By The Diary desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Pulau Ubin is reached by bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal for $4 per person each way (plus $2 for a bicycle), with boats running on demand from about 6am to 7pm once 12 passengers are aboard. On the island, you can rent a bicycle from the shops in the village by the main jetty and ride about 3km east to Chek Jawa Wetlands. Chek Jawa is free and open 7am to 7pm daily, with a 1.1km boardwalk (the 600m Coastal Loop and 500m Mangrove Loop) and the 21m Jejawi Tower. For the seagrass, sand and rocky shore, NParks says go at a low tide of 0.5m or below.
Ubin is the Singapore of village shophouses, rubber trees and dirt tracks, and Chek Jawa is its treasure chest. Here’s how to plan a happy day of it, from the boat queue to the tide table.
Quick facts
- Bumboat: $4 per person each way, $2 extra for a bicycle, about 6am to 7pm.
- Chek Jawa hours: 7am to 7pm daily; entry free.
- Boardwalk: 1.1km in two loops; NParks suggests about 90 minutes for both.
- Jejawi Tower: 21m, about seven storeys, for views over the canopy.
- Best tide: 0.5m or lower to see the intertidal shore exposed.
- Bikes at Chek Jawa: park them at the lots near Punai Hut; cycling is not allowed on the boardwalk.
Getting there: the bumboat
- Go to Changi Point Ferry Terminal, beside Changi Village Hawker Centre.
- Join the queue. Bumboats leave when there are 12 passengers, so on busy weekend mornings they fill fast; on quiet weekdays you may wait.
- Pay the boatman on board: $4 per person each way, plus $2 per bicycle. Have cash ready to be safe.
- It is a short hop across to the main jetty on Ubin, where the village and bike shops begin.
- If you want to leave with fewer than 12, or outside 6am to 7pm, the boatman may agree to go at a higher fare per person by private arrangement.
How does bike rental work?
A cluster of family-run rental shops sits in the village just past the jetty. You choose a bike, try it on the spot and pay for the day. Each shop sets its own prices, and they change, so treat the guide below as a starting point and check at the counter.
| What you rent | What to expect | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Basic city bike with basket | The cheapest option; recent guides cite from about $8 a day | Fine for the flat roads to Chek Jawa |
| Mountain bike | Higher day rate, varies by brand and shop | Worth it for the Ketam Mountain Bike Park trails |
| Children’s bike, child seat or tandem | Available at some shops | Ask early on weekends |
| Lock | Often included; ask | NParks advises asking for a lock, as you will park before the boardwalk |
Worked example: two adults paying $4 each way spend $16 on the bumboat. If the shop you pick charges $8 a day for a basic bike, two bikes add $16, so the day’s transport comes to $32 before drinks and lunch. Bring your own bikes instead and you pay the same $16 for yourselves plus $2 per bike per crossing, which is $8 for two bikes there and back, so $24 in all.
The Chek Jawa boardwalk
| Section | Length | What you’ll see |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Loop | 600m | Seagrass lagoon, sandy shore, sometimes sea stars and crabs at low tide |
| Mangrove Loop | 500m | Mangrove roots, mudskippers, fiddler crabs, kingfishers |
| Jejawi Tower | 21m high | Treetop views over the coast and towards Johor |
From the jetty, Chek Jawa is about 3km away. Most people cycle; you can also hire one of the village vans or walk it in roughly 40 minutes. Leave your bike at the designated lots near Punai Hut and continue on foot.
Why the tide times matter
Chek Jawa is an intertidal wetland: its best-known habitats are underwater for much of the day. NParks says the shore reveals itself at low tides of 0.5m and below. These very low tides come only on certain days each month and often fall early in the morning, so the tide table decides the date.
- Open the tide table linked from NParks’ Chek Jawa page, or the Maritime and Port Authority’s tide predictions.
- Find a day where the low tide reads 0.5m or less, ideally within opening hours.
- Plan to be on the Coastal Loop about half an hour before that low.
- Missed the low tide? The boardwalk, mangroves and tower are still lovely at any tide.
The WahLiao Verdict
Check the tide table first, pick a morning low of 0.5m or less, and catch an early bumboat so the boat fills quickly and you beat the heat. Rent a simple bike with a basket, ride straight to Chek Jawa, then wander back via the village for lunch and a cold drink. Carry cash, water and repellent, and you’ll have Singapore’s most old-fashioned day out for the price of a hawker meal or two.
Questions people ask
Do I need to book the bumboat?
No. You simply queue at Changi Point Ferry Terminal and pay on board. Boats leave once 12 passengers are aboard.
Is Chek Jawa free?
Yes. The boardwalk and Jejawi Tower are free to visit from 7am to 7pm. Guided walks led by NParks and volunteers run from time to time; check NParks for dates.
Can I cycle on the boardwalk?
No. Bicycles and vehicles must be parked at the designated lots near Punai Hut, so bring or borrow a lock.
How long should I spend on Ubin?
Half a day covers the boat, a ride to Chek Jawa and about 90 minutes on the boardwalk. A full day lets you add the quarries and Ketam Mountain Bike Park.
Sources: NParks, bumboat fares and hours; NParks, Chek Jawa hours, boardwalk, tower, tides and bicycle parking; Little Day Out, bike rental shops and indicative rates. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Ferries to Pulau Ubin, St John’s and the Southern Islands: Times, Fares and What to Bring · How to Book a BBQ Pit or Campsite in Singapore: Permits, Fees and Rules · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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