Changi quickly

A quick solo survey of Changi at Carpark 1 during a rare daylight super low tide. My first time revisiting since Jul 2023.

Seagrasses are doing very well, but the shore was very quiet. I didn't see any sea stars and many of the anemones that I usually encounter.

First look at Terumbu Menalung next to Sudong reclamation

Terumbu Menalung is a tiny submerged reef flat that lies very close to the ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong. Thanks to the team who surveyed this for the first time and shared all their observations.

Photo by Rachael Goh

They encounter a wide variety of corals and marine life, including the endangered Merten's carpet anemone. The situation there seems very similar to what they saw at Terumbu Palat in Jul 2024. Terumbu Palat is likely to be buried in the reclamation. I was with the team that surveyed Terumbu Bemban at the same tide. What we saw in both locations suggests that there is good effort to minimise impact of the large reclamation works.

Checking Terumbu Bemban for impacts from the Sudong reclamation

We check up on one of our favourite sites, a submerged reef flat that is the closest to the ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong. What we saw suggests that there is good effort to minimise impact of the large reclamation works.

It was a relief to see healthy corals on Western Terumbu Bemban nearest to the reclamation site. There is denser growth of seagrasses here too. While the rich reefy patch on Eastern Terumbu Bemban seems to be okay. A separate team also makes our first survey of tiny Terumbu Menalung nearby. I will update later with all their observations.

First time on Sentosa Serapong west!

One of the best reefs nearer the mainland is found on the undisturbed shore off Serapong Golf Course at Sentosa. We surveyed a new stretch of this shore for the first time, thanks to Leanne and Desmond of SDC. These shores were impacted but clearly survived the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill on 14 Jun 2024 and the 23 tonne diesel leak opposite Sentosa Serapong on 5 Feb 2025. 

Right next to the Sentosa bridge, there are lots of corals, large Long spined sea urchins, fishes, nudibranchs and other amazing marine life. As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. I will update once they share their photos.

Return to Pulau Semakau (South) mangroves

A full team surveys here at predawn for the first time! The original mangroves, seagrass meadows, and reefs of Pulau Semakau lie next to the Semakau Landfill. They are very much alive.

We land next to the Landfill wall, on living seagrass meadow at first light of a glorious sunrise! I will update later with finds by the rest of the team. The ongoing Sudong reclamation looms in the distance.

Diving at the Sisters Islands Marine Park to reopen later in 2026

Some dive operatorsare preparing to expand their operations ahead of the reopening of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park for diving later this year.

From the NParks booklet on the dive trail.

Diving was suspended since 2021 to facilitate enhancement works. NParks will lift these restrictions later this year, allowing divers to return under approved operators.