Pulau Ubin is a 1,036-ha island off northeastern Singapore, known for its granite-mining past, village scenery and designated trails. It’s a nature outing about 60 minutes from Bright Star Hotel, followed by a bumboat trip from Changi Point.
- Getting there: Bumboats cross from Changi Point Ferry Terminal in about 10 minutes.
- Typical boat pattern: Daily service usually runs on demand from 6 am to 7 pm, leaving when 12 passengers are aboard.
- Usual fare: $4 per person each way, plus $2 for a bicycle.
- On the island: Explore designated trails on foot or by bicycle, or hire a local van service.
What to expect on Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin combines village surroundings, outdoor routes and reminders of its granite-mining history. Bunds built for prawn farming joined what had been five smaller islands, creating the island visitors see today.
Granite mining once supported a few thousand settlers, and abandoned quarries remain. For a day out, you can pair a look around the village with a walk or cycle on a designated trail; the island also has a dedicated mountain-bike park.
Chek Jawa Wetlands is another destination on Pulau Ubin. Its Coastal and Mangrove Boardwalks, Jejawi Tower and Visitor Centre are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. The intertidal flats are most suitable at low tides of 0.5 metres and below; at higher tides, they are submerged.
How do you get to Changi Point?
Changi Point Ferry Terminal sits beside Changi Village, where you board a bumboat for Pulau Ubin. To plan the airport leg of your trip, how to get from Changi Airport to Bright Star Hotel covers that journey.
NParks gives Changi Point Ferry Terminal’s address as 51 Lorong Bekukong and identifies bus services 2, 29, 59 and 109 to Changi Village Bus Terminal. Routes from MRT stations to Changi Village Bus Interchange include bus 59 from Tampines East MRT Station, bus 29 from Tampines MRT Station, and bus 2 from Tanah Merah MRT Station.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore identifies Changi Point Ferry Terminal as a public landing point serving travel to and from northern outlying islands such as Pulau Ubin. If you are planning other journeys around the city, how to get around Singapore from Aljunied can help put the trip in context.
Bumboats, fares and operating details
The bumboat crossing from Changi Point to Pulau Ubin takes about 10 minutes. Boats are privately managed and usually operate on demand daily from 6 am to 7 pm, departing when 12 passengers are aboard.
The usual fare is $4 per person each way, with an additional $2 for a bicycle. The operator may agree to depart with fewer than 12 passengers or outside the usual operating period for a higher fare; arrange travel outside those hours in advance. NParks advises confirming fares before departure.
Because service is on demand, allow for the passenger requirement when planning your day. If no bumboat is available at the Pulau Ubin jetty for your return, call the NParks helpline at 1800-471 7300.
Planning walks and cycling on the island
You can explore Pulau Ubin’s designated trails on foot or by bicycle, or hire a local van service. For mountain biking, Ketam Mountain Bike Park covers 45 ha and has 10 km of trails, including Blue Square, Black Diamond and Double Black Diamond tracks.
If you cycle, bring a helmet or rent one from a bicycle shop on the island. At some steep slopes, signs instruct cyclists to dismount and push their bicycles. Choose routes that match your experience and leave time to return to the jetty for the boat.
For Chek Jawa’s intertidal flats, tide conditions shape what is visible: plan for a low tide of 0.5 metres or below if you want to see the flats exposed.
Supplies, safety and return-trip planning
Keep your return crossing in mind as you plan the day, especially because the usual bumboat service is demand-based and its stated operating period ends at 7 pm. For travel outside that period, make prior arrangements with the operator.
During bad weather, seek shelter, avoid forested areas during and immediately after the weather, and stay out of flooded areas. On cycling routes, follow signs to dismount and push where instructed.
First-aid posts at Ubin Volunteer Hub in the Main Village and at Ubin Living Lab are manned daily by staff trained to administer first aid. For an emergency or accident, call 999 or 995, or the NParks helpline at 1800-471 7300.
Before you go: Boat operations, fares and site details can change, so check the official site before you go.
FAQs
How long is the bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin?
The crossing from Changi Point Ferry Terminal takes about 10 minutes.
How much does the Pulau Ubin bumboat cost?
The usual fare is $4 per person each way, plus $2 for a bicycle. Confirm the fare before departure.
Can you cycle on Pulau Ubin?
Yes. Designated trails are open to cyclists, and Ketam Mountain Bike Park has 10 km of trails. Bring a helmet or rent one from a bicycle shop on the island.
When is the best time to visit Chek Jawa’s intertidal flats?
The flats are most suitable to visit during low tides of 0.5 metres and below. At higher tides, the area is submerged.