A tour of Sentosa Island includes a visit to the Fort Siloso, a sheltered beach, the Merlion, the Resort World Sentosa and the Universal Studios theme park.

History of Sentosa Island

Its name Sentosa means "peace and tranquility" in the local Malay language, this word is derived from Sanskrit language term Santosha which translates as contentment or satisfaction. British explorers in the 19th century fortified the island as it was a strategic passage into Keppel Harbour. During the Second World War, the island was the site of a battle between Japanese and British forces. Sentosa used to be a British military base and was also used by the Japanese as a prisoner of war camp. In the 1970s, the Singapore government began developing the island as a tourist resort.

Attractions of Sentosa Island

The fourth largest island of Singapore, Sentosa has a 70% rainforest cover and over 200 thousand trees were re-planted when the Resort World Sentosa was constructed. The island also boasts of white sand beach and coral reef by its coasts. The huge number of attractions in Sentosa has been the reason for the huge number of tourists visiting the island every year. Sentosa cable car is the only cable car service in Singapore managed by the Sentosa Development Corporation.

Sentosa Island in Singapore is 15 minutes from the central shopping and business districts of Singapore. There is also the option of boarding the Sentosa Express Monorail and there are bus services in Sentosa to help tourists get to their destination. One can enter the island for free if they walk all the way through the Sentosa Broadwalk. Sentosa also offers a tram service to get around Sentosa Beach.

Sentosa Luge

This thrilling attraction is ideal for a group of friends and families looking to take a panoramic view of the island. Visitors can choose from a number of trails as per their thrill and interest. Another attraction here include a 315-meter-long Skyride which is like a ski lift.

Beaches at Santosa Island

A 2-km-long stretch of sheltered beach lies on the island’s southern coast. Categorized into three sections named Palawan Beach, Siloso Beach, and Tanjong Beach. Every beach has a unique charm. While Siloso Beach is the island’s most popular beach where there visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as volleyball, canoeing, rollerblading, etc. Palawan Beach is known as the southernmost point of Asia and is a great place to enjoy local food. Finally, the crescent-shaped Tanjong Beach is located at a secluded place and Tanjong Beach Club attractions many visitors.

The climate of Sentosa remains fairly consistent throughout the year, enabling tourists to visit Sentosa attractions whenever they like. It is always mildly hot and humidity may vary according to the season. There is always a chance for rain and there are no winter winds or snow. The ideal time to visit Sentosa island attractions is from late January to early March.  April, May and June are the hottest months. If the tourists want to visit when there are least chances of raining, February, June, and January are the best possible times with February having the lowest chance of rains and November and December having the highest chance of rainfall.

Sentosa is famous among tourists because of its temperate climate and all-year-round accessibility. The warm climate is a dream for vacationing and provides a wonderful holiday experience. All Sentosa attractions are open to visitors all year round and with the sheer number of attractions, it is safe to say that Sentosa is a one of the hottest tourist destinations in Singapore.

A Sentosa island map will be of great help in trying to get around the island. The numerous attractions can be a bit overwhelming to cover without proper guidance and knowing where to. Go. An island guide can be bought or downloaded from the official website to get a thorough idea of the attractions and prioritize them according to one’s preferences. Sentosa Island tickets vary based on the place the tourists are visiting. The tickets are moderately priced and one has to pay the entry fees if one brings private or rented vehicles onto the island.