Singapore's Outer Islands: Worth Visiting? [St John's, Lazarus, Kusu]

Looking to escape the extreme heat of Singapore,we turned our eyes to the seas. A short ferry ride away from central Singapore are the Southern Islands of St John’s, Lazarus, and Kusu. With a little bit of planning and luck, we set out to explore all 3 islands in one day. Would we recommend it? Watch to find out!
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In case you like skipping around
00:00 More than Sentosa!
01:12 St John's Island
02:36 Deserted Island Vibes
05:23 St John's wildlife
05:57 Marine Aquaculture Centre
06:46 Refill water on St John's
09:13 Chilled beverages & bikes
10:10 Walking to Lazarus
11:19 Lazarus Island Beach
12:50 A first in Singapore!!
14:23 Kusu Island
16:56 Bring food
17:51 Tortoise Sanctuary
18:31 Lazarus Temple
20:28 Should you visit?
#singapore #travel #singaporeislands
#singaporetravel #travelsingapore
#singaporesouthernislands #singapura
*Music provided by Epidemic Sound

[@Anon-cv7ru]

Wow... you have gone to places where most tourists and some Singaporeans have never gone before. Awesome!!

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Thanks!!

[@mummymantras]

IKR! I'm from the UK and I'm so eager to explore these outer islands. But my husband, who is Singaporean, absolutely refuses to go. 😂

[@danielc2701]

@@mummymantras No aircon! lol

[@YuniqueChannel]

I agreed! As a Singaporean, I've never heard of nor been to any of these places 😅

[@danielc2701]

@@YuniqueChannel Do recommend you visit at least once on a weekend. It reminds me of the old sentosa before it became commercialized, a family weekend getaway spot for quiet swimming and beach activities

[@ogukuo72]

You’re right. It had been used as a detention Center for POWs, immigrants (as a quarantine facility), drug rehabilitation, refugees, etc. Not at the same time, of course! Its offshore location, yet close to the main island, made it ideal for such purposes. There is no need to use St John’s for detention purposes nowadays as there are much better facilities elsewhere. There is a research station there as well, as the waters around there is teeming with marine life. As a university student, I stayed the night in one of the bungalows near the jetty with my classmates. Pretty cool experience.

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

Singapore’s more rustic islands are fantastic hidden gems. Really takes you out of the city and out of time too - the tranquil air and unhurried pace harkens back to an old timey Singapore with fewer people. Real island vibes of yesteryear. The logistics are more challenging with fewer amenities, but they are a great alternative to the more commercial and touristy Sentosa.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

You describe it perfectly!

[@petrusj201]

ST. John's Island is home to ST. John's Navigational Beacon which is used by the Air Force and civilian aircraft.

[@azrinaz8993]

Great videos Heather.. Really love that you guys explore non tourist sites and our nature reserves.. Keep posting these wonderful snippets of Singapore and nature in our little island..

[@dennisleong7866]

During school holidays, some schools will arrange overnight camping at this St. John island so that empty hall is for them to gathered together

[@Tungku66]

I camped in the dorm 40 years ago when I still studied in secondary school. What a memory…

[@weekiatchan5520]

Really like how you are showcasing the outdoorsy side of Singapore! Great video as usual!

[@Koriolis]

Regarding the housing on St John's Island: I think the government might have used the fields for camping sites, with the toilets for the campers. So, temporary housing. Regarding the lizards: Those lizards are monitor lizards, they can bite iirc and it's not advisable to approach them. They're common to many mangrove biomes on the mainland too, including Labrador Park. Regarding the temple: My grandmother used to visit and pray there. Not sure if it was always that well-manicured and I'm very surprised that it is now.

[@teeviibox]

There are a few eco-friendly tiny houses on Lazarus Island where you can book to stay overnight. There is also a mini-mart nearby. Kusu Island - meaning Tortoise Island - is now fully powered by solar energy to produce its own electricity and water. You can see that the solar panels in the temple's lagoon are even laid out in the shape of two tortoises in the aerial shot.

[@ezracerez920]

The mini-mart operates only on Friday to Sunday and closes at 17:00. Food is on a bit of high price. So bring your own food if intend to have picnic there.

[@ipodee78]

Love your itinerary. Off the beaten tracks and there are so many places our little island offers that we locals may not have been before even.

[@megaredkentadate9834]

The two of you are like two kids enjoying themselves in wonderland on our little red dot. I foresee one day both of you may want to become permanent residents or even fully fledged Singaporeans.

[@90taetaeya]

Singapore islands are so gorgeous!! Wow.

[@eszeezee6967]

Such a satisfying content! Thank you for appreciating Singapore!

[@ken61175]

The area that was boarded up use to have buildings that was taken down because abestos was used in the original construction. FYI St' John's Island was closed off to the public while those buildings were taken down. As for that 'cafe' it used to be where the superintendent of the island lived.

[@bennylee1990]

Excellent production. Keep it up. Btw the eagles are probably the White Bellied Sea Eagle, found around these regions and Australia. They pair for life. Other raptors include the Brahminy Kites and Peregrine Falcons found in Singapore. Coney Island or Pulau Serangoon is another place to visit; it’s connected to the mainland. Always a joy to see both of you here. Enjoy!🌻

[@judytong1513]

Wow...love this video...u have shown me SG islands which I have not been and seen before...thank you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@stephencollicoat1226]

I've planned to do this on our next trip. Thanks for the preview.

[@ongandrew4953]

Thanks for your hard work n information, well done 😊

[@jonathanlee4305]

Hi Heather and Bill! Thank you for loving this little red dot I call home! Your travels brought back many memories for me as I used to have many wonderful weekends with my parents on the beach at Kusu Island! My mum used to make grilled chicken wings and sandwiches as we spent wonderful times at the beach swimming and getting out of mainland Singapore! And visiting the temple and mosque there too! Please come back to Asia soon!

[@cartoonpete407]

Those turtles are red-earred sliders from the US. They started out as pets back in the 70s and have now become common wildlife in Singapore :)

[@ZulMarquez]

Just for your info, St John island is in the flight path of Paya lebar airbase, not Changi airport! Enjoy Singapore! :)

[@teongsengquek9695]

If you didn't know, actually Kusu means Turtle Island in Hokkien.

[@mglee1431]

You guys are great! You did research and are more than an average typical tourist. Enjoyed your videos. Though i am a Singaporean but i hate going out under the hot sun😊

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Thank you! We do enjoy researching the places we go to. There's usually a lot of interesting stories to be found! 😊

[@leewn2319]

Great to see u guys visiting Pulau Ubin our only conserved layback village islet and enjoying very bit of it including durian.

[@BhumikaLamba]

Nicely recorded video :)

[@mylahbarreto5265]

The water looks inviting!

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

It was so hot that we HAD to risk it! (plus it was a beautiful, nearly empty beach!!)

[@sudheshkumar732]

Thanks for your video. It was amazing you guys visited these islands. We have more islands in fact. Your next visit you guys may want to visit another island that is called pulau ubin.

[@geniegal78]

There are actually some tiny cabins on Lazarus Island where you can book to stay overnight.

[@zaireesallai7266]

best beach so far.. in Singapore..

[@HO7SIM37]

There's a logical explanation for the planes, You're near Pulau Sudong, which is an air force installation used for military exercises. Which also includes the rehearsals for the National Day Parade on Aug 9 every year.

[@seanjosephtan]

The giant lizard that has appeared in a few of your videos is called the Malayan water monitors. 😂

[@That7Days79]

👍👍Enjoy😄

[@icemaneu]

Not sure if it's open for foreigners, but Singaporeans can apply to camp there overnight with camping gear.

[@sierrafife]

St Johns it's the start of the approach flight path into Singapore's ex international airport now air force base, paya lebar. That's why you were seeing our air force planes overhead

[@Walts-Travel]

I have a few invites to go there. I need to make it happen. Almost forgot. Like that logo.

[@skyler1665]

Great video! Next time u should try visiting Pulau Ubin

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

I think you'll like our next video! 😉

[@ezracerez920]

We just went to stay overnight at one the eco-friendly tiny houses in Lazarus Island last month. The whole island are left those who have booking with the tiny houses at night- peace! My boy loves the environment there as he can have his meals with snails crawling on the floor, butterflies flying around us. There is a wide pathway for him to play and run without having to look out for reckless PMA users and cyclists.

[@yannlin3137]

there is another temple up the hill in Kusu Island.

[@AverageAufa]

i cannot take the heat and humidity in singapore despite being born and raised 😂 especially during fasting month, i’m not having any adventures 😅 yesss HUNDRED plus not ONE hundred plus 👍🏽

[@angkhimchuankc8648]

You 2 have missed a trail on Kusu Island, there's a pathed walkway leading up a hill cutting thru the forest leading to another place of worship in 152 steps hill (Malay Datuk Gong Shrines or Karamats) where both Malays and Chinese would head to for prayers annually during pilgrimage. This year the prayers pilgrimage falls on and between 03-31/Oct-2024, best time to visit cos it'd be teeming with worshippers and family outing on the island and the hawkers will operates. Visitors both locals and foreigners will flock in to be part of the experience away from the concrete jungle in mainland Singapore, offering prayers, walking trails, swimming, picnic or just do nothing, simply getaway and relax, a great experience needless to worry about ferries or getting hungry.😉

[@PalmavePo]

That box jelly fish sign has been there for ages. I've swim at Lazarus so many times, no jelly fish or beans or whatever.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Hahaha, we wondered about that but it looked pretty recent! 😊

[@markyteo]

Yeah there's a hybrid malay-chinese temple up the hill next to the hawker centre. Its the only one I know of. You need to go back again.

[@simroysten7963]

Kusu(In Chinese) is Tortoise Island. and the nearby Pawan Island was used for bombing practices (no joke) by the RSAF (Republic of Singapore Airforce) like those F15SG/F16D circling overhead. In case you need any help, all calls will be directed to Police Coast Guard.

[@judyquek2362]

You love Singapore.

[@user-ze8ru6yk3s]

Have you visited Pulau Ubin? I think you should.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Yes! We had so much fun and even tried durian for the first time there! Table neighbors gave it to us. ❤️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5fcoHxsiLudhac

[@sukimberley]

You see the planes formations because we having airshow in Singapore currently.

[@sierrafife]

They filmed this waaaaaaay before the airshow

[@tansan4015]

It used to be camps for schools in 1990s.

[@foodmore]

I’m Singaporean and almost 40 years old but never once set foot on these islands. Haha

[@amyg1073]

❤❤❤

[@marktan7058]

you did not go up the datuk kong hill on kusu

[@judyquek2362]

You need to go to Lim Church Kang. You love it.

[@sierrafife]

Lim CHU Kang

[@sacar101]

If you don't realize yet, the solar panels on kusu island are shape like 2 turtles in 15:18

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

Should you visit - yes, but on a weekday. 😂 Avoid the weekend warriors, get islands mostly to yourself.

[@manchesterunitedno7]

Now, visit Pulau Ubin, more natural looking, and during the night.The main destination for ghost hunting.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

You might like our next video (but...ghosts?!) 👻

[@RonLarhz]

Oh u didn't go the other temple on top of the hill? The entrance stairs is just right at the end of the hawker place. It is said to have a mummy there. I was too scared to look inside tho, scared that nasty things follow me back 😂😂😂

[@jhf4930]

You probably see more people during school holiday where schools organise activities here…… will have water then😂

[@tonyquek6157]

It’s the monitor lizard

[@strayer22]

These lizards are called monitor lizards.

[@xian4616]

Our island n beachfront is very clean ,indeed . Sadly, not on the weekends. Swamping domastic maids n workers drinking and heavy cooking food litters.

[@mtloke5732]

Great coverage… are you hired by the Singapore tourist promotion board in any way ? 😅

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

😂😂😂 We are in no way sponsored by anyone, including the SG tourist board. We just really have enjoyed Singapore! 😊 (... but if you know someone, maybe put in a good words for us, hahaha)

[@Purserr]

dont go on weekends....

[@kiansengkoh386]

Those fighters are training for coming Singapore Airshow 2024.

[@sierrafife]

Singapore Airshow didn't have our air force planes flying in formation. They were not training for it.

[@oneworldsteve8433]

FYI it's super hot everyday.

[@wongkokkiong4847]

100 Plus.....😂

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

😁😁😁

[@dlmhdlmh]

Hundred Plus

[@Dan8254]

Yes, it's *hundred plus* not one hundred plus😂

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

😂😂

[@qleon1977]

they are water monitor lizards

[@worstalentscout]

i'm an old fart Sinkie...............and i've never been to St John's and Lazarus islands..............

[@muhammadfairuzsamsi7209]

People wreck things.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

😁

[@cac1504]

Short stay visitors will find Singapore interesting. Stay long enough you will be bored.

[@ylw]

YES PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE ISLANDS!!! except me

[@stevenlim9640]

'3 empty islands' ? mm, sorry you were wrong. 3 empty islands it is bcoz those few businesses is losing money in these islands except sg gohmen does not lose money bcoz latter use public moneys. st john? i intended to explore st john but knowing almost all gohmen facilities on it are NO ACCESS , wat so secretive? so i gave up. lazarus? just last week news: a newly convenience store on it interviewed, the boss says it has been zero sales and rental high it decided staff to now open only on friday,saturday,sunday. in addition, pulau ubin, in the past, many bigger businesses shut down due to high rentals, poor business on it, eg, celeste resort... , so it is you wishful thinking sg gohmen intentionally want to keep the 3 islands empty 'for good'.

[@engchoontan8483]

The logistics-train of tug-boat and food barges haven't got started but the monotheists demonstrated their cuisine-choices. Its a risky enterprise. Never trust those types to deliver. Outer islands... Outside along with sentosa and china kopitiam ubin.

[@engchoontan8483]

The food on poor airlines are ... the smells are ... Millennials and Gen-Z. The airports are ... The transfers and hotels are... I know... I smile regularly at these types.

[@engchoontan8483]

I tried to tell people to transit the other hubs like Qatar, Dubai, Delhi and go elsewhere... Changi will have to downgrade and peg to the odours of Delhi.

[@user-em8fq2ev4b]

That was madness!!! Swimming despite knowing about the box jelly fish. It isn't just pain. You can EASILY...VERY EASILY DIED right there!!!... People watching this...please do not learn from this crazy couple...