Sisters' Islands Marine Park Reopened in Singapore

Image Credit: Barnard Seah via Facebook

Singapore has a true hidden gem for all nature enthusiasts, explorers, and discoverers. It is a great place to take a break from the vanities of life, merge with pristine nature, rejuvenate your mind, and energize your senses. Moreover, it is a perfect destination for a family getaway. This time, we are talking about Sisters’ Island Marine Park in Singapore, which is finally ready to greet visitors after renovation. BusyKidd invites you to take a virtual tour of the reopened park and prepare for a mind-blowing adventure!

Let’s learn more about Sisters’ Island Marine Park and its significance for The Little Red Dot.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: General Information

Image Credit: Beta.nparks.gov.sg

Sisters’ Island Marine Park is a 40-hectare marine park in the Southern Islands planning area in The Lion City. In 2014, the area was declared Singapore’s 1st Marine Park, and now it’s operated by the National Parks Board of Singapore. It is made up of two islands – Pulau Subar Laut (aka Big Sister – 9.6 acres in area) and Pulau Subar Darat (aka Small Sister – 4.2 acres in area) – and the western reefs of St John’s Island and Pulau Tekukor. Sisters’ Island Marine Park is just a half an hour’s ferry ride from the mainland.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park strives to protect the city-state’s rich marine life and coral reefs. Besides, it was established to promote research and education on the coastal and underwater environment of Singapore. Sisters’ Island Marine Park serves as a welcoming gateway into the amazing underwater world and realm of Mother Nature, where visitors can find out more about The Lion City’s biodiversity, watch amazing creatures in their natural habitats, understand the importance of environmental protection, and admire mind-blowing natural miracles.

While Small Sister’s Island is for research and conservation purposes only, Big Sister’s Island welcomes all friends to dive into the mesmerizing underwater world of Singapore, both literally and figuratively. Strolling, swimming, and snorkeling are just a tiny part of all the exciting things to do on Big Sister’s Island – and we will discuss Sisters’ Island Marine Park amenities and activities a bit later in this article. And now, let’s check more details on this exceptional marine park’s rejuvenation.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: Rejuvenation

Image Credit: Beta.nparks.gov.sg

On October 28, 2024, Sisters’ Island Marine Park greeted its first visitors after a huge renovation. The park’s two islands were closed in 2021 for enhancement works. Finally, after three years, the rejuvenated Sisters’ Island Marine Park is ready to take everyone on a fascinating tour of Singapore’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

As we have already mentioned above, Small Sister’s Island is closed to the public since it is designated for conservation and research purposes only. In the meantime, Big Sister’s Island will surprise all visitors with new features and things to do that will make your visit even more exciting, educational, meaningful, and unforgettable. So, now is an excellent time to check them!

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: Family-Friendly Guide

Sisters’ Island Marine Park Singapore tours

Image Credit: Beta.nparks.gov.sg

After three years of rejuvenation, Sisters’ Island Marine Park has become even more welcoming and family-friendly. Moreover, it has managed to preserve its uniqueness, pristineness, and an incredible atmosphere of complete serenity. From cute inhabitants and beautiful plants to exciting manmade attractions and thrilling activities – Sisters’ Island Marine Park is an ideal place for spending time with your nearest and dearest and creating precious family memories.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: What to See

Sisters’ Island Marine Park Flora and Fauna

Image Credit: NParks via Facebook

Giant clams, nudibranchs, sponges, reef fish (butterflyfish, pufferfish, angelfish, and others), seahorses, and many other bright underwater creatures are friendly inhabitants of Sisters’ Island Marine Park. If you are lucky enough, you can even spot turtles, rays, and even reef sharks.

While walking through the island, you can find endangered Putat Laut (Barringtonia asiatica) and Penaga Laut (Calophyllum inophyllum) along the hiking trail. Stop for a moment and try to find a wood owl, white-bellied sea eagle, endangered great-billed heron, and many other birds.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park Features

Image Credit: NParks via Facebook

Coral Reefs. No doubt, coral reefs are the highlight of Sisters’ Island Marine Park. It is a true miracle created by Mother Nature that provides shelter and food for rare and endangered representatives of the underwater world.
Floating Boardwalk. Singapore’s first floating boardwalk spans 220 meters and ensures a breathtaking and educational walk with a beautiful view of both Sisters’ Islands. Of course, the boardwalk provides incredible opportunities to admire coral reefs and watch colourful underwater inhabitants. It also serves as a coral habitat and research site. There are five moon pools in the boardwalk, which are used by researchers for various marine experiments.
Hilltop View Deck. The two-storey-high Hilltop View Deck is the highest point on the island and an excellent spot to take a deep breath of fresh air, admire the fantastic nature around, enjoy birdwatching, see the neighboring islands, and enjoy the moment.
Lagoon Tidal Pool. It is a sheltered water body that will mature into a multi-habitat ecosystem with seagrass, corals, mangroves, and coastal habitats over time.
Ocean Network Express Coastal Forest Trail. It is a hiking trail that takes visitors on a tour through the island’s coastal forest with its beautiful flora, fauna, and magnificent views.
Solar Farm. Big Sister’s Island boasts its solar farm with 88 photovoltaic, emission-free solar panels that make Sisters’ Island Marine Park a net-zero energy marine park that is fully powered by solar energy.

Besides, Big Sister’s Island has many other amenities, including a welcoming arrival pavilion, a toilet-shower building, manmade habitats for bees, bats, and other marine park inhabitants, and cozy rest stops.

Please note that you should bring plenty of water and some snacks since there are no dining venues or food stalls on the island.

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: What to Do

Image Credit: NParks via Facebook

Of course, the main purpose of the visit to Sisters’ Island Marine Park is to merge with wild nature, get acquainted with Singapore’s mesmerizing underwater world, learn more about the importance of its protection – well, and take a break from the bustling and hustling city. Sisters’ Island Marine Park is great for hiking, going on intertidal walks, sunbathing, swimming, building sand castles with your little explorers, and admiring the views – and not only this. It’s also an excellent place for birdwatching. And, yes, Sisters’ Island Marine Park provides unique opportunities for snorkeling and diving, so be sure to take your gear – it’s time to plunge into the fantastic underwater world of Singapore!

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: Dos and Don’ts

Please note that Sisters’ Island Marine Park is a realm of Mother Nature – and we are just guests in this realm. We come here to enjoy the tranquility and pristine nature all around, get acquainted with Singapore’s breathtaking flora and fauna, and uncover some of its secrets. As guests who have a unique chance to enter this realm, we should be grateful for this opportunity and be polite, respectful, and courteous to all the inhabitants of Sisters’ Island Marine Park. Avoid all Don’ts and be sure to follow all Dos – and your time spent in the marine park will be truly great.

Do not:

Сollect or remove any plants, animals, or shells from the park
Enter the lagoon on vessels
Fish, cast the nets, or poach
Feed wild animals
Release animals
Smoke
Listen to loud music
Anchor
Make fire and barbecue

Do:

Follow designated trails
Watch the wildlife from a distance
Remove litter
Be quiet
Clean up after your dog
Observe opening and closing times

And the main rule: forget about all the problems and concerns and enjoy your family tour of amazing Sisters’ Islands Marine Park to the fullest!

Sisters’ Island Marine Park: How to Get

To get to Sisters’ Island Marine Park, you can catch a ferry from Marina South Pier via two operators – Singapore Island Cruise or Marina South Ferries. The journey will take you about 30 minutes and provide mind-blowing views of Singapore’s skyline.