3 Best Sights in Singapore

Coney Island Park

Changi Fodor's choice

A lesser-visited gem of a park in the northeast of Singapore, uninhabited Coney Island (aka Pulau Serangoon) boasts hidden white-sand beaches and plenty of mangrove-draped trails through coastal forests, casuarina woodlands, and grasslands filled with flora and fauna. Start at Punggol Point Park, where boats and a bridge go to Coney Island Park. There are five main beach areas, and the 2.5-km-long Coney Island Park Connector to explore by bicycle or walking. GoCycling at Punggol Jetty rents bikes for S$10 an hour. On selected Saturday mornings in the months of June, November, and December, National Parks volunteers conduct two-hour guided walks. Amenities: toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking; cycling.

East Coast Park

East Coast Park

This breezy, 460-acre seaside park isn’t just one of Singapore’s largest beaches, it’s also the most popular, with a plethora of dining and recreational activities. There’s fun for the whole family here, whether you choose to cycle along the bike-dedicated paths, go waterskiing, have a seafood dinner, or even camp overnight, though if you do want to camp, remember to apply for an electronic camping permit first ( nparks.gov.sg). A cable-ski park, Wake Park ( singaporewakepark.com), is set up around a lagoon for wakeboarding enthusiasts. You can also go windsurfing, winging, sailing, or simply take a dip in the sea. Aloha Sea Sports Center ( www.alohaseasports.com) offers rentals, storage, and courses, and also organizes occasional races. Further away along the wide, well-manicured park are public barbecue pits, 7.5 km (4.7 miles) of sandy beaches, and a hawker center. Before the upcoming Thomson–East Coast MRT Line connects the park with other parts of Singapore in 2024, a taxi or public bus is your best bet for getting here. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing; winging.

Pasir Ris Park

Changi
This green lung within the Pasir Ris residential area is a popular picnic spot with families, thanks to its kid-friendly facilities that include one of Singapore's biggest (and free) outdoor playgrounds. The park is also home to a 15-acre mangrove forest, which you can explore via several walking trails, a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, and a three-story birdwatching tower. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Recommended Fodor's Video