Attractions in Lazarus island

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🌴 Lazarus Island (Pulau Sekijang Pelepah)

Lazarus Island is one of Singapore’s tranquil Southern Islands, located south of the mainland across the Singapore Strait. Known for its white sandy beach and clear turquoise waters, it is one of the least developed and most peaceful islands in Singapore — ideal for day trips, beach picnics, and quiet retreats.

📍 Location & Geography

Situated about 6.5 km south of mainland Singapore
Part of the Southern Islands cluster, which includes:
St. John’s Island
Kusu Island
Pulau Seringat
Lies off the Singapore Strait
Not connected by land to mainland Singapore
Connected to St. John’s Island via a paved causeway

The island is relatively small, with a rustic and undeveloped landscape compared to Singapore’s urban environment.

📖 Etymology

Originally known as Pulau Sekijang Pelepah (also spelled Pulau Sakijang Pelepah).

From Malay:

“Sa” (short for satu) = one
“Kijang” = deer
“Pelepah” = palm frond

The name literally translates to:

“Island of One Deer and Palm Fronds”

This reflects the island’s natural past — once likely forested and inhabited by wildlife.

The name Lazarus Island was later adopted during the colonial period, though its exact naming origin is not fully documented.

🏝 Physical Features

1️⃣ Lazarus Beach

The island’s most famous attraction is its crescent-shaped white sandy beach, often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Singapore.

Features:

Calm, clear water
Soft imported sand (enhanced during redevelopment)
Minimal commercial activity
Excellent for swimming and sunbathing

Unlike Sentosa, there are:

❌ No beach bars
❌ No water sports vendors
❌ No large crowds (on weekdays)

It feels secluded and peaceful.

🔗 2006 Land Link

In 2006, Lazarus Island and Pulau Seringat were linked by a reclaimed sand bank.

This created:

A larger continuous landmass
The beautiful curved lagoon-style beach seen today
Better accessibility between the two islands

🚤 How to Get There

1️⃣ Take a ferry from:

Marina South Pier (Singapore mainland)

2️⃣ Ferry stops at:

St. John’s Island

3️⃣ Walk across the causeway to:

Lazarus Island (about 10–15 minutes)

There is:

No direct MRT
No road connection to mainland
No bridge for vehicles

Access is ferry-only.

🏕 Development & Infrastructure

Lazarus Island remains largely undeveloped, but improvements have been made:

Facilities:

Public toilets (limited)
Shelters and picnic tables
Camping allowed (permit required)
No permanent restaurants or shops

In recent years, small-scale sustainable development such as eco-glamping concepts have been introduced under government management.

🌿 Wildlife & Nature

Because of minimal development, the island has:

Monitor lizards
Coastal birds
Occasional otters
Coral and marine life near shores

Vegetation includes:

Coconut palms
Coastal shrubs
Secondary forest patches

🌊 Activities

Popular activities include:

✔ Swimming
✔ Kayaking (bring your own)
✔ Beach picnic
✔ Camping
✔ Photography
✔ Stargazing (low light pollution compared to mainland)

It is especially popular during:

Weekends
Public holidays
Clear sunny days

🧭 Historical Background

During colonial times, nearby St. John’s Island was used as:

Quarantine station
Detention center
Drug rehabilitation center

Lazarus Island itself remained largely natural and undeveloped.

Unlike Kusu Island, it does not have temples or religious sites.

🏖 Why It Is Special

Lazarus Island offers something rare in Singapore:

Natural beach without high-rise buildings
Minimal commercialisation
Quiet, clean coastal environment
A “private island” feel within Singapore territory

Many visitors describe it as:

“Singapore’s hidden Maldives”

📊 Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Former Name	Pulau Sekijang Pelepah
Meaning	Island of One Deer and Palm Fronds
Connected To	St. John’s Island
Linked Since	2006 (via sand bank)
Access	Ferry from Marina South Pier
Best For	Beach relaxation & quiet retreat
Commercial Development	Very minimal

🏕️ 1. Camping Is Allowed Only at Designated Areas

Camping on Lazarus Island is not free-for-all. It’s allowed only in specific, designated camping zones designated by the authorities. (sentosa.com.sg)

📜 2. Permit Requirement

🌿 Temporary Occupation License (Camping Permit)

To camp overnight on Lazarus Island, you must obtain a permit from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) — this is technically called a Temporary Occupation License (TOL).

Key facts about the camping permit:

🗓️ You must apply at least 14 days before your planned camping date.
📍 The permit is required even if you’re pitching a tent during daytime hours — not just overnight.
📅 You cannot cancel the permit once it’s confirmed and you cannot change location or date after booking.
⛺ A permit generally covers one tent and up to 6 people; if you want multiple tents, additional permits are needed.

Camping without this permit is not legal — enforcement officers may check and fines can be issued.

🗓️ 3. When You Can Camp

Camping starts from 9 am on the first day of your permit and ends at 9 am the next day.
Multiple days of camping require applying for a permit for each night.

🏖️ 4. What You Can and Cannot Do

👍 Allowed

✔ Bring your own camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, mats)
✔ Set up a camp in designated areas
✔ Bring food, water, and supplies (essential, as there’s minimal commerce)

🚫 Not Allowed

✖ Open fires are prohibited — no campfires on the beach.
✖ Barbecues aren’t permitted outside dedicated spaces (if any) — and Lazarus doesn’t have its own pits like mainland parks.
✖ Littering or leaving trash behind — you must carry your rubbish back.
✖ Camping outside of designated spots is not permitted.

🎒 5. Preparation Tips

🧰 Gear & Essentials

Tent and sleeping mat
Drinking water (bring plenty — there’s limited fresh water)
Food and snacks
Torch / headlamp
Trash bags (leave-no-trace principle)
First aid kit

There are no permanent food stalls or full-service amenities on Lazarus — bring what you need.

🪵 6. Nature & Safety Considerations

The islands are natural habitats — expect wildlife encounters (monitor lizards, birds, etc.).
There are no medical services on the island, so plan for any emergencies.
Box jellyfish sightings have been noted at times — swim with caution and only when conditions are safe.

📍 7. Alternative Overnight Options

If obtaining a permit or setting up your own tent feels too involved:

There are also eco-glamping or tiny house stays on Lazarus Island — these often come with their own booking system and don’t require a camping permit in the same way as pitching your own tent. ***

🧠 Summary Checklist Before You Go

✅ Decide your camping date (and backup date)
✅ Apply for the permit at least 14 days before
✅ Pack all camping gear + essentials (no rentals on island)
✅ Respect the designated camping areas
✅ Bring enough water and food
✅ Follow the rules (no fires, no littering)