Chek Jawa Wetlands

The basics

At low tide, you can see six different ecosystems in the Chek Jawa Wetlands: sandy beach, rocky beach, coral rubble, seagrass lagoon, mangroves, and coastal forest. The boardwalk follows two loops: the Mangrove Loop, which runs through mangrove swamps complete with mud crabs and walking fish, and the Coastal Loop, which spans intertidal flats. A historic cottage called House No. 1 offers more information about the wetlands, which you can sometimes visit on Ubin Island tours.

Things to know before you go

• The Chek Jawa Wetlands is an excellent choice for nature lovers.

• Ubin Island (Pulau Ubin) can be hot and sticky. Bring a water bottle, mosquito repellent, sunblock, and a hat.

• There are no ATMs on Ubin Island—bring cash.

• The bumboats that run to Pulau Ubin are not yet wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The Chek Jawa Wetlands are in the southeast corner of Ubin Island (Pulau Ubin), which is off northeast Singapore. First, head to Changi Point Ferry Terminal: take a taxi or a rideshare, or ride the MRT to Tanah Merah (East West Line) and catch the #2 bus. The bumboat from the terminal to Pulau Ubin takes about 10 minutes. From the jetty, it’s a 2-mile (3-kilometer) hike, cycle, or van ride to the wetlands.

When to get there

The Chek Jawa Wetlands are open 9am–5pm seven days a week, and the boardwalk can be enjoyed anytime. However, you’ll get the most out of the experience when the intertidal flats are displayed, i.e., when tides are 20 inches (50 centimeters) or lower. Check tide tables before you visit, and aim to arrive midweek for a quieter experience.

Discovering nature on Pulau Ubin (Ubin Island)

Once used primarily for quarrying granite, Pulau Ubin has returned to nature, with its quarries and wetlands havens for biodiversity. On Butterfly Hill, butterfly-friendly plants draw 140 different species; the Pekan Quarry wetlands are home to nesting herons. Visit the Sensory Trail Garden for traditional backyard plants, with ponds that entice birds, including kingfishers.