Soft, golden sand beaches meet white-knuckle thrills on Singapore’s Sentosa Island 

Meaning ‘peace and tranquillity’ in Malay, the former British military fortress of Sentosa Island has been transformed into a variety-is-the-spice-of-life escape. Hop on the monorail or cable car for bird’s-eye views of the island and Mount Faber. Stroll down the promenade that connects to the Singapore mainland. Stretch out on tranquil, palm-lined Tanjong Beach, or dip into Palawan beach’s food stalls and playgrounds. Here, futuristic theme parks, luxurious residences and lush jungle come together to create a fantasy resort. 

Things to do

NATURE
With Singapore’s skyrises providing the glittering backdrop, some of Southeast Asia’s rarest coastal rainforests and wetlands are found on Sentosa. For a hands-on experience of the native flora and fauna follow the Nature Discovery trail. Look out for the rare Magpie Robin, and you can’t miss the 40m-tall Angsana tree with its rose scented bark. For a unique marine experience, visit S.E.A. Aquarium. Home to over 100,000 undersea creatures, it’s like walking among the fishes across a vast ocean floor.

ACTIVITIES
Adrenalin junkies and star spotters won’t need to go far for fun and excitement. Meet life-sized waxworks from the world of showbiz, politics, sports and more at Madame Tussauds. And the live movie themed rides at Sentosa’s Universal Studios transport you from New York to Ancient Egypt and Madagascar. Families will love splashing through a massive inflatable obstacle course at Hydrodash – Singapore’s first floating aquapark. And if whizzing down the zip wire at the Mega Adventure Park isn’t enough of a rush, iFly lets you feel what it’s like to plunge 9,000 feet in a real skydive.

HISTORY
There’s plenty of history and local culture to delve into at Images of Singapore, a historical museum in an old-style warehouse. Audio-visual presentations and exhibits cover the period from when the Malaysians ruled, up to the post-colonial British period. You can also easily spend a day at Fort Siloso Military Museum – the entrance is at the end of the treetop Skywalk trail. Walk among lifelike displays of gun placements, bunkers and chambers that helped defend Singapore during WWII. And as you leave, pay attention to the Sergeant Major barking instructions.

Top Tip from SLH

Twist and turn down the Sentosa hills in a three-wheel toboggan at Skyline Luge.  By nightfall, the tracks turn into a forest of glowing red, blue and green lights.