An island city-state already, the last thing most people would imagine as a big draw here are yet more islands—but this small country has more than 60 in total. To get away from the (clean and well-organized) hustle and bustle of the main island, consider a short trip to a nearby tropical paradise:
Kusu Island
With calm bays perfect for swimming, Kusu is home to important religious shrines and sports great views of the mainland. Local legend has it that a Chinese and a Malay sailor were shipwrecked together and were saved by a giant turtle. Grateful, the two men built a Chinese temple, a Malay shrine and a large turtle sculpture—all standing to this day.
Pulau Ubin
Northeast of Singapore, the name of this getaway is said to mean either “granite island” or “squared block.” The ancient quarries here are one of the few signs of industry on the island—the government has protected Pulau Ubin from urban development in an effort to keep alive the Singapore of yesteryear. Definitely laid back, attendees can spend a day just wandering or biking the many walking paths here.
Sentosa
Imagine if an entire state in the U.S. was turned into a theme park and sported luxury hotels, nature preserves, private beaches, and golf courses. This is kind of what Sentosa is like—there's really something for everyone here, and it's only a very short tram ride or drive from Singapore.
St. John's Island
A night here—in either the government-run bungalow or camp—would be a night to remember, as some say that the spirits of the inmates who died here when it was a penal colony like to occasionally rattle their bones at visitors. Although it's more likely that the only spirits here are in a bottle, it's a fact that the expansive island is a weekend sports hot spot.
