Want a change of scenery or looking for something fun to do with the kids? There are actually quite a few camping sites in Singapore to choose from. From camping at East Coast Park to camping in Pulau Ubin, you’ll have some lovely views and hopefully the stars above you at night. Find out where you can go and how to get a camping permit below!
#1 East Coast Park
This is one of the most well-known camping sites in Singapore, with an ocean breeze and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, so you definitely don’t want to miss out. Amenities are plentiful too, with clean toilets and barbecue pits. However, it’s worth noting that as this is quite the weekend party spot, it isn’t exactly a quiet night under the stars. Still, it’s worth trying out camping at East Coast Park at a less busy time!
#2 Pasir Ris Park
This park has fewer folks hanging out after hours, which makes for a more remote feel than East Coast Park, yet with the same amenities and great sea breezes. There’s a really fun playground and plenty of space for cycling and skateboarding, as well as lots of nature. If you feel like it, you can explore the beauty of the mangrove forest through the Mangrove Boardwalk, and observe birds from the three-storey Bird Watching Tower.
#3 West Coast Park
Camping with kids? West Coast Park may be your perfect camping site in Singapore, with plenty of play areas for kids and young adults, barbecue pits, plus a nearby MacDonald’s for convenient fast food takeaways. Cycling is a popular activity as there are bicycle rentals and spacious areas to exercise. There are also shelters for you to hide under should it rain! As with the other locations, you’ll need a camping permit for West Coast Park. (Scroll down for more info.)
#4 Pulau Ubin
It’s only a ten-minute bumboat ride away, yet Pulau Ubin feels like another world when it comes to a camping site in Singapore. You’ll be roughing it here, so bring your own food and cook it over a designated campfire area. You can camp under the stars at any of the three sites – Endut Senin, Jelutong, and Mamam. In addition to barbecue pits, there are also convenient bicycle rental sites and kayaking tours for the adventurous-spirited, available for booking here. Camping in Pulau Ubin provides arguably Singapore’s best experience of nature and wildlife.
#5 Glamping
Prefer to sleep under the stars without the fuss? Companies such as Glamping Society and the GlampingCity do the hard work of pitching tents and blowing up the beds for you, with extra décor to enhance the atmosphere. Glamping Society, Singapore’s first Glamping service provider, is full of pleasant surprises, with fully air-conditioned tents and power outlets at its latest campsite Kranji Glamping Farm Resort.
GlampingCity offers lovely glamping packages at East Coast Park, with the choice of both family suites and couple deluxe packages. There are also different themes such as birthday, cinema, and outdoor picnics to match your every mood!
#6 Lazarus Island
Want to venture a little further for a brand new camping experience in Singapore? Lazarus Island is just a ferry ride away – jump off at nearby St John’s – and it comes with white sand beaches and turquoise waters that are unlike any on the Singapore mainland. As the land is relatively undeveloped, there are no shops, so make sure that you bring enough food and drinks for the experience. Plus sunscreen and a hat!
Camping permit: How to apply
Don’t forget: You’ll need a camping permit for any of the above locations, but arranging one is easy enough, via an nParks online application: nparks.gov.sg/online-services. For Lazarus, apply via the Singapore Land Authority website here.
Camping checklist: Basic supplies
- Tent
- Groundsheet
- Sleeping mat
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Battery-powered fan
- Battery-powered lanterns/lights
- Stove and gas
- Food
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Plenty of water
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Folding chair
- Miscellaneous: rubbish bags, wet wipes, extra batteries, games, books
For more tips on what to do for fun, head to our Living in Singapore section, or read up on our top mountain biking trails.
This article first appeared in the print edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
