On our Singapore Trip we spent day 7 and 8 at Sentosa Island. We moved hotel to the Harbourfront, adjacent to Vivo City, so we would be in walking distance of the Island. This was my second time visiting Sentosa. On my last trip we only spend a few hours at this beach. However this visit we had two days to make the most of the attractions on offer. We really enjoyed Sentosa and I could imagine if money was no object we could easily spend a couple of weeks there soaking up the sun and all the entertainment.

Sentosa is entertainment island is located south of Singapore. It houses a 2km shoreline, 14 hotels, 2 golf courses, and a variety of attractions. The name Sentosa means ‘peace and tranquility’ in Malay, which it totally fits. However, it was previously went by another name in Malay, which meant ‘Island of death behind’. There are many different theories to where this name came from and all don’t sound to nice. During WW2 it was a British military fortress and after it was training base for locally enlisted men to learn basic training and later the naval training base. We actually met a Singaporean man who told us he trained here for the army when he was a young man. This really surprised us since we hadn’t come across the military sites on the island.

To get onto the Island there are a few different ways. You can take a take the monorail from Vivo City, walk across the pedestrian bridge from the main land, a Cable Car from Mount Faber or take a bus from Orchard Road or Tiong Bahru. Within the Island you can also take the monorail and cable car to different stops, as well as an internal bus service. The only free way on and around the island is to walk, which is what we did. However I did notice ticket machines at entrance points, so I dare say this will change in the future.

 

What you can do?

There is so many attractions, activities and sites the island. I recommend you considering how much time you have and the individual prices of the activities before buying the Sentosa Pass. You can buy tickets to some attractions on Klook for a discounted price.

Theme and Water parks: Universal Studios, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Mega Adventure Park, KidZania Singapore, Wave House Sentosa

Animal parks: Animal and Bird Encounters (free), Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Dolphin Island, S.E.A. Aquarium

Entertaining and Cultural Activities: Madame Tussaud’s, Trick Eye Museum, Images of Singapore Live (boat ride and interactive theatre), Sentosa 4D Adventureland (movie), Royal Albatross (boat), Maritime Experiential Museum, Wings of Time (evening performance), Singapore Cable Car Sky Network

Adventurous Activities: AJ Hackett Sentosa (skywalk), Gogreen Cycle & Island Explorer/Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure, iFly Singapore, Skyline Luge Sentosa, Tiger Sky Tower

Free Activities, Performances, and Landmarks: Fort Siloso (Heritage and Gun trails), Fort Siloso guided tours, Fort Siloso Sky walk, Merlion statue, Palawan Pirate Ship (for kids), Floating bridge at Siloso Beach, Crane Dance, Animal and Bird Encounters, Sentosa Nature Discovery, Lake of Dreams, Sentosa Broadwalk, Sentosa Outdoor Cinema

Beaches (free): Siloso Beach, Palawan beach, Tanjong Beach

 

Where can you eat?

There are food outlets and restaurants everywhere. If you don’t have much time on the Island, just consider the distance of your perspective choice. We had this dilemma for breakfast. We couldn’t find many places open early enough that were close to where we needed to be, so instead we had breakfast both days at Vivo City. For dinner on a budget, in a rush or without a book check the Malaysian Food Street. It’s a great hawker centre, located near Universal Studio and the Broadwalk. Just beware that its closed on Wednesday. Otherwise if  you don’t mind the walk or leaving the island anyway, then head over to the hawker centre Food Republic at Vivo City.

For more affordable options check out EatBook’s 10 Affordable And Delicious Places to Eat In Sentosa Under $15. If you can afford to spurge a little see Lady Iron Chef’s 9 Dining Places in Sentosa you wish you new about earlier (I actually wish I did). If money is no object or you just love to fine dine, then see RWSCOOP’s Guide To Dining In Resorts World Sentosa.

 

What did we do?

Since we only had 2 days on the Island we took one day for Universal Studios Singapore, followed by the Crane Dance performance. The second day we splashed around at Palawan beach and had some family fun at the Port of Lost Wonder (pirate ship). Then visited the Madame Tussaud’s and Images of Singapore Live. For lunch we dined at the Beaver Cafe and had dinner at the Malaysian Food Street. I will do another couple of posts on these attractions and dining options to show you our photos and thoughts on them.

 

What I want to do next time?

I would have loved to spend more time at the beautiful beaches. I planned on us visiting all three, but I didn’t realise how long the walk would be and our child doesn’t like to walk. If our little girl was a little older we would of definitely visited the Dolphin Island and the KidZania Singapore. Adventure Cove Waterpark, Trick Eye Museum, Wings of Time (live evening performance) and Fort Siloso also sounded really interesting too. If we just had one more day I would of fit those in too. Oh well, there’s always next time.

 

Have you been to Sentosa?

What did you do?