Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research

Sentosa

Description

Sentosa, formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati, is a 500-ha island resort managed by Sentosa Development Corporation. It is home to an array of themed attractions, spa retreats, sandy beaches, resort accommodations, golf courses, a deep-water yachting marina, and luxurious residences.

For those looking for a nature recreation spot, there is the Imbiah forest reserve which is made up of secondary rainforest, including a 1.8 km forest trail. Along the trail, visitors can find plants such as the Raffles' Pitcher-Plant (Nepenthes rafflesiana) and Tembusu trees (Fagraea fragrans). Also roaming around the forest are Long-tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis), Plaintain Squirrels (Callosciurus notatus), various types of lizards and snakes, and over 20 species of birds including Spotted Wood Owl (Strix seloputo). Around the forest edge and ponds, visitors may also spot the rare Sultan Dragonfly (Camacinia gigantea).

Although most of the popular beaches on Sentosa are artificial, Sentosa is actually home to one of Singapore’s few remaining natural sandy and rocky shores, cliff and coastal forest. Tanjong Rimau, located on the western shore of Sentosa, is still rich in marine life and coastal vegetation. Among the variety of marine life are the Giant Top Shell (Trochus niloticus), Red Egg Crab (Atergatis integerrimus), and Stonefish (Synanceja horrida). 

The coastal vegetation along the shore is home to the locally critically endangered Nyireh (Xylocarpus rumphii), Delek Air (Memecylon edule) and Sea Teak (Podocarpus polystachyus). Caves have also developed along this shore from the interbedded conglomerates and sandstones which are susceptible to erosion.

Also remaining on the highly developed island, is a patch of naturally growing mangrove trees within the pond of Serapong Golf Club. This includes a large stand of the locally vulnerable Bakau Pasir (Rhizophora stylosa). Beyond the seawalls bounding the golf course is also a reef with corals, anemones and sponges among other marine organisms.


Getting there

The nearest MRT station to Sentosa is HarbourFront station, which is located below VivoCity Shopping Mall and is accessible both by the North-East Line and the Circle Line. From HarbourFront, there are several ways to get to Sentosa. The Sentosa Boardwalk links VivoCity Shopping Mall’s waterfront promenade to Sentosa. Alternatively, visitors can take the Sentosa Express monorail from Level 3 (Lobby L) of VivoCity. For a aerial view of Sentosa, Singapore’s city skyline and the harbor, visitors can also choose to take a cable car from the Singapore Cable Car station at Harbourfront Tower ll. For details on fares and operating hours, click here.

Other Resources

Sentosa. 2011. Sentosa. http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/. (Accessed October 2012).

Tan, R. Wild Shores of Singapore. http://wildshores.blogspot.com/. (Accessed October 2012).

References

Wong, P. P., 2011. Physical Geography of Singapore. Pp. 38-43. In: Ng, P. K. L., R. T. Corlett & H. T. W. Tan (editors), Singapore Biodiversity. An Encyclopedia of the Natural Environment and Sustainable Development, Editions Didier Millet, Singapore, 552 pp.

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