Palau Ubin, also known as Ubin, is an island situated in the north of Singapore, to the west of Palau Tekong. Palau Ubin is one of the last areas in Singapore that have an abundance of natural flora and fauna.
The island forms part of the Ubin-Khatib Important Bird Area (IBA), identified as such by Birdlife International because it supports significant numbers of both migratory and resident birds. The island managed by the National Parks Board.
One of the best destinations in Southeast Asia, Palau Ubin is the place for nature lovers or thrill-seekers. To give you more overview of how wonderful the island is, here are the top things to do in Palau Ubin, Singapore.
Things to do in Palau Ubin
Enjoy the Nature and Wildlife
The island is a paradise for nature lovers, Palau Ubin has plenty to offer with its lush greenery and abundant wildlife. You can visit the Pekan Quarry, which is an old granite quarry and now turned into a beautiful lake.
The surrounding area is home to an assortment of different wildlife including different species of birds like Oriental Pied Hornbill. There are a lot of different beautiful spots like Butterfly Hill, Sensory Trail, and a lot more.
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Discover the History and Ecosystems of the Island
Head to the East of the island to check out the old restored houses and the Chek Jawa wetlands and boardwalk, a 1.1 kilometer boardwalk where you can enjoy gazing down at the marine wildlife in the coral reef. Climb up the 20-metre Jejawi Tower for a bird’s-eye view of Ubin. The viewing point can only accommodate 20 people at a time.
Go Mountain Biking
Ketam Mountain Bike Park in Ubin was designed according to the International Mountain Bicycling Associations with Trail Difficulty Rating System (TDRS). The TDRS indicates the complexity level of the route. These must be the best bike trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. If you’re up for this adventure, head over to the western end of the island to enjoy the obstacles to work on your bike tricks.
Go Kayaking
Explore the island by the water through kayaking. There are plenty of adventure organizations that have set up at the Ubin’s main village offering kayak tours. Some organizations offer a program ranging from a 4-hours mangrove kayaking course to a full-day Ubing bisect kayaking session. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of wildlife that lives in the area when you sail through the mangroves.
Hike to Puaka Hill
Your journey to Puaka Hill may only take 15 to 20 minutes to complete but because of its rocky and steep trail, you’ll be panting by the time your reach its peak. Reach the top and you’ll be rewarded with great paradise-like view overlooking Ubin.
Visit the Most Picture-worthy Spots in Palau Ubin
From high atop the hills to the memorable murals at the drink stall, there are a lot of spots on the island that are the most photogenic according to tourists who visited the island. Here are the top picturesque spots in Palau Ubin:
- The Sensory Trail
- Palau Ubin Tree
- Puaka Hill’s View
- Pekan Quarry
- The drinks stall mural
- Chek Jawa Boardwalk
- House No 1 at Check Jawa
Stay Overnight at Palau Ubin
Sleep beneath the stars and feel the breeze by pitching your tent at any of the two camping sites on the island: Jelutong and Mamam. Mama can be located further north of the island while Jelutong is situated closest to the village and faces the mainland. Both camping locations have toilet facilities nearby. Jelutong is the only spot that is equipped to accommodate a campfire. Just register your stay at Palau Ubin Police Post and you’re good to go.
How to get to Palau Ubin
Board a bumboat at Changi Point Ferry Terminal to get to Ubin. It will take about 15 minutes to get to the island. The boats in Ubin run on an irregular schedule as they only depart once they have 12 people on board. The driver collects the fees before the boat jets off. You’ll be charged an extra 2 dollars if you bring along a bicycle.
