Pulau Ubin by Bumboat: Chek Jawa Boardwalk, Village Bikes and Quarries

Pulau Ubin is a small island off the north-east of Singapore, and it feels like a trip back several decades. Granite was quarried here from the nineteenth century until the late twentieth, and a few families still live in simple village houses among rubber trees and mangroves. There are no high-rises, little traffic and a slow rhythm, and it is the best place in the country to see what the old rural island looked like.

Getting there

Take the MRT and a bus or taxi to the ferry terminal at Changi Point, where wooden bumboats cross to the island in about ten minutes. The boats leave when they are full, so you may wait a few minutes for enough passengers. The crossing is short and gives a taste of the sea and the shore. Bring cash, since the island has few machines, and check the official site for current transport information.

Renting a bike

Cycling suits the island better than any other transport. Shops near the jetty rent bikes by the day, and you can choose a mountain bike or a simple city bike. The roads are mostly flat, with some hills and rough tracks. Test the brakes and the tyres before you set off, and bring a helmet if you have one. If you dislike cycling, you can hire a van tour or walk the shorter trails.

Chek Jawa

The highlight is Chek Jawa, a wetland on the eastern end of the island that contains several habitats in a small space: a sandy shore, a seagrass lagoon, a coral rubble area and mangroves. A boardwalk crosses the mangrove and the shore, and a tower gives a view over the water. At low tide you may see small animals such as sea stars and crabs, so check tide tables before you go. Keep to the boardwalk and do not disturb wildlife.

The village and the quarries

Near the jetty, a small village has old shops, a temple and wooden houses on stilts. You can have a simple meal or a drink at one of the cafes. Beyond it, flooded quarries sit like green and blue lakes among the forest, and some have viewing points. The old buildings and the rusting machines make evocative photographs. A small temple honours a local god and is still used by islanders.

Wildlife

The island is home to wild boar, monitor lizards, macaques, squirrels and many birds, including hornbills. Keep your distance from boars, which can be aggressive if surprised, and do not feed any animals. Bring insect repellent for the forest trails, and expect mosquitoes near the mangroves.

When to go

Early morning is the best time for cycling and wildlife, when the air is cool. Midday is hot, and there is little shade on some tracks. A weekday is calmer than a weekend, and you should avoid heavy rain, when trails become muddy. Plan to leave the island well before dark, because lighting is limited and the last boats run on a schedule.

What to bring

• Plenty of water and snacks, as shops are few.
• Sunscreen, a hat and repellent.
• Cash for boats, bikes and food.
• A rain jacket and a dry bag for your phone.

Pairing it well

Pulau Ubin makes a full day on its own, or half a day if you start early. For a similar nature experience on the main island, the MacRitchie trails offer forest walks, and East Coast Park has seaside cycling. If you are flying out of Changi, the island is a handy last day, and Jewel is close enough for a final stop.

What to skip

You do not need to cycle to every corner. Pick Chek Jawa and a village lunch, and keep the rest flexible. If you dislike heat, rain or mosquitoes, the Botanic Gardens offer a gentler outing, and the Southern Ridges give a similar sense of height and air. If you are short of time, a half day is enough to feel the island.