This 'surprising' Singapore island was the perfect antidote to a busy holiday
Many Aussies treat Singapore as a stopover city - a great place to spend a day or two exploring hawker markets, Chinatown and Gardens By The Bay.
But we extended our stay by two nights to check out Sentosa Island, and found ourselves in a whole other world.
From the moment we got out of the car on the island, it felt like we were in a whole different city, though we'd only driven 20 minutes.
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Sentosa offers a holiday within a holiday. Getty
Sentosa is a far cry from the bustling markets, the busy car-filled streets, and the assault on all five senses that we'd experienced in Singapore.
Staying at Ora Hotel at Resorts World Sentosa, everything we needed was just a short walk away, from attractions and eateries to beach clubs and waterfront activities.
And travelling with a toddler means that being close to our hotel (for naptimes and meltdowns - both his and mine) was essential.
The island is unashamedly touristy, like Las Vegas or Disneyland, but in the calm and clean way you'd expect from Singapore. And I was surprised by how much I loved it.
It's meticulously planned, outrageously easy to get around, and chock-a-block with things to do. In fact, you could probably spend a whole week on Sentosa and not get bored.
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Resorts World Sentosa has everything all in one place. Getty
And that's kind of the idea. While Singapore is all 'go-go-go', Sentosa encourages you to chill out and actually enjoy your trip.
Yes, there are high-octane activities like Universal and Adventure Cove Waterpark. But there are also great dining options where you can linger over lunch or dinner, and the beaches where you can flop down and spend a whole day.
It's also great for all age groups.
My 18-month-old was obsessed with the aquarium, older kids can visit the waterparks and Universal, teens will love the beachfront watersports, and adults can sip on cocktails under the shade of an umbrella at the beach clubs.
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The Oceanarium's giant tank has to be seen to be believed. Wikimedia Commons
How to spend two nights on Sentosa Island
If you're building a Sentosa stay into an already-existing trip, or breaking up a long-haul flight, it's just a short taxi ride from Changi airport.
I recommend you base yourself centrally on the island. Hotel Ora was great for us, a 5-minute walk from the main attractions like the aquarium and Universal.
Equarius is a great hotel for families; surrounded by tropical forest, so it feels really removed from the action but in reality is a less-than-five-minute drive away.
The aquarium is a must-see. Dubbed the Singapore Oceanarium, it's recently undergone a huge makeover to become three times bigger than it was before.
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The jellyfish tanks are amazing. Supplied
And oh boy, is it incredible. The first exhibit you walk into is a dark room filled with jellyfish tanks, and the sights just keep getting more impressive from there. The piece de resistance is its massive Open Ocean habitat, complete with a 36-metre-long panoramic window to give you an up-close look at the marine life within.
You'll then exit near the Adventure Cove Waterpark, and I hope you packed your swimmers and a towel, because there's a ton here to see.
Expect high-speed waterslides, a lazy river, a wave pool, snorkelling areas filled with marine life, and shady cabanas.
The water park is the perfect antidote to the heat. Supplied
Universal Studios is another must-visit - though I suggest you visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Otherwise, bring a battery-operated fan and drink heaps of water.
I'd recommend splurging on an express pass so you can skip the lines, it's definitely worth the money.
Where to eat on Sentosa Island
My top picks for filling hungry bellies after a day of exploring are:
- Chifa - a Peruvian-Chinese fusion restaurant. Two cuisines I never thought I'd see in the same sentence, but with a surprisingly delicious and diverse menu.
- Ka-MON - casual Japanese dining. Try the set menu if it's available, and you won't be disappointed. The staff were also so accommodating, helping us while we navigated a toddler tantrum.
- Laurus Table - Italian-inspired menu in a beautiful, calm setting. Order the carbonara and the tiramisu. Trust me.
- Soi Social - the best Thai food I've had outside of Thailand (and low-key, even better than a lot of places I ate in Thailand). The red curry was a real stand-out.
There's also a 7/11 near the LEGO store if you want to stock up on snacks and drinks.
Soi Social was the best meal we ate at Sentosa. Supplied
What is Sentosa Island?
Sentosa is an island resort, part of Singapore, where you'll find theme parks, beaches, and luxury hotels. Located just 15 minutes from the city centre, it's connected to the main island by a short bridge, and can also be accessed by cable car or monorail.
It houses everything from Southeast Asia's only Universal Studios to quiet, palm-lined beaches - truly a one-stop destination for all ages.
Things to do in Sentosa Island
There's really no shortage of things to do - whether you want to jam-pack your day with activities or just lie by the beach.
Some topline activities include:
- Universal Studios Singapore
- Singapore Oceanarium - one of the largest aquariums in the world
- Harry Potter: Visions of Magic exhibit
- Adventure Cove Waterpark
- Indoor skydiving at iFly
- Bungee Jumping at Skypark Sentosa
- Scenic canopy walk at Fort Siloso
- Electric indoor go-karting at the Palawan
- Beach hopping - Siloso for bars and water sports, Palawan for family vibes, and Tanjong for chilling and beach clubs
Sentosa Island has great swiming beaches. Getty
What is special about Sentosa Island?
Sentosa Island is a unique spot - with a massive variety of activities packed into a small area. One minute you're on a roller coaster; the next, you're sipping from a coconut at a luxury beach club.
Is Sentosa Island worth visiting?
For entertainment, Sentosa Island takes the cake.
If you're looking for a holiday within a trip to Singapore, it's worth building some time into your itinerary to spend on Sentosa. It's great for families of all ages.
After spending a few days exploring the hectic streets of Singapore, Sentosa offered a calm escape, where everything we needed - food, activities, adventure - was a short walk or shuttle bus ride from our hotel room.
You can get to Sentosa via cable car. Getty
How much does it cost to get into Sentosa Island?
Visiting Sentosa is free if you walk across the boardwalk from the mainland - the Sentosa Express monorail costs $4 (which includes the return trip and unlimited island-wide monorail use).
Most major attractions (Universal, aquarium) require individual tickets, usually ranging from $30 to $80+. Resorts World Sentosa also offers bundled or discounted tickets if you're booking multiple.
You don't need to pay to visit the beaches or catch the shuttle bus around the island.
Can you swim off Sentosa Island?
Yep, you sure can.
Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong Beaches are all safe for swimming and are patrolled by lifeguards most days - look for the red and yellow flags.
Almost every hotel also has its own pool, which is great for escaping the heat of the midday sun.
Tropical Palawan beach is a hit with families. Getty
What is free on Sentosa Island?
You don't need a fat wallet to enjoy the island. These are free:
- The beaches - pack your own picnic or grab something from a nearby 7/11
- Fort Siloso & Skywalk - explore Singapore's historic coastal fort
- Magical Shores- an interactive light and music projection on Siloso Beach at night
- Island Transport - Once you are on the island, the Sentosa Express (between island stations), Beach Shuttles, and Sentosa Buses are all free.
The writer and her family were guests of Resorts World Sentosa. Nine.com.au readers can receive a 5 per cent discount when they book hotel packages or admission tickets. Use the code RWS59TRAVEL at checkout.
