Most visitors to Singapore never see the Southern Islands. The few who do usually catch a 30-minute ferry from Marina South Pier and spend a day on St John’s. They miss most of what makes this archipelago worth knowing about.
From the deck of a private yacht the Southern Islands open up. Six islands, three swimmable lagoons, the only Marine Park in Singapore waters, and a quiet you would not believe exists fifteen minutes from the city. Here is the full picture.
A quick map of the Southern Islands
The Southern Islands sit roughly 6km south of mainland Singapore. From east to west, the cluster includes:
- Kusu Island, Chinese temple, turtle sanctuary, brief visit
- Lazarus Island, best beach in Singapore reach
- St John’s Island, Lazarus’s neighbour, connected by causeway
- Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, best snorkeling
- Pulau Hantu, quiet, undeveloped, snorkel spot
- Subar Darat / Subar Laut, small, off-grid, almost private
By yacht, all of them are within reach of a single charter day. By ferry, most are unreachable.
Lazarus Island: the headline destination
Lazarus is what brings most people to the Southern Islands. The crescent beach on the west side is wide, white-sand and well-sheltered. The lagoon between Lazarus and St John’s is the calmest swimmable water within Singapore reach.
Best for families, swimming, photography and picnicking on the beach. Read our dedicated Lazarus Island yacht day trip guide for a full itinerary.
St John’s Island: quieter, underrated
St John’s is connected to Lazarus by a short causeway. Most yacht groups visit one or the other; locals know to do both.
- Smaller, quieter beach than Lazarus
- Walking trails through the island’s interior
- Marine biology centre for science-curious guests
- The view from the high point: the best photograph of the Singapore skyline you will ever take
Best for groups who want a beach day without the weekend Lazarus crowd.
Sisters’ Islands Marine Park: the snorkel stop
Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is Singapore’s only protected marine park. The reef between Big Sister and Little Sister is the only place in Singapore waters where you can snorkel over live coral.
- Anchor offshore. No landing permitted on most days.
- Snorkel from the yacht with our gear and a brief safety chat.
- Visibility varies by tide and recent weather; clearest in inter-monsoon months.
- Marine life: parrotfish, butterflyfish, occasional sea turtles, soft corals.
Best for any group with confident swimmers, particularly children old enough to snorkel.
Kusu Island: the cultural stop
Kusu has a Chinese temple, a Malay shrine and a turtle sanctuary in the same small island. It is the spiritual stop on a Southern Islands itinerary.
- A 30-45 minute visit is enough
- Best in cooler hours, morning or late afternoon
- September to November is peak pilgrimage season, avoid those weeks if you want quiet
- Modest dress appreciated near the temple area
Best for groups interested in Singapore’s cultural fabric, or a brief stop to break up a beach day.
Pulau Hantu and Subar: for the quiet
The smallest islands of the cluster, Pulau Hantu and the two Subar islets, are almost always empty. Limited landing facilities and a longer transit from the marinas mean ferry tourists never make it. By yacht, these become almost-private anchorages. Crystal water on a calm day, no other boats in sight, and the closest Singapore comes to a desert-island moment.
Best for couples, proposals, anyone who wants the Southern Islands without the Saturday crowd at Lazarus.
Building a Southern Islands itinerary
Pre-built itineraries our captains run:
- 4-hour express (sunset slot): Cruise out → Lazarus lagoon → swim and golden-hour photography → return
- 6-hour classic: Cruise out → Lazarus beach and lunch → Sisters’ for snorkel → return
- 8-hour explorer: Cruise out → Sisters’ snorkel → Lazarus lunch → Kusu cultural stop → St John’s walk → sunset return
- 12-hour overnight: Daytime island-hopping → anchor for sunset → dinner at anchor → return after stargazing
All itineraries flex on the day based on tide, wind and your group’s appetite.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a swimsuit (worn under your clothes if you can), a light cover-up for after sundown, a wide-brimmed hat, soft-soled shoes for the beach, and a phone or camera. Everything else, food, drinks, towels, snorkel gear, paddleboards, music, comes with the boat.
Plan your Southern Islands charter
Tell us how long, how many guests, and what you want the day to feel like. We’ll suggest the itinerary that fits. See the fleet or message us on WhatsApp at +65 8980 2262.
