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Hiking, nature walks or tours at Sisters' Islands Marine Park

St John’s Island

Free of charge for self-guided walks or guided tours offered by NParks

Ways to enjoy nature at St John's Island

Discover the island's nature and heritage in one of these ways:

  • Do a self-guided walk at your own pace.
  • Join a guided tour.

Self-guided St John's Island Trail

Download the trail guide (includes map) (PDF, 3.72MB)

You can also grab a copy at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery.

Quick facts about the St John's Island Trail

  • Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
  • Distance: 2.8km (15 stations)
  • Estimated walking time: 1 to 1.5 hours

What to look out for

Highlights of the trail include:

St John's Island has served many different purposes through Singapore's history. It was previously home to:

  • A British quarantine centre for passengers with infectious diseases.
  • A detention centre for political prisoners.
  • An opium treatment centre.
  • A holiday resort with swimming lagoons and campsites.

St John's Island is home to mangroves that serve as nurseries for young fish and living "seawalls" to protect the coast from storms.

Look out for the 2 most dominant species:

  • Bakau Pasir: This is identifiable by its prop roots.
  • Tumu: This is identifiable by its knee roots that protrude above ground.

Both produce long fruits called propagules which begin to grow even before they fall off the tree.

Exploring St John's Island gives visitors the opportunity to spot unique plants and animals.

Look out for:

Note

Follow the park dos and don'ts and Hiking for an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Guided tours

Tours are also available for visitors to learn about the island from our experienced guides. Do note that some sections of the trail will include slopes and stairs.

  • Distance: 1.6km
  • When: The first Sunday of every month, 10am to 11.30am
  • Number of participants: Maximum of 20. Tours will be conducted in groups of 10. Each person can register for a maximum of 5 people.
  • Cost: Free

Registration is required:

  • Sign up for a tour.
  • Tickets are released on the first Sunday of the month at 10am. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • A confirmation email with additional details will be sent to successful participants a week before the guided tour date.

Note

You need to purchase your own ferry ticket at Marina South Pier and take the 9am ferry to St John’s Island. Our guides will meet you directly at St John’s Island.