Ask any Singaporean where’s a good place to have some fun under the sun and they’re sure to point you to East Coast Park. After all, the country’s largest park has long been a favourite among locals.
You’ll often find groups having picnic parties by the sea as well as families cycling and rollerblading along the coast, but that’s not all there is to East Coast Park. Yoga classes, beach bars, dog parks and even skate parks line the entirety of the park. The best part? If you have a long layover, you can easily embark on an adventure to East Coast Park from Changi Airport via the Changi Airport Connector (more on this below!).
Things to do
1. Cycle among dinosaurs along Changi Jurassic Mile
We weren’t kidding when we said the adventure starts at Changi Airport itself. The cycling path starts from right outside Terminal 2 and stretches along the entire East Coast Park, cutting through Gardens by the Bay before finally stopping in front of Marina Bay Sands.
The first kilometre is where you’ll find wild dinosaur installations hidden among the shrubbery at the Jurassic Mile. No need to worry about sudden dinosaur attacks, they’re all pretty friendly and make for great photo opportunities.
Continue pedalling and you’ll reach the start of East Coast Park in no time. From there on, it’s gorgeous beach views, a cooling sea breeze and plenty of vitamin D to soak in during your ride.
Don’t worry if you didn’t bring your own set of wheels. Hub and Spoke at Changi Airport offers rentals for different types of bicycles, and you can return the bikes to any one of the GoCycling outlets along East Coast Park.
Address: Airport Boulevard
Operating hours: Always open
Contact number: +65 6595 6865
Cost: Free
Website: changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/hub-and-spoke/jurassic-mile.html
2. Shred tubes at Xtreme Skatepark
If kickflips and ollies are more your style than regular old bicycles, then head on down to Xtreme Skatepark to show off those moves.
This skatepark is one of the largest in Singapore and is one of the only two within Asia that meets international competition standards. Here you’ll find the regular street course featuring quarter pipe ramps and various inclines to suit different competency levels; a combo bowl with an over-vert for advanced tricks; and a vertical bowl that’s 3.6m deep with a 90-degree angle drop for those gnarly tricks.
There’s plenty of shelter nearby if you need a break from the sun, and water coolers aplenty to help keep cool in Singapore’s humid weather.
Address: East Coast Park Service Road
Operating hours: 7:30am-10pm daily
Contact number: +65 6471 7808
Cost: Free
Website: beta.nparks.gov.sg/visit/parks/east-coast-park/amenities/xtreme-skatepark
3. Rides the waves at PAssion Wave @ East Coast
It’s a waste to be by the coast without splashing in the sea. Over at PAssion Wave @ East Coast, you get to do that with the adrenaline turned up a notch.
Choose between stand-up paddling and windsurfing, or don’t choose at all—the sea is your oyster. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t quite those sea legs too, the coaches on hand are ready to guide even the most Bambi of beginners. Equipment is, of course, provided.
Prices for windsurfing start from $35 for 3 hours for non-members, while stand-up paddling starts from $61 for 2 hours.
Address: 1390 ECP, Singapore 468961
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 9am-6pm
4. Find your inner peace at Yoga Inc
Early mornings and calm evenings by the beach make for the perfect backdrop for a soothing yoga session. Over at Yoga Inc, you get to partake in yoga with a view.
Their floor-to-ceiling windows offer a full, uninterrupted view of the swaying palm trees and glittering blue sea—all the better to appreciate from the comfort of your crow pose and downward dog.
Yoga Inc offers 13 different types of classes to cater to different niches and difficulty levels, including yin, prenatal and hatha classes. Classes cost $35 for a single session, but if you’re planning to stay around for a couple more sessions, they have package discounts available too. Both package purchases and reservations can be made via their website.
Address: 920 East Coast Parkway #01-11
Class schedule: yogainc.sg/schedule--booking-policies.html
Book: yogainc.sg/how-to-book-classes.html
Price list: yogainc.sg/rates.html
Website: yogainc.sg/ecp.html
5. Unleash the kids’ wild side at Marine Cove Playground
Here’s something for the kids: a beach-side playground for them to run free. Climbing nets? They’ve got it. Balance beams? They’re there. Swings, slides, carousels, they’ve got them all at Marine Cove Playground.
There’s even a giant lighthouse play tower that’s 8m high, complete with rope bridges and slides. It’s meant for kids aged 5 to 12, but parents can slide down with their kids too.
The great thing about the playground is that it’s inclusive. Those with toddlers don’t have to worry about their little bubbas—the playground has designated areas to entertain them while keeping them safe. Regardless of whether the little one prefers grass mazes, sensory play panels or swings (with safety harnesses included), you wouldn’t find the playground lacking.
Address: 1000 ECP
Operating hours: Always open
Contact number: 1800 471 7300
Cost: Free
Website: beta.nparks.gov.sg/visit/parks/east-coast-park/amenities/marine-cove
Things to eat
6. Crack into seafood by the seashore
There might not be anyone selling seashells by the seashore, but at least you can slurp on seafood by the seashore. There’s just something about soaking in the salinity of the ocean breeze that gives that much more flavour to your food.
It's a seafood haven here, boasting a cluster of renowned restaurants that have made it a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike.
Savour its Award Winning Chilli Crab or Signature Black Pepper Crab at the iconic Jumbo Seafood. Beyond crabs, it also offers a wide array of seafood delicacies, from succulent prawns to fresh lobsters, clams and squids. For a more relaxed and casual dining experience, Long Beach is the perfect choice. Or head to Lux Cove Seafood for a contemporary twist on seafood dining.
Whether you're a die-hard seafood enthusiast or simply looking for a delicious meal with a stunning view, East Coast Park is the place to be.
7. Knock back a cold one at Aloha Beach Bar
Name a better combination than the beach, the waves, an ice-cold pint and finger food. Here at Aloha Beach Bar, you get the best of everything.
They’re famous for their pizzas, which start from just S$16 each, but you’ll find just about all sorts of dishes to share. They’ve even got a C&C set (S$7.50)—coffee and croissant—that you can enjoy by the water.
Aloha Beach Bar is also connected to Aloha Sea Sports Centre, so if you’d like to try stand-up paddling or windsurfing before sunset, here’s your chance to do so.
Address: 1212 ECP
Operating hours: Wed-Friday 1-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm
Contact number: +65 6241 9212
Cost: S$33-S$44 for five beers, S$16 per pizza
Website: alohaseasports.com/bar
8. Cafe hop through East Coast Park
Maybe not quite the same Bali vibes, but we’d think the East Coast is dotted with plenty of seaside cafes worth hopping through.
For starters, there’s Cafe Football, a (as its name suggests) football-themed cafe serving up Western and Singaporean fusion. They’ve even got a house version of the classic Singapore sling to enjoy while watching the kickoff.
There’s also the classic PS. Cafe By The Sea found within East Coast Park that features more seafood dishes than its city-centre counterparts. The ambience is lovely as it is breezy, and it’s a great place to just chill and wait off that post-lunch food coma.
Commune is another popular choice among parkgoers. Don’t be fooled by its chic interior—yes, it looks too pretty to be a cafe—there’s a world of gastronomy delight awaiting you within. Great vibes, great food, what more can you ask for?
9. Indulge in local cuisine at East Coast Lagoon Food Village
Of course, the best way to relax by the beach is to do it the Singaporean way—with sticks of grilled satay (skewered grilled meat), otah (spicy fish paste wrapped in a banana leaf and then grilled), some sambal stingray and BBQ chicken. Wash it all down with freshly squeezed sugarcane juice and it’s all perfect.
Not only is this Singapore’s only beachside hawker, but it’s also one of the 12 oldest heritage hawker centres around. The vibes are immaculate, as are the food and drinks. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with ordering from any stall. All we’d suggest is bringing a big enough group with you to sample everything available.
Address: 1220 ECP, Singapore 468960
Operating hours: Mon-Thu 4pm–10:45pm, Fri-Sun 11 am–10:45pm
Cost: S$4-S$12 per dish
As the sun sets on your East Coast Park adventure, let the memories of exhilarating thrills, serene moments and vibrant beachside experiences linger in your mind. Until your next visit, may the allure of this coastal paradise linger in your heart, beckoning you back to its shores for new adventures and cherished experiences.
And if you’d like to explore the east side of Singapore, here are several fun things to do in the Changi neighbourhood and Changi Village.
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