By The Diary desk · Last verified 11 October 2026
Labrador Nature Reserve is a free, 22-hectare coastal park on Singapore’s southern shore, a short walk from Labrador Park MRT on the Circle Line. It sits on the site of Fort Pasir Panjang, a British coastal battery from 1878, and its trails pass WWII gun emplacements, machine-gun posts and ammunition stores, plus a 7.5m replica of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate rock. The park is open 24 hours, but the nature reserve section is open 7am to 7pm. The elevated coastal boardwalk on the Keppel Coastal Trail gives sea views, while the Berlayar Creek boardwalk is closed for improvement works from 3 June 2026 to 31 March 2027. The Casemate and the rocky shore are also closed for safety.
It is one of the few places in Singapore where you can stand by a wartime gun position with the sea breeze on your face. Bring insect repellent and a sense of history.
Quick facts
- Size: 22 hectares; a nature reserve since 2002.
- Hours: park open 24 hours; nature reserve section 7am–7pm.
- Cost: free; parking fees apply in Carparks A, B and C.
- Nearest MRT: Labrador Park (Circle Line).
- Closed now: Berlayar Creek boardwalk (3 June 2026 to 31 March 2027), the Casemate and the rocky shore.
- Not allowed: cycling, drones, and pets inside the nature reserve.
The wartime relics: what you’ll see
Fort Pasir Panjang was twinned with Fort Siloso on Sentosa to guard the approach to Keppel Harbour. It grew over six decades:
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1848 | The British blew up the original Dragon’s Teeth Gate rock to widen the channel |
| 1878 | Fort Pasir Panjang completed with two gun emplacements |
| 1892 | Expanded into a six-gun battery with underground ammunition stores and tunnels |
| 1938 | Two six-inch guns and searchlights added as war loomed |
| February 1942 | The guns were swung round to fire inland as the Japanese advanced through Pasir Panjang |
| 2002 | Labrador designated a nature reserve |
| 2005 | A 7.5m replica of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate erected |
Along the trails you will find ruined machine-gun posts, artillery pieces, observation positions and ammunition storage compartments. The underground tunnels were rediscovered in 2001 and two were opened to visitors in 2005; NParks does not list current tunnel access, and the Casemate is closed for public safety, so enjoy the relics from the paths and information boards.
The boardwalks
| Boardwalk | Status (October 2026) | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal boardwalk (Keppel Coastal Trail) | Open | Elevated and wheelchair accessible, with sea views over coastal beach forest |
| Berlayar Creek boardwalk | Closed 3 June 2026 to 31 March 2027 | Creek-side walk at Labrador Nature Park, when reopened |
Getting there
- By MRT: take the Circle Line to Labrador Park station and walk south along Labrador Villa Road to the park.
- By car: park in Carpark A, B or C; all are open 24 hours and charge fees.
- On foot from elsewhere: the Keppel Coastal Trail links the park with the waterfront towards Keppel Bay.
- Plan your timing: enter the nature reserve section between 7am and 7pm.
The rules
- No cycling and no drones.
- Pets are allowed on the boardwalks and park areas only, not in the nature reserve.
- Groups of more than 30 need an NParks permit, applied for at least one month ahead.
- Stay on marked paths; some slopes have been closed for works.
The WahLiao Verdict
Go on a weekday morning soon after 7am, walk the history trail first while it is cool, then finish on the coastal boardwalk with the sea in front of you. It is free, quiet and rich in stories, and an hour or two is plenty. Leave the bike at home, and save the Berlayar Creek walk for after March 2027.
Questions people ask
Is Labrador Nature Reserve free?
Yes. Only parking is charged.
Can you go inside the Labrador tunnels?
The Casemate is closed for public safety. Two tunnels were opened to visitors in 2005, but NParks does not list current tunnel access, so check with NParks before you go.
When does the Berlayar Creek boardwalk reopen?
NParks lists the closure as running until 31 March 2027.
Can I bring my dog?
On the boardwalks and in the park areas, yes; inside the nature reserve, no.
Sources: National Parks Board, Labrador Nature Reserve hours, closures and rules; National Library Board Infopedia, Labrador Park history; NParks Buzz, Labrador’s history and natural heritage. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: The Southern Ridges: Henderson Waves, the Routes and How Long They Take · Nature Reserve Rules in Singapore: What’s Not Allowed, and the Fines · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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