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Life’s a beach with this handy ultimate 2021 guide to explore Lazarus Island Singapore!
While we aren’t able to escape the country to book a beach getaway due to Covid-19 restrictions, we can still enjoy the vacation vibes with a trip to this best kept secret (or not so secret anymore). Lazarus Island in Singapore is the perfect spot to escape the bustling city life, with untouched beaches and turquoise blue waters, that I’d say is pretty rare to find in our country! You’ll also be happy to know this getaway is only a 30 minutes ferry ride away from Marina South Pier. That’s like the commute time from your North neighbourhood to the city. If you’re looking to explore this little island getaway, I’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide from A-Z! 🤗
What is this Lazarus Island Singapore?
Lazarus Island, also known as Pulau Sakijang Pelepah, is one of 8 Singapore’s little islands, other than St John’s Island, Kusu Island, Pulau Seringat, Pulau Tekukor, Sentosa and two Sisters’ Islands. It features a lovely stretch of beach on both sides of the island, and is home to endemic flora and fauna that makes Lazarus special. This island is relatively unknown from a couple of years ago, and has been gaining popularity with the viral videos and articles on social media. (Please remember to take care of this gem!)
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Lazarus Island Singapore will be to catch the early ferry in the morning, so that you can cross the paved causeway from St John’s island when the sun is still not too hot. Also, you’ll have a lot of time to enjoy and explore the beach and the nearby St John’s Island and Kusu! It’s a great time to head there any month of the year, but I highly recommend to avoid going during monsoon season and public holidays. The two times that I visited the island was during a public holiday and a weekend in December, where queues were long, chaotic and confusing. So please get your tickets in advance otherwise you could be stuck for a long time in a very crowded ferry terminal.
#ASingaporeanAbroad Tip: Book your tickets online, so you won’t need to worry, even if it’s a public holiday or not! There are different sites to buy your tickets from.
Getting To And Around the Island
There are no straight ferries to Lazarus Island. Hop aboard the Singapore Island Cruise and Ferry Services from Marina South Pier to St John’s first. Boarding of ferries are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once it arrives at the first stop, it’s about a 20 minute walk on a cement path (stroller friendly) across the causeway to Lazarus.
- Book your tickets online at www.islandcruise.com.sg. Another option is https://marinasouthferries.com/. I have personally used both operators to my trip to the island.
- Two-way adult tickets are $15 and $12 for children, aged 1-12.
- The ferry is a loop from MSP-SJI-Kusu-MSP. On weekdays, there will also be direct ferries from St John’s back to mainland. Check out their ferry schedule here.
- The 30-minute return ferry ride from Marina South Pier to St. John’s Island promises a breathtaking way of seeing our beautiful iconic skyline. Some ferry operators have top decks for you to soak in the views. It definitely made me feel like I was going island hopping in Krabi. Get your sunnies and cameras ready!
P.S. You can’t stay over in the island. If you are looking for some halal staycay options with breakfast, I’ve rounded up 10 hotels in Singapore.
Things To Bring
- Hat/cap/super big sunhat, sunscreens and umbrellas: There isn’t much shade and shelter in Lazarus, so bring along a hat/cap/super big sunhat, sunscreens and umbrellas in case it rains. For my hijabi sisters, it can get pretty hot so be prepared to devise some ways to shade yourself from the sun.
- Insect repellent: There could be sandflies on the beach.
- Swimwear and towel. Optional to bring a change of clothes.
- Picnic mat and other optional things like books, speakers, kites, floats and snorkel gear.
- Wet wipes and sanitisers: There are no toilets on Lazarus. The nearest toilet is at St John’s island, where you need to cross the 20-minute causeway again.
- Telekung. You can use it for prayers, and *ahem* we used it to change to our swim attire as well.
- Trash bags: Don’t forget to bring some trash bags to pack your litter and rubbish. There isn’t any rubbish bin at the island, you will need to carry it and dispose of it at St John’s Island. Pack your own picnic snacks, food and drinks. What I recommend are some snacks, like Old Chang Kee, curry puffs, chicken wings, desserts from Polar or Prima Deli and potato chips. You can consider bringing heavier meals like Nasi Lemak or fried rice as well. Fruits like blueberries and grapes are super refreshing too! Trust me. Oh, and be careful with the ants. They could be after your yummy food. Optional to bring cat treats as you can come across these feline cuties here!
#ASingaporeanAbroad tip: bring a cooler bag with an ice pack, so you can sip on your cooling, refreshing drinks throughout the day!
Things To Do In Lazarus Island
1. Enjoy a picnic at the pristine beaches
Lazarus Island Singapore’s most secluded beach boasts a soft, sandy beach and shallow waters that actually has a gorgeous turquoise tint to it, which I’ve never really seen anywhere else in the beaches here. The best way to enjoy the island on a low budget is to find a shady spot, assemble your mat with the food and drinks, and enjoy the views of the beach with some good music and company. However, do take note that the water is just sort of clear-ish and garbage and plastic bottles can sometimes be found swept ashore.
There are two main areas to have a picnic here. Once you crossed the causeway from St John’s Island, you could lay down your mat at the grass patch facing St John’s Island. This was where I had my picnic on my first trip. What I like most about this spot is that it’s much less crowded, you won’t need to walk so far (after the long walk across the causeway) and there are actually more corals there to see when you swim/snorkel.
Another option is to walk further in, until you see a wide stretch of white and sandy beach which is the iconic C-shaped lagoon that you see in 99% of pictures of Lazarus. You could also just lay your picnic mat at the area at St John’s Island jetty if you don’t fancy crossing the causeway – it’s pretty there too. Oh and you could even see Singapore’s skyline from there!
Click here for deets to explore other beaches in Singapore!
2. Swim and snorkel at the cool turquoise waters
What is beach day without swimming? Put on your swimwear, get your swim gear like goggles or snorkel.
3. Put your fancy floats to good use
How often do you actually inflate your fancy floats in hotel swimming pools and public beaches here in Singapore? Maybe it might not even be allowed. But you could do that here – and the photos that you take will look so IG-worthy.
4. Go scuba diving and explore the marine life of Singapore
If you miss diving, Lazarus Island Singapore is one of the spots where you can dive and explore the marine creatures underwater. Divers have reported sightings of marine life such as seahorses, blue dragons, flatworms, and even cuttlefish, and resident sea turtles in the area. You can book a fun dive here with Scuba Do or a dive trip with Scubereefing here.
Some diving information:
Water Temp: 28-30 degrees Celsius
Visibility: 1-8 metres
Air Temp; 28-30 degrees Celsius
5. Get your adrenaline pumping and ride a jet-ski
Why not amp up your beach day in Lazarus by renting a Jet Ski? I’ve seen people jet-skiing across the two islands while I was crossing the causeway, and I was like “You can jetski here?!” Maybe it could be one of your best ways to enjoy exploring the island. Visit One15 Luxury Yachts website for more information on this.
6. Make friends with the resident cats in the islands
If you are a furry lover, you’ll be happy to know that you can find these resident cats, but mostly in St John’s island! If you have some space in your back, pack along a small packet of cat treats.
7. Have a mini photoshoot at the country’s secluded beach
With the vacay vibes, lovely sea breeze, swaying coconut trees and the beach, there are endless spots to have photoshoot sessions here and there! Even the stretch of pavement along the causeway can end up a good spot for a quick photo-taking session.
Check out my curated list of best Instagrammable spots in Singapore!
8. Discover the endemic flora and fauna of the island
Because I have an environmental biology degree, of course I have to mention this in my list. The southern side of the island has a natural cliff and a rocky shoreline. Lazarus was also once thriving with reef growth which could be explored during the low tide, but anymore. Take the opportunity to see the corals before they disappear (and be careful not to step on them!)
9. Experience a luxurious ‘seacation’ and rent a yacht
For those who are looking to take it up a notch can rent a yacht, up to 8 people! These yachts have a well-decorated interior and all the amenities that you need such as a BBQ pit and floats. Visit White Sails or the One15 Luxury Yachts website for more information on this or check out deals on Fave.com.
10. Visit St John’s Island and Kusu Island
In St John’s Island, you can go on a nature trail and check out the diverse biodiversity of the island. There’s a free curated trail guidebook from NParks to explore and look out for dolphins or migratory birds! Or you could also jio your pals for fishing. Yes, it’s allowed! If you have time, the ferry can also bring you to Kusu Island. Get a slice of history by visiting the 3 keramats (Muslim shrine) and a Chinese temple there.
Other Personal Tips When Visiting Lazarus Island Singapore
- Don’t overpack or underpack your items. For me, less is more since it’s going to be a daytrip anyway. If you are coming with family and friends, share the load among them. For example, decide who brings drinks, who will bring the picnic mat and plates, and you can bring food.
- This is a gamechanger. 🤣 Bring a luggage where you can dump all your heavy items inside, especially your drinks. Moreover, it makes you feel like you’re going on vacay! I first learnt about it on my first trip with my family with a 4-year-old niece. We were lugging heavy items in our backpacks and carrying other stuff as well, and then we saw some people casually pulling their luggages and trolley with ease. I’m gonna keep it real; it could be slightly more challenging with young kids as it could get really hot and uncomfy.
- If you want, bringing an easy-to-set-up tent will also make things easier and comfortable. Decathlon has some light and convenient set-up tents at really affordable prices. With it, you could change clothes inside, shelter yourself from the scorching sun and do your compulsory prayers there.
- Remember to keep applying sunscreen as the rays can be quite strong.
- There are holiday bungalows and chalets at the connecting St John’s Island, so you could book a stay there as well!
- Lastly, enjoy and don’t sweat the small stuff! There are no facilities there, no shops, and no shelter but you can have a lot of fun and beautiful photos there.
Phew, hope that wasn’t too much info! I hope that you will put Lazarus Island Singapore in your bucket list of places to visit here, and tag me inyour Instagram photos. If this article is helpful to you, don’t forget to SHARE it with your family and friends because who knows, they might need it!
