Visiting Mother Shore babies: East Coast Sailing Centre (Oct 2026)

Right in front of the National Sailing Centre at East Coast Park Area G, the artificial shore is full of interesting marine life. We can get a glimpse of them at super low tide. These are the babies of our vast and unseen Mother Shores in the far south-west waters.

Thanks to participants for making time for this trip. And Lon and Samuel for helping to share about the shore. This trip is part of the Love Our Mother shores October's talk and workshop. Here's what happened at the indoor talk and workshop. Grateful and awed that so many amazing people made time to come together to share and learn about our Mother Shores. Thank you!

I'm repeating this series in November. More details soon. Please join us if you can.

As we were about to take a group photo and start the trip, we were distracted by a pair of otters! Then we totally forgot to take the group photo.

Low tide exposes a long sand bar extending straight out towards the sea. It is flanked by dense patches of seagrasses. Full of amazing marine life!

How wonderful to see that this shore is still rich in echinoderms. We saw three kinds of sea urchins, two kinds of sea stars, several kinds of sea cucumbers. As well as colourful sponges, interesting sea anemones and a carpet anemone with Peacock tail anemone shrimps.

Includes photos by Rui Quan Oh and Ophelia Ong

The seagrasses remain lush and covered large areas. On this shore, we can see 7 of Singapore's 12 species of seagrasses. All were healthy. Lots of small animals find shelter here. A wide variety of fishes, octopus, snails and crabs. Many well camouflaged. The flight path of landing planes went right over this shore on our trip - helping us to take a break from talking while they roar overhead.

Include photos by Rui Quan Oh and Ophelia Ong

The intrepid participants stayed on well after sunset and we ended only when the tide turned. Our last survey here was in Jun 2026.

What is the fate of these shores?

This shore will be affected by plans for Long Island.

Phase 1 Preparatory Works for Long Island will start end-2026. It will involve removal of seabed obstructions, construction of temporary sand bunds and sand infilling. Phase 2 will take place after the end of the SEA Games 2029.

See these and other East Coast shores for yourself!

It's fun and easy to explore these shores. Come see these shores before they are gone! The Sailing Centre shores are safe for families to explore, even in the dark. More details in East Coast Park - Surprising intertidal adventures for the family. 

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! 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.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

Check out the Sinapore Blue Plan 2018 which outlines community recommendations for all these shores. DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

More photos by others on the field trip

Ophelia Ong



Rui Quan Oh