Singapore isn’t particularly known as a beach destination, but you can absolutely enjoy a tropical escape on Sentosa. This island resort is easily reachable from the mainland and offers not only pretty beaches, but a wide array of other activities. Whether you’re planning to stay on Sentosa or visit for a day trip, it’s a spot we definitely recommend exploring! Here’s a basic guide to help you plan a visit to this popular Singapore attraction.
Getting to Sentosa Island
There are multiple ways to reach Sentosa, making it convenient to access from Singapore city. First, make your way to the VivoCity shopping mall. You can reach this easily by taking the MRT Circle Line or North East Line to the HarbourFront station. There are also many buses that stop at the Harbourfront/Vivocity stop (stop #14141), including buses 10, 30, 57, 61, and various others. Check the transit site for more info.
Once at the Harbour Front/VivoCity area, make your way to Sentosa by the below listed options.
Walk:
The Sentosa Boardwalk connects the mainland and Sentosa Island. It takes only about 15 minutes to get across and it can be walked at any time. Walking the boardwalk is the option we chose because it is free and we wanted to enjoy the pretty views of the city, island, and channel along the way. Along the path, there are pretty gardens, shaded walkways and some moving walkways, a bar, and various viewpoints. At night, the whole boardwalk is lit up.
Gondola:
The gondola is a popular way to cross from the mainland to Sentosa for those who want to get great views of the city from above. From VivoCity, make your way over to the HarbourFront Gondola Station and catch the gondola over to Sentosa. You can also ride from the Mount Faber Station. Check the ticket options here. You can buy them online in advance or at the stations.
We didn’t opt for this option because it seemed a little pricey for a quick ride over, we have taken gondolas before, and we were planning to take in views from some of the viewpoints on the island.
Rail:
The Sentosa Express runs between VivoCity (level 3) and the Resorts World, Imbiah, and Beach Stations on Sentosa. The train begins at 7a.m. and runs until 12a.m on Friday-Sunday and until 10p.m. Monday-Thursday. This is the fastest way to travel between the island and mainland.
If taking the train from the mainland to Sentosa, it costs SGD$4 per adult. You can buy tickets online or upon arrival by tapping your card at the turnstile gates or visiting the ticket kiosk. If you only take the Sentosa Express from Sentosa Island back to VivoCity, it is free. This is what we opted for to return to the mainland.
Note that the train can get quite crowded on weekends and in the afternoon, so you may have to wait in line for the next train.
Bus:
From VivoCity, take the RWS8 Bus to the Resorts World stop. This costs SDG$1. Alternatively, you could take Bus 123 from various points on the mainland to Beach Station, Resorts World, or Village Hotel stops. This cost depends on the distance traveled on that route, but it will generally be around a few Singapore dollars.
Cycling
Visitors can also enter Sentosa for free by bike via the Sentosa Cycling Track that runs along the road beneath the monorail. You can rent bikes from some shops in the heart of Singapore or rent SG Bikes from around the city via the SG Bike app.
Drive:
If you choose to take a taxi or drive to Sentosa Island, it costs between SGD$2 and SGD$6 (cash) to enter the island via Sentosa Gateway. There are various paid lots around the island that charge SGD$1.20 per hour between 7a.m. and 5p.m. Only park in designated areas.
Getting Around Sentosa Island
Sentosa is a wonderful place to explore on foot because there are pretty paths, beaches to stroll down, and many attractions to see as you walk around. But if you aren’t feeling like exploring the whole thing on foot, here are a few options.
Gondola:
In addition to taking the gondola to reach Sentosa Island, there is also a line that can take you around the island between the Merlion, Imbiah Lookout, and Siloso Point stops. A Sentosa Line roundtrip ticket costs SGD$17 per non-resident adult. As mentioned above, there are other ticket options available. Click here to buy tickets or purchase them upon arrival.
Bus:
There are two free shuttle buses that cycle around the island – Bus A and Bus B. These both run daily every 15 minutes between 7a.m. and 12:10a.m. We only took one bus during our day there, but the stops were all pretty well-marked and it seemed like a simple and convenient system.
There is also the free Beach shuttle that runs along Siloso Beach Walk every 15-25 minutes. It runs daily from 9a.m.-10p.m., except on Saturday when it runs later until 11:30p.m.
Click here to see the routes for each bus.
Rail:
The Sentosa Express we already mentioned above can take you between the Resorts World, Imbiah, and Beach Station stops for free. You only need a ticket when using the rail to get from the mainland (VivoCity) to Sentosa.
Cycling:
If you cycled over, you can get around the island via the designated cycling paths. There are racks around where you can park your bike while you do any chosen activities. Read more on cycling the island here.
Things to do on Sentosa Island
There are so many things to see and do on Sentosa. If you’re just visiting for a day, you’ll definitely have to pick and choose the activities you want to do because there just isn’t time to do it all! Here are some of the great options on the island.
Before visiting any of the attractions, check for updated hours or closures on the official Sentosa website.
Beaches
Cost: Free to access the beaches and small islands via the bridges. Bring payment if you plan to visit a beach club, rent gear, etc.
Sentosa has a few lovely beaches to relax on with sandy shores and calm waters. The three main beaches are Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach, and Tanjong Beach. All three sit side-by-side on Sentosa’s west coast, making it easy to walk between them.
Siloso and Palawan are definitely the more popular beaches because there are more amenities, bars, beach clubs, the Hydrodash, and other activities right along them. You can also rent kayaks and paddle boards along these beaches and there are multiple public restrooms/changing rooms nearby. Tanjong Beach is quieter and a bit more secluded with fewer amenities.
Just off the coast of these Sentosa beaches sit a handful of little manmade islands. A couple of them are connected to the main island by a bridge and have some lookout points and beaches of their own. As you explore the islands and main beaches, keep an eye out for the wooden trolls, like Little Lyn, Dreamer Dee, Curious Sue, and Reef the Chief.
Universal Studios
Cost: Starting at SGD$62 for foreigners. See the website for various ticket options.
A popular draw for families visiting Sentosa is Universal Studios. There are various rides, events, and shops to experience here.
You can buy tickets online or onsite; however, note that tickets aren’t always available if you decide to wait and purchase them upon arrival. Learn more about Universal Studios and buy tickets from the Resorts World site.
Forts
Cost: Imbiah and Siloso are free to visit. A paid tour is required to access Serapong. Tours start at SGD$120.
The military operations of Singapore’s past remain evident in various parts of Sentosa. You’ll see some old pillboxes around the island and a few forts.
We definitely recommend checking out Fort Siloso if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the area. As you stroll around the grounds, you’ll see remnants of the fortification structures, old WWII weaponry, and various displays covering the fort’s past. It’s free to visit! There are also free tours of the fort for those looking for an even more in-depth look into its history. For up-to-date operating hours, a map, and more fort info, see the website.
In addition to Fort Siloso, you can also check out the nearby Fort Imbiah via the pretty Imbiah Nature Trail and Fort Serapong. These aren’t as well preserved and don’t contain as many informational displays. There are now tours of Fort Serapong that will allow you to enter the old fort and learn more about it. Without a tour, entry is not permitted.
Fort Siloso Skywalk
Cost: Free
On your way to Fort Siloso, check out the Fort Siloso Skywalk! This long walkway winds among the treetops, offering great views over Sentosa’s beaches and the unique skyline back on the mainland. Along the way there are some informational signs covering the history of the area. We also saw a variety of birds and a snake!
The Fort Siloso Skywalk is free to access. You can take the elevator or walk the stairs 11 storeys up. The other end close to Fort Siloso is a more gradual path.
Musical Fountains & Wings of Time
Cost: Free to watch the fountain shows during the day; SGD$19 for the nighttime Wings of Time shows.
The Sentosa Musical Fountain show is a display of fountains synchronized to music. These take place daily near the Central Beach Bazaar at 4p.m., 4:30p.m., 5p.m., 5:30p.m., and 6p.m. Each show lasts about 5 minutes.
Shooting out of the water nearby is the Sentosa SkyJet. This is the tallest fountain in Southeast Asia with water shooting 80 meters into the sky. At night, the SkyJet is lit up.
Also at night, you can buy tickets to watch the Wings of Time show that consists of fountains, projections, fireworks, and light features. These shows last 20 minutes and occur daily at 7:40p.m. and 8:40p.m.
Sensoryscape
Cost: Free
Sensoryscape is a long walkway that connects Resorts World to Central Beach Bazaar. Along it are various gardens and unique structures. At night, the place turns into a multi-sensory experience with light and sound effects. There’s even an app you can download to immerse yourself even more in the experience through augmented reality.
Thrills
Cost: All the below mentioned attractions do require a ticket. Price varies per attraction.
Beyond the rides at Universal Studios, there are other thrills you can experience on Sentosa. These include the Adventure Cove Waterpark, HyperDrive go-kart track, iFly indoor skydive experience, Mega Adventure Park ropes course and ziplining, Skyline luge tracks, and the SkyPark bungee jump and swing.
Learn more about these activities from the Sentosa attractions page.
SkyHelix
Cost: SGD$20 (SGD$18 when purchased online)
The SkyHelix is a sort of gentle ride that slowly ascends from the ground up to a height of 35 meters. During the ride, you can sip on a (non-alcoholic) drink and take in the views. It’s open daily from 10a.m. until 9:15p.m., so you can choose to ride during the day or over the city lights after the sun goes down.
Museums
Cost: With the exception of Sentosa Nature Discovery, each of the museums mentioned below require a ticket and there are multiple options for each. Purchasing online instead of upon arrival often offers a discount.
There are a few museums on Sentosa, including Madame Tussauds wax museum, the S.E.A. Aquarium that contains over 1000 aquatic species, Nature Discovery that highlights some geological facts and information on the wildlife in the area, and the Trickeye interactive art and augmented reality museum.
Spas
If you’re looking for some relaxation during your Sentosa visit, there are plenty of options to do just that. You’ll find multiple spas and wellness centers on the island where you can book massages, get a facial, relax in a hot pool, take part in a pilates class, receive different types of therapies/treatments, get your nails done, etc.
Find out more about the various spas here.
Scentopia
Cost: Tickets begin at $SGD95.
Scentopia is a unique aroma experience where you can learn about making perfumes and have the chance to create a scent unique to you.
Golf
Cost: SGD$18 for UltraGolf. Enquire at Sentosa Golf Club for booking and prices at the courses.
If you’re interested in a game of golf, book a round at Serapong or Tanjong Golf Courses, or head to UltraGolf if you’d prefer a fun round of mini golf.
Shop
If you’re looking to do some shopping, there are various shops on Sentosa. The options range from souvenir shops, Lego, and Victoria’s Secret to luxury brands like Bvlgari, Cartier, Swarovski.
Events
There are many events that take place on Sentosa island, ranging from parties and markets to concerts and kid’s shows. Check the events page to see what’s going on during your visit!
Our Sentosa Day Trip Itinerary
We had arrived in Singapore the night before and were pretty jetlagged and tired from a long couple days of travel. So, our Sentosa day-trip was a mix of meandering around much of the island and ample relaxing beach time. We spent more of our time just exploring on foot than we did partaking in the various rides or other resort activities. It was pretty laid back and a great way to spend our first day in Singapore!
Our Sentosa adventure started on the boardwalk over to the island. We reached the island when many things were just beginning to open. We walked some of the area around Resorts World, checking out a bit of the Sensoryscape and seeing what shops and restaurants were there.
Then, we opted to walk some of the nature trails before it got too hot. A quick bus ride brought us to the Fort Siloso Skywalk where we took in the views on the way to Fort Siloso. The fort was very interesting and we spent most of the morning in this area.
We had planned to hang out on Siloso Beach a while before lunch, but we were already hungry. So we only spent a short while there, walking along the shore and checking out the small Siloso Island via the floating bridge.
A nice stroll down Siloso Beach Walk brought us to the Central Beach Bazaar. We strolled around this area for a while as well, checking out the sights and deciding between the many food options. Living in Montana, we never get good Indian food, so we decided on Toast & Curry.
After a filling lunch, it was time for more beachin’. We changed into our swimsuits in one of the locker rooms near Palawan and headed onto the shores. It was a weekday but still much more quiet than we had expected. Had it been very busy, we would have headed over to Tanjong Beach. But instead, we just laid out our towels, relaxed on the shore, and took a dip.
After relaxing a while, we changed back into our clothes, checked out the wooden troll sculptures around Palawan Beach, and ventured out onto the island via the bridge. This small island off Palawan Beach has its own little beach, shaded paths, and great views back over Sentosa.
To end our day on Sentosa, we walked back to Beach Station to take the Sentosa Express back to mainland Singapore to seek out some dinner.
Dining
There are ample dining options on Sentosa Island. You won’t find anything quite as budget-friendly as the Hawker food centers on the mainland, but there were a variety of reasonable options. There are also 7-Elevens and other grocery stores on the island if needed.
For some international ‘street food’ options, head to the various stands around Central Beach Bazaar. These are great if you’re just looking for something quick or something you can take and go to the beach. Malaysian Food Street is another popular place to head. Inside are multiple stalls in a food hall-like setting offering a variety of Malaysian dishes.
On Sentosa, there are plenty of other international cuisines, cafes, fine dining establishments, bars, etc. Check out the Sentosa dining page to see all of the options.
Staying on Sentosa
If you’d like to spend more time on Sentosa, there are various accommodation options. We didn’t stay on the island because more of our days were spent on the mainland and there are more plentiful and budget-friendly options over there. But, you can take a look at some of the options here if you’re interested in an island stay!
What to Bring when Visiting
Water or Water Bottle: It can get pretty hot here, so you’ll want some water on hand as you explore. You can buy bottles at various spots on Sentosa, or you can use one of the several bottle refill stations on the island.
Sun Protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, especially if you plan to relax on the beach a while.
Swimsuit & Towel: If you plan to hang out on the beach. There are changing rooms available by the beaches as well.
Comfortable Shoes: If you’re planning on exploring quite a bit of the island, bring shoes comfortable to walk a while in.
Tickets: If you pre-purchased tickets to any attractions, bring your printed or eTicket.
Payment Method: Most establishments take card, but we’d recommend also bringing a little cash as well. There are three ATMs on Sentosa if you need to withdraw cash and a few places to exchange currencies.
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