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Pulau Ubin | EDUCATING FUTURE NOW

Pulau Ubin


What We Know…


Called Pulau Batu Jubin in Malay, Pulau Ubin as it is commonly known now, is located on the northeastern coast of Singapore. The island was known for its granite quarries which are no longer active. Today, they provide some of the scenic views on the island.

Former possession of Pulau Ubin was only taken 1 year after Singapore was ceded to the British in 1824 by the Dutch.

Today, Ubin (most Singaporeans simply call it this way) hosts the Outward Bound School of Singapore, whose mission is to “develop mentally and physically rugged youths to be active citizens to serve the community”. The National Police Cadet Corps also has a permanent campsite on the island.

Other than the scenic views at the quarries, Chek Jawa is the place to visit if you are a nature lover. It is a unique natural site where 6 major ecosystems can be found. You would not be disappointed with the experience you can get there. Plan your trip well and try to be there early as it closes at 5pm.

To reach Ubin, you would have to take a boat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. You can watch a short video of the boat ride at the bottom of this page.

*Please don’t swim in those quarries. They remain dangerous.
*Help protect the biodiversity of Chek Jawa by not removing any plant or animal species from the wetlands.
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Do you know?….

  • Since the founding of Singapore by the British, this place has been known for its granite.

  • The numerous granite quarries on the island supplied the local construction industry in the past.

  • Granite from Ubin were used to build Horsburgh Lighthouse, the Istana, and Singapore-Johore Causeway.

  • There were coffee estates on Pulau Ubin. There was even a hill called kopi sua or “Coffee Hill”.

  • During WWII, the Japanese attacked Pulau Ubin to create a diversion for their main assault on the western part of Singapore.

  • A very popular 1989 SBC Chinese drama serial (早安老师) depicted the story of a female teacher who left her comfortable life in Singapore to teach in a small school on the island.


  • References:
    National Parks. (2021). Butterfly Hill. Retrieved from
    https://www.nparks.gov.sg/pulau-ubin/biodiversity/places-of-interest/butterfly-hill

    National Parks. (2021). Chek Jawa Wetlands. Retrieved from
    https://www.nparks.gov.sg/pulau-ubin/biodiversity/places-of-interest/chek-jawa-wetlands.

    Ngiam, S.P. & Chan, A. (2019). Pulau Ubin. Retrieved from
    https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_219_2004-12-13.html

    Outward Bound Singapore. Retrieved from
    https://www.nyc.gov.sg/en/obs

    Wikipedia. (2022).
    乌敏岛. Retrieved from
    https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-sg/烏敏島
    Boat ride to Pulau Ubin
    Island "centre" at Ubin's jetty
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