Family Fun Adventures

Family Fun Adventures

finding cool things to do in and around singapore

Written by and Photography by Christi Elflein

Day Trippin' to Pulau Ubin

The Elflein kids enjoy the view

Since travel outside of Singapore may be restricted for a while, a day trip to Pulau Ubin is the perfect playday for kids and adults alike. It offers nature, history and adventure, all on one bikeable island a short bumboat ride away from Singapore’s northeast shoreline. Pulau Ubin is a boomerang shaped, 1,020-hectare (four square mile) island. In Malay, “Pulau” means island and “Ubin” means granite, which was mined there from the mid-1800s until the last quarry closed your way to the Changi Point Ferry Terminal (not Changi Ferry Terminal). There are no reservations necessary. Just show up and get in line for the next bumboat to ferry you over to Pulau Ubin. It’s a ten-minute ride and costs $3 (add $2 if you bring your own bike). Rental bikes along the main road

in 1999. In its heyday during the mid 1900s, hundreds of families lived on the island. Today, it still feels like it’s the 1960s, but the quarries are now scenic lakes and only about 100 people live on the island, which is now under the care of the National Parks Board. The most popular activity on the island today is bicycling, although kayaking, fishing and hiking (yes, it’s jogger stroller friendly) are also common. Trails crisscross the island with a multitude of interesting sites along the way that give you a glimpse into the history of the island. And there are plenty of resting points along the way. If you are ready to go, here are the logistics. Pack a backpack with water, cash and bug spray. Then make renting for between $5 and $20 for the day. Spend the extra for a non-rusty bike and take it for a spin to ensure it works properly before you commit. I learned this the hard way, as my bike seat broke off when we were deep into the trails. I peddled standing up back to the village to exchange it, which the shop owner graciously did, no questions asked. A waterfront hut on stilts

Exploring along the boardwalk

After you disembark and take your landmark picture under the Pulau Ubin gateway sign, wander into the village. There you will find several bike shops eager to pair you with the right bike. There are comfort bikes, mountain bikes, bikes with baby seats and kid bikes

Now let’s go for a ride!

Christi is an urban planner for an architecture firm in Florida. She moved to Singapore and joined AWA in 2019 and is loving exploring her new city with her husband and two kids.