141. Pulau Ubin, Singapore

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Why

If you like hiking and nature and a cool boat ride, then visiting the island of Pulau Ubin is for you. The immigration office was actually impressed when I told him I went to Ubin as its affectionately called. I can’t take credit for doing this on my own though; two airport personnel who runs the Singapore Transit Tour told me about this treasure when I asked them for a place to go that many people go.

 

 

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Where

Pulau Ubin is an island located off the north eastern coast of Singapore and just over the country line from Malaysia. It is accessible by boat only.

 

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How To Get Here

The best way to get to take a taxi from the Singapore Changi Airport to the Boat Terminal in Changi Village. From there you take a ferry to the island. They run all day long, but more frequently during the daylight hours tapering off at sunset. You can always take a bus as well, but it requires a few changes. It’s typically very hot in Singapore, so you have to be prepared for this option.

By Train

There is no train service the island. However, there is the SMRT which has service in Singapore itself and there is also service provided by the Singapore LTA. If you want a bit of luxury, you can take the Oriental Express from Bangkok to Singapore. Once in Singapore, you can take the bus or a cab out to Changi and then the ferry to the island.

By Plane

The closest commercial airport to Changi is Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), the home of Singapore Airlines, Scoot and SilkAir. The airport is in the town of Changi from where you will take the ferry to Pulau Ubin.

The following airlines has service to Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN):

All Nippon Airlines (NH), Air France (AF), Air Niugini (PX), Air Mauritius (MK), Air India (AI), Air India Express (IX), Air Asia Zest (Z2), Air China (CA), Air New Zealand (NZ), British Airways (BA), Batik Air (ID), Bangkok Airways (PG), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (BS), Cebu Pacific Air (5J), China Eastern Airlines (MU), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), Emirates (EK), EVA Airways (BR), Etihad Airways (EY), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Fiji Airways (FJ), Firefly (FY), Finnair (AY), Garuda Indonesia (GA), Indonesia Air Asia (QZ), IndiGo Airlines (6E), Jetstar Asia (3K), Japan Airlines (JL), Jet Airways (9W), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Myanmar Airways International (8M), Korean Airlines (KE), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), Lion Air (JT), Oman Air (WY), Philippine Airlines (PR), Qantas (QF), Regent Airways (RX), Royal Brunei Airlines (BI), Scoot (TZ), Saudi Arabian Airlines (SV), Swiss Airlines (LX), Sichuan Airlines (3U), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Shenzhen Airlines (ZH), SriLankan (UL), SilkAir (MI), TOR Air (OD), Tiger Airways (TR), Turkish Airlines (TK), Thai Lion Air (SL), Thai Asia Airways (FD), United Airlines (UA), Uzbekistan Airways (HY), Vietnam Airlines (VN), Vietjet Air (VX) and Xiamen Air (MF).

By Bus

You can take the following buses from say Malaysia to Singapore, then take a combination of two to three public buses to get to Changi. You can book directly with some of the bus services below or book online at an online agency called Bus Online Ticket. Once in the city of Singapore, take a taxi or local bus to Changi and then the ferry to the island:

• – Five Stars Express
• – Grassland Royal VIP Express
• – KKKL Express
• – Transtar Express

By Car

If you are already in the region you can take the drive. Just use a service like Google Maps for directions to Changi. Once in Changi, you have to take a local ferry.

By Ferry

You can take a ferry from nearby Tanjung Belungkor, Malaysia to Changi, Singapore. You may book on Direct Ferries or directly with the Ferry carrier, Limbongan Maju Ferry Services. Once in Changi, you must take the bumper boats to the island. These are located at the Changi Point Ferry Terminal. The bumpboats run 24 hours (signs also say they run from 5:30a to 9p) and cost 3.00 SGD per person. Only 12 people max per boat and they have no set departure times. If you wish to leave when you are ready, just pay the total 36 SGD and you have a charter all to yourself. I did that on the way over as I was losing the sunlight. On the way back, I paid 9 SGD as there were only four of us and we all agreed to the price. The driver does not really care as long as there are no more than 12 of you and he gets his 36 SGD for the ride. It is cash only and the boat Captain is in charge.

There is also a ferry from Pengerang Johor, Malaysia to Changi Point, Singapore Ferry Terminal as well.

 

 

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Where To Stay

There is only one hotel (Celestial Ubin Beach Resort) on the island and three official campsites (Machor, Maman and Jelutong).

There are a few hotels on the mainland in the Changi area, including the Village Hotel Changi, The Treehouse Villa, The Seaview Resort, The Aloha Changi, The Changi Cove and the Aloha Resort to name a few. You may also, stay at the airport hotels including the Crowne Plaza that is actually on the airport property.

 

==>> You can find a list of hotels from TripAdvisor here.

==>> Try Airbnb.

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Where To Eat

As you land on the island and take a short walk, you can see that there are a few places to eat near the harbour.

 

 

If you want more to eat, then you can do that in Changi at The Hawkers Market, Charlie’s Corner, Changi Village Seafood, Little Island Brewing, Tang Teahouse or Jacob’s Cafe. There are many other places to eat there as well.

 

==>> You can find a list of restaurants from TripAdvisor here.

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What To Do

You have to take the Bumpboat to go over to the island; this in and of itself is pretty cool. Taking a kayak tour, renting a bike, walking and hiking around the island are the main activities here. Plus they have a Temple that’s worth visiting.

 

 

 

 

==>> Here is a list of things to do from Trip Advisor.

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Additional Information

Language: English, Malay

Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)

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