Island stories on "Tales from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum"

Stories of Singapore's many islands!

Listen to the podcast - Tales from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, exploring Singapore’s famous myths and legends: https://tinyurl.com/lkcnhmtales1

Shore to Shore: Explore the Southern Islands

Shore to Shore is a student-led programme dedicated to revitalising interest in these islands.

By focusing on the intersections of folklore, biodiversity, and family, we celebrate the unique cultural and ecological heritage of places like St John’s Island, once a quarantine station; Kusu Island, known for its annual pilgrimage; and Sisters’ Islands, steeped in legend and home to Singapore’s first marine park.

The programme aims to inspire long-term stewardship and preservation of both the tangible and intangible heritage found across these southern shores.

More details on their website: https://shoretoshore.wixstudio.com/tf-nus

St John's and Kusu Island public jetties closed from 24 Apr 2025

The public jetties at St John's Island and Kusu Island will be closed from 24 Apr 2025 possibly for a year. 

During this period, St John’s Island and Kusu Island remain accessible to the public via alternative jetties. Visitors can access St John’s Island and Kusu Island via Seringat jetty and Kusu Island main jetty, respectively.

100k Coral Initiative plus new coral facility at St John's Island

100k Corals Initiative announced: to plant corals in Singapore over the next 10 years and beyond. A new facility at Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre, St. John's Island will grow corals for this effort. Corals will be cultivated by coral restoration experts and researchers from the National University of Singapore at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory. 

A training programme will also be developed by NParks, St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory and Friends of Marine Park for citizen science monitoring of the transplanted corals. Volunteers will be trained to assist with coral husbandry and underwater monitoring techniques. More details of volunteer training opportunities will be shared when ready.

You can visit the St John's Island facility by joining the guided tour of St John's Island held on the first Sunday of every month. Or do a self-guided tour with the Trail Guide - free for download from the NParks website.

More details: media articles, press release on the wildshores blog.

22 Oct (Sat): Open House at St John's Island Marine Lab

Come meet Singapore's marine biologists and find out more about their work happening right here on our shores. Suitable for the whole family!

There will be seminars, workshops, short research presentations, booths, and guided tours! Programme and other details on the St John's Island Marine Lab website

6 Feb (Sun): Kayak St John's-Tekukor Trail

Join Kayakasia to head for the beautiful St John's island with old growth trees and an even older history. Once, this island was the largest quarantine centre in the world. On this easy and relaxing paddle, we will visit the parkland of St John's island, go on a short nature hike to the Sisters' Island Public Gallery and swim in its clear waters.

Get to also see Pulau Tekukor, St John's almost forgotten neighbour, that is now home to sea eagles that soar our Southern shores!

11 Nov (Thu): Southern Islands kayaking for the family with kayakasia

Visit the parkland of St John's island, go on a short nature hike to the Sisters' Island Public Gallery and swim in its clear waters. Get to also see Pulau Tekukor, St John's almost forgotten neighbour, that is now home to sea eagles that soar our Southern shores!

Suitable for fit beginners and families.

"Welcome to my Island Home" - outings to islands in Sep

Join guided walks to Pulau Hantu, Kusu Island, St John's Island and Pulau Ubin! More details and book tickets here https://mycommunityfestival.sg/programmes/welcome-to-my-island-home/

Organised by My Community and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

7 Feb (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 7 Mar (Sun)

Registration opens on 7 Feb (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 7 Mar (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

Book online before visiting the Marine Park Public Gallery at St John's Island

Update on 3 Jan 2021: To allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy the displays whilst maintaining a comfortable social distance, entry into the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery on St John’s Island is via online booking only.

The maximum number of visitors is capped at 20 pax per session and visits will be limited to 30 minutes. Book a slot to visit the gallery here.

3 Jan (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 7 Feb (Sun)

Registration opens on 3 Jan (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 7 Feb (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

1 Nov (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 6 Dec (Sun)

Registration opens on 1 Nov (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 6 Dec (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

4 Oct (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 1 Nov (Sun)

Registration opens on 4 Oct (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 1 Nov (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

Kusu Island pilgrimage 17 Oct to 19 Nov 2020

During the annual pilgrimage, thousands of visitors are expected to visit Kusu Island from 17 Oct to 19 Nov 2020.  Expect delays due to crowd control measures at Marine South Pier. Parking at the Pier is likely to be limited.

Check out Jerome Lim's awesome blog post for a glimpse into the history behind Kusu Island and the pilgrimage.

6 Sep (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 4 Oct (Sun)

Registration opens on 6 Sep (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 4 Oct (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

Singapore's national marine lab has launched its newsletter - Sakijang Times!

The St John's Island National Marine Laboratory has just recently launched its newsletter series, called Sakijang Times! The name is derived from the Malay name of the island, Pulau Sakijang Bendera. 

In this first issue, you can find interesting stories of people, wildlife, research findings, and the facility upgrades! Check it out here: https://sjinml.nus.edu.sg/sakijang-times/

For young marine scientists in Singapore: applications close 15 May 2020

Specially for youths, get funding to do marine science in Singapore at St. John's Island National Marine Laboratory!

St John's Island intertidal, just opposite the Central Business District.

Applications for the Explore - Young Marine Scientist Award has just been opened. This will be the last call for applications for the year.

Applications open: 13 April 2020
Deadline for submission of applications: 15 May 2020

16 Feb (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 22 Mar (Sun)

Registration opens on 16 Feb (Sun) 10am for the FREE public guided walk on St John's Island by the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory on 22 Mar (Sun). The ticket includes a ferry ride to and from St John’s Island.

There will be a repeat of this walk on 13 Jun (Sun), registration will open on 16 May (Sat) at 10am.

2 Feb (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 1 Mar (Sun)

Registration opens on 2 Feb (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 1 Mar (Sun).

This free 90-minute guided tour (capped at 45 participants) will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail. This land-based trail covers a distance of 1.6km. The tour does NOT go down to the seashore.

16 Feb (Sun): Kayak to St John's Island with kayakasia

Suitable for beginners, paddle to the beautiful St John’s island with old growth trees and an even older history. Once this island was the largest quarantine center in the world. And what did "Sakijang" and "Bendara" had to do with this island?

Besides paddling, we will take you on a short hike among the parkland of St John’s island and also visit the Sisters' Island Public Gallery. On this easy and relaxing paddle, you will travel to one of Singapore's outer islands carbon-free, using your own power. Swim in its clear waters, get close to Pulau Tekukor, see our city's skyline across the sea...