Water Sports in Singapore

By Cara Merren
Published: July 18, 2024
Water Sports

By Mia Russell

Beat the heat of Singapore’s perpetual summer and hit the water! Garden City is renowned for having some of the best museums, restaurants, and shopping in the world, but the city also has some fantastic water sports to enjoy.

Encircled by water, the island state has some beautiful beaches like Palawan and Changi. Spending the day relaxing on one of these spectacular beaches is a must. But if you prefer getting active, there is a range of fun water sports to enjoy. Whether it's exploring Singapore’s islands on a kayaking adventure or scuba-diving on the brightly colored reefs, here are some exciting water sports to enjoy in Singapore.

1. Kayaking

Image of Boat, Canoe, Kayak, Rowboat, Vehicle,

Kayaking in the calm waters around Singapore’s many islands is a fantastic way to spend a few hours. This fun, family-friendly activity is ideal for all fitness levels and ages, and you don’t need any sailing experience. Experienced guides will teach you the basics and show you some of Singapore’s secret spots along the coast.

Venture to Pulau Ubin and explore the magnificent mangrove forest. Keep an eye out for wildlife like otters, mangrove lizards, and long-tailed macaques. Visit one of the island’s floating fish farms (kelongs) and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch of locally-farmed sea bass and mussels. You can even try your hand at kayak fishing and catch your own lunch!

Use your pass to enjoy a Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin. Explore the beautiful coastline of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Ketam on this fantastic tour and soak up the spectacular natural scenery.

Where: Pulau Ubin

2. Windsurfing

Sailing meets surfing in this adrenalin-rushing sport. If you haven’t tried the sport before, take a basic windsurfing course or rent a board to show off your jumping, looping, and spinning skills. The Aloha Sea Sports Centre at East Coast Park offers courses for all skill levels and the Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre at Changi Beach has top-notch equipment to rent.

Where: East Coast Park / Changi Beach

3. Stand-up paddleboarding

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If you prefer a less intense water sport, try stand-up paddling (SUPPING). This easy, relaxing sport involves standing on a longboard and paddling with a double-bladed oar. The whole family can enjoy paddling on calm waters and it's a great upper-body workout.

Try stand-up paddling at the Aloha Sea Sports Centre at East Coast Park, the Constant Wind Sea Sports Centre at Changi, and the Ola Beach Club in Sentosa.

Where: East Coast Park / Changi Beach / Sentosa

4. Sailing

Soak up one-of-a-kind views of the city with the wind in your hair and salt on your lips from the bow of a sailboat. If you’re an experienced sailor, head to Marina Bay, where you can rent a boat from the DBS Marina Bay Sailing Program. Sail around the Central Business District and take in the breathtaking city skyline.

Don’t despair if you don’t know how to sail. You can jump on one of the many boat cruises offered at Marina Bay and enjoy the same experience without the hard work!

Where: DBS Marina Bay Sailing Program, Marina Bay

5. Wakeboarding

Love high-energy, adrenaline-rushing fun? Try wakeboarding to get all of that and more. This invigorating water sport involves surfing on a specifically designed board while being towed by a high-speed craft.

The best place to hit the water on a wakeboard is at Singapore Wake Park at East Coast Park. The park features a lagoon with three cable-ski systems for all skill levels from novices to experts. Glide along at gentle speeds and work your way up to mastering obstacles and jump ramps.

You’ll find some great package deals offered at the park and there are professional wakeboarders on hand to help you with the basics.

Where: Singapore Wake Park

6. Flyboarding

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Want to experience the thrill of ‘flying’ above water? Head to Sentosa’s Ola Beach Club for a thrilling, heart-pumping hydro-flying experience. Flyboarding involves standing on a board connected by a long hose to a watercraft. Pressurized water is forced through jet nozzles at the bottom of the board to shoot the rider high into the air.

You don’t need any experience to try this exhilarating water sport - certified instructors will show you the basics and you’ll be soaring through the air in no time!

Where: Ola Beach Club, Sentosa

7. Jet-skiing

Another fantastic water sport to enjoy in Singapore is jet skiing. You can rent a jet-ski or book a ride with an instructor at the Puteri Harbour and head out for some wet and wild fun around the city. If you haven’t jet-skied before, a professional instructor will guide you through the basics. Remember to always wear a lifejacket and keep the engine shut-off clip attached to your waist.

Where: Puteri Harbour

8. Pedal boating

If prefer a gentler pursuit on the water, try pedal boating. Enjoy a tranquil ride on the calm waters of Discovery Lake without even getting wet! Pedal boating is a lovely way to spend some time with family and friends on the water. You can rent pedal boats from the Sports Hub Water Sports Centre near Discovery Lake at the Singapore Discovery Centre.

Help keep Discovery Lake clean and join the Waterways Watch Society in picking up litter on the water while paddling around the lake.

Where: Sports Hub Water Sports Centre, Discovery Lake at the Singapore Discovery Centre

9. Bodyboarding / Surfing

Singapore isn’t known for having big swells and curling barrels, but you can hit waves to bodyboard and surf at the Stingray half-pipe surfing facility at Splash-N-Surf in the Singapore Sports Hub. This specially designed wave house creates artificial waves for all skill levels. Start on the slower 32 km/h waves if you’re a beginner or catch the faster 48 km/h waves and show off your skills.

Where: Singapore Sports Hub

10. Dragon boating

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Try your hand at this incredible 2,000-year Chinese watercraft tradition. Head to the Kallang River with a group of friends and join the Singapore Dragon Boat Association for some paddling fun. Experienced trainers will guide you through an orientation program and some introductory classes before you hit the water with your team. Once you get the hang of it, you can rent dragon boats from the DBA or the Singapore Sports Hub’s Water Sports Centre.

Where: Singapore Sports Hub

11. Scuba diving

Dive beneath the surface on a scuba-diving adventure and explore the multi-hued corals and rich marine life off Pulau Hantu. A 30-minute boat ride away from the mainland, Pulau Hantu features two islands – Hantu Kecil and Hantu Besar. The islands are surrounded by gin-clear waters teeming with sea life. Keep an eye out for turtles, manta rays, butterflyfish, and parrotfish.

If you aren’t a qualified scuba diver yet, take a course with a certified PADI instructor and venture into the magical underwater world. You can also rent diving equipment and underwater cameras.

Another way to explore the wonders of the ocean is a snorkeling adventure on Rainbow Reef at the Adventure Cove Waterpark. Use your pass to gain free access to the park and snorkel along the brightly colored Rainbow Reef and see thousands of vibrant fish up close.

Where: Pulau Hantu

Cara Merren
Go City Travel Expert

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Airport Travel in Singapore
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Airport Travel in Singapore

So you've decided to spend your vacation in Singapore. Good choice! It's a diverse melting pot of cultures that will welcome you with open arms. There's nowhere quite like Singapore, thanks to the juxtaposition between awe-inspiring modern architecture and wonderfully exotic nature. And, with a warm climate all year round, it's the perfect place to shake off those winter blues. But what about traveling in Singapore once you reach the airport? Don't worry; we've got you covered. Scroll down, and discover our guide to airport travel in Singapore. We're going to cover Singapore's airports and the best ways to get into the city once you arrive. So stash your trays and fasten those seatbelts. And let's get into it! Airports in Singapore Singapore has two commercial airports, so depending on where you're traveling from, you'll be landing at either Singapore Changi Airport or Seletar Airport. Here's what to expect at each. Singapore Changi Airport If you travel to Changi Airport in Singapore, you're in good hands. It has received multiple accolades throughout its 40+ year history, including Skytrax's 'World's Best Airport' award, as well as other accolades such as 'World's Cleanest Airport', which it has won on multiple occasions. Visitors are treated to a waterfall, multiple gardens, and even places perfect for entertaining children - a godsend if you need to keep them busy if your flight home is delayed. On top of all that, there are heaps of shopping, eating, and other entertainment opportunities there. Singapore's tallest ride is found at Terminal 2. It's wild. Both the ride and its placement! Singapore Changi Airport is just under ten miles from the city center, almost equidistant when compared to Seletar Airport. Seletar Airport While the less glamorous of the two, Seletar still serves its ultimate purpose - being an airport where planes land. Originally a military airport, it opened its doors - and its runways - to commercial flights as Singapore became an increasingly popular tourist destination. Well, one runway at least. It may not have all the bells and whistles of Changi Airport, but it is an airport. And, as mentioned above it is also just shy of ten miles from the center of Singapore. So, now we've covered the airport situation, you'll want to know how to travel in to Singapore once you arrive! Travel from Seletar Airport in to Singapore There are a few ways to get into Singapore proper. You can get the 102 bus from Seletar Airport to Buangkok Station and then a train from there to Clarke Quay. It's a 58-minute journey and will set you back a measly $2. Or, if you want to stretch your legs after the flight, you can walk to Buangkok Station instead, which takes about 35 minutes. Considering this only shaves $1 off the $2 price of getting the bus while adding about 20 minutes to your trip, only consider walking if you need to get your steps up. Alternatively, hire a taxi and make the trip in 17 precious minutes. Of course, this will set you back around 10x more than the bus/train combo, but at $20, is it really worth the fuss? Travel from Changi Airport in to Singapore You'll find similar travel opportunities if you land at Changi Airport. The subway will get you straight from the airport into the city center in just over 30 minutes, and will only set you back $3. Or, hop on the 36 bus and make the same journey in just under 90 minutes. It's longer, but at $1, it's also cheaper if you want to squeeze your pennies. And, like Seletar Airport, a taxi will set you back around $20 and make the journey in under 20 minutes. Those are your public transport options. But if you're traveling in a group, or want to plan your trip ahead to avoid any post-landing headaches, consider an airport transfer. Airport transfers for travel in to Singapore These days, more and more people are relying on airport transfer services to ensure they have a smooth transition from their plane seat to their hotel bed. And it's easy to understand why. If your cell signal is patchy, or your provider doesn't allow for roaming service, you may end up tearing your hair out while working out where to go. Alternatively, the language barrier could also hinder your efforts in getting to your hotel or Airbnb. But with airport transfer services, you needn't worry about that. It's all taken care of way ahead of time. Simply step off the plane, meet your driver, and let them worry about the trip. If that sounds like exactly what you need, here are our recommendations for airport transfer services in Singapore. SGMaxi Cab SGMaxi Cab is one of the country's most reliable airport transfer services, providing travel from both airports in Singapore. They have a wide variety of vehicles in their fleet, from small mini buses to Rolls-Royce Limos. Really, they actually provide Rolls-Royce Limos to those who want to travel in style. Prices are reasonable, and their service is second to none. Check on their website to see what works best for you, but do bear in mind that pickups between 11PM and 6.30AM come with an extra fee. You are keeping them out of bed, after all. Kler Transport If you're traveling in a larger pack, then Kler Transport might be ideal for you. They specialize in larger parties, with vehicles ranging from 13-40 people. No Rolls-Royce options, sadly, but they do let you book last minute, which you can make up to 3 hours before you land. So even if you're reading this on your flight, go on their website and get booking! They also request a nighttime surcharge if your trip is booked between 11PM and 7AM. Maxi-Cab If you've got heaps of luggage, Maxi-Cab might be the perfect service for you. While they offer the usual suite of buses with variable passenger sizes, they also offer the Luggage Van - a van designed with luggage in mind. And, with customers able to book their trip 15 minutes before they need it, it's the speediest and most flexible service of the bunch. Check their prices and see what suits you. And that about rounds out our guide to airport travel in Singapore! Now you'll just need to plan the vacation part of your vacation. Thankfully, Go City has you more than covered. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you'll have access to all of Singapore's best bits for one low price.
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