A Guide To Taking Singapore's Ferries And Bumboats

If you’re looking for a tropical island experience and keen to enjoy Singapore to its fullest, it’s good to have some understanding of how the ferries and bumboats work and where and how to catch one.
The first thing to note is that it is generally a good idea to carry your passport or ID card with you, as there can be occasions where it will be asked for, usually due to security purposes.

Ferries depart from Singapore to nearby islands

When this is done, always check whether you need clearance to either visit or stay. For some islands like Pulau Semakau, you will need clearance from the National Environment Agency (NEA), which can take close to a month, while others may require permits to stay overnight. In those cases where you are not allowed to stay, like Kusu Island, make sure to have a return ride planned in advance.
On the other hand, if all you want is to explore the Singapore River and see the historic centre through a key route, just check along the outside of the Esplanade. There, you’ll find a number of booths for you to book a bumboat to wade downstream and back, with different boats offering different services.

Consider costs involved

When it comes down to it, a very important element is cost. Some islands will require you to charter a boat specially, like Sisters Island and Pulau Hantu, which usually means negotiating and haggling to get a decent deal. The others have a whole set of timings you can plan a trip around. One thing to keep in mind though is that on weekdays, there tends to be fewer ferry services. So make sure to call or check online before heading out. Most of the ferries are fairly affordable, generally from $18 upwards. In some cases, like Pulau Semakau and those that require a private charter, the entire trip can cost you up to $400 just to get a ride.

Which piers to get a ride from

There are a number of piers you can book from and again, it all depends on the island. Marina South Pier is the most popular as it has one of the largest number of ferries heading to the southern islands. For Pulau Ubin, you need to head to Changi Point Ferry Terminal to grab a bumboat and they usually leave when it’s full or if you buy out the whole space. For some of the more westerly placed islands, your best bet is West Coast Pier.
A final point to consider is that these ferries and bumboats come in all types of shapes and some are less comfortable than others.
The ones that head to places closer to the western part of Singapore, like Pulau Hantu, can be less comfortable as most of the islands are used for factories. Hence the boats that go there tend to be service type boats, which can be down to their bare bones.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.