Singapore is an island surrounded by over 50 islets. Some of the islets were developed as a natural theme park such as Sentosa and St. John; some were remain untouched or restricted while others serve as an oasis of privacy and relaxation.

Pulau Ubin

Situated in the north east of Singapore to the west of Pulau Tekong is a 10.19 square Kilometer island knows as Pulau Ubin. The island has a shape-like boomerang and covered by low hills. This island with about a hundred villagers is one of the few areas in Singapore that has been preserved from large scale urban development.

The island was known for its granite, during the British Colony a number of granite quarries on the island were used to supply the local construction industries. The villages in this island were named after the first settlers of the villages. Such as Kampong Leman which was named after Leman as well as the Kampung Cik Jawa which named by a Singaporean named Jawa. The island was also known for its farming and fishing. In 2005 during the wake of the avian influenza the Government of Singapore ordered the farmers rearing poultry on Pulau Ubin to relocate all the poultries to the main island so that the outbreak of the avian influenza will be closely monitored.

At present, Pulau Ubin is being developed as a natural theme park. The rustic charm of the island’s surrounding provides a glimpse of a simple life of the old "kampong" Singapore. The island has a rich and preserved wildlife, abandoned plantations and quarries, untouched nature and various traditional villages with wooden houses as well as wooden jetties.

The best way to explore the island is by a bicycle. Near the jetty there are number of shops where you can rent bikes. Bikes cost vary according to its quality and functions. There are also camping sites in the area as well as other outdoor activities. The most visited site in the island is the Tanjung Chek Jawa. At the Tanjung Chek Jawa is a coral reef formed around 5000 years ago, here dwells a variety of marine wildlife such as sand dollars, seahorses, nudibranchs as well as bewildering sponges.

Getting There
Take bus 29 to Changi Village interchange. From here is a short walk to Changi Jetty, where the bumboats to Pulau Ubin can be found. The boats only leave the jetty when there are 12 passengers or if someone is willing to charter the whole boat at S$18. Pulau Ubin is just a 10-minute boat ride from the Changi Point jetty. The bumboat operates from 6 am to 11 pm by private operators.

Pulau Semakau

Situated on the south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore is Pulau Semakau. The island was used to be a small fishing community in which houses were built largely on stilts over a reef flat.

On the eastern side of the island is the Semakau Landfill, created by the enclosing Pulau Semakau and Pulau Sakeng with 7 km perimeter rock bund. Semakau Landfill is the first offshore landfill operated since April 1999 and at present it’s the only remaining landfill in Singapore. The landfill is filled mainly with inert ash produced by Singapore’s four incineration plants; incinerated waste is transported to the island using a covered barge every night.