By The Diary desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Coney Island Park (Pulau Serangoon) is an 81-hectare rustic park run by NParks off Punggol’s northern coast. Entry is free and it is open 7am to 7pm daily. There are two ways in: the West entrance near Punggol Point Walk and the East entrance near Lorong Halus Wetland. The nearest station is Punggol Coast MRT, and there are no car parks on the island; drivers use Punggol Settlement. Inside you’ll find five small themed beaches, casuarina woodland and cycling paths. The key rules: no camping, no fishing, stay on the trails and never feed the monkeys.
It is the closest thing Singapore has to a desert-island walk, just a bridge away from the HDB blocks. Bring good shoes and plenty of repellent, and the island does the rest.
Quick facts
- Hours: 7am to 7pm daily; entry free.
- Size: 81 hectares, connected to the mainland by bridges at each end.
- Entrances: West (Punggol Point side) and East (Lorong Halus side).
- Transport: Punggol Coast MRT is the nearest station; bicycle parking at both entrances.
- Beaches: five small beach areas, labelled A to E, each planted differently.
- Not allowed: camping, fishing, feeding wildlife, entering the Haw Par Beach Villa.
How do you get there?
| How you travel | Best entrance | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| MRT | West | Punggol Coast MRT is the nearest station; a recent guide puts the walk to the West entrance at about 20 minutes |
| Car | West | No car parks on the island; NParks points drivers to Punggol Settlement |
| Bicycle | Either | Ride in on the park connectors and lock up at the racks by either entrance |
| On foot from Lorong Halus | East | Good if you are combining the walk with Lorong Halus Wetland or Punggol Waterway |
Because the two entrances are at opposite ends, many visitors walk or cycle straight through and leave by the other side. Plan your trip home from the exit, not the entrance.
The beaches, and can you swim?
Coney Island’s beaches are small sandy coves along the northern shore, marked Beach Area A to E. Each is planted with a different theme; Beach Area C, for example, is known for its cycads, and Beach Area A is the easiest to find from the West entrance.
These are beaches for sitting, photographs and looking out towards Pulau Ubin, not for swimming. NParks warns that box jellyfish have been spotted in the area, and there are no lifeguards. If you want a sea swim, choose a beach that NEA grades for water quality instead.
The rules, and why they exist
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Do not camp or fish | The island is managed as a rustic nature park |
| Do not feed the monkeys | Feeding makes them bold and aggressive towards people |
| Avoid carrying plastic bags and bottles openly | Monkeys associate them with food and may snatch them |
| Stay on the designated trails | Protects the vegetation and keeps you away from wild boars |
| Keep your distance from stray dogs and wild boars | NParks notes stray dogs are territorial and may feel threatened by pet dogs |
| Do not enter the Haw Par Beach Villa | The old villa is closed to the public |
NParks also advises long trousers and covered shoes against insects. Sandflies and mosquitoes are part of the deal here, so repellent is not optional.
A simple morning plan
- Arrive at the West entrance close to the 7am opening, when it is coolest.
- Walk or cycle east along the main track, stopping at the beach areas along the way.
- Look out for some of the 80-plus bird species NParks has recorded, plus mudskippers and crabs on the shore.
- Leave by the East entrance and continue to Lorong Halus Wetland, or turn back the way you came.
- Need a bike? Rental outlets operate near Punggol Point and the jetty area; check prices with the operator.
The WahLiao Verdict
Go early on a weekday, enter from the West side, and cycle rather than walk if it is warm: the island is flat, shaded in parts and lovely on two wheels. Dress for insects, carry water in a bag rather than in your hand, and treat the beaches as viewpoints. Leave by the East entrance for a different walk home, and you’ll have had a proper island morning without ever boarding a boat.
Questions people ask
Is Coney Island Park free?
Yes. There is no entry fee. The park is open from 7am to 7pm every day.
Can I cycle on Coney Island?
Yes. NParks lists cycling paths through the park, and there is bicycle parking at both entrances. Keep to the paths and give way to walkers.
Can I bring my dog?
Check NParks before you go. Its Coney Island page warns that the island’s stray dogs are territorial and may feel threatened by pet dogs, so many owners choose a different park.
Can I park my car on the island?
No. There are no car parks on Coney Island itself. The nearest is at Punggol Settlement, a short walk from the West entrance.
Sources: NParks, Coney Island Park hours, entrances, parking, rules and wildlife; Sassy Mama Singapore, walking time from Punggol Coast MRT, beach areas and bike rental. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Otters, Monkeys and Wild Boars: What to Do When You Meet Singapore’s Wildlife · Can You Swim at Singapore’s Beaches? How NEA Grades the Water, and Where to Check · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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