No matter the time of year, there’s always something in the Garden City to see and do. From exploring the rich, cultural heritage of the city-state, to taking in the stunning skyline, modern Singapore has much to offer. But for those looking for nature places to visit in Singapore, there are pockets of green spaces and nature workshops to visit for a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Dig a little deeper and trek a little off the beaten path, and you’ll be rewarded with plenty of lesser-known nature experiences that aren’t on your everyday travel pamphlet. Here are some to get you started.
1. Learn about climate change and its impact on biodiversity at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
While not necessarily the first thing you think of when it comes to lesser-known nature experiences in Singapore, the Climate Change and Biodiversity Programme by Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum aims to introduce participants to climate change and its impacts on biodiversity.
In addition to hands-on activities and a gallery tour, this nature workshop aims to educate participants via a card game that was specially developed by the museum for the programme. Running from now to July 2024, this free-of-charge nature workshop is the brainchild of a partnership between HSBC and Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. The workshop is recommended for those seven years old and above, though they have scheduled adults-only sessions; an interesting date idea with your significant other!
Besides the workshop, the museum itself is a captivating showcase of biodiversity, featuring an extensive collection of over a million specimens. You will encounter an array of meticulously preserved specimens, including dinosaurs, mammals, birds, and insects. The museum's highlight is the three diplodocid sauropod dinosaur skeletons, standing majestically in the atrium.
All workshops run from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Interested visitors will need to move fast to snap up the limited slots available per session. You can find out more information and the announcements for registration on the museum’s website.
Getting there: The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is easily accessible via Bus 183 which you can catch from Clementi MRT Station. Take it for 4 stops until you reach the NUS Faculty of Engineering.
2. Get digging and buzzing at The Sundowner
You honestly never have to go too far to enjoy a nature experience in Singapore. Partially, because you can’t go far in such a small country, but also because it’s located right in the middle of town — right at the Siglap restaurant belt, to be exact.
At The Sundowner, nature enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy an experience like no other right in Singapore. Visitors can choose from its famous Rooftop Farm Experience which includes learning about organic farming and beekeeping, or the Bees! Ants! Worms! Sessions that are kid-friendly and have tonnes of photo moments packed in.
There are also plenty of workshops to choose from at The Sundowner. From the adults-only Mini Zen Garden Workshop with a tipple of sake to top things off, to a Paper Marbling Workshop for the whole family, reconnect and recharge for a few hours without leaving the concrete jungle.
Not too keen on getting your hands dirty? That’s fine too, because The Sundowner has what they call Chillout Sessions where you can grab a drink or rent out the rooftop garden for your private event.
One of the best places to enjoy nature in Singapore itself, find out more about the experiences offered at The Sundowner here.
Getting there: The Sundowner is an estimated 15-minute walk from the Bedok MRT Station or Kembangan MRT Station. Find out which one works best for you.
3. Reap the benefits of forest bathing
Before you dismiss this as some mere hippie talk, hear us out.
Stemming from a Japanese practice of nature therapy known as shinrin-yoku, the core concept of forest bathing is to unplug from technology, slow down and take in the different sensory experiences that come with being in nature.
Some of the most common benefits are a boost to the immune system, as well as reducing stress levels. There may be even moments of deep catharsis once you begin to look inward.
Forest bathing can be as simple as walking into a natural setting and consciously being mindful of the environment around you. If you’re looking to experience forest bathing with a guide, sessions are usually conducted in small groups or on a 1-on-1 basis like these curated sessions by XIU Nature Connections.
The Shiseido Forest Valley at Jewel Changi Airport is an ideal spot to embark on a sensorial forest bathing journey for healing and rediscovering your relationship with nature. All of this while being surrounded by an idyllic landscape of trees, plants and shrubs in an air-condition-like environment!
4. Explore the Ecogarden of Singapore Science Centre
A perfect spot for a day out for families, friends or couples, the Ecogarden is a living outdoor laboratory where the flora isn’t given any special care outside the occasional pruning, mowing and necessary replanting. It doesn’t sound special at first, but with how manicured Singapore’s greens are (even in parks and all), places where flora are allowed to spawn the way they want to are woefully rare and precious.
Nature lovers are encouraged to take their time to walk around and discover more about the plants here in the garden.
From plants used in the medicinal practices of the local Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities, to the common vegetables that grace the dinner tables of Singaporean homes, there’s much to explore and see. For that perfect Insta-worthy pic, look out for the hidden treehouse. Climb the stairs, step inside the colourful interior, and look out the windows for panoramic views of the Ecogarden.
It is recommended that you spend at least 30 minutes to 1 hour at this permanent exhibition at the Singapore Science Centre. The centre is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Getting there: The closest MRT station to the Science Centre Singapore is the Jurong East MRT Station and you’d only need to walk about 500 metres (estimated 8-minute walk time).
5. Go kayaking around Pulau Ubin
Adventure seekers ahoy! Made perfect as an introduction to the charms of Pulau Ubin’s mangroves, kayaking lets you take in a slowly vanishing side of Singapore when you paddle up and experience village living. It’s beginner-friendly, making it a popular activity to take with experienced guides, and you won’t need to bring any equipment or specialised gear as that will be provided.
Most Pulau Ubin mangrove kayaking excursions take up to four hours at a time and kayakers can expect to get a bit soaked, so it would be best to prepare for that. During the session, expect to get up close and personal with the wild and rustic, discovering Singaporean wildlife like Kingfishers and Egrets, while guides tell you about Pulau Ubin’s local community.
A stunningly gorgeous island just a 10-minute ferry ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Pulau Ubin’s mangroves are a unique and special Singaporean experience best seen from the water. A few operators are offering Pulau Ubin kayaking adventures like the one by Adventures by Asian Detours. Check for slot availability on their Tripadvisor listing.
6. Discover a hidden marine world on an Intertidal Walk
A guided intertidal walk along Singapore’s coastlines is unique way to catch a glimpse of a hidden marine world.
Singapore’s coastline is beautifully marked by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves with plenty of trails that reveal themselves when the water recedes far into the sea during the low tide. An experienced guide is an absolute must on these treks because it can get dangerous if you get caught when the tide is changing.
You’ll be able to find intertidal walks during the low spring tide that happens during the new moon or full moon. Plan your visits during the outgoing tide for the best experience because the water is at its clearest and you can see most of what the receding tide reveals. You can check out the NEA website to have the latest tide timings.
There are plenty of coastal areas in Singapore, but we love the marine life that we can see on the shores of Changi Beach. Here, you can see plenty of rare sea cucumbers and other sea creatures soaking up the sunshine in all their colourful glory.
Make a family day out of your Changi intertidal walks with guided experiences offered by the folks at Young Nautilus, or you can check out these two-hour slots by The Untamed Paths.
If you plan on being out there without an experienced guide to help you identify what weird and exotic sea life you’re seeing, an identification chart will be your best friend. Make sure you are geared up right with wet shoes, flashlights, and a camera for all the memory-making you’ll be getting up to.
7. Find beauty and meaning with Black Crow Taxidermy & Art
If you’re looking for an off-beat nature-related experience, get ready for one that will be for the books. Established in 2021, the Black Crow Taxidermy & Art team aims to break the taboo surrounding death and what one could do with the family pet's remains. It's touted as the ‘only taxidermy company’ in Singapore to offer educational talks, live workshops and pet preservation services.
From commissioned taxidermy pieces lovingly rendered to stay true to the deceased fur-friend, to working closely with nature organisations in Singapore, each taxidermy product is ethically and sustainably sourced, and each end piece a unique art piece unto itself.
There are two types of workshops available at Black Crow Taxidermy & Art. Visitors can choose between a Frog Dissection workshop and various workshops for individuals and couples. You’ll get a hands-on guide to preservation experience. Find out more on their website here.
Whether you’re looking for a slow and calm way to enjoy nature in the city, or want to lace up your best hiking boots for a full-on experience in the Singaporean jungle, there’s something refreshing about being out in the wilder parts of the city-state. Take nothing as you go and leave no trace other than an appreciation for nature’s splendour.
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