Pulau Ubin cycling eco walk

Pulau Ubin is a boomerang-shaped island located off the North Eastern shore of mainland Singapore. For most Singaporeans, Pulau Ubin certainly needs little introduction and if you wish to experience the Singapore of the 60s with its kampong charm and rustic ambience, then this is the place to head for on any weekend.

Pulau Ubin has been designated as a natural sanctuary for flora and fauna and to be maintained as a place for outdoor recreation and adventure. For nature lovers looking to enjoy the natural vegetation and the laidback kampong atmosphere, leisure walking or cycling is the way to go about exploring the many unending natural intrigues Ubin throws up. One place the visitor should not miss is the Chek Java mangrove area.

For the first time visitor, there is little fear of getting lost as the tarmac roads and tracks are distinctive and easy-to-follow. There are also many signs along the way including slopes and end-of-trail warnings to prevent anyone from venturing into unmarked tracks.

Currently, National Parks Board has added social amenities like toilets, rain shelters as well as new campsites and cycling/ hiking trails on the island. There are plans to add more 'interpretative' signs and storyboards around the island to introduce the different species of flora and fauna to the visitors. In the near future, there are also plans to include a "mangrove walk" on Ubin.

For more info on Pulau Ubin, pls visit NParks official website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg

Getting There...

To reach Pulau Ubin, one needs to take a 10-minute bumboat journey from Changi Village jetty. The bumboat service operates from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm by private operators. The fare for a single trip is $1.50 at all times, $2.50 if you are bringing a bike over. The boat will only leave the jetty when there are 12 passengers, or if someone is willing to charter the whole boat for S$18.00

To get to Changi Village, please take SBS no: 2 , 29.:

View map of Changi Village

Please check our calendar for the next Ubin Cycling or Eco-Trail Walk.

Ubin Cycling

Cycling is the quickest way to see most of the island and the cycling trails range from relatively easy level tarred roads to challenging undulating off-road terrain. Bicycles can be rented at the village and you can obtain a hand-drawn but detailed map of Ubin from most of the bicycle vendors. Whatever your skill level, you're sure to have a day of fun on the island.

We shall meet at 0845hrs at the POSB ATM machine in Changi Village and take the bumboat across to Pulau Ubin. Once over, we shall collect our rental bikes and start our cycling around the island. We shall cycle till late afternoon with lunch in-between. By 5:30 pm, we should be back to Changi ( by bumboat again ).

This is a free-n-easy day cycling trip and each person will take care of his/her own expenses ( return bumboat transfers, all meals, bike rental, and all drinks ). All cyclists are advised to bring along a small personal First Aid Kit, insect repellent, as well as sun protection gear (sun block, sun cap/hat). On sunny days, adequate hydration is necessary and participants must remember to drink plenty of water to prevent heat exhaustion. Sketch maps of the island can be obtained at the bicycle-rental shops there.

Ubin Eco-Trail Walk

Walking is the best way to enjoy the rustic and idyllic kampong charm of Ubin as most of the trails are well shaded by the dense canopy of trees. There are many routes to choose from as you set off from the main village. You can either choose to explore the eastern or western parts of the island, or both. Along the coastline, you can find newly-hatched fishes, prawns, crabs and other creatures in the mangrove swamps which make up most of the coastline. Further into the heart of the island, secondary forests thrive, interspersed by small rubber plantations and coconut groves. There're still pockets of thick and dense secondary forest replete with a large variety of flora and fauna. You can also trek up to Puaka Hill, at 75m the highest point on Ubin, which overlooks a beautiful quarry pool. Any eco ramble will certainly bring out the nature-loving side of most of us and participants can look forward to a whole day of peacefulness of back-to-nature walk on a lazy weekend afternoon.

What To Bring and Wear ...

• water ( at least 1 litre )
• comfortable walking shorts & T-shirts
• 1 fresh T-shirt to change into after a sweaty walk
• sun hat & sunblock lotion
• mosquito rebellent
• rain-jacket / poncho / small umbrella ( in case of rains )