How to Spend a Family Day Out at Sentosa Island - Tips on Spending a Memorable Day at Sentosa Island

As one of Singapore's oldest and most popular recreational spaces, Sentosa Island has been attracting families from far and wide for decades. Home to its own manmade beaches, sprawling aquariums, and larger than life theme park attractions, the island is a veritable playpen for the young and the young at heart. From exploring the main highlights on Sentosa to making the most of your day on the island, here are some tips on how to create unforgettable memories on your family tour of Sentosa.

Img by: Haakon S. Krohn via Wikimedia Commons

1. Stay at a Convenient Base

Regardless of the duration of your Singapore family holiday, there's no possible way to explore all that Sentosa Island has to offer during a single outing. This is why families should try to secure accommodation in a hotel near Harbourfront Singapore the likes of Park Hotel Alexandra or a similar establishment as easy access to the island means one can spend a few hours every day on Sentosa Island. Those who are in Singapore for a limited time period and only have a day dedicated to Sentosa Island will also find that the quick transfer from a harbourfront hotel is necessary to beat the crowds and enjoy more lone time on the island.

2. Hit the Beaches

Sentosa's beaches are some of its most popular areas and tend to get congested with holidaymakers as the day wears on. This is why your first stop should be one of three man-made beaches on the shores of the island. Siloso Beach is the first seaside resort stop visitors come across on a tour of Sentosa and is perfect for swimming activities while Palawan Beach is no less impressive and is tailor-made for families with children of different ages. The beach is longer and wider and is located west of Siloso Beach. Last but not least is the tranquil Tanjong Beach, which is decidedly more laid-back than the other two beaches.

3. Take in the Views

No trip to Sentosa would be complete without a cable car ride across the island as it offers the best views of Singapore and its leisure island from a vaulted vantage point. Head to the harbour front station or Faber Peak to travel across the water on a cable car, which runs in two separate lines. The Mount Faber Line starts from the park and lands on the island while the Sentosa Island takes visitors across some of the island's biggest points of interest before landing at Siloso Point station, Merlion station, or the Imbiah Lookout station. Accessible from 8.45 am to 10 pm, there are long queues to board the cable cars so families should be prepared for quite a wait.

4. Spend Time at the S.E.A Aquarium

Ranked among Asia's largest and most impressive aquariums, the S.E.A Aquarium on Sentosa Island is a family attraction of truly mammoth proportions. Countless marine species are found in this larger than life enclosure full of glass tunnel walkways through which visitors can catch a glimpse of its many inhabitants. Some of the biggest fish species visible at the S.E.A Aquarium include sharks and stingrays although friendlier creatures such as penguins are also part of the venue's marine species collection.

5. Grab a Hearty Lunch

Sentosa Island is home to some of Singapore's top restaurants and snack bars including several Michelin star restaurants and some of our favourite fast-food joints. Whether it's pizza, pasta or Asian delights one is craving, families are likely to find a venue that's serving up a host of delicious goodies regardless of the time of day. A scoop of ice cream from the Stickhouse is a must for all families as it is a rite of passage for first-timers.

6. Head to Universal Studios

Leave the rest of your afternoon on the island to exploring the iconic Universal Studios Theme Park. With numerous rollercoasters, movie-themed zones, and restaurants to its name, families will want to spend as much time as possible in this globally renowned entertainment hub.