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.

The seagrasses are super lush with dense growths of mostly Needle seagrass (narrow leaves). Also many patches of Spoon seagrass (large leaves). There was a large patch of Smooth ribbon seagrass across the abandoned pipe, about 10m long - this seagrass now seems to be well present all along Changi from Carpark 1 to Carpark 7. All were healthy fresh green. I didn't see any Fern seagrass. And also no sign of dugong feeding trails.

There seems to be an explosion of tiny little sea anemones. I saw many tiny carpet anemones most probably Haddon's with a few Tapetum - with distinctive spoke arrangement of tentacles. Also tiny ones of Big hermit-hitching anemones. There were also a few medium sized Haddon's carpet anemones, and some usual sized Big hermit-hitching anemones. But I didn't see any other kinds of anemones.

The absolutely most abundant animal on the shore today were Pink warty sea cucumbers. I only saw a few Thorny sea cucumbers, one Orange sea cucumber. I saw some Cerianthids, a small Ball flowery soft coral and there was a sea fan near the abandoned pipe. As well as a large sponge which unfortunately had entangled fishing lines in it. There were also some clams. I saw a large shell of a dead Baler snail - although it's dead, we should not remove it as such shells provide valuable shelter for live animals. Fish and octopuses may lay their eggs in such 'empty' shells. Alas, I didn't see any sea stars.

What is the fate of these shores?

There doesn't seem to be a change in 2013 plans to reclaim all of Pasir Ris, all of Changi from Carpark 1 to Carpark 7 and beyond, and reclaim Chek Jawa and Pulau Sekudu. These appear to remain in place in the Long-Term Plan Review. Including plans for a road link that starts at Pasir Ris, crosses to Pulau Ubin, right across Chek Jawa to Pulau Tekong, and back to the mainland at Changi East.

In Jul 2025, it was announced that plans to reclaim for Aviation Park will spare the shores at Changi Carpark 7 to Carpark 1. 

See Changi shores for yourself!

They are easy to get to, and enjoyed by many people. But it remains rich in a variety of marine life. More details in "Changi - an easy intertidal adventure for the family". Changi Carpark 1 shore is very narrow and only exposed at very low tides.