Singapore Kusu Island

Kusu Island which means Turtle Island in Chinese, takes its name from the many legends surrounding it.

One of the most popular of these has it that two fishermen, one Chinese, the other, Malay, were fishing in the waters near the island of Singapore when they were caught in a ferocious storm.

A giant turtle rescued them by transforming into an island, thus providing them sanctuary from the raging storm.

Indebted to the turtle for saving their lives, the fishermen later returned to the island and built a Chinese temple and a Malay shrine to show their gratitude.

Kusu Island was also previously known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakau in Malay. The southern island was said to resemble the shape of a turtle when it used to be just two tiny outcrops on a reef. It was later reclaimed from 1.2 hectares to 8.5 hectares in 1975 and this made the shape less obvious.

During the Kusu Festival in the Ninth Lunar Month each year in Singapore, thousands of devotees make their way to the Da Bo Gong temple on the island to pray for blessings and to pay their respects. Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses many deities but the two main ones are Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin.

Three keramats stand on the hill above the temple. These Malay holy shrines were built to commemorate Syed Abdul Rahman, his mother and his sister. Followers climb the steps to the shrines to pray for good health, good marriages and fertility.

After visiting the temple and shrines, make sure you head to one of the two lagoons for a leisurely swim. End the day of sun, sand and sea with a sizzling barbeque at any of the barbeque pits on the pristine beaches. As tempting as it may be, overnight stay is not allowed on the island.

Getting There
Take a ferry from Marina South Pier.
Do check the ferry schedule on Sentosa website to confirm time and availability.

To get to Marina South Pier, take the MRT to Marina Bay (NS27), use Exit A, then board bus service 402 at the bus stop just outside the MRT station to the pier.

Ticketing Information
Adult: SGD 15
Child (1 to 12 years old): SGD 12

Related books
Isles of Singapore

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