Tuesday, March 10, 2020

5 fun things to do on St John's Island, Singapore's offshore gem only 30 minutes away

PHOTO: A few kilometres south of Singapore lies a secret beach with clear waters and white sands on St John's Island, one of the country's many beautiful offshore islands.
Photo from Instagram/timeoutsg
Picture posted by Muneerah Bee, The Finder on 07 March 2020
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https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/5-fun-things-do-st-johns-island-singapores-offshore-gem-only-30-minutes-away


Back to nature.

A few kilometres south of Singapore lies a secret beach with clear waters and white sands on St John's Island, one of the country's many beautiful offshore islands.


Back to nature. A secret beach with clear waters and white sands.
PHOTO: Back to nature. A secret beach with clear waters and white sands.
Picture posted by KyKyRyzO on 09 June 2019 - Svetlana Reus, 30, is from Russia, but now lives in Greece and works as a freelance IT manager. Since 2010, Svetlana has traveled to different countries around the world, including Australia, Bali and the Maldives.
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This popular day trip destination (previously known as Pulau Sakijang Bendera) was once a quarantine centre for immigrants coming into Singapore who had cholera, beri-beri and leprosy; it was later used to house political prisoners and drug rehabilitators. (You can still see the high barbed-wire fences!)

Today, there are tons to do there, on land and beyond its shores.


GETTING TO ST JOHN'S ISLAND
Make your way to Marina South Pier (right next to Marina South Pier MRT Station) and buy your ferry tickets from Marina South Ferries around the main entrance of the pier.

Check out the daily ferry schedule and ticket prices here.


1. JOIN A GUIDED NATURE WALK

JOIN A GUIDED NATURE WALK
PHOTO: JOIN A GUIDED NATURE WALK
Picture posted by y_lyn on 23 June 2019 - St. John's Island National Marine Laborator
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgK3t5cMLcAfBcWxqMWRvBKv-MhuqccM6vWLFFmJCJ3h6EEIY59tdnhTb9j7ctEhvM2OJ3m2o67a8FrAaa1K6eznYhdfm4ThTxz_VG8WunwadCA6al3HfDcwyii2idJy_NdvJ0yeBkvU/s1600/64593046_154126279043857_309829093890164327_n.jpg
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BzDYhahHL2W/?utm_source=ig_embed


St. John’s Island is home to mangroves, coastal plants and coral reefs. Find out how you can book a guided intertidal walk around the island here.

The St John's Island National Marine Laboratory, a local marine research facility on the island, also organises visits to the institute as part of its public education programme to create awareness in the marine sciences. Get in touch with them here.



Posted by y_lyn on 23 June 2019 at 5:49am PDT (Pacific Daylight Time, Summer)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzDYhahHL2W/?utm_source=ig_embed


2. HIT THE BEACH
St John’s Island best kept secret is actually another island of its own. Laidback Lazarus Island is linked to St John’s Island by a little paved bridge for an easy walk and it’s home to tranquil beaches and lagoons.


HIT THE BEACH
PHOTO: HIT THE BEACH
St John’s Island best kept secret is actually another island of its own. Laidback Lazarus Island is linked to St John’s Island by a little paved bridge for an easy walk and it’s home to tranquil beaches and lagoons.
Picture posted by トマ缶‏ @tomakan0721 on 22 aza. 2019 at 19:58
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https://twitter.com/tomakan0721/status/1198088454917128194
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/01/uncle-in-hot-water-after-taking-body.html


P.S. If you’re planning a picnic by the beach, you’ll need to bring everything you need as food and drinks are not sold on both islands!


HIT THE BEACH
PHOTO: EXPLORE FURTHER
Picture posted by jibobarroga on 25 November 2017
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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb5j1eAAmAX/?utm_source=ig_embed


From Lazarus Island, you can walk to yet another naturesque island, Pulau Seringat. The place is relatively undeveloped but we hear it may not stay that way for long, so pop over and venture if you have the time.



Posted by jibobarroga on 24 November 2017 at 5:13pm PST (Pacific Standard Time, winter)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb5j1eAAmAX/?utm_source=ig_embed


5. BOOK AN ISLAND STAY
A holiday bungalow, furnished with cooking facilities, is available on the island and it can hold up to 10 people. For larger groups up to 60 people, the dormitory-style holiday camps are your best choice.


BOOK AN ISLAND STAY
PHOTO: BOOK AN ISLAND STAY
A holiday bungalow, furnished with cooking facilities, is available on the island and it can hold up to 10 people.
Picture posted by Dreamstime.com
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Do note you can only stay overnight on St John’s Island if you book these accommodations as camping is strictly not allowed.


BOOK AN ISLAND STAY
PHOTO: BOOK AN ISLAND STAY
Do note you can only stay overnight on St John’s Island if you book these accommodations as camping is strictly not allowed.
Picture posted by Alamy
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6. BOOK A PRIVATE YACHT

BOOK A PRIVATE YACHT
PHOTO: BOOK A PRIVATE YACHT
Not that you needed any more excuse to visit this gem of an island, but you can even charter a private luxury yacht that’ll take you on a cruise around the beautiful Singapore waters before taking you to St John’s Island to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Picture posted by jesse.hu on 20 November 2017 - Yacht - Lazarus Island
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Not that you needed any more excuse to visit this gem of an island, but you can even charter a private luxury yacht that’ll take you on a cruise around the beautiful Singapore waters before taking you to St John’s Island to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Perfect party idea? We think so!





A post shared by Jesse Hu (@jesse.hu) on

Posted by jesse.hu on 20 November 2017 at  at 12:52am PST (Pacific Standard Time, winter)
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BOOK A PRIVATE YACHT
Back to nature
Back to nature
PHOTO: Back to nature
Today, there are tons to do there, on land and beyond its shores. As Christians we always want to include God in our plans in life.

"Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." (Proverbs 3:23-24).

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4).

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8).
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By Muneerah Bee, The Finder, 07 March 2020
This article was first published in The Finder.



Reference
[1] Muneerah Bee, The Finder, 5 fun things to do on St John's Island, Singapore's offshore gem only 30 minutes away, posted on 07 March 2020, https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/5-fun-things-do-st-johns-island-singapores-offshore-gem-only-30-minutes-away


LINKS
guided intertidal walk around the island here - https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/workshops/nature-walks/intertidal-walks/

St John's Island National Marine Laboratory - http://sjinml.nus.edu.sg/

create awareness in the marine sciences. Get in touch with them here - http://sjinml.nus.edu.sg/visiting-the-marine-lab/

holiday bungalow - https://www1.sla.gov.sg/state-land-n-property/management-of-state-land-and-property/visiting-the-sla-managed-islands/st-johns-island

charter - https://yachtrental.com.sg/destinations/southern-islands/

cruise - https://singaporeyachtcharter.com/island-hopping/

The Finder - https://www.thefinder.com.sg/things-to-do/explore-sg/6-fun-things-do-st-johns-island-singapores-offshore-gem-only-30-minutes-away/

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