Things to do
Singapore and its islands

Ten minutes by bumboat from Changi, Pulau Ubin keeps the spirit of Singapore's last kampongs: cycling trails, flooded quarries and secondary forest. To the east, the Chek Jawa boardwalks cross mangrove and intertidal flats, with the 21 m Jejawi Tower for viewing the canopy.

Singapore's first marine park, around the two "sister" islands: coral reefs, lagoons and the beaches of Big Sister's Island. NParks runs a free guided walk there on the first Sunday of the month (registration required, ferry from Marina South Pier).

Singapore's leisure island lines up three sandy beaches (Siloso, Palawan, Tanjong), a suspension bridge to the islet off Palawan and a host of attractions. You get there on foot via the Sentosa Boardwalk, by monorail or by cable car.

Pulau Hantu, "ghost island", is the dive site closest to the city: fringing reefs rich in nudibranchs and seahorses. The Dive Company, a PADI 5-star centre, runs boat trips there every weekend; visibility is best from November to February.

The illuminated Supertrees, the Flower Dome and the indoor waterfall of the Cloud Forest make these futuristic gardens the very image of Singapore. Every evening (7.45pm and 8.45pm), the Garden Rhapsody sound-and-light show brings the Supertree Grove to life.

On the edge of the rainforest, Mandai brings together Singapore Zoo and its open enclosures, the Night Safari (the world's first nocturnal zoo), Bird Paradise, River Wonders and Rainforest Wild. Allow a full day, or an evening, to meet orangutans, leopards and hornbills.

In the heart of the primary forest that protects the island's reservoirs, 20 km of trails and boardwalks run along MacRitchie Reservoir. The highlight: the TreeTop Walk, a 250 m suspension bridge strung between two hilltops at canopy level (closed on Mondays except public holidays).

On the 56th floor of Marina Bay Sands, the observation deck offers 360° views over the bay, Gardens by the Bay and the cargo ships anchored in the strait. The infinity pool on the 57th floor is reserved for hotel guests.

Aboard an electric boat following the route of the old bumboats, you glide from Clarke Quay to Marina Bay, under historic bridges as far as the Merlion. A gentle way to read the port's history, especially at nightfall.

Standing 165 m tall and opened in 2008, Marina Bay's giant observation wheel offers, over a half-hour rotation, views of the bay, the city and, on clear days, the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan.