9 things you can do in the East for a fun-filled weekend

If you love nature and animals, enjoy the beach, and engaging in water sports and fishing, journey to the eastern part of Singapore to recharge after a hectic week. Whether you’re looking for a chill weekend or some adrenaline-pumping activities, the Changi Precinct has something for everyone. And don’t worry, we’ve done the legwork for you, here are 9 fun activities to rejuvenate the mind and body.

1. Two-good a catch at Bedok Jetty, East Coast Park

While many usually sleep in to get extra winks over the weekend, why not try something different for an early reset? As they say, the early bird catches the worm.  Rise and shine at East Coast’s Bedok Jetty, known among the Easties as a fisherman hangout. Catch the beautiful sunrise, and fish for (or watch anglers get) a good catch of the day.

Stretching more than 300 metres over the waters off East Coast, Bedok Jetty is Singapore’s longest fishing jetty that offers you an idyllic spot for catching sunrise at the beach with ships adding on to the charm. It is perfect for sunsets too with a panoramic view of the sun’s orange glow over Singapore’s skylines.

The stone and concrete pier, a former military jetty, has sheltered fixtures and stone benches that can accommodate many fishing groups - perfect way to meet other like-minded individuals. As the jetty offers shallow water fishing just off the coast, or deeper ends for more intense angling, it appeals to fishing novices or enthusiasts to cast their lines. There are easily spotted schools of tambans (Sardinella fimbriata) which are widely used as bait, as well as ikan parang, commonly known as ‘sai toh’ to the Chinese. More exotic marine life are up for grabs as you move further along the jetty to engage in surfcasting, a method of fishing where anglers cast their lines into deeper waters. With experience, you may even catch barracuda sharks and stingrays!

 Address: East Coast Park, nearest to Car Park F1 along East Coast Park Service Road.

2. Pasir Ris Park Saltwater Fish Pond

Another one for fishing enthusiasts! Try your hand at Singapore’s only saltwater fishing pond. Located just across Pasir Ris MRT within the vicinity of Pasir Ris Town Park sits Singapore’s largest saltwater fishing park, with its pond covering the size of a football field. With the thematic setting of a rustic village feel, the fishing park is well-known among anglers as a place to catch marine fish, prawns and crab. It is stocked with premium quality fishes such as sea bass, pomfret, groupers and snappers just to name a few, and these are released into the pond at frequent intervals to guarantee anglers a bountiful haul.

To cater for as many angling preferences as possible, the fishing park is segmented into several ponds with varying ticket prices and hourly rates to suit the pockets of every angler. There are also F&B outlets, a mini-mart and a tackle shop for anglers’ and visitors’ needs. Bring your own fishing rod and tackle, otherwise they have some to lend out for free!

Address: 90 Pasir Ris Central Singapore, Singapore 519635

3. Changi Point Coastal Walk

Changi Point may be popular for its holiday chalets, laid back community vibes and delicious hawker fare at the nearby Changi Village. But did you know that tucked away in the western end of Changi Point is a boardwalk which offers a beautiful view of the coastline? From a bare coastline in the yesteryear, it is a well-lit boardwalk today that allows one to soak in the rustic and natural ambience of the place blended in both flora and fauna.

There are six distinct sections on this boardwalk, beginning from Changi Creek in the east that stretches to the western rocky coast near Changi Beach Club, before finally linking up to Changi Point or the Loyang Park Connector at Netheravon Road.

• 1 Creek Walk (280m) Here, at the start of the walk, you can see bumboats ferrying people to and from the offshore islands. At low tide, you can see sea stars and crabs.
• Beach Walk (660m) Enjoy picturesque views of the beach.
• 3 Sailing Point Walk (600m) You can see the yachts anchored here from a high point. This is a great spot for open views of the sea or to watch sail boats pass by.
• 4 Cliff Walk (180m) Along this shady and lush stretch, you may feel like you are deep in the forest. The boardwalk follows the terrain and contours of the land. Trees which have been here for years, as well as boulders, have been left untouched, right next to the boardwalk.
• 5 Kelong Walk (200m) This stretch of the boardwalk extends into the sea. It is built above water on kelong-like stilts, reminiscent of kelong days in the past.
• 6 Sunset Walk (120m) The Sunset Walk allows you to enjoy a splendid view of the sunset at the western end of Changi Point, amid a backdrop of huge boulders. In the evening, the walkway is lit and you can see the lights of the Punggol Housing Estate in the distance. This provides a good spot for a romantic stroll.

Be sure to wear pair of comfortable walking shoes to enjoy the entire 2.2km stretch of the boardwalk.

Address: 7A Gosport Rd, Singapore 509710

4. Paris Ris Mangrove Board Walk

If educational green walks are a thing for you and even the little ones, you can explore a mangrove swamp in the East. Pasir Ris Park is home to one of the two protected mangrove swamps in Singapore, the other being Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, with boardwalks built in this area to bring visitors closer to the inhabitants of the mangrove community.

Venture into this six-hectare Pasir Ris Mangrove Forest and get up close with a thriving habitat of flora and fauna such as mud crabs, mudskippers and water monitors.  While you are there, spot the Nipah Palm, which bears the attap seed fruit commonly found in ice kacang.

Climb up the three-storey Bird Watching Tower and look-out deck over the adjacent Sungei Tampines, for that great spot to catch a variety of birds, or simply snap a shot for the gram with the bird’s eye view of the surrounding nature.

Address: 60 Pasir Ris Drive 3, Singapore 519497. Near Pasir Ris Park Carpark B, 45 Pasir Ris Drive 3, Singapore 519500

5. Gallop Stable Pasir Ris Park

Giddy up and indulge in age-old tradition of horse riding at Gallop Stable in Paris Ris Park.  Here, everyone can enjoy affordable riding and be close to horses and ponies without any membership fees. Choose from the variety of activities such as pony and horse riding for the different age groups and riding skills, bunny and pony feeding, as well as arts and craft for the young ones.

Children aged 3 years and above can take a pony ride at S$10 per ride. Led by trained staff, these rides are a great way to experience the thrills of horse-back riding in a safe environment around the compound.

Apart from pony rides, you can also feed the ponies and horses that roam freely within the gated compound next to their stables. Feeding sessions are available on weekends from 8:00 am to noon/ 2:00pm to 7:00pm for S$2 per feed bucket, which consist of raw cut carrots. You can feed them directly by stretching out your hands with the carrots placed on your palms. For the less adventurous, feeding scoops are also provided.

Address: Carpark C, 61 Pasir Ris Green, Singapore 518225

6. Stand Up Paddle at Aloha Sea Sports Centre

If you prefer watersports, take up standup paddling (SUP) at Aloha Sea Sports Centre. SUP uses a surf-style board and a long paddle, and it is a cross between canoeing and surfing.  It is a great activity for the family, a company of friends and anyone who’s looking for some cardio work-out. This sport is suitable for everyone of any age group with the feeling akin to walking on water, and for getting the much-needed vitamin D from the sun.

All you need is to balance yourself on the SUP board and propel yourself across the surface of the water using a paddle. If you have not set aside time to exercise during the work week, SUP can be added to your fitness regime as it works out your core muscles and balancing skills. Most importantly, its low impact characteristics are well suited for your joints. There’s even SUP Yoga if you want to take your Yoga practice up a notch.

A one hour introductory course costs S$60. Book here for 25% off if you purchase this bundle!

Address: 1212 East Coast Parkway (Area E Car Park E2), Singapore 449886

7. Singapore Wake Park, East Coast Park Lagoon

Pick up a new skill and learn to wakeboard at Singapore’s only cable-ski-park at Singapore Wake Park in East Coast Park lagoon. It is newbie-friendly, perfect for those who have never tried cable-skiing before. Watch the experienced riders as they amaze you with their skills, maneuvering obstacles with occasional jumps and twirls.

The park features three cable systems. One full size-cable system for the experienced riders and two straight-line System 2.0 for the complete novice and intermediate riders from as young as six years old. For beginners, System A (75 metres) carries one person with an instructor. The speed of the cable is gradual, which makes learning to stand on a wakeboard easier. The intermediate System B (165 metres) provides the extra length to perfect manoeuvring.  For the advance riders, System C (535 metres) consists of six towers, with a running cable carrying six evenly spaced carriers that pull riders with handles attached to ropes connecting to the riders.

The cable-ski system is a gentle and safe approach to your first cable-ski experience and you can master the technique of standing up on a board with ease and confidence. If you fall (and you will fall) into the waters, there are white floating walkways to help you make your way back through the water.

Address: 1206A East Coast Park, near to East Coast Food Village, Singapore 449891

8. Xtreme SkatePark @ East Coast

Pit your skateboard or cycling skills like a pro at Xtreme SkatePark@East Coast. Set against a backdrop of lush greenery, beach and sea views, the skate park is also the first skate park in Singapore built to international competition standards.

The entire skate park occupies an area about the size of two and half football fields.  It comprises three sections namely:

• street course with a mix of obstacles like stairs, handrails, ledges, gaps and low ramps for all riders;
• combo bowl with different depths, hips, corners, a spine, sub box and bank wall;
• vertical bowl with a 3.6 metre steep drop for the advance users.

It’s a great place for you to nail your flips, grinds, and other gravity-defying tricks. To promote safe and responsible use of the skate park, wearing protective gear (helmets, kneepads and elbow pad) is strongly encouraged, and being considerate towards less experienced users.

Address: 1 East Coast Terrace, near Car Park F1 East Coast Park, S458912

9. Changi Airport Connector & Jurassic Mile

If doing a Tony Hawk trick and flip isn’t your thing, hop on your bike (or rent from any GoCycling outlets and return at their new Terminal 2 outlet) and cycle along East Coast Park all the way to Changi Airport via the new 3.5km Changi Airport Connector. Enjoy the tranquillity of the rustic Changi beach, cycle pass the National Service Resort and Country Club and follow the path of the new park connector. 

If you haven’t seen a dinosaur ever, you will be greeted by not one but 20 of these prehistoric life-like creatures at the Changi Jurassic Mile along the way.  As the one-kilometre Jurassic Mile path is shared between cyclist, joggers and pedestrians, it is advisable to dismount and push your bike along the Jurassic Mile stretch not just for safety but also take time to connect, snap photos and learn more about these extinct enormous reptiles that ever ruled the world once upon million years ago.

From Jurassic Mile, continue your journey towards the airport where you will get to pass by some back-of-house airport facilities such as the SATS and Dnata in-flight Catering Centres and observe airside operations up close along the way.  Do enjoy the beautifully lined cycling paths with flowering plants, shrubs and plants curated by Changi Airport and end your trip at HUB & SPOKE café, near Terminal 2.

This is a new pit stop facility where you can cool off with a shower for a nominal fee (S$3 for one-time entry, S$5 for two-time entry) that comes fully equipped with bath amenities and lockers for safekeeping of personal belongings, and recharge with meals and drinks at the HUB & SPOKE Café. Bike parking is free and there’s also a washing point, D.I.Y bike pump, repair station and even a vending machine that sells bike parts. If you plan to head over to the terminals or Jewel to shop and dine, you can lock your bike in secured lockers that are available for rent.

 

While overseas travel is still on hold, it should be no excuse for you to stop exploring. Simply prep yourself with just some change of clothes, sunscreen and sufficient water for hydration and get an early start to your weekend – as you know, the sun rises from the east.  Find more inspirations in Changi Precinct here!

 

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