If Phase 2(HA)'s gotten you a little bored with no dining in available right now, we're here to remind you that just a little off the east of Singapore lies one of Singapore’s hidden treasures?. A quiet island with an abundance of activity opportunities,Pulau Ubin is home to one of Singapore’s last kampongs, scenic hills and quarries, and an intertidal beach filled to the brim with native marine life. Just hop onto a Pulau Ubin ferry and you're one step closer to exploring Singapore's very own Ubin Island!
Here’s How You Can Explore Ubin In A Day
1. Renting A Bicycle
Pulau Ubin's only a fifteen minute boat ride away, so it won't take long to get there! And once you set foot onto the island and head over to Ubin's main town, you'll notice the many rows of bicycles waiting for you to rent them! At just $7-$10 for a day's worth, getting around Ubin can be really cheap and easy. All you have to do is pick up a bike and start exploring!
Credit: Siti Ayeeshah
Alternatively, you could also rent a taxi to get around the island. That costs about $24 for a round trip from the jetty to anywhere on the island! Of course, it depends on where you're going so do speak to the taxi uncles at the taxi stand next to the jetty before hopping on.
Time Needed: 10 minutes
Oh and, if free and easy's not your thing, perhaps try a tour!
2. Chek Jawa
One must visit on Ubin is Chek Jawa, an intertidal beach on the island. If you’ve chosen to cycle, Chek Jawa is only a fifteen to twenty minute cycle from the jetty!
Credit: Siti Ayeeshah
A miracle of an area, it houses 6 different habitats. Find out more about how unique Chek Jawa is with an NParks tour! Nowhere else in Singapore can you find such a dense diversity of flora and fauna. From fiddler crabs to sea anemones, and even octopi, you definitely won't be disappointed.
Credit: Siti Ayeeshah
Chek Jawa is also home to House No.1, which was built in the 1930s as a holiday retreat for the Chief Surveyor of Singapore. Filled with history, it now serves as Chek Jawa’s Visitor Centre and is home to one of the most beautiful views on the island. And for even more gorgeous scenery along the mangrove board walk is also Jejawi Tower, which provides you with a bird's eye view of the area.
Time Needed: 1 hour
P.S. You could also explore Ubin's mangroves in a very different way!
2. Balai Quarry
As you head back from Chek Jawa to the main road, you'll find yourself at Balai Quarry. Pulau Ubin is filled quarries just like Balai Quarry's! Did you know that Pulau Ubin means ‘Granite Island’ in Malay? The granite was even used in the construction of our Causeway and Istana! Once a mining site for granite, Pulau Ubin's mining sites have since been turned into habitats for the creatures on Ubin.
Time Needed: 10 minutes
3. Sensory Trail
As you head back to the main jetty, you'll be greeted with a clearing on the side of the road that says 'Sensory Trail'. Ride in to enjoy Ubin's very own sensory garden, and if you walk far in enough, you'll find a quiet little beach that's a lesser known spot to most visitors!
Credit: Siti Ayeeshah
Time Needed: 1.5 hours
P.S. Looking for something a little more adventurous on Ubin? Try camping!
4. Lunch
What's an adventure without food? After a few hours of exploring, anyone is bound to be starving. Fortunately once you hit the jetty area again you'll have many food options to choose from.
Credit: Siti Ayeeshah
HHWT recommends Encik Hassan's Cafe! Situated right next to the main jetty, Encik Hassan's cafe serves the most delicious Malay dishes. An Ubin local favourite, it's a must try for anyone who visits Ubin. And at the end of the meal, pick a shop around the area for some ice cream or cold coconut drink to refresh and relax.
And if you're not feeling too hungry yet, hold off on lunch and grab a meal at Changi Village!
Time Needed: 1.5 hours
Encik Hassan's Cafe
Halal Status: Muslim-Owned
Opening hours: 6.30am to 3pm (weekends only)
5. Butterfly Hill & Pekan Quarry
Recharged? ?
Cycle down to Butterfly Hill and Pekan Quarry for some Instagrammable shots! Butterfly Hill is only the size of a football field but it's filled with over 50 types of butterfly-attracting plants and right next to it is Pekan Quarry! Hop off your bike and take some shots to make your Instagram feed pop with flowers and butterflies!
Credit: Siti Ayeeshah
Time Needed: 1 hour
That's certainly not the end of Ubin, but it is plenty of it! It's absolutely possible to explore Ubin in a day. For more things to do you might want to read HHWT's very own Ubin guide for lesser known spots on Ubin ?
Grab a friend and light up this phase 2 (HA) with Ubin adventures!