The best beaches in Singapore for fun in the sun

However hot and humid Singapore gets, there's always a light breeze blowing at East Coast Beach. Popular with literally everyone, this 15-kilometre stretch is perfect for early morning tai chi classes, evening jogs, or even for a moment of quiet contemplation at Bedok Jetty. Also popular with cyclists and rollerbladers, there’s no shortage of rental shops, and the numerous for rent picnic tables and barbecue pits sees many weekend parties.

EAT Being Singapore, it’s no surprise there’s a hawker centre nearby. The East Coast Lagoon Food Village pavilion-like structure is best enjoyed at dusk for popular dishes like satay, barbecue chicken wings and assorted seafood. For café fare and a long brunch session, head to to East Coast Commune or PS. Cafe by the Sea.

DO There’s always a flurry of activity at East Coast Beach. Head to the bike stations to rent a quad bike for cheesy fun or check out the wakeboarding action at the Singapore Wake Park. For kids (and kidults), there’s the Xtreme SkatePark with three different areas and obstacles to practice kickflips and ollies. Slide down the giant slide at the Coastal PlayGrove – formerly known as the iconic Big Splash – and try out some of the obstacle courses there too. 

Located between Sentosa’s Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach, this stretch of calm water and fine grain sand is considered the most family-friendly of the three. Kick back on the beach building sandcastles or having a picnic. 

EAT Kick back at FOC Sentosa where Nandu Jubany’s hearty paellas and Spanish bites need little introduction. Combined with FOC’s oversized balloon glass gin and tonics (there are over 15 gins to choose from) and the oceanfront plunge pool, you’ve got one of the best chill-out spots in Singapore.

DO From the shore, there’s a small island that’s easy to swim out to. Otherwise, landlubbers (and Instagrammers) can cross over to the Southernmost point of continental Asia (also the closest point to the equator) using the suspension rope bridge. Do exert the effort to climb up the tower for a bird’s eye view of Sentosa, if nothing else, do it for the ’gram.

Siloso Beach is a hive of activity with numerous beach clubs – Ola Beach Club, Coastes and Sand Bar – and an array of watersports options. Choose from the superfast doughnut rides, stand up paddles or even a jet blade experience, all available at Ola Beach Club. 

EAT If you’re tired of the usual beach bar menu – burgers, beers and pizzas – Ola Beach Club’s Hawaiian-themed menu of poke bowls and dishes like the Kalua Pulled Pork with cabbage and seaweed rice makes for a welcome change. Its Ola Tiki cocktails served in a tiki tumbler is a departure from the usual sunset cocktail. Order the Ola Huli Pau, a rum-based concoction decorated with lychee pearls, watermelon and sprigs of fresh mint.

DO Ola Beach Club also offers some water activities like kayaking, banana boat rides and even water jet packs if you're up for something different.

Aside from being home to Tanjong Beach Club, Sentosa’s southernmost stretch of beach is one of the prettiest Singapore has to offer. Shaped like the numeral three from above, it has fine light yellow sand and coconut trees that frame each evening’s stunning sunset. A popular swimming spot – for both humans and dogs – the area tends to be quiet and tranquil on weekdays. While the weekends see the area transform into a non-stop weekend beach party.

EAT Unlike the other beaches, there’s just one place for food and drinks on this beach: Tanjong Beach Club. With its plush daybeds, plunge pool and air-conditioned restaurant, it’s remained a crowd favourite and the place to be seen at on Sundays. The menu offers everything from lobster buns to acai bowls and fresh seafood platters. For drinks, you can’t go wrong with a pitcher of their Pimm’s My Ride made with Beefeater gin and blood orange sorbet.

DO Situated at the tail end of Sentosa, this stretch of beach is a prime picnic and sun tanning spot. 

Pasir Ris Park is more than just a narrow beach – as implied from its name ‘Pasir Ris’ which means ‘beach bolt-rope’. This sprawling park has tons of activities to keep the whole fam occupied, such as a six-hectare mangrove forest which you could explore via the boardwalks, a gallop stable where the young ones can go on pony rides and even a new therapeutic garden. It also has a three-storey tower for bird-watching, barbecue pits, cycling tracks, and one of the largest playgrounds in Singapore located on the western end of the park.

EAT Enjoy satay, ikan bakar (BBQ seafood), hotpot and claypot dishes, as well as western cuisine like fish and chips at Rasa Istimewa Restaurant.

DO Let loose at the massive playground which features play stations, slides, space-nets, rope climbing, cableways and basketball courts. If you’re feeling adventurous, go camping at the park’s designated camp areas, and take part in water sports like kayaking and stand up paddleboarding.

Stretching from Changi Point to Changi Ferry Terminal, this idyllic slip of a beach dotted with lush casuarina trees makes for a popular swimming spot – be warned though, there have been sightings of Estuarine crocodiles in the water. For a safer bet, stick to land-based fun like fishing, cycling and rollerblading along the 3.5-kilometre stretch.

EAT Changi Village Hawker Centre may be famous for its nasi lemak but there are plenty of other stalls to check out too like Makan Melaka Chendol (#01-2046), chicken chop hor fun at Amigo (#01-34) and fish head fried bee hoon at Guang Xing Original Taste Fish Head Bee Hoon(#01-31).

DO While you’re there, take the opportunity to visit Pulau Ubin. Catch a public bumboat ($4 per person) at Changi Jetty – it runs from sunrise to sunset – and within ten minutes be transported back to Singapore during the kampong days.

That this was the site of the Sook Ching Massacre in 1942 is impossible to ignore – there is an on-site heritage marker detailing the tragic event. Still, this stretch of beach in Northern Singapore is a gem. The sand is fine and soft, there’s a collection of boulders (which makes for great photos), and it’s often deserted, even though it’s located close to Punggol Waterway Park.

EAT The Punggol Settlement, a multi-restaurant venue overlooking the beach is hard to miss. If we were to cherry-pick, the Ponggol Seafood (#01-08/09) would be our choice. Also known as Old Hock Kee (when it was located near the Punggol Jetty), its Ponggol Famous Mee Goreng and chilli crab are the signature dishes to order.

DO The Punggol Jetty sees many locals attempting to fish (we suspect the fisherman from the ’70s had much more success), while the viewing deck right above the heritage plaque offers an elevated view of the area. If crowds aren't for you, take a short walk to the nearby Coney Island where you can discover hidden beaches. 

Far away from the thronging East Coast Park and manicured Sentosa beaches lies a swathe of white sand ringing clear, turquoise waters. One of Singapore’s best-kept secrets is the serene Lazarus Island. Take the first ferry out at 9am on weekends and 10am on weekdays to St John's Island (Lazarus Island is a short walk away) claim the sands for yourself. Other beach bums descend around lunchtime with their yachts and speedboats.

EAT Don’t forget to pack everything you need – floats, mats, towels, and of course, food – as there are no shops on Lazarus.

DO For Insta-worthy shots, trek further inland to the reclaimed Pulau Seringat, north of Lazarus. You’ll come across a jetty – continue past it until you spot a pavilion. From that vantage point, you’ll be able to snap a panorama of the Singapore mainland.

Facing the Straits of Johor overlooking Malaysia, Sembawang beach is one of the few natural beaches left in the country. This northside nature spot only spans 15-hectares, so it isn’t massive like the East Coast and Changi beaches. But its history, like how the Sembawang Shipyard was His Majesty’s Naval Base from 1938 to 1968, and neighbouring places of interest like Sembawang memorial and Kampong Wak Hassan, as well as the maritime-themed playground make it worth visiting.

EAT Dine at the Beaulieu House, a seaside restaurant serving up western cuisine, Chinese seafood and local delights. Or wander into Andrews Ave where Woody Family Cafe is quietly nestled in – it’s renowned for its casual Peranakan food. If not, head a couple of bus stops down to 1036 Live Seafood Restaurant for a typical zi char feast. The shophouses around this area consist of several drinking holes too, including one of the oldest bars in Singapore, Nelson Bar.

DO Popular pastimes at this beach include fishing and barbecuing, so bring along your own fishing rods or barbecue gear and join in these activities. Or run over to the battleship playground which has heaps of fun features for the young and young at heart to play with, including a huge round swing.