SINGAPORE — Fishing at St John’s Island bright and early last Sunday (Oct 15) morning were three friends — Aiden Raphael Keh, 17, Lin Jiayuan, 21, and Sim Jin Heng, 26.
Lazarus and Kusu islands recently made headlines for their new developments and the annual Kusu Pilgrimage respectively
Still, experts stressed the importance of striking a balance between development and conservation to ensure that new activities and infrastructure do not harm biodiversity and the environment While they do not have a fixed schedule, the trio visit the islands about once a month on average — alternating between fishing on Lazarus and Kusu islands, depending on the fish species they are hunting, and the types of habitat they are expected to be found in. Mr Aiden Raphael Keh, 17, Mr Sim Jin Heng, 26 and Mr Lin Jiayuan, 21, were fishing at the pier on St John's Island on Oct 15, 2023.
During the same period in 2022 and 2021, the islands saw a monthly average of 20,000 and 16,000 visitors respectively. Mr Christopher Khoo, managing director at tourism consultancy MasterConsult Services, said: “In today’s context, tourists are willing to pay for secluded, exclusive escapist indulgences. With the Southern Islands being a short extension from Singapore, this accessible convenience can be quite compelling to the ‘cash-rich, time-poor’ tourist.”
With Lazarus and Kusu back in the limelight, TODAY looks at how they and two other Southern Islands — long under the shadow of their glamorous neighbour Sentosa — have been charming city slickers in their own quiet, pristine ways.Once a penal settlement, St John’s Island houses a rich history. At different points in time over the last two centuries, it also served as a quarantine island, and housed an opium treatment centre for the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Measuring about 39ha and filled with lush greenery, St John’s Island presents the perfect landscape for a variety of activities, from picnicking to camping and cycling. Visitors could also opt to spend the night on the island, by applying for a camping permit or booking an overnight stay at one of its lodges.
St John’s Island is also home to the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery, which seeks to educate the public on the rich marine biodiversity in Singapore’s waters. Today, Kusu is a unique blend of offerings, from religious sites to a tortoise haven. The island houses hundreds of tortoises, which can be found at two spots — Tortoise Sanctuary and Turtle Lagoon.Kusu Island houses hundreds of tortoises, which can be found at two spots — Tortoise Sanctuary and Turtle Lagoon.
A Penang native, who wanted to be known only as Madam Lee, has visited Kusu Island each year during the pilgrimmage season for more than a decade — apart from the time when travel curbs were imposed by the Malaysian authorities during the pandemic. “We’re not in Singapore to tour or go on holiday,” she said, adding that they stay only for a night before making the long journey back home the next day each time.
Mr Tan started visiting the island with his grandmother when he was two, and returned intermittently throughout his childhood — though his visits dwindled as he grew older. The Czech Republic national, who was visiting her boyfriend in Singapore, said she had chanced upon Kusu Island online while looking up activities for her daughter, and was drawn to its unique tortoise offerings.
Big Sister’s Island serves as a platform for conservation, outreach, education and recreation, while Small Sister’s Island, which is closed to the public, is zoned for conservation and research.— which is Singapore’s first marine park — comprises the two Sisters’ Islands, and the western reefs of both St John’s Island and Pulau Tekukor.at Marlin Divers, told TODAY that she is looking forward to scuba diving again in the island’s waters.
On his experience at Sisters’ Islands, Mr Yeo said: “Diving there was different for sure. The trail alone was a great initiative not seen on other islands.better understand the marine life diversity that Sisters’ Islands was allocated to protect. It really is a conservation-centric location,” said Mr Yeo.that prohibit fishing, trappings, and camping for example – in place there, which are not applicable to the other Southern Islands.
She told TODAY that her class and professor had visited the park to learn more about the different species residing there, and had spent a morning completing an intertidal biodiversity sampling in the marine reserve.Ms Dina-Leigh Simons’ visit in 2018 to the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park had been life-changing.
Asked why they had decided on the tiny houses for their brief getaway, Ms Yong, who is between jobs, said: “We were intrigued by the concept of these little cabins. We saw it overseas before, like in Australia, but I think it’s the first time in Singapore there is such a concept, so we thought of trying it out to get a taste of how it feels.”
Thus, the development of the Southern Islands offers an opportunity to promote low-carbon tourism next to or near mainland Singapore, “where Singaporeans don’t have to spend big bucks on flights, can go to these islands for tourism”, he said. Dr Kevin Cheong, managing partner at placemaking and destination development advisory Syntegrate, said: “In Singapore’s city metropolis offering, one expects the compactness and accessibility to be our greatest advantage. This, however, may position Singapore as a destination that can be experienced in two to three days.
“Due to logistical constraints and being offshore, waste management has to be monitored especially when coping with a high influx of visitors.”Litter seen on a field on St John's Island which is popular with picnickers, on Oct 15, 2023.
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