Sentosa: beaches, theme parks and family fun

Why visit Sentosa

Sentosa was once a British military island. Today it is a resort island with hotels, attractions and beaches, all linked by free internal buses and a beach tram. It is easy to spend a whole day, or several, here, especially if you are travelling with children.

Theme parks and attractions

Resorts World Sentosa is home to Universal Studios Singapore, with rides and zones for every age, the S.E.A. Aquarium, where manta rays glide over huge viewing windows, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Elsewhere on the island you can ride the Skyline Luge down a winding track, try indoor skydiving at iFly, or watch Wings of Time, an evening show of water, fire and lasers over the sea. Tickets for the major attractions are best booked ahead, especially at weekends and in school holidays. Check the official sites for opening days and current offers.

The beaches

Sentosa's three main beaches face the busy shipping lanes of the Singapore Strait, so expect views of ships at anchor rather than empty horizons. Siloso Beach is the liveliest, with beach volleyball, bars and the Coastes café. Palawan Beach is family friendly, and a rope suspension bridge leads to a small islet marked as the southernmost point of continental Asia. Tanjong Beach is the quietest, with the stylish Tanjong Beach Club. Swimming is generally calm, but follow the flags and lifeguard advice.

History and nature

Fort Siloso is a Second World War coastal fort with tunnels, gun emplacements and a treetop walk. Sentosa Nature Discovery has free trails about the island's forest and wildlife, and you may spot monitor lizards, monkeys and peacocks on quieter paths. Please never feed the monkeys.

Getting there

The cheapest and easiest routes start at VivoCity mall at HarbourFront MRT. The Sentosa Express monorail runs from VivoCity onto the island, and you can also walk across on the covered Sentosa Boardwalk. The Singapore Cable Car is the scenic option, gliding from Mount Faber over the harbour. Taxis and ride-hailing cars can drive onto the island. There is a small island entry charge on some routes, so check the official Sentosa site for current details.

Combining Sentosa with Mount Faber

Before or after Sentosa, walk the Southern Ridges, a chain of forest trails and bridges including Henderson Waves, a wave shaped walkway high above the road. It links Mount Faber with Kent Ridge Park and offers some of the best views in the south of the city.

Where to stay

Staying on Sentosa feels like a beach holiday. Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa is the only beachfront hotel in Singapore, Capella sits in quiet rainforest grounds, and the Resorts World hotels are steps from Universal Studios. It is quieter in the evenings than the city, so many visitors stay in town and come for the day instead.

Tips

Visit on a weekday if you can, arrive early for the theme parks, and carry sunscreen, a hat and water. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so keep an indoor option such as the aquarium for the wettest hours. Use the free trip planner to see how Sentosa fits your days.

Eating on Sentosa

Food on the island is pricier than in the city, but the Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World serves hawker favourites in a covered street, and beach cafés offer simple meals by the sand. VivoCity at HarbourFront has a large food court and many restaurants, handy before or after your visit.