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.

Feedback on land reclamation at Keppel-Tanjong Pagar

The marine community's feedback in the Straits Time include: Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, said reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa. She noted that the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and Kusu and Lazarus islands are located just 4km to 5km from the reclamation. “This is not a great distance (and) there is a good chance that finer sediments and other pollutants could be transported to and negatively impact these important key conservation areas,” added Dr Tanzil.

Dr Tanzil noted that the report did not consider how sediments in the water will block sunlight for corals, as a small reduction in light can greatly impact their survival and growth. “It is important to remember that in addition to the amount of sediments in the water, the more direct impact here is light reduction,” she said.

Ms Rachael Goh, co-lead of land use planning at environmental group LepakInSG, cautioned that the survival and success rate for transplantation may not be high, depending on various factors. “What is more important is allowing corals to come back after the reclamation is over. The sea wall or sloped rock revetment could make suitable new habitats for corals to return,” she added.

Ms Goh is hoping that the eventual environmental management and monitoring programme for this project will be made public.

Mr Isaac Ong, a member of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, urged the authorities to consider the cumulative effects of future developments on the south-eastern coast, including the construction of Long Island and the coastal barriers near Sentosa. Mr Ong said: “Singapore’s reefs have also experienced stress from sedimentation from decades of past coastal development, which already limited the depth ranges at which corals can grow. This is an added pressure.” The proposed coastal barriers have the potential to alter tidal flows and the movement of coral larvae. Reduced channel speeds at times could also increase the risk of harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality over time, he added.

Submit your feedback to HDB here https://form.gov.sg/6966fc4e7c5fe159af98b799

Links to full EIA and extracts in this blog post.

Paying respects to Big Sister

It has become our tradition to survey Big Sister's Island during the Lunar New Year. Part of Singapore's first Marine Park, we did our survey with permission from NParks. After raining all day, the weather eased up just as we started out survey.

We saw sharks, giant clam and other colourful reef life. The rest of the team made all the special finds, I will update later with their sightings. The corals seem to be doing well. The Great billed heron was calmly hunting in the Big Lagoon and did not seem disturbed at all by our presence. On the horizon, the Central Business District on the mainland.

Other intertidal surveys in Jan 2026

Rui Quan Oh checked up on other shores during the month. From Sembawang, Pasir Ris to Changi. A canal at Pasir Panjang.  And separate trips to Sisters Islands and Marina East. Also to check up on the Sungei Pang Sua site which is along the route for MRT tunneling. Marcus Ng also checked up on Changi shores. 

Collage of photos by Rui Quan Oh and Marcus Ng

Thank you for keeping an eye on our shores!

Small Sisters is alive!

Just minutes from the Central Business District, are the living shores of Small Sisters Island. The two Sisters Islands are now designated as a Marine Park and managed by NParks. Small Sisters Islands is not open to the public. Our survey today was done with kind permission from NParks.

We return after a two year break and arrive after sunset for a rare super low evening tide. The corals seems to be doing well. The rest of the team saw Cone snail, Anemonefishes and more! 

Big Sister's Island Monthly Guided Walk: first Sunday every month

A free tour of the terrestrial part of the island, by volunteer guides. Does not include intertidal areas. 

From NParks website

The tour is free but participants must buy their own ferry tickets. You can purchase tickets online from Singapore Island Cruise or Marina South Ferries. 

More about what you can see and do on the island.

Happy National Day from Big Sisters Island!

On the last predawn surveys of the year, we celebrate National Day by checking up on Big Sisters Island, with permission from NParks. A night survey means more sightings of fish and other animals that hide during the day. Our last night survey here was in Sep 2020.

With a full team, we find healthy corals (except for some Boulder pore corals). A Cushion star was seen, and a large shark! As well as the usual colourful crabs, 'Nemos' and reef fishes, nudibranchs, octopuses and other familiar favourites. 

Majority of Singapore’s corals have recovered from 2024 Mass Coral Bleaching

Peak bleaching was in July 2024, with about 44 per cent of coral colonies surveyed reported to have been bleached, according to Associate Professor Huang Danwei, deputy head of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. Extensive bleaching was observed at Pulau Hantu, Pulau Satumu, Kusu Island and Sisters’ Islands, according to Coral scientist Jani Tanzil, the facility director at St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML).

Mass Coral Bleaching at Kusu Island, Jun 2024

“Most bleached corals that survived the marine heatwave seem to also have recovered by November 2024, with its rate of recovery similar to previous bleaching events – at least for the corals we’ve been monitoring, which are mostly at Kusu Island,” added Dr Tanzil.

On whether the series of oil spills and leaks since June 2024 have affected the recovery of coral reefs around Singapore from the bleaching incident, Dr Tanzil said that the corals have likely “escaped the immediate brunt of it”. However, long-term impacts are still inconclusive.

“(The oil spills) largely occurred not during low tides when corals would be exposed in the splash zone and to the floating oil layer. Speedy clean-up efforts have also mitigated impacts,” she said.

Paying respects to our Big Sister

It has become our tradition to survey Big Sister's Island during the Lunar New Year. Part of Singapore's first Marine Park, we did our survey with permission from NParks.

We saw otters, sharks, Giant clam! The corals seemed alright. Big Sisters Island was just recently reopened to the public so we had a closer look at all the new facilities. 

Big Sisters' Island reopens to the public

Big Sisters' Island reopens with new features for visitors. You can now snorkel or swim in the lagoon. Or if you prefer to stay dry, view marine life from the floating boardwalk, or climb to the hilltop view deck through coastal forest.

To visit Big Sisters' Island, take a ferry from Marina South Pier via Singapore Island Cruise or Marina South Ferries from 29 Oct 2024. The Island is open to the public 7am to 7pm every day.

More details from media articles.

Paying respects to our Big Sister

It has become our tradition to survey Big Sister's Island during the Lunar New Year. Part of Singapore's first Marine Park, we did our survey with permission from NParks. 

It was a super windy day, which made it challenging to view anything under water! But the corals seem well, we were glad to see the Giant clam and other interesting marine life.

Small Sisters still doing well!

Just minutes from the Central Business District, are the living shores of Small Sisters Island.

This island is not open to the public. We surveyed with kind permission from NParks. The corals seems to be doing well and the team saw Cone snail, Anemonefishes and more!

Big Sister's Island to reopen in 2024

Big Sister’s Island will reopen to the public in 2024. New features include a trail through the island's forest, and snorkelling in a lagoon. NParks will be working on increasing accessibility to the island when it opens.

The forest trail in Big Sister's Island will culminate in a hilltop view deck, where visitors can see neighbouring offshore islands and birdwatch.

Artist's impression of the lagoon tidal pool in Big Sister’s Island.

Full media releases on the Sisters' Islands Marine Park blog.

Paying respects to our Big Sister

It has become our tradition to survey Big Sister's Island during the Lunar New Year. Part of Singapore's first Marine Park, the island is closed for enhancement works till end March 2024. We did our survey with permission from NParks.

The shores seem to be well, with corals and lots of colourful marine life still thriving here.

Small Sisters Island still lively

We survey Small Sisters Island on a moonlit morning.

These living shores lies a few minutes from the City Centre, lighted up on the right of the photo. 

Giant clams and 'Nemos' at Big Sisters Island

It has become our tradition to survey Big Sister's Island during the Lunar New Year. Part of Singapore's first Marine Park, the island is closed for enhancement works till end March 2024. We did our survey with permission from NParks.

We saw Giant clams, 'Nemos', lots of corals and other interesting marine life. 

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park closed until Mar 2024

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is closed for enhancement works till end March 2024 - from the NParks website.

The Sisters Islands seen from St John's Island

But you can still visit the Marine Park Gallery at St John's Island! 

Small Sisters in the dark

A small team surveyed Small Sisters Island in the dark. The animals are usually more lively at night!

These shores remain very much alive!

Big Sister’s Island closed 10 April to October 2021

NParks announced that "As part of our cyclical inspection of structures in our parks, our appointed Professional Engineer found the jetty at Big Sister’s Island to be in need of repair. To ensure public safety, Big Sister’s Island and its jetty will be closed for repair works from 10 April to October 2021."

Big Sisters' jetty (right).

Paying respects to our Big Sister

This Lunar New Year, we pay our respects to Big Sister's Island, part of Singapore's first Marine Park. Thanks to NParks for permission to survey after sunset.

There are Giant clams on this shore! The corals seemed alright and we saw interesting marine life despite the intermittent rain.