Singapore is known as a ‘Garden City’. Internationally, Singapore is admired for having trees lining the roads and clean streets. No, seriously, ask any foreign friend of yours, and they will likely say their first opinion of the sunny little island is that it’s “clean and green”.
There is no better way to fully acknowledge flora and fauna with such a gorgeous island than by engaging in fun and thrilling outdoor adventures. From tree-climbing to ziplining, this list is going to bring you out of your comfort zone and into the great unknown – but don’t worry, it’s going to be fun.
Go kayaking at Khatib Bongsu
Instead of walking around the marshlands aimlessly, kayak through the Khatib Bongsu waters for a tranquil experience that will transport you out of Singapore and into an oasis of epic tranquillity!
To start, you can join completely free social groups such as Singapore Adventurous & Nature-Lovers. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled and ears opened for exotic species of wildlife such as the Ashy Tailorbird and Great-Billed Heron.
Abseil down a real rock wall
If you are an adrenaline-junkie, head to Dairy Farm to scale up the natural rock wall and abseil down the cliff for a surge of euphoria.
There are both bolted and natural climbing routes, but if you’re a beginner, you might want to follow some veteran climbers from the Dairy Farm climbing group who will guide you along. After all, your safety is of utmost priority – and we don’t want any broken heads or bones, do we?
Learn how to scale a tree
Enrol in a tree-climbing program that will teach you the fundamentals of the sport, and find your entire body strengthened along the way. Who knows, for those battling a lifelong fear of heights, this may be precisely what you need to get rid of it.
If you’re looking for more social activity, you can even join a group of recreational tree-climbers for a truly unique and enjoyable experience. And if someone asks you what you did over the weekend, you can casually say “Oh nothing much, just climbed a few trees.”
Go ziplining at the Bedok Reservoir
Forest Adventure is newly renovated, with higher platforms, longer crossings, and four ziplines across the water. Here, you can engage in a whole range of obstacle courses, including a Tarzan Swing from 9.3 meters in the air, before ending the session pulled along by gravity on a zipline at Singapore’s only treetop obstacle course at Bedok Reservoir.
Other obstacles here include The Sherwood Crossing, which consists of walking on small wooden octagonal planks up in the air and the relatively more straightforward Indian Bridge, which was a horizontal “ladder” among the trees. You’ll get a 20-minute briefing before going up among the trees to ensure all safety aspects are covered.
Dive at the immaculate Pulau Hantu
Attention all divers, you don’t need to go to neighbouring countries to dive anymore – Singapore has its diving spot within Singapore waters! Visibility may not be excellent, but at Pulau Hantu, you can find diverse marine life such as damselfishes, seahorses, corals, and if lucky, even a sea turtle!
As there aren’t any regular ferries to Pulau Hantu, you might have to check with private boat drivers at West Coast Pier or Marina South Pier for transport to the island. Alternatively, PADI certified divers can join The Hantu Bloggers for volunteer-guided monthly dive trips to the island.