Just a bumboat away
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 Ubins 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 1960s. The
island is home to Singapores 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
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
Ubins 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 Ubins 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.
