Best Things to Do in Sentosa Island

Sentosa is a popular island resort in Singapore and a great destination for those seeking a range of leisure activities. Located just off the southern coast of Singapore’s main island, Sentosa offers everything from pristine beaches and adventure parks to dining options and historical landmarks. Once a British military fortress known as Pulau Blakang Mati, Sentosa was transformed into a recreational hub in the 1970s. Today, it stands as one of Singapore’s most visited attractions and a great place to come with kids! I’ve always enjoyed coming here, but particularly enjoy cooling off from the heat at the beaches. Here is a list of things to do on Sentosa Island, during your trip to Singapore.

Things to Do on Sentosa Island

Sentosa Beaches

Sentosa is home to three man-made beaches, each offering a different experience for visitors. One of the things I love about Singapore is how quickly you can be in the city centre to lying on a beach! The easiest way to get to the beaches is to take the monorail to ‘Beach Station’ and get the free shuttle bus from there. Alternatively, you can walk from Beach Station to the beaches but it’s a fairly long walk in the heat, particularly to Tanjong Beach.

Siloso Beach: Known for its lively atmosphere, Siloso Beach is ideal for beach sports, bars, and restaurants. I love this beach for all the activities you can find, like beach volleyball, skydiving, water-jetpacking, kayaking etc. This sandy cove is also home to a few great eateries, like Siloso Beach Bar, and some sites, like Fort Siloso. I found this beach to be hit/miss in terms of how crowded it gets. Sometimes it’s been fairly empty and other times it’s been more packed.

Palawan Beach: Perfect for families, Palawan Beach is known for its shallow waters, playgrounds, and suspension bridge leading to a small offshore islet, which is considered the southernmost point of continental Asia. This is a great beach to enjoy the waters easily or to have picnics in the shaded areas. There’s also a 7/11 right on the beach if you need to get extra refreshments or beach gear!

Tanjong Beach: The most tranquil and quiet of the three, Tanjong Beach is great for a more relaxing day. It is the furthest beach to get to out of the three but great to set up for the day. Tanjong Beach is also home to the Tanjong Beach Club, which has great food, a swimming pool and different areas to rent (beach beds, pool beds etc). You won’t find activities here, like Siloso, so this is perfect for lying on the sandy beach with a book.

Tip: I recommend signing up for an Islander Membership if you visit Sentosa regularly. It’s free to sign up and unlocks loads of discounts, vouchers and deals. You can find out more information on this here.

Activities and Amusement Parks

If you’re looking for a little more adventure or something to do with kids, check out one of the many activities Sentosa has to offer. I recommend buying tickets online in-advance to avoid queues on the day. Sentosa gets pretty busy on weekends and holidays, so this will just save you time (and sometimes money!).

Universal Studios Singapore: One of the most popular attractions on the island, Universal Studios is a theme park offering a range of rides, shows, and attractions based on blockbuster films. It’s a must-visit for families and movie lovers.

Adventure Cove Waterpark: The Adventure Cove Waterpark is home to a number of water slides ,rides, a lazy river, and free-fall platform jumping. There’s also the opportunity to snorkel with tropical fish or enjoy one of their dolphin experiences! It’s a great place to cool off from the heat, without going to the beach. Find out more on their tickets and pricing here.

iFly Singapore: iFly offers the chance to experience skydiving in one of the world’s largest indoor wind tunnels. I haven’t yet braved this one but have heard great things about it! If you’re looking for a thrill-seeking experience, check out iFly.

Mega Adventure Park: Mega Adventure Park caters to a range of outdoor adventures. One of the key highlights is the 60km/h Zip-line that’ll take you 75m above ground and through Sentosa’s lush jungle canopy and coastline. Additionally, there’s a treetop adventure park, a 15m mega jump, a climbing wall and trampoline park. This is a great place to spend a few hours with kids! Check out their site for more information and to buy tickets online.

S.E.A. Aquarium: One of the largest aquariums in the world, the S.E.A Aquarium is home to over 100,000 marine animals from across 1,000 species. They currently have 12 species on sharks, including the endangered scalloped hammerhead shark, and a daily dive-feeding session! Check out their site for more information and to book tickets.

Madame Tussauds Singapore: A classic favourite, Madame Tussauds Singapore is home to the popular life-sized, wax figures of famous personalities from around the world.

Hikes and Trails

If you’re looking for prefer quieter, nature-focused activities, there are a number of walking trails and scenic areas to choose from. Be sure to pack enough water and sun protection for these. Although they’re fairly short trails, it’s best to be too prepared when dealing with Singapore’s heat and humidity.

Fort Siloso Skywalk

A walking trail that provides scenic views of the island while leading to Fort Siloso, a restored British-era fort offering a glimpse into Singapore’s military history.

Sentosa Nature Discovery

The Sentosa Nature Discovery is another great trail that’ll take you through stunning nature and greenery. What I like about this trail is the interactive exhibits you’ll come across along the way, educating on Sentosa’s biodiversity! There’s also a great lookout point you can stop at for pictures.

Imbiah Trail

The Imbiah Trail is a 2.3km hiking trail that takes you through lush forests. This peaceful and easy hike will take you around 35 minutes. Be sure to check out the waterfalls and Imbiah Bridge along the way. If you’re starting your trip from mainland Singapore, get the Sentosa Express straight to Imbiah Station. You’ll see maps and signs that will point you in the direction of the Imbiah Trail from there.

Where to Eat in Sentosa

Sentosa is home to a wide range of food options, located across the island, to suit all budgets! Here are some places i’ve enjoyed going to in the past;

Coastes: Close to Siloso Beach, Coastes is a chilled beach bar offering seafood, burgers and drinks with ocean views.
Tanjong Beach Club: Probably one of my favourites in Sentosa, Tanjong Beach Club is a chic dining spot popular for its Mediterranean-inspired menu and weekend brunches. They do great cocktails and good vibes!
FOC Sentosa: Close to Palawan Beach, FOC Sentosa is a stylish beach restaurant offering Spanish cuisine with beachfront views.
Quayside Isle: This dining hub located at Sentosa Cove Marina offers various international cuisines, ranging from Italian to Japanese. I love Quayside Isle for the wide range of options available and the beautiful waterfront views! It’s also a nice place to come in the evening, as the area is lit up and the outdoor seating area has fans to keep you cool.
Malaysian Food Street: Malaysian Street Food is a great hawker centre offering a range of dishes from curries to noodles. Prices here are a little more expensive than standard hawker centres, but that’s due to the proximity to the amusement parks and attractions. It is still a cheaper option than many other restaurants on the island.

Historical and Cultural Sites

Sentosa has a few notable historical sites and cultural experiences you can enjoy.

Fort Siloso

Fort Siloso is a preserved coastal fort that played a significant role during World War II. The on-site museums has a wide range of WW2 memorabilia to explore, including old bunkers, tunnels, coastal guns, cannons and exhibits that tell the story of Singapore’s military past. I found it to be larger than I expected and ended up spending about 2.5 hours here! Whilst here, consider doing the Fort Siloso Skywalk (as mentioned above). Check out the Sentosa site for more information on Fort Siloso.

Images of Singapore LIVE

The Images of Singapore is an interactive museum that provides an engaging overview of Singapore’s history through actors and exhibits. Here you can get insight into the country’s colonial past and path to independence. It has 15 interactive areas that showcase 200 years of extraordinary history. You’ll find the Images of Singapore LIVE located alongside Madame Tussauds.

How to Get to Sentosa

There are several ways to get to Sentosa from mainland Singapore.

Sentosa Express

You can catch the Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity shopping mall to various stations on the island. For this option, take the train to HarbourFront station, the termini of the North East line and Circle line. Once at HarbourFront Station, follow signs for the Sentosa Express monorail line. This can be found on the 3rd floor of VivoCity and is a direct train to the island for a $4 roundtrip journey. Or, head to the first floor and walk along the Sentosa Boardwalk. This is probably the easiest ways to get to Sentosa!

Sentosa Boardwalk

This pedestrian walkway links VivoCity to Sentosa, providing an easy 15-minute walk onto the island. To access the boardwalk, head to the first floor of VivoCity shopping mall and follow signs to the boardwalk start. This area is covered so you’ll be protected from the sun or rain during the walk there.

Cable Car

For a scenic, and more adventurous route to Sentosa, take the cable car! Take the cable car from Faber Peak, Mount Faber to Sentosa and enjoy aerial views of the harbour and coastline. As someone who is scared of heights, I found the cable car terrifying, but it was a cool experience. Read the official site for more info. This could be a good option if you’re coming back from a hike at Faber Park or the Henderson Waves. You can take the cable car to Sentosa on a one-way trip or buy a return ticket.

Drive or Taxi

You can drive onto Sentosa via the Gateway Toll Plaza, which charges an entry fee per car. Or get a taxi, which will conveniently drop off or pick up anywhere on the island. There is a small surcharge on top of the metered fare. Both personal cars and taxis will be charged $2-6 SG dollars depending on time of day. Read this article for up-to-date Sentosa entrance fees and parking costs.

FAQs about Sentosa

When is the best time to visit?

You can visit the island all-year round, however, be mindful of the rainy season! Between November and January, you’ll likely experience bursts of rain. If you’re planning to do the beaches or trails then it might be worth planning your day around the weather. Or plan a few indoor activities for when it’s due to rain.

Are there any entrance fees to Sentosa?

Entrance fees apply when taking the monorail, cable car, or driving into Sentosa. The boardwalk offers free entry for pedestrians.

How long should I plan to spend on Sentosa?

To experience the main attractions, I’d recommend a full day, but you could easily spend two days. One for more of a beach day and another for the amusement parks.

Is Sentosa family-friendly?

Absolutely! This is probably one of the best places to go in Singapore with kids. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the number of attractions, beaches, theme parks, and educational trails.

Other great things to do in Singapore include visiting the Gardens by the Bay or one of the big hikes on the island.