Bigger patch of wild mangroves at Marina Bay!

Once again, we follow in the footsteps of Arjun Sai Krishnan who first checked out this larger patch of mangroves at Marina East in Dec 2025. This gave me the impetus to check it out for ourselves. We were not disappointed! 

Hidden behind the trees growing at the edge of the seawall is a patch of mangroves with a wide variety of species including some very rare ones. There are even mudlobster mounds! We saw an otter and other marine life. Will update with sightings by the rest of the team later on.

The most amazing sight was a huge (about 2m tall) Mentigi (Pemphis acidula) (considered Critically Endangered). It was flowering profusely and looked like a bridal bouquet! The stronghold for this plant is Pulau Biola, just off Raffles Lighthouse (Pulau Samutu). Referring to the list of mangrove plants recorded by the Southern Island Biodiversity Survey (SIBS) 2025 this plant also occurs on Pulau Salu (maybe the same one I saw in 2010?), as well as Sisters Island and Pulau Semakau - I have not seen them there, must go look! I saw a small shrub at the Lost Coast in 2010 - its location already reclaimed. I did see one at Chek Jawa in 2011 and regularly during surveys, the last time I saw it again was in 2017.

I saw one tree that was definitely Tumu Berau (Bruguiera sexangula) (considered Critically Endangered) based on the flowers. And another that might also be the same species (no spots on the underside of the leaf so not Rhizophora). This might be the first record of this species in the South as it was not recorded in SIBS.

I saw a few small Tengar merah (considered Endangered) producing flowers and propagules. SIBS also records this at Pulau Hantu, Lazarus Island and Pulau Semakau (2012).

I saw a few tall Teruntum merah trees (considered Endangered) and some small Chengam shrubs, both flowering profusely. I also saw some well formed Nyireh bunga, complete with lovely sinuous buttress roots.

I saw one small Bakau pasir (considered Vulnerable) which was flowering and producing propagules. 

I also saw a Tumu with flowers. And some Bakau minyak from shrubs to very tall ones. 

I also saw some great specimens of common mangroves, very tall Bakau putih and Api-api bulu (plus many smaller ones of these two species), many small Api-api putih - blooming and producing propagules.

I saw several Perepat trees, some quite tall. All seemed to have lost their leaves - like the one growing on the seawall bund on the western part of this shore. Not sure what is happening. I also saw many small to medium sized Nipah palms (considered Vulnerable). And one Buta-buta shrub.

The area we surveyed today is in the yellow circle.

Mangroves on this artificial shore seems to be quite resilient and has survived massive development as well as the Pasir Panjang oil spill and other impacts. Looking at Google Earth over the years, it seems there was always a wild patch in that area since 2007, remaining there despite the massive works in the area through the decades. To me, it seems the area became more conducive to mangrove settlement after the jetty was constructed in 2014. This created an 'elbow' and a small beach on the eastern most end of the seawall.

This bigger patch of mangroves we surveyed today is surrounded by a fringe of Casuarina trees - these are often the first trees to colonise bare sand. Casuarina seeds sprout best in hot, open sand above the high-water mark and the young plants grow quickly, often form a thicket that eventually forms a Casuarina forest. The mangroves possibly took over as salt water intruded into the Casuarina forest?

The mangroves and seagrasses on this artificial shore have returned after every massive coastal works. These are the mangroves I saw near the Marina Barrage in 2008. Growing on the western most end in the seawall. These were lost due to works for the MCE. 

The seagrasses returned to the low shore below the seawall on western end in 2015, but were again affected by coastal works, probably related to the construction of the jetty. 

The low shore on the western end in Feb 2015
Photo by Loh Kok Sheng.

By 2017, seagrasses were back on the low shore below the seawall on western end.

In Dec 2025, we checked out the seagrasses the low shore below the seawall on western end, as well as the small patch of mangroves that had settled on the berm there. Seems they are settling well.

Photos the low shore on the western end in Dec 2025.
By Loh Kok Sheng and Kelvin Yong.

Hopefully, we can somehow take a closer look at the trees and plants growing on the jetty walls. There might be interesting and rare plants there too!

The rest of the team make all the special animal finds. I will compile later. But we all saw an otter during our survey. It didn't seem to be disturbed by our presence and in fact escorted me as I left the site.

On the way to the bigger patch, the tiny patch of mangroves growing on the berm at the western side of this shore is still there - Perepat tree still with few leaves as I saw it in Dec 2025. How fascinating to have mangroves in the heart of the city with Marina Bay Sands on the horizon!

What is the fate of this shore?

Massive reclamation is planned near the area we surveyed today as outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Marina Bay.

Technical studies for 'Long Island' 800ha reclamation off the East Coast were recently announced to begin.

Natural regeneration on Singapore's artificial shores and structures is already happening now. Unintentionally, with zero replanting. Can we plan coastal works to allow reefs, mangroves and seagrasses to naturally regenerate? Naturalise canals leading to the sea for a continuum of freshwater wetlands to mangroves? Imagine what's possible for coastal! Reefs and natural marine ecosystems at our doorstep, for all in the City to enjoy. More about this idea in my feedback to the Draft Master Plan 2013.

More photos of this site

Arjun Sai Krishnan surveyd on 4 Dec 2025