SAINT JOHNS ISLAND

Saint John’s Island provides a peaceful getaway near Singapore where you can spend a fun day with your loved ones. Decorated with blue lagoons, tranquil beaches and lush greenery, the island offers visitors to enjoy fun activities like swimming and snorkeling. Explore the corals and diverse marine animals or embark on a trail to uncover all the significant sites here.

Located south to the main Island, Saint John’s Island used to be a quarantine center and a refugee camp before being remodeled to a peaceful escape. Having an interesting history, the island shares a glimpse into Singapore's past. It used to house a quarantine center, a refugee camp, and a drug rehabilitation facility back in the days. For those planning Singapore tours from India, Saint John’s Island serves as a serene destination to explore during your visit to the region.

The island is now flourishing with a variety of flora and fauna, which you will be able to explore on a special trail, Saint John’s Island Trail.

Giving you the opportunity to embrace nature without being distracted by the city buzz, Saint John’s is a must-visit place if you want to relax and spend quality time with your loved ones. You can pack a picnic basket to enjoy an outing with your family.

The turquoise blue water washing over the white beaches will provide you with a perfect setting to play beach games or relax and soak in the sun after a swim in the sea waters.

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Highlights

• Saint John’s Island provides a peaceful getaway, just 30 minutes away from the busy city life of Singapore
• Embark on the Saint John’s Trail to explore the history, biodiversity and natural habitats of the island.
• Sisters’ Island Marine Park, Singapore’s first park of its kind, is located partially on the western reefs of Saint John’s island with the other half on Pulau Tekukor.
• Explore the former ‘quarantine’ island which played a significant role in Singapore’s history
• You can swim in the blue lagoons and bask in the sun on the white sand beaches of the island.
• The Mangrove tree patches and turquoise water beaches provide a great setting for enjoying a delightful picnic with your family.

How To Reach

The only way to reach Saint John’s island from Singapore is via ferry. You can board any of the two ferry lines, ‘Marina South Ferries’ and ‘Sentosa Ferry,’ to reach your destination in about 30 minutes.

You can board the ferry from ‘Sentosa Cove’ or ‘Marina South Pier’ and get off at ‘Lazarus Seringat Jetty’ station which is just a 21 minute walk away from your destination.

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Best Time To Visit

Early mornings will be the ideal time to embark on a natural retreat to this island. If you plan on returning back to the main island the same day, then reaching early will give you a full day ahead to take things at your own pace and discover the concealed treasures of Saint John’s Island.

However, early evening will be the best time to visit if you have made reservations in one of the accommodations at the island for an overnight stay. This way you get to relish in the beauty of sunset and sunrise from this island.

Although it is a year-round destination, December to June would be the best months to visit the island as the weather during this time period is the most pleasant.

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Other Essential Information

Things to keep in mind while planning a visit to Saint John’s Island

• Make sure you pack all the essential items required as the island does not have any convenient store or eatery.
• You can shop for the required items at any of the convenient stores on Marina South Pier.
• If you wish to spend the night on the island make sure you book the accommodation in advance from any of the two options available, ‘Holiday Bungalow’ or ‘Holiday Camps’.
• Carry swimwear and extra towels if you plan on going for a swim in the sea waters.
• Carrying sunblock, sunglasses, caps/hats will be helpful.

History of Saint John’s Island



Saint John’s Island was used as a quarantine center in 1874, for the Cholera outbreak which led to the death of 357 people. Much later, after the epidemic reached its end, during the wars in 1940s, the island housed prisoners-of-war and mentally ill patients. After the war ended, it was converted again to a quarantine center due to its convenient location, just 30 minutes away from the mainland.

In 1948, some parts of the island were used to confine political prisons after the Malayan Emergency. One of these prisoners was the third future president of Singapore, C.V. Devan Nair, who spent most of his time reading and studying here.

With the advancement of Singapore and receding crises, the island also housed a rehabilitation facility for drug addicts from 1955.

By the end of 1973 and 1975, both the quarantine center and the drug rehabilitation facility were closed off respectively. This was the point when the government decided to convert the island into a peaceful getaway with holiday lodgings and campsites. Fast forward to today, the island features a Marine laboratory, a natural trail, a peaceful beach and a Marine park.

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