St. John’s Island is one of Singapore’s Southern Islands, a short ferry ride from Marina South Pier. It is a quiet, green escape with lagoons, shady trails, old colonial buildings and views back to the city skyline, and there are no shops or restaurants, which is a big part of its charm.
Note for 2026: the St. John’s Island main jetty has been closed for works since April 2025, so ferries land at neighbouring Lazarus Island. From there you simply walk across the causeway to St. John’s.
Plan your visit to St. John’s Island
- Entry: free; round-trip ferry about SGD 14–15
- Hours: daytime ferries from Marina South Pier, landing at Lazarus Island
- Time needed: half a day to a full day
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History of St. John’s Island
Known in Malay as Pulau Sakijang Bendera, St. John’s Island was used from the 1870s as a quarantine station for cholera and for immigrants and pilgrims arriving by sea. Over the following century it also held leprosy patients, political detainees and later a drug rehabilitation centre.
In 1975 the island was turned into a recreation area with swimming lagoons, beaches and picnic grounds. Some of the old quarantine-era buildings still stand today, alongside a national marine research laboratory.
Attractions at St. John’s Island
- Swimming lagoons and beaches: Calm, sheltered lagoons that are good for a dip or a picnic.
- Heritage buildings: Colonial-era bungalows and remnants from the island’s quarantine and detention past.
- Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Public Gallery: A small NParks gallery about Singapore’s marine life and coral reefs (limited opening hours).
- Nature trails: Shady paths with birdlife, monitor lizards and sea views.
- Causeway to Lazarus Island: Walk over to Lazarus for its long sandy beach.
Things to Do at St. John’s Island
- Picnic: Bring food and drinks, as there are no food outlets on the island.
- Swim: Use the lagoons, and check NParks advisories, as jellyfish are sometimes reported in the Southern Islands.
- Walk the island: A loop of the island and a stroll to Lazarus Island takes one to two hours.
- Fishing: Popular with locals at designated spots along the shore.
- Island hopping: Combine St. John’s with Lazarus and Kusu Island on the same ferry ticket.
St. John’s Island – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
Entry to the island is free; you only pay for the ferry. Round-trip ferry tickets from Marina South Pier cost about SGD 14 to 15 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors. Ferries run during the day only, with more departures at weekends; check the last ferry back before you set off.
- Ferry operators: Marina South Ferries and Singapore Island Cruise
- Landing point: Lazarus Island jetty while the St. John’s main jetty is closed
Overnight stays at the island’s lodges are booked through the Singapore Land Authority and are mainly for residents.
Ferry tickets and tours
- St. John’s, Lazarus & Kusu Island ferry on Klook: round-trip ferry from Marina South Pier
- Southern Islands island-hopping pass on Klook: hop between St. John’s, Lazarus, Kusu and Sisters’ Islands
- Southern Islands day tour on Klook: guided day trip to St. John’s, Lazarus and Kusu
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How Long to Spend at St. John’s Island
Plan for a half day, or a full day if you want to swim, picnic and hop over to Kusu Island. The ferry ride itself takes about 25 to 30 minutes each way.
How to Get There
- By MRT: Take the North-South Line to Marina South Pier station (NS28) and walk to the Marina South Pier ferry terminal.
- By ferry: Board a Southern Islands ferry to Lazarus Island, then walk across the causeway to St. John’s Island.
- By taxi or Grab: Ask for Marina South Pier, 31 Marina Coastal Drive.
Arriving at Changi Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby St. John’s Island
There are no restaurants or shops on St. John’s Island, so bring enough water and food for the day and take your rubbish back with you.
- Marina South Pier: A few small food and drink outlets at the ferry terminal for a snack before you board.
- Marina Bay: Plenty of restaurants and food courts a short MRT ride away when you return.
Other Attractions Nearby St. John’s Island
- Lazarus Island: Linked by causeway, with the best beach in the Southern Islands.
- Kusu Island: A Chinese temple and hilltop Malay shrines, reached on the same ferry loop.
- Sisters’ Islands Marine Park: Singapore’s first marine park, reached by an interchange ferry at Lazarus on some days.
- Marina Bay: The city’s waterfront, a short trip from Marina South Pier.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Singapore: Marina Bay hotels are closest to Marina South Pier for an early ferry.
- Get a Singapore eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
St. John’s Island is an easy half-day escape from the city: lagoons, shady trails and quarantine-era history, all a short ferry ride from Marina South Pier. While its main jetty is closed, ferries land at Lazarus Island and you walk across the causeway.
Bring a picnic, then walk on to the beach at Lazarus Island or catch the ferry loop to Kusu Island.
