Diving at the Sisters Islands Marine Park to reopen later in 2026

Some dive operators are preparing to expand their operations ahead of the reopening of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park for diving later this year.

From the NParks booklet on the dive trail.

Diving was suspended since 2021 to facilitate enhancement works. NParks will lift these restrictions later this year, allowing divers to return under approved operators.

Kusu Pilgrimage 2025: 21 Oct-19 Nov

Expect massive crowds at Marina South Pier during weekends and public holidays. And changes in ferry route to get to Kusu Island, St John's Island, Lazarus Island and Big Sisters Island.

The last remaining lively cultural event that occurs annually in our Southern Islands! The pilgrimage can draw as many as 1,000 devotees in a day. Read more in "Kusu Island comes to life as pilgrimage season kicks off; temple celebrates 100th anniversary" Shermaine Ang Straits Times 15 Oct 2023

During the Pilgrimage Season, Singapore Island Cruise makes separate trips to Kusu and other islands (usually incoporated into one round trip).

Ticket to Kusu Island only
https://tickets.islandcruise.com.sg/tours/singapore/singapore/kusu-pilgrimage-season-2023

Tickets to St John's, Lazarus, Big Sisters Island (minus Kusu)
https://tickets.islandcruise.com.sg/tours/singapore/singapore/roundtrip-ferry

Singapore Island Cruise is the only designated ferry to Kusu. So Marina South Ferries won't take you there. But can still take you to St John's, Lazarus, Big Sisters Island.

Big Sister's Island Monthly Guided Walk: first Sunday every month

A free tour of the terrestrial part of the island, by volunteer guides. Does not include intertidal areas. 

From NParks website

The tour is free but participants must buy their own ferry tickets. You can purchase tickets online from Singapore Island Cruise or Marina South Ferries. 

More about what you can see and do on the island.

100k Coral Initiative plus new coral facility at St John's Island

 100k Corals Initiative announced: to plant corals in Singapore over the next 10 years and beyond. A new facility at Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre, St. John's Island will grow corals for this effort. Corals will be cultivated by coral restoration experts and researchers from the National University of Singapore at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory. 

A training programme will also be developed by NParks, St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory and Friends of Marine Park for citizen science monitoring of the transplanted corals. Volunteers will be trained to assist with coral husbandry and underwater monitoring techniques. More details of volunteer training opportunities will be shared when ready.

You can visit the St John's Island facility by joining the guided tour of St John's Island held on the first Sunday of every month. Or do a self-guided tour with the Trail Guide - free for download from the NParks website.

More details: media articles, press release on the wildshores blog.

Big Sisters' Island reopens!

Big Sisters' Island reopens with new features for visitors. You can now snorkel or swim in the lagoon. Or if you prefer to stay dry, view marine life from the floating boardwalk, or climb to the hilltop view deck through coastal forest.

To visit Big Sisters' Island, take a ferry from Marina South Pier via Singapore Island Cruise or Marina South Ferries from 29 Oct 2024. The Island is open to the public 7am to 7pm every day.

More details from media articles.

Singapore's second marine park: past, present and future

Plans for Singapore's second national Marine Park at Lazarus South-Kusu Reef were announced on 9 May 2024.

Overlooking the Central Business District,
the rich reef edge of Kusu Island can be seen at the lowest tides.

Kusu Island indeed has some of the best reefs that the public can visit. While Lazarus Island has one of our largest coastal forests on natural cliffs and rocky shores. Here's a look at the islands' past, present and future.

Big Sister's Island to reopen in 2024

Big Sister’s Island will reopen to the public in 2024. New features include a trail through the island's forest, and snorkelling in a lagoon. NParks will be working on increasing accessibility to the island when it opens.

The forest trail in Big Sister's Island will culminate in a hilltop view deck, where visitors can see neighbouring offshore islands and birdwatch.

Artist's impression of the lagoon tidal pool in Big Sister’s Island.

More about the Marine Park on the NParks website.

6 Feb (Sun): Another way to explore the Marine Park - kayak St John's-Tekukor Trail

The western shores of Pulau Tekukor and St. John's Island are part of the Sisters Islands Marine Park. And the Marine Park public gallery is on St. John's Island.

Join Kayakasia to head for the beautiful St John's island with old growth trees and an even older history. Once, this island was the largest quarantine centre in the world. On this easy and relaxing paddle, we will visit the parkland of St John's island, go on a short nature hike to the Sisters' Island Public Gallery and swim in its clear waters. Get to also see Pulau Tekukor, St John's almost forgotten neighbour, that is now home to sea eagles that soar our Southern shores! 

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park closed until end Mar 2024

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is closed for enhancement works till end March 2024 - from the NParks website.

The Sisters Islands seen from St John's Island

But you can still visit the Marine Park Gallery at St John's Island! 

Big Sister’s Island closed from 10 April 2021

NParks announced that "As part of our cyclical inspection of structures in our parks, our appointed Professional Engineer found the jetty at Big Sister’s Island to be in need of repair. To ensure public safety, Big Sister’s Island and its jetty will be closed for repair works from 10 April to October 2021."

Big Sisters' jetty (right).

Update: NParks announced "As part of our cyclical inspection of structures in our parks, our appointed Professional Engineer found the jetty at Big Sister’s Island to be in need of repair. To ensure public safety, Big Sister’s Island and its jetty will be closed for repair works. There is a delay to the jetty repair works at Big Sister's Island due to the Covid situation. We will be updating the reopening date after consulting the contractor carrying out the repair works."

7 Feb (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 7 Mar (Sun)

Registration opens on 7 Feb (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 7 Mar (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

Book online before visiting the Public Gallery at St John's Island

Update on 3 Jan 2021: To allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy the displays whilst maintaining a comfortable social distance, entry into the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery on St John’s Island is via online booking only.

The maximum number of visitors is capped at 20 pax per session and visits will be limited to 30 minutes. Book a slot to visit the gallery here.

1 Nov (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 6 Dec (Sun)

Registration opens on 1 Nov (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 6 Dec (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

4 Oct (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 1 Nov (Sun)

Registration opens on 4 Oct (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 1 Nov (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

Expect delays visiting St John's Island during the Kusu Island pilgrimage 17 Oct to 19 Nov 2020

To note if you are planning to visit the Sisters Islands Marine Park public gallery on St John's Island. During the annual pilgrimage, thousands of visitors are expected to visit Kusu Island from 17 Oct to 19 Nov 2020.  Ferry services will continue to St John's Island during the period. But expect delays due to crowd control measures at Marine South Pier. Parking at the Pier is likely to be limited.

Check out Jerome Lim's awesome blog post for a glimpse into the history behind Kusu Island and the pilgrimage.

No mass coral bleaching at the Sisters Islands Marine Park

Volunteers checked up on the Marine Park shortly after the 'Circuit Breaker' was lifted. There was some urgency because Dr Jani Tanzil alerted us that mass coral bleaching may have started on our shores since the second week of June.

Healthy leathery soft coral on Small Sisters Island
overlooking Big Sisters Island during the predawn survey.

Dive surveys and intertidal surveys were conducted. Fortunately, during the actual surveys, no mass coral bleaching was seen at both Small Sisters Island and Big Sisters Island, although there were signs that corals had suffered some bleaching recently.

12 Sep (Sat): Talk on "Finding Community in Conservation"

Friends of Marine Park is an initiative supporting Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. Our speaker will share how community collaboration and their ‘kampung spirit’ have been key to making waves in marine conservation.

Hear from Ms Sam Shu Qin, on her experience volunteering with Friends of Marine Park on NParks Spotlight – Festival of Biodiversity Edition!

Date: 12 Sep (Sat)
Time: 10.30am

Register to be part of the Zoom session (Limited slots!) 

or stream the talk live on the NParksSG YouTube channel.

6 Sep (Sun): Registration opens for FREE walk at St John's Island on 4 Oct (Sun)

Registration opens on 6 Sep (Sun), 10am for this FREE guided walk at St John's Island on 4 Oct (Sun) at 10am.

This free 90-minute guided tour will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail and includes the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

6 Aug (Thu): "Stories of Shared Heritage"

Stakeholders of the Friends of the Marine Park at the Sisters Islands Marine Park come together to discuss "Stories of Shared Heritage"

Date: Thursday, 6 Aug
Time: 8pm Singapore time (GMT +8)
Duration: 1-hour session

If you missed the talk live, here is the video.

The Sisters' Islands Marine Park with NParks and Mathilda D'Silva

Find out more about Singapore's amazing marine biodiversity and the work being done for them by agencies, scientists and volunteers. From the Sisters' Islands Marine Park, to the reef growing at Marina at Keppel Bay; sea turtles, corals and MORE!

More about Singapore's Sisters' Islands Marine Park and the future of Singapore's marine ecosystems with NParks and host, Mathilda D'Silva.

Video on facebook here.
For more details on what was discussed, check out the NParks website.