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! 

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.

August National Day celebrations at the Marine Park

On National Day, a small team surveyed another side of the Marine Park - the western shore of Pulau Tekukor.

Pulau Tekukor, with the two Sisters Islands on the horizon
Photo by Heng Pei Yan.

Thanks to Heng Pei Yan, the Drone Commander, we get a drone's eye view of the island. Thanks to Desmond Ong, we get an underwater look at the Sisters' Islands. And thanks to volunteers, visitors got a view of the intertidal treasures during the regular monthly walks.