Cyrene in the dark

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. A very large team surveys on a predawn low tide.

It was a relief to see that the Knobbly sea stars seem to have recovered from the mysterious injuries we saw in Feb 2026. The corals seem to be alright. Although most of the centre was bare sand, there is still lush seagrasses near the beacon area. But we sense the shore remains rather quiet. The rest of the team saw giant clams and other interesting marine life.  I will update when they have uploaded their photos.

Other intertidal surveys: Mar 2026

Thanks to Marcus for visiting Cyrene in March so we could get an update on the mass injuries we saw to the Knobbly sea stars that we observed in Feb  2026.

Collage of photos by Marcus Ng.

Marcus photographed 14 Knobblies on his Mar 2026 visit. Although all of them appear healthy at first glance, a closer look at the top 5 knobs shows that 10 sea stars (or about 70%) show recovery from damage. Where the top 5 big knobs should be, there was a sheared flat surface - which were a dark colour and thus seem 'healed', not greyish-blue as we observed in Feb  2026. Others had dark patches at the top and the knobs were missing or seem a little 'limp'. One had knobs that look like they were starting to separate at the base from the main body. One pale sea star had three knobs instead of one large knob. Only 5 sea stars seem normal. Again, still not sure what is going on. But at least there isn't new damage?

Mass injury of Knobbly sea stars at Cyrene

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. A very large team surveys today.

Alarmingly, we found most of the Knobbly sea stars had mysterious injuries. Seagrass cover was very thin, but dugong feeding trails were still seen. The rest of the team as usual make all the special finds. From Giant clams to interesting sea stars and sand dollars. I will update when they have uploaded their photos.

Cyrene quieter than usual

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores.

A full team surveys at predawn and although the sandy areas seem quieter than usual, they find four Giant clams, baby cushion stars, Knobbly sea stars, dugong feeding trails!

Cyrene still stunning

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. 

A full team surveys and find dugong feeding trails and giant sea stars! Corals seem to be well and new baby Giant clams are seen.

Cyrene briefly: signs of dugong, stars and more!

We make a brief visit to Cyrene on the last evening tide of the cycle. Right opposite the site of the Pasir Panjang Terminal where the Jun 2024 oil spill occured, we saw thriving marine life.

A green turtle was sighted! And we are delighted to see dugong feeding trails, a bloom of sidegill slugs. Also many Knobbly sea stars, Giant clam and more.

Cyrene still alive!

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores.

Today, we saw a lot of dugong feeding trails, many Knobbly sea stars, 2 Giant clams and more. It was a relief to see that most of the corals seem to have survived the mass coral bleaching. Kelvin also flew the drone for a more comprehensive view of the reef flat.

Mass coral bleaching at Cyrene, no oil spill impact

A small team decided to survey Cyrene on a less than ideal tide on the last of the low spring tide cycle. Because Uncle Tony ODempsey shared with us this chart. Which suggests the oil escaping from the accident site spent some time over Cyrene. Thanks to Uncle Tony for this important information.

Fortunately, we didn't come across any smell or signs of oil on the shore. Ian did a great drone overview of the shore too. We saw dugong feeding trails, Knobbly sea stars, Giant clam and other marine life commonly seen here. But sadly mass coral bleaching seems to be getting worse here. We estimate about 50% of hard corals and 70% of leathery soft corals are bleaching. On our last visit here on 10 Jun 2024, the estimate was15% of hard corals were showing signs of stress and about 10% outright bleaching. While about 40% of soft corals were showing signs of stress and about 30% outright bleaching.

Some bleaching seen on Cyrene

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores.

Photo by Che Cheng Neo

A small team visits and encounter dugong feeding trails and other special marine life. They also check for mass coral bleaching has started to affect some of our shores. They estimate about 15% of hard corals were showing signs of stress and about 10% outright bleaching. While about 40% of soft corals were showing signs of stress and about 30% outright bleaching.

Cyrene with Giant sea stars, Giant clams and signs of dugong

We arrive at Cyrene well before dawn for the first morning survey of the year. Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores.

We saw dugong feeding trails, many large Knobbly sea stars, several Giant clams. The corals seem to be doing well. While the seagrass situation has not recovered, we sense an improvement.

Cyrene with Giant clams, Giant stars and signs of dugong!

The morning low spring tide season has started and we survey Cyrene at first light. 

We saw dugong feeding trails, many large Knobbly sea stars, several Giant clam. The corals seem to be doing well. While the seagrass situation has not recovered, we sense an improvement. Kelvin and Russel flew drones today and got lots of interesting new perspectives of our favourite shore.

Four-clam day at Cyrene with signs of dugong

On the last morning super low tide of the year, we return to our favourite shore!

We survey the eastern shore of this huge submerged reef flat and saw dugong feeding trails, many large Knobbly sea stars, four Giant clam. Also cushion stars, cone snail and blue bioluminescence! The corals seem to be doing well, although the seagrass situation has not recovered.

Stars and signs of Dugong at Cyrene (West)

Although it lies in the middle of an industrial triangle and major shipping lanes, Cyrene has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. The 'star' of Cyrene are the Knobbly sea stars, so we are glad to see them still present in numbers on the western end of this submerged reef.

There were many dugong feeding trails and the Giant clam is still there.

Cyrene with giant clam, giant stars and signs of dugong

We resume surveys as COVID restrictions ease. A small team checks out Cyrene (East) on the afternoon tide.

We saw lots of dugong feeding trails, many large Knobbly sea stars, one Giant clam and more.

Cyrene (East) in the dark with Giant clams and signs of dugong

A small team surveyed Cyrene in the dark, when animals are more active. It's been a while since we did this.

We saw dugong feeding trails, three giant clams, cone snails, fishes and  more!

Stars of Cyrene (West)

Although it lies in the middle of an industrial triangle and major shipping lanes, Cyrene has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. The 'star' of Cyrene are the Knobbly sea stars, so we are glad to see them still present in numbers on the western end of this submerged reef.

We also saw dugong feeding trails, two Giant clams and lots of other interesting marine life.

Fishy at Cyrene in the dark

We survey Cyrene well before sunrise today. Fishes are easier to spot in the dark!

A shy yellow filefish as the sun rises over Cyrene. 

We also saw a Fluted Giant clam. And found a gathering of large Knobblies at a new spot on the western end of Cyrene. As we were heading back to the boat, Kok Sheng saw a sea turtle coming up for air!

3-clam day at Cyrene, no mass coral bleaching

As we check up on the eastern shore of Cyrene, near the beacon, we found three Giant clams! Unfortunately, one of them is showing signs of bleaching.

There are not a lot of hard corals on Cyrene. Most of those I saw were alright. Only a few were were showing stress (paler than usual or with bleaching portions) or with recently dead patches. The coral bleaching situation was better than what I saw on the western shore of Cyrene two months ago in Jun 2020.

Cyrene with mass coral bleaching, but dugong feeding trails!

Dr Jani Tanzil alerted us that mass coral bleaching may have started on our shores since the second week of June. So we are on the look out for this at Cyrene.

Today, I estimate about 10% of the hard corals that I saw are bleaching, with an additional 20% showing stress (paler than usual or with bleaching portions) or with recently dead patches. Some parts of this shore has large patches of leathery soft corals, very few of those I saw were bleaching. The situation wasn't as bad as what I saw during mass coral bleaching in 2016. Despite the drastically reduced seagrass cover, it was nice to see many dugong feeding trails. The team also found Giant clams.

Cyrene seagrass situation worrying

Although it lies in the middle of an industrial triangle and major shipping lanes, Cyrene has some of Singapore's most amazing shores.

For the second time, we landed on the eastern end of Cyrene, where it is rockier and reefier. It was good to see some large corals and that they were not bleaching. But the seagrasses don't seem to be doing well.