Believe it or not, even us travel bloggers like to play tourist sometimes. There’s a lot of judgement out there expecting us to be ‘travellers’ not ‘tourists’ but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a good theme park or zoo. In between my days exploring the city/country of Singapore, I headed to Sentosa Island for some good, old-fashioned, touristy fun! The resort is packed with activities, beaches and shops so it’s practically impossible to be bored. Here is my ultimate guide to the island so you can have the best trip ever!
Warning: This definitely not the ‘real Singapore’ so travel snobs, turn back now.
What To Do
- Universal Studios: I’m a sucker for a good theme park so I could never resist a Universal Studios. With 7 movie themed lands to explore, you’re transported to another world (or several worlds) full of rides, shows and your favourite characters. It’s nowhere near as big as its Florida counterpart but still houses a surprising number of big, thrill rides that are well worth the visit. Don’t miss Human vs Cylon and the classic Jurassic Park Log Flume.
- iFly: Sentosa Island houses the world’s largest indoor wind tunnel for simulation sky diving. If you feel like jumping out of a plane isn’t for you (fair enough) then this is the best alternative. It even has a glass wall so you still get some amazing views while you fly!
- S.E.A Aquarium: Home to over 800 species, the S.E.A Aquarium is an impressive, hands on experience. See dolphins and sharks and even take a scuba diving class in one of the open ocean style exhibits!
- Palawan Beach: Just because this beach is man made does not make it any less impressive. Relax on the luxurious white sand or head over the iconic rope bridge the visit the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia (although it’s on an island so I’m not really sure how that works). It’s as close to a tropical paradise as you can get in a country that is entirely city.
- Mega Adventure Park: Are you a fan of adrenaline? Then Mega Adventure is for you. Including huge zip wires, high ropes courses and a free-fall simulator, you’ll fly through the trees, with great views of the beaches below.
- Adventure Cove Water Park: One of the most pleasantly surprising activities on the island was the Adventure Cove Water Park. The relatively cheap ticket includes unlimited access to a range of exciting (and mildly terrifying) waterslides, a huge lazy river, complete with a wall of sting rays, and an obstacle course. The highlight though is a snorkelling experience through their imitation coral reef.
- Wings of Time: End your day by taking in the spectacular Wings of Time show. The outdoor arena is filled with music, lasers and fire as they tell the story of a bird called Shahbaz. I don’t know why this bird is special. I think visuals have taken priority over storyline here. But it’s still a pleasant way to spend an evening.
- Sentosa Merlion: Singapore is pretty rich, right? And what guards that prosperity? A giant Merlion, obviously. Whether you go inside the statue or just marvel at it from the pavement, it’s well worth a look. You can read more about the legend of the Merlion here.
- There’s so much more to do from street luging to a trick eye museum. Find all the activities here.
Getting There
There are a range of hotels on the island but you’ll find a much bigger range and better deals elsewhere. It’s incredibly easy to get to Sentosa Island from the city so there isn’t much point staying there unless Sentosa is the main reason for your trip.
- Sentosa Express: The free train departing from Vivo City shopping centre (a short walk from HarbourFront MRT) is the easiest way to get to Sentosa. It’s also pretty handy for navigating around the island if you don’t feel like walking with stops by the theme parks and beaches.
- Walking: We’d been told that the train cost $5 (curse whoever that was) so we walked across the boardwalk to Sentosa 3 times before getting tired and giving in to the train. The walk is easy (especially if you’re going to Universal or the aquarium at the front of the island), gives you a great view of the city and gives you plenty of time to eat all the tasty treats you picked up at Vivo City.
- Cable Car: An activity in itself, travel in style on the Singapore cable car. Obviously the pricier option, the cable car gives you stunning, panoramic views of the area as you float high above the water. Whilst not really a viable form of travel in the long term, it might be worth doing once if you’re on the less thrifty side.
Top Tips
- There’s an ice lolly shop by the Merlion. It’s amazing, but if the lady behind the counter warns you that the lemon lolly is incredibly sour, BELIEVE HER. I love lemon. I did not take her advice. I happily ate my lolly, enjoying the sourness in all its lemony glory, then my tongue started bleeding and a couldn’t eat for the rest of the day. I think it was the Merlion’s fault. Not cool.
- OK now a real tip. We bought all our Sentosa tickets through a website called Klook. It offers huge savings on attractions around Asia and it was 100% legit. We were a little nervous at first but all of our tickets worked perfectly and we saved over £50.
- For Universal, get there early and go straight to the back of the park. There’ll be no queues for these rides as people just go on the first thing they see.
- At Adventure Cove, go to the snorkelling reef as soon as you arrive as this gets incredibly busy as the day goes on. Also, lockers are expensive so try to bring minimal stuff.
Have you been to Sentosa? What would you recommend?
Katie x
I absolutely loved Sentosa Island. Unfortunately, we were in Singapore for only 4 days and we didn’t get to fully explore Sentosa. I visited Universal Studios (cant miss that now can we), Merlion & the Trick Eye Museum. I highly recommend you visit the museum, its so much fun. I am not an adrenaline junkie, but I’m sad that I missed visiting S.E.A Aquarium and Palawan Beach 🙁 Gives me all the more reason to go back 🙂
Author
I’ll definitely check out the museum on my next trip!
I have done three quick trips to Singapore and so far have only had a chance for a quick walk on Sentosa. All I remember was seeing the Candylicious store and the tree with the hanging lollipops out the front. My kids were in heaven! I will have to make an effort to get back there, I didn’t realise there were so many different activities to take part in.
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The possibilities are literally endless! The kids would love it!
Wow – that beach is man made? Is that for real? Looks like heaven! Also, I’ve never been to a Universal Studios theme park and it looks like a lot of fun.
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Yeah the beach was incredible! So impressive! You definitely should go if you get the chance!
What a absolute fun way to spend a day! Theme parks can be so much fun! Thank you for reminding us travellers that being a tourist is just as exciting!
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Nothing wrong with good old fashioned fun!!
I LOVE AMUSEMENT PARKS!! If I am a tourist for using my time in an amusement park then let it be! 😀 I dont think theres any shame of doing typically tourists things – even as a travel blogger 😉 Good you enjoyed it. Hugs, Nana
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I totally agree! Theme parks are my favourite!
Here’s to touristing!
Plus, as travelers we know where to find deals 😉 Thanks for the info on he free (!) train and the reduced tickets website.
Happy continued travels!
Author
Thanks, you too!
Although I am not a huge fan of zoos and theme parks, this looks like a great day out! I especially like the idea of relaxing on Palawan beach and love the photo of the water park 🙂
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Thanks!
I hate the traveller vs tourist debate! As long as you are moving and exploring it’s a good thing ? I love a theme park and Universal at Sentosa was one of the best apart from the fact that we got stuck on one of the rides there!
Author
Yeah I don’t see why there has to be a distinction!
Oh wow! Which ride?! That’s insane.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being a tourist and a traveller, why not do both if you fancy some fun!? I met pink dolphins at dentist and it was a highlight of that trip. I didn’t know about the water park but I would love to go on my next visit to Singapore. Also, thanks for the link to the discount ticket site, it is now bookmarked and ready to go.
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Yeah I don’t see an issue with either! I’ve always wanted to meet dolphins!
No problem, the site really helped us out!
Ha, funnily enough I spent my very last day in Asia here! It was a really fun unashamed send off, to be honest! Universal was so much fun, really small in comparison to the other ones, but still loads to do. Nothing wrong with being a tourist! 🙂