or Ubin Island, is one of Singapore’s biggest islands, home to a park, wetlands area, and tranquil beaches.

The island is just 15 minutes by ferry from the Changi Ferry Terminal, after which you can explore vibrant wildlife and historic villages.

The beaches here are secluded and rustic; you won’t find golden sand, deck chairs or blue water, but you can enjoy a tranquil place to walk or soak up the sun by the water or sit on a jetty at sunset.

Surrounded by wild birds and monkeys, you’re also allowed to camp on the island, so it’s popular for weekend getaways in nature, where you can kayak through mangroves, cycle around the island, or spot rare wildlife.

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6- Pasir Ris Beach

Another beach that, like Changi, is part of a wider park, Pasir Ris Beach is a narrow slice of sand that’s surprisingly long and backed by lush parkland, meaning it’s just the spot for a picnic.

Naturally, this makes it extremely popular on sunny days, when families, tourists and everyone else in Singapore head here to enjoy what’s on offer.

Aside from the beach, a mangrove forest, stables, a healing garden, running and cycling paths, birdwatching and a huge playground are just some of the fun things to do here – it’s an entire day out in itself!

Where to stay: Seaside Glamping@Heritage Chalet

7- East Coast Beach

When searching for a beach, you’re probably imagining soft golden sand underfoot, gently lapping waves and low-hanging palm trees, and this accurately describes the popular East Coast beach.

Part of the massive East Coast Park, this is easily the longest beach in Singapore, stretching for 15km, meaning although it’s much loved, you can always find a spot to yourself.

In true Singapore style, the park was designed to have entertainment, exercise and activities for everyone, so aside from sunbathing, swimming and jogging along the water’s edge, there’s everything from martial arts classes to water sports equipment rental, barbecue areas and even camping areas if you want to wake up by the ocean.

8- Sembawang Park

Sembawang Park and its pretty beach is unique for its view, which looks straight into Malaysia.

Unlike almost all of Singapore’s other beaches, this one is completely natural, with the sand just as clean and soft and the waters calm and warm.

The beach is fairly small, so it can get crowded on weekends when people flock here to go fishing or enjoy barbecues.

If you want to avoid the rush, plenty of excellent seafood restaurants are in the immediate vicinity.

9- St. John’s Island

St. John’s is one of Singapore’s more distant islands, beyond Sentosa, right next to Lazarus Island, where a convenient causeway links the two places.

St. John’s Island has just one beach, but it’s truly idyllic and perfect for relaxing, swimming and sunbathing.

Protected by rocky outcrops, the water is very calm, which means it’s also great for kids to swim, plus it’s one of the few beaches from where you can enjoy views of the Singapore skyline.

One of the best things to do at this beach is to discover marine life thanks to its protected lagoon-like shape; at low tide, you can walk along the sand and spot crabs, sea cucumbers, starfish and more, another fun activity for kids.

10- The Sister Islands

Two of Singapore’s southern islands are situated right next to each other: Big Sister (Pulau Subar Laut) and Little Sister (Pulau Subar Darat).

They are part of the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, which holds the main attraction for visitors, as the islands are home to abundant marine life, including 250 species of coral and Singapore’s first turtle hatchery.

The sparkling blue waters here, coupled with tropical fish and reefs, make it extremely popular for swimming and snorkelling, after which you can relax on the sand or catch a ferry back to the mainland, as there’s little infrastructure here.

Unfortunately, the islands are temporarily closed until 2024, so make plans for when they reopen.

11- Hantu Island

Pulau Hantu means ‘Ghost Island’ but this island paradise is far from scary before you get the spooks!

The name comes from an ancient battle between Malay warriors, whose ghosts are rumoured to wander the island to this day, but if you feel a chill, it’s more likely to be an ocean breeze off the stunning turquoise water.

Only 30 minutes from Singapore proper, Hantu Island is made up of two sandy islets with swaying palm trees, undisturbed white sand and incredible coral reefs you could dream of, with dedicated swimming areas and picnic spots.

At low tide, you can walk along the sand between the two ‘islands’, and favourite activities include camping, fishing, snorkelling and diving to see cute creatures like clownfish and nudibranchs.

12- Serangoon Island

Locally known as Coney Island, this is the place for rugged and wild beaches and plenty of untouched nature.

The beaches on Coney Island aren’t postcard perfect, so you’re likely to find your golden sand mixed with long grass and local casuarina trees instead of palms, but you will find far fewer people, crystal clear water and a tonne of outdoor activities.

Make sure to bring a picnic to make a full island adventure of it, with bird spotting, cycling and hiking through mangrove forests all on the cards, along with flora and fauna that are extremely rare and critically endangered.

13- Kusu Island

Kusu means tortoise in Chinese, reflecting the island’s legend, which claims a giant tortoise once saved a group of shipwrecked men by turning into the island, where the men built religious shrines.

These beautiful shrines can still be visited on Kusu, but the coastline is the real draw.

There are two stunning blue lagoons on the island, so swimming, snorkelling and playing in the sand are the best things to do here.

Offshore you can often spot sea turtles swimming in the waves, although you’ll need to bring your own snorkelling gear.

For kids, the island is also home to a dedicated sanctuary where you can visit hundreds of tortoises if you’re looking for an educational experience. 

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