Review of Pulau Ubin Camping in Singapore: Campsite, Camping Permits & What to Bring

Planning an overnight camping trip in Pulau Ubin Singapore? From how to get there, to popular campsites, and what to bring, here is all you need to know to go camping in Singapore

Camping in Pulau Ubin Singapore is a popular way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind in nature. You and your kids can soak up the sun to get your dose of Vitamin D and simply enjoy each other’s company while taking in the lush greenery around you. A hotel staycation or booking a chalet always makes for a fun getaway but camping has been one of our kids’ most memorable experiences so here’s our review of what to know before you go on a camping trip to Pulau Ubin! To make your Pulau Ubin stay stress-free, we share all the deets you need from how to get a camping permit, to popular campsites, camping gear and things to bring plus how to get there. Then read our top five things to do in Pulau Ubin here.

Read more:7 Best Places for Glamping in Singapore

How to Get a Camping Permit for Pulau Ubin

Did you know camping at Pulau Ubin is free? Simply apply for a camping permit on the AXS system to indicate your dates and preferred campsite.

You may apply for camping permits for East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, West Coast Park and Pulau Ubin. Do note that it may take some time for them to process your camping permit application and respond, so apply at least two weeks before your camping date to secure your campsite.

Even though we submitted our Pulau Ubin camping application three weeks before the intended date, we only got a rejection reply two days before because the campsite was full. It was a bit of a disappointment but we then decided we’d have more luck going on a weekday. We submitted another Pulau Ubin camping application and this time it got approved two days before the actual camping date trip.

How to Get to Pulau Ubin

Yay! You got your camping permit, so you’re ready to begin your camping getaway!

There’s a daily bumboat to Pulau Ubin from Changi Point Ferry Terminal between 6am and 7pm that costs $4 per person for a single trip. There’s an extra $2 charge each way if you bring your bicycle for the ride. There is no scheduled departure time, as they only leave when there are nine to 12 people passengers on board.

Pulau Ubin Campsite: Jelutong Campsite

There are three campsites at Pulau Ubin: Jelutong Campsite, Maman Campsite and Endut Senin Campsite. If you’re travelling with younger kids, Jelutong Campsite would probably be a good choice. It was a great campsite choice for us since it’s closest to the ferry, which was quite a relief since we had plenty of camping gear with us.

The weekends can get very crowded, so I’d recommend a Pulau Ubin camping trip on a weekday if you want to avoid it being too busy. When we went, we pretty much had the campsite to ourselves.

Pulau Ubin Campsite: Maman Campsite

Maman Campsite is on the north-east coast of the island, so you’ll have to rent a bicycle to get to your campsite. If you’re up to trek through the jungle, it takes 25 to 30 minutes to walk from the Main Jetty. There’s a bathroom near the campsite, so you don’t have to trek too far!

Pulau Ubin Campsite: Endut Senin Campsite

The Endut Senin campsite is the final option. It is only 2.5km away from the jetty (about a 30-min walk) and features an unobstructed view of the sea, a pond and a river. It is also located right next to the Ubin Living Lab, a facility dedicated to support research studies for environmental education and community outreach.

Camping Essentials: What to Bring for Pulau Ubin Camping

Of course, you’ll need the usual camping essentials: tent, sleeping bag, and maybe camping chairs. You’ll also have to do a bit of planning before you go camping in Pulau Ubin because there are no shops there, and the restaurants close at 5pm on weekdays. This means you’ll have to bring food and snacks with you. At night, we lit a fire to cook hot dogs and make s’mores (what’s a Pulau Ubin camping experience without roasting marshmallows!?).

In addition to proper camping equipment and food, you’ll need to bring plenty of water, a first aid kit (download our printable first aid kit checklist here) and a few simple activities such as family board games or card games. Wet wipes would be a good idea, too, because while there is a toilet for public use, there is no space to take a shower. I’d also recommend bringing a portable fan because it can get stuffy at night. There are little to no street lights once it’s dark out, so be sure to bring a good torch light. There’s also no ATM, so bring cash with you, which you’ll need to rent bikes or pay for meals at the restaurants.

What to do on Pulau Ubin

There are plenty of kid-friendly activities on Pulau Ubin. If nature is your cup of tea, you can bird-watch with the kids, visit the abandoned quarries and identify native plants by exploring Pulau Ubin. There’s also a fruit orchard at Pulau Ubin that you can tour as well as kayaking and visiting Chek Jawa Wetlands.

Little adventurers will love the various biking trails – there are some kid-friendly cycling routes that are flat but others are steep. Beware the Ketam Trail, which is Singapore’s first purpose-built mountain biking trail. The island is well sign-posted, marking out trails for beginner and advanced cyclists. If you are into hiking, you will love the various hiking opportunities as you spot local sights like the Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple and the German Girl Shrine.

Bonus: Look Out for Wild Boars at Pulau Ubin!

Be warned: wild boars will likely pay you a visit while you are camping and it can be a pretty intimidating experience. If you’re a fan of meeting animals in the wild, then here’s where you can spot wild animals in Singapore. The wild boars are rather scary, and we chased them off with sticks. But they will come back when you are sleeping. If you have food outside, they will lick or eat it. So, it’s best to keep your food inside the tent. If there are things you need to leave outside, hang everything high up in the trees so the boars can’t reach it even if they stand on their hind legs. Besides the boars, you’ll also hear some noise from the generators at the nearby fish farms.

So there’s everything you need to know for a fun camping trip in Singapore. It’ll be super fun for the kiddos so have fun and take plenty of Pulau Ubin camping snaps for that family album!