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 $2.00 at all times, $3.00 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$24.00
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.
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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.
Duration : Half A Day
Maximum Altitude: NA
| Grading : |
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| Group Size : |
minimum 20 persons |
| Price : |
FOC |
| Includes: |
Trek leader, Safety briefing, First Aid support |
| Excludes: |
Boat fares, breakfast, lunch, drinking water, personal gear & insurance |
What To Bring & Wear
- water ( at least 1.0 litres )
- 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 )
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Don't be surprised to see crowds on this island as it is one of the favorite getaways for Singaporeans over the weekend. As there are not many natural camping grounds left in Singapore except in Ubin, it is natural that we will see organized groups; students uniformed groups as well as private individuals heading there for adventure activities and overnight camping. Hikers alike will converge onto Changi Point as early as 6am just to queue for the first boat to Ubin. With enough boats availale at quick intervals, we need not worry about not getting over to the island.
Areas of hiking will mainly be the central and eastern side of Ubin. The western part ( more than 1/3 ) of the island is out of bound to the public as it belongs to Outward Bound Singapore. Distance of travelling is an estimated five to seven kilometers ( 5 to 7 km ), which is about 1& 1/3 round of Bedok Reservoir running trail. A pair of good walking / running shoe or sandals with strap can never be left at home. You may ask 'what if one is tired ?' - there is always a taxi or two along the way. However the taxis do not come to the eastern side of the island so you are expected to walk out on your own if we are at Chek Jawa. Children age 7 years and younger are not suitable for this hike as the long distance will tire them out easily. As some parts of the hike will be walking on vehicular lane, one need to watch out for oncoming and bypassing vans and taxis, not to mention throngs of cyclists weaving through the walking crowd. There are not many shelters available when it comes to wet weather, so remember to bring your umbrella or poncho as you will never know when you will need it.
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