Cycling Pulau Ubin: Trails, Wetlands & Hidden Gems
Ready for an adventure? Our ultimate Pulau Ubin cycling guide unlocks the best nature trails, secret spots, and local gems for an unforgettable half-day escape from the city.
After several days immersed in Singapore's modern skyline and iconic attractions, we craved a more authentic, nature-filled escape. As travelers who always seek experiences beyond the usual tourist trail, we found exactly what we were looking for on Pulau Ubin. This tranquil island delivered the genuine local atmosphere and unique adventure we love to discover.
That’s how we ended up on Pulau Ubin, a small island just off Singapore’s coast where time seems to have slowed down. Visiting Pulau Ubin gave us the break we were craving from city life and showed us a side of Singapore we didn’t expect to find.
What makes Pulau Ubin so unique is how untouched it feels. Instead of high-rise buildings and modern malls, you’ll find wooden kampong houses, winding dirt paths, rubber plantations, mangroves, and even abandoned granite quarries turned into serene lakes. The island is also home to a surprising variety of wildlife from monkeys and wild boars to colorful birds and butterflies. Believe us, it’s a quiet, rustic place that isn’t packed with tourists. It is for those of us who love nature and calmness.
READ | 22 Unforgettable Things to do in Singapore: Our Favorites
IS PULAU UBIN WORTH VISITING?
In our opinion, absolutely yes! Pulau Ubin is worth visiting if you want to see a more authentic and natural side of Singapore. It’s a great half-day trip that feels completely different from the city: no skyscrapers, no shopping malls, just kampong houses, greenery, and wildlife. We loved cycling around without a strict plan, stopping at viewpoints and enjoying the quiet.
That said, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you only have one or two days in Singapore and want to focus on the main attractions, you might want to skip it. But if you have a bit more time, Pulau Ubin gives you a unique glimpse of old Singapore and a refreshing break from the urban buzz and we definitely think it’s worth it.
HOW TO GET TO PULAU UBIN?
Pulau Ubin is just a 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. The bumboats run from 6am to 7pm daily, and don’t have a fixed schedule. The ride itself is part of the adventure, in small wooden boats that leave when they’re full, about 12 passengers. You will need cash to pay the boat operator for the trip. It’s super affordable, and the moment you step off the boat you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. You can bring your own bicycle on board for S$3.
PRICE | S$4 | €3 | US$3 adult ticket one-way
HOW TO GET AROUND PULAU UBIN?
You could walk and we saw several people doing so, but renting a bike is really the best way to explore Pulau Ubin. As soon as you step off the jetty, you’ll see plenty of rental shops lined up. The owners can be a little pushy, trying to get you to pick their bikes right away, but it’s worth taking a moment to check prices and the condition of the bikes before deciding. A fun tip from our experience: we each asked at different shops and then called out the prices to each other across the street. That’s how we quickly figured out that shop no. 25 offered the better deal to rent our bikes.
The bike rental shops on Pulau Ubin each set their own prices, so don’t expect every place to charge the same for similar bikes. Rentals are usually priced per bike for the entire day. If you’re planning to explore the rougher trails, you’ll also find mountain bikes available. We chose a simple regular bike, and it was just right for discovering the island at our own pace.
PRICE | S$8 | €5 | US$5 per bike
The paths on Pulau Ubin can be confusing, making it easy to get lost without a digital map. We solved this by using a Saily eSIM, which provided a fast and affordable data connection for seamless navigation.
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BEST THINGS TO DO IN PULAU UBIN
Visit Chek Jawa Wetlands
A highlight of Pulau Ubin for any nature lover is the Chek Jawa Wetlands. We cycled a mix of paved and unpaved trails to reach this beautiful ecosystem of mangroves, coastal forest, and tidal flats. An elevated boardwalk lets you explore it all without disturbing the sensitive habitat, offering chances to spot monkeys, crabs, birds, and if you're lucky, wild boars (sadly, we missed them!). We loved taking our time here, soaking in the incredibly serene atmosphere from the pathways.
For a deeper understanding of the island's heritage and local life, consider joining a guided tour. It's a fantastic way to hear personal stories and discover hidden details you might otherwise miss while exploring on your own.
BOOK | Pulau Ubin Nature & Food Heritage Tour
Explore the Kampong Villages
Having spent three months in Malaysia, we became attached of kampong life. Pulau Ubin gives you a genuine taste of that same atmosphere, with its small villages that feel like a window into Singapore's past. Cycling through the quiet lanes, you'll spot these simple wooden houses where locals go about their daily routines. It's peaceful and unpretentious - we enjoyed seeing people gardening and chatting outside their homes. It's a nice contrast to the city and definitely worth experiencing while it's still there.
READ | Plan your holidays with all of our Malaysia guides
Experience the Pulau Ubin Sensory Trail
The Sensory Trail is a short, easy walk that’s perfect if you want to slow down and really connect with nature. The trail is designed to engage your senses: you can touch tree bark, listen to birds and rustling leaves, and even smell the earthy scents of the forest. Along the trail, you’ll get a hands-on look at how fruit trees like papaya, banana, rambutan, and breadfruit are grown and cared for, as well as how local spices and herbs are cultivated. It’s 1.5 km, so it’s ideal for a gentle stroll or a short break from cycling.
Go Back in Time at Teck Seng’s Place
If you want to have a look on how a Kampung house used to look like from the inside in the 70s, this is the place to go to. We sadly missed visiting the place as it is only open on the 2nd and 4th weekend of every month.
Tasty Fruits at Ubin Fruit Orchard
The Ubin Orchard is a small but charming part of the island where you can see over 350 fruits trees growing in their natural environment. Walking through the orchard, you’ll spot papayas, bananas, rambutan, mangosteens and durians. It’s a peaceful spot to pause, take photos, and appreciate how these plants are cultivated. We were a bit sad that we were too late for the durian season, because we are big fans of the “king of fruits”.
Go Kayaking around Kegan Island
Kayak around Ketam Island for a unique, up-close perspective of its natural ecosystem. The calm waters are perfect for paddling through mangroves, where you might spot water monitor lizards basking on the banks and observe the rich local birdlife.
Be adventurous at Ketam Mountain Bike Park
If you’re looking for a little adventure and an adrenaline kick on Pulau Ubin, the Ketam Mountain Bike Park is the spot for it. This area has dedicated trails for mountain biking, with some sections offering more challenging terrain compared to the island’s regular paths. Even if you’re not an expert, it’s a fun place to test your bike skills and enjoy the natural scenery from a slightly different perspective.
Admire the Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple
This is one of the most special temples we’ve seen in a while. At first glance, you might not think so, it looks a bit old. But once you step inside, you’ll notice something unique that we haven’t seen anywhere else in Malaysia or Singapore. The temple beautifully blends Buddhism and Hinduism, in an Chinese, Nepalese, Thai and Indian style. There is a small area dedicated to Hindu worship under the same roof. It’s fascinating to see this mix embraced so openly.
Visit the German Girl Shrine
The German Girl Shrine is one of Pulau Ubin’s more unusual and intriguing spots. The story goes that it was built in memory of a young German girl who died on the island, and locals now visit to pay their respects. However, it is very debatable if this girl ever existed. We decided to skip it as it was quite far and did not feel like cycling just to visit this.
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WHAT TO PACK FOR PULAU UBIN?
If you’re planning a trip to Pulau Ubin, a little preparation goes a long way. Since it’s a rustic island with limited facilities, it’s best to pack a few essentials to stay comfortable and make the most of your adventure.
Here are some things we recommend bringing along:
PULAU UBIN PACKING LIST
Cash
Water (Water Bottle)
Lightweight clothing with protection against sunburn and mosquito bites
WHERE TO EAT IN PULAU UBIN?
Our best advice is to bring some snacks with you. When we visited on a weekday, many of the small shops and stalls selling coconuts, cold drinks, or simple meals along the way were closed. The only real place to find lunch is back in the little town near the jetty, which means you’d have to cut your adventure short or backtrack if you get hungry too early. To avoid that, pack a few snacks, carry enough water, and enjoy your ride without interruptions. Then, when you’re done exploring, you can head back to town for a meal before returning to the mainland.
We had seen the great reviews on Google Maps and thought it would be good, but we honestly weren’t expecting excellence from such a small restaurant. To our surprise, we were blown away the food was incredibly tasty. The portions felt a little small, even though we ordered the large ones, but that just gave us an excuse to keep ordering more. We especially loved the Chinese dishes.
WHERE TO STAY IN PULAU UBIN?
There are no hostels or hotels on Pulau Ubin, so overnight stays aren’t really an option. However, if you enjoy camping outdoors, the island has three campsites you could consider. Jelutong Campsite, is located closest to Main Village with views of the mainland, Mamam, is on the northern part of the island, or Endut Senin, in the west by the Ubin Living Lab and Ubin Quarry.
Camping is free, but you’ll need to bring your own gear. Since we don’t have any, camping was not an option for us.
BOOK | Book your camping permit 2 weeks in advance here
COMFORT | At the Village Hotel Changi by Far East Hospitality you’ll be sleeping near the ferry terminal in a comfortable, spacious and beautiful modern rooms. The hotel has an outdoor pool, gym and common areas. They also have an incredible breakfast.
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
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Not necessarily. Pulau Ubin can easily be explored in a half-day trip, especially if your main goal is cycling around, visiting the villages, and checking out the Chek Jawa Wetlands. If you want to take your time, go on longer nature walks, or relax at multiple spots, you could turn it into a full-day trip, but most visitors find that half a day is enough to enjoy the island without feeling rushed.
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Yes, but with a few considerations. The island is mostly flat and easy to cycle or walk around, so kids and elderly travelers can enjoy it. Just keep in mind that the paths are unpaved in some areas, so a sturdy bike or comfortable walking shoes are a must.
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It’s usually best to treat Pulau Ubin as a dedicated nature and local-life stop rather than trying to fit it in with multiple other attractions in the same day.
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Yes, Pulau Ubin is generally very safe for solo travelers. The island is quiet, and locals are friendly and welcoming. That said, it’s still a good idea to bring water, snacks, and a fully charged phone, especially if you plan to cycle or walk along less-traveled paths. Stick to the main trails if you’re unsure, and let someone know your plans if you’ll be exploring for several hours.
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