Be it riding thrilling rides at Universal Studios Singapore or relaxing by the shore with cocktails at Tanjong Beach Club, it’s time to experience island life in Sentosa!
Whoever says that Singapore is a boring place has clearly yet to read our take on things to do in Singapore. Well, one of our favourites is to get out of Singapore (ironically) and head over to Sentosa Island. Why, you ask? ’Cause this popular island resort has a list of amazing world-class spots that offer a smorgasbord of fun-tastic activities. Turn up those thrills already!
Resort World Sentosa
For starters, perhaps it’d be best to be acquainted with Sentosa’s main focal point: Asia’s ultimate destination resort, Resort World Sentosa (RWS). Helmed by Genting Singapore, Resort World Sentosa comprises of six first-class hotels, the Resorts World Convention Centre, a casino, celebrity chef restaurants, specialty retail outlets and a plethora of top-notch entertainment options.
Attractions by RWS
Universal Studios Singapore®
As Southeast Asia’s only Hollywood theme park, Universal Studios Singapore® (USS) at Resorts World Sentosa is one spot you cannot miss when in Sentosa. For more details about this loony Tinseltown, read our nifty guide to USS here.
Universal Studios Singapore®, 8 Sentosa Gateway, p. 6577 8888.
S.E.A Aquarium
Home to more than 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species, across 49 different habitats, S.E.A Aquarium is indeed a very mesmerising place for you and your loved ones to gaze at all the marine life through the world’s largest acrylic panel.
S.E.A Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, p. 6577 8899. See website for more information.
Adventure Cove Waterpark
Whether coasting down the Lazy River on an inner tube, power swashing down one of the half dozen slides, floating above the six-foot tall waves at BluWater Bay or catching some rays at the many sun-splashed rest areas, there’s so much you can do here. Better still, interact with marine life while snorkelling at Rainbow Reef or join in the care and feeding of stingrays at Ray Bay.
Adventure Cove Waterpark, 8 Sentosa Gateway, p. 6577 8888.
Dolphin Island™
And if you’re into dolphins, Dolphin Island™ provides you with the wonderful opportunity to play with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins through a variety of Dolphin Interaction programmes such as Dolphin Encounter, Dolphin Adventure, Dolphin Trek and more.
Dolphin Island™, 8 Sentosa Gateway, p. 6577 8888.
Trick Eye Museum
Here’s where you can let your imagination run wild as you witness two-dimensional paintings transform into three-dimensional images through the use of optical illusions. With various themed galleries, strike wacky poses and create your own visual narrative before your camera.
Trick Eye Museum, 26 Sentosa Gateway, 6795 2370.
Other than that the amazing attractions by RWS, Sentosa also promises other exciting spots that offer fun-filled activites.
Other attractions in Sentosa
Madame Tussauds Singapore
The famed wax museum opened its Singapore outpost in October 2014, showcasing local figures like PM Lee Hsien Loong, singer Stefanie Sun and footballer Fandi Ahmad, aside from the world’s biggest names today and in history such as Beyoncé and Queen Elizabeth. The Singapore outpost also has the Spirit of Singapore boat ride inside the museum – an interactive, audio-visual journey to discover Singapore.
Madame Tussauds Singapore, 40 Imbiah Road, Imbiah Lookout, p. 6715 4000.
MegaZip Adventure Park
Swing on wires with the ocean breeze in your hair as you fly 75 metres above ground. MegaZip’s 450-metre long zip line takes you through the Sentosa air, where you get a bird’s-eye view of jungle terrain and white sandy beaches. Or take a 50-foot leap of faith and fall from the skies at ParaJump, a free-fall jump simulator.
MegaZip Adventure Park, 51 Imbiah Hill Road, p. 6884 5602.
Skyline Luge Sentosa
Skyline Luge is a chairlift and go-kart combined. A few things you need to know upfront: you begin with a chairlift ride, which can be a tad scary for those afraid of heights; you’ll have a little practice run before whizzing down the 650 metres track in your go-kart; and it’s highly addictive.
Skyline Luge Sentosa, 45 Siloso Beach Walk Sentosa, p. 6274 0472.
iFLY Singapore
Channel your inner daredevil and try indoor skydiving at iFLY Singapore. With wind speeds of up to 300km/hour, experience the thrill of indoor skydiving at the world’s first and largest wind tunnel.
iFLY Singapore, #01-01, 43 Siloso Beach Walk, p. 6571 0000.
Fort Siloso
Housing the nation’s biggest collection of World War II memorabilia, appreciate the interactive exhibits at Fort Siloso, in commemoration of the history behind the island. Join in the guided tour for a better museum-visit experience!
Fort Siloso, Siloso Rd, p. 6736 8672.
A date with the Sentosa Merlion
When in Sentosa, you’ll definitely have to make a date with the Merlion. Here’s a little-known fact: there are actually seven Merlion statues in Singapore. But the tallest one stands at an impressive 37 metres and holds court in Sentosa.
Sentosa Merlion, 30 Beach View, p. 1800-SENTOSA (736-8672).
Nature Walk in Sentosa
Nestled in a former monorail station, the 1.8-kilometre Nature Walk will lead you through Imbiah forest reserve where you’ll discover birds, insects, wildlife, habitats and plants that can be found on Sentosa.
Nevertheless, you can never ever truly experience island life until you hit the beaches.
Beaches in Sentosa
It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to be sun-kissed, enjoying a few rounds of beach volleyball, having a splashing good time in the water, sipping on a few glasses of tipples at a beach club or napping under a palm tree; Sentosa offers three fantastic white sandy beaches that allow you to do all that.
Palawan Beach is the family-friendly beach with a suspension bridge that connects to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia. Siloso beach is the hippest beach on the island where beach hunks and babes usually congregate at the coolest bars and restaurants. But if you’d love to enjoy some serenity while strolling along the beach, Tanjong Beach is your go-to beach.
What’s more? Hop on Asia’s one and only thrilling Segway® Eco Ride that provides a unique way of discovering Sentosa’s 3.2-kilometre long coastline. Otherwise, you can always opt for cycling with GoGreen Cycle and Island Explorer to explore the beaches and the entire island as well.
Feeling famished after an entire day of adventure? Need a place to relax and hang out with friends? Planning to stay on the island for yet another day, or two? Lucky you, we’ve got you covered.
Dine in Sentosa
While grub in Sentosa may cost you a tad more, this island does provide a myriad of scrumptious food that will leave your tummy in cloud nine. Definitely worth checking out: the Malaysian Food Street near USS! Here’s where you can get delectable authentic fares from the Peninsula like KL Claypot Rice, Penang Hokkien Mee, Klang Bak Kut Teh and the likes.
Bars in Sentosa
After all the fun, it’d be perfect to just chill out with friends and families at the finest bars in Sentosa. Here are 10 watering holes in Sentosa where you can sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of beer, cocktail, wine or Champagne.
Hotels in Sentosa
And if you’re staying on this incredible island resort for more than a night, there are plenty of unrivalled accommodation offerings on this beautiful island. Look through our round up of outstanding hotels in Sentosa to aid you with your decision-making.
And if you feel that you’ve seen enough of Sentosa, perhaps you might want to explore Quayside Isle next.
Alternative thing to do – visit Quayside Isle
Situated in the exclusive Sentosa Cove, take a breather from the bustle of the city and enjoy world-class dining at Saint Pierre, Blue Lotus, and Sabio By The Sea.
Read our guide to Quayside Isle to find out more about this luxury waterfront arcade.
Don’t worry about having to explore this exciting island on your two feet.
Getting around Sentosa
Aside from the reliable internal transportation network of Sentosa bus and beach trams that can bring you from one attraction to another, you can also use the Sentosa Express to get from one part of Sentosa to another. And guess what? Travelling within Sentosa via these modes of transport is for free.
So, here’s the important question: how do we get to this oh-so-exciting island resort?
Getting into Sentosa
By car/cab
There’s a flat gantry admission for each car/cab entering Sentosa. Until 31 December 2015, enjoy Free Drive-in, after 5pm, which is applicable only on weekdays (excluding Public Holidays). There are also several parking lots in Sentosa – Sentosa Cove Village Car Park, Beach Car Park, Imbiah Car Park, and Tanjong & Palawan Car Park. More information can be found here.
By Cable Car
Enjoy an aerial overview of Sentosa as it brings you straight to the attractions hub of the Island: Imbiah Lookout. For more details, click here.
Via Sentosa Boardwalk
Enjoy a leisurely stroll from VivoCity Shopping Mall’s waterfront promenade to Sentosa for free (only till December 2015). Psst…there are two-way canopy-covered travellators to ease the journey.
Via Sentosa Express
As one of the more popular modes of entry especially among the general public, the Sentosa Express – situated at VivoCity (Lobby L, level 3) – offers easy access to the island. Further information on ticketing and operating hours can be found here.