NATURE ATTRACTIONS IN SINGAPORE

Singapore has long envisage itself as a city in a garden and has made it a reality by ostensibly bringing an abundance of nature and lush greeneries into its urban landscape. Its conscientious efforts has garnered public acclaim and earned itself the prestigious moniker of “Garden City”.

Here at NuVe, we have compiled a list of activities and sites for you to check out and appreciate the nature-centric and green environs that are scattered generously around the island!

Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo is regarded by many as one of the best zoos in the world with world-class habitats simulating that of their natural habitats. The stellar wildlife sanctuary spreads over an astounding 26 hectares and is home to 4,200 animals across 300 species, 34% of which are threatened species. There are a total of 11 zones where you will be able to encounter animals from all over the world! Make sure to check out its most famous attraction, the world-leading free-ranging orangutan exhibit. Singapore Zoo also contributes to the global conservation effort through captive breeding programs, successfully breeding many species of animals that are threatened or endangered in the wild.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 8:30AM – 6:00PM

Admission Fees:

Adults $48

Children between 3 to 12 $33

Location:

80 Mandai Lake Road, 729826

Website to Book:

https://www.mandai.com/en/singapore-zoo.html

Night Safari

Just adjacent to Singapore Zoo is the internationally acclaimed and award-winning Night Safari! It is the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park sheltering 900 animals close to 100 species! This vivacious park can be explored either on foot via four walking trails or with the included tram ride which tours around the park with comprehensive commentary that educates visitors on the various creatures of the night that you will come across and the importance of conserving them. So head on to the Night Safari to catch a glimpse of the secret life of animals that occur after dark.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 7:15PM – 12:00AM

Admission Fees:

Adults $55

Children between 3-12 $38

Location:

80 Mandai Lake Road, 729826

Website to Book:

https://www.mandai.com/en/night-safari.html

Bird Paradise

Visit the newly opened Bird Paradise! With over 3,500 birds in 8 walk-through aviaries reflecting the different biomes of the world. From the South American flooded savannahs to  to the rice terraces of Asia, visitors can look forward to many different species in close proximity. Witness presentations showcasing the behaviour and ability of the birds at the Sky Amphitheatre! Dine in Penguin Cove Restaurant, feasting on sustainably sourced seafood while having direct view of the penguin exhibit.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 09:00AM – 6:00PM

Admission Fees:

Adults $48

Children between 3-12 $33

Location:

20 Mandai Lake Road, 729825

Website to Book:

https://www.mandai.com/en/bird-paradise.html

River Wonders

River Wonders is the first and only river-themed wildlife park in Asia! With more than 11,000 animals from 260 species, it has one of the greatest collections of freshwater vertebrates in the world! Learn more about these unique species that reside in some of the most famous river habitats, including the Mekong, Yangtze, and Amazon Rivers. Embark on an unforgettable boat adventure on the Amazon River Quest, offering a unique perspective of the Amazonian wildlife.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 10:00AM – 7:00PM

Admission Fees:

Adults $42

Children (Ages 3-12) $30

Location:

80 Mandai Lake Road, 729826

Website to Book:

https://www.mandai.com/en/river-wonders.html

SEA Aquarium

Home to more than 100,000 marine animals across over 1,000 species in 40 diverse habitats. S.E.A Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums and offers various interactive programs, animal encounters, and educational opportunities to all its visitors.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 10:00AM – 7:00PM

Admission Fees:

Adults $43

Children (Ages 3-12) $32

Location:

Resorts World at Sentosa

Website to Book:

https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/sea-aquarium

Dolphin Island

Your chance to get up close and interact with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins only at Dolphin Island! There are various types of packages offering different levels of interaction! You can even customise your programme with the Dolphin VIP programme!

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 10:00AM – 7:00PM

Admission Fees (Inclusive of Adventure Cove Waterpark / S.E.A. Aquarium )

Dolphin VIP (Adult & Child) $295

Dolphin Adventure (Adult Only) $182

Dolphin Discovery (Adult/Child) $138/ $130

Dolphin Encounter (Adult/Child) $78/$70

Location:

Resorts World at Sentosa

Website to Book:

https://www.rwsentosa.com/en/attractions/dolphin-island

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a definite sight to behold with its dreamlike architecture, diverse gardens and majestical groves. Enclosed within its Supertree Grove erects 12 Supertrees that rise up to a colossal 50 metres above ground! These iconic giants though beautiful during the day truly comes alive at night with its dazzling lights and musical shows!

If you happen to visit this gorgeous acre of land during the month of December, check out its annual Christmas Wonderland that is filled with Christmas markets, carols and joy all around! It is an exciting place to be for year-end celebration bringing festive fun to more than 4.8 million visitors since its debut in 2014.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 5:00AM – 2:00AM

Admission Fees:

Free of Charge

Location:

18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953

Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay

The Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay is a supersized cavernous conservatory holding the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse in the world! The primary draw factor of this dome is the seasonal floral display such as Tulipmania and Sakura Matsuri. Previously, it was unthinkable to display temperate flowers such as tulips and cherry blossoms on the equator, but with advanced technology, visitors are able to appreciate these flower blooms in sunny tropical Singapore! The entire dome is divided into different sections, each showcasing exotic plants from different continents.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 9:00AM-9:00PM

Admission Fees (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest Dome):

Adults $53

Children (Ages 3-12) $40

Location:

18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953

Website to Book:

https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/things-to-do/attractions/flower-dome.html

Cloud Forest @ Gardens by the Bay

The Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay is a revolutionary space that is designed to mimic the climatic conditions of a mountaintop forest in tropical highland regions found in South-Eat Asia, the Middle East and South America. It has a stunning indoor waterfall at the summit of the 35 meter tall artificial mountain! The exterior is made up of 2,577 glass panels in 690 various sizes and shapes creating a glamorous and enchanting dome.

Now is the best time to visit as there is a walk-through Avatar Experience featuring the flora and fauna from the world of Avatar.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 9:00AM-9:00PM

Admission Fees (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest Dome):

Adults $53

Children (Ages 3-12) $40

Location:

18 Marina Gardens Drive, 018953

Website to Book:

https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/things-to-do/attractions/flower-dome.html

Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens is an English-style garden that is beautifully designed with gently sprawling grounds, meandering paths and a natural distribution of plants. The 158 year old UNESCO World Heritage Site have over 10,000 different species of flora, fauna and receives millions of visitors on an annual basis. Entry to this stunning verdant landscape and most of its areas are free, however, there is a small fee for access to the striking National Orchard Gardens.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 5:00AM – 12:00AM

Monday – Sunday: 8:30AM – 7:00PM (National Orchard Gardens)

Admission Fees:

National Orchard Gardens

Adults S$15

Students & Seniors $3

Childen below 12 Free

Location:

1 Cluny Road, 259569

Where to Purchase:

Ticketing counter of National Orchid Garden

Fort Canning Park

Fort Canning Park is an 18-hectare kid-friendly park filled with many alluring attractions, from ancient artefacts, historical gardens, outdoor lawns for concerts and enticing greenery. There is a total of nine gardens within the park, each distinctively different, for the delight of nature enthusiasts. Besides its thriving arts, concert and culture scene, many also head here for the fresh air, hiking trials, dense flora and fauna, picturesque spots and open space for an intense outdoor workout!

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 24 Hours

Admission Fees:

Free of Charge

Location:

Percival Road

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Discover the beauty and wonders of Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park. Filled with rich biodiversity and extensive mangrove forests, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is home to fauna such as the King Cobra, Estuarine Crocodile, Smooth Coated Otters, all year round. During the seasonal migration months from September to March, many different species of migratory birds from as far as Russia makes the annual pilgrimage down to avoid the harsh winter season.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 7:00AM – 7:00PM

Admission Fees:

Free

Location:

301 Neo Tiew Cres, 718925

Central Catchment Nature Parks

There are various nature parks around the central water catchment areas such as Macritchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Rifle Range Nature Park. Each with its own unique attractions, flora, and fauna.

 The Central Water Catchment is home to many different wildlife species! Be sure to keep a lookout for wildlife such as Long-tailed macaques, Malayan Colugos, and more! If you are lucky, maybe even a Mouse-deer or  the elusive Sambar Deer!

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 7:00AM – 7:00PM

Admission Fees:

Free

Location:

All around Central Water Catchment

Treetop Walk @ McRitchie Nature Park

MacRitchie Reservoir’s TreeTop Walk is a free-standing 250-meter suspension bridge that connects the two highest points in MacRitchie, offering possibly the best aerial view of the community of fauna and flora that live in the forest canopy.

The trail at MacRtichie Reservoir which leads to TreeTop walk is approximately 7KM and takes about 3-5 hours for a round trip. Unfortunately, this area is characterised by steep slopes and unpaved terrain making it unsuitable for the disabled, pregnant women, and young kids. For safety reasons, it is recommended that you be habilimented in exercise gear instead of restrictive clothes and have appropriate footwear such as sports shoes. Do bring along would include sunscreen, insect repellent, and adequate hydration.

Operation Hours:

Weekday: 9:00AM – 5:00PM

Weekend: 8:30AM – 5:00PM

(Last entry at 4:45PM)

Closed on Mondays unless it is a public holiday.

Admission Fees:

Free

Location:

601 Island Club Road, 578775

Southern Ridges

The Southern Ridges is the go-to trail for avid hikers! The 10 kilometre route stretches across the southern region of Singapore, connecting  five luscious parks along the way – Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.

A most popular landmark in this trail is the Henderson Waves, a bridge that connects Mount Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park. It stands 36 meters above Henderson Road making it the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 24 Hours

Admission Fees:

Free

Location:

Southern Ridges

East Coast Park

East Coast Park is the largest park Singapore, taking up a 185-hectare space and is built entirely on reclaimed land. This man-made beach is a beautiful and refreshing place to be with its clean sand, serene waters and rich greenery making it a popular destination for cyclist, joggers, beach lovers, picnic goers and families looking to unwind over the weekend!

There are also many amenities available at the park such as the barbecue pits, chalets, food centre and various sporty facilities! We recommend renting a bike from one of the many stalls around the area to cruise about the anfractuous coastline! The cycling path stretches across a wide area and for those with a sporty and adventurous heart can cycle all the way to Marina Barrage to take in the gorgeous panoramic view of Singapore’s breath-taking skyline or cycle all the way to Changi Airport through Jurassic Mile!

If you’re feeling peckish after a long day exploring the beach, head over to the ever-popular East Coast Lagoon Food Village! It is an amalgamation of various food stalls and the go-to place for authentic and mouth-watering local delicacies! Make sure to bring a large group of friends and families so you’re able to order a little from each store and feast!

Operation Hours:

Monday – Sunday: 24 Hours

Admission Fees:

Free

Location:

East Coast Park, Singapore

Pulau Ubin

Just a 15 minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal lies an emerald island where nature and history intertwine. Pulau Ubin is a standalone island located off Singapore’s north-eastern coast. It is a highly popular area to visit, especially for nature lovers and city-dwellers looking to unwind from the bustle of urban life. There is lots to do on this 1020 hectare island, so we do recommend renting a bike from the stores that dot the main jetty before your exploration!

Nature lovers should visit Chek Jawa Wetlands for its rich biodiversity and incredible intertidal areas. Chek Jawa opens from 9:00am and closes at 5:00pm everyday. Check with the tidal calendar to avoid disappointment!

Do take note that the boats run from 6:00AM to 6:00PM daily and the boat fee cost S$4 per person paid directly to the captain. This totals to S$8 for a roundtrip and can only be paid in cash. The boats do not run on a scheduled timetable and only set off when there is a total of 12 passengers. There is no ATM on the island as well so do remember to bring adequate cash for your meals and refreshments!

Operation Hours (For Bumboats):

Monday – Sunday: 6:00AM – 6:00PM

Fees:

Bumboat roundtrip $8

Bicycle Rentals $6-S$20

Location:

Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Useful Information

MRT Map | Getting Around | Attractions in Singapore