Description

Kusu Island is one of the most eye-catching islands in the Southern part of Singapore. It is located around 5.6 kilometres south of the main island of the country. The literal meaning of Kusu means "Tortoise" or "Turtle" in Chinese. Legend has it that a magical tortoise turned itself into the island to save two shipwrecked sailors. The island is also known as Pulau Tembakul or Peak Island in Malay.  From two tiny outcrops on a reef, this island was enlarged and transformed into an island holiday resort of 85,000 square metres today.

There is a wonderful story behind the formation of this wonderful island. The story says that to save two shipwrecked sailors one giant tortoise enlarged its body and finally turned itself into a wonderful island. To show their gratefulness, both the sailors returned to this island and finally established their set up here. The story goes equally in both Malay as well as in Chinese. Following this myth, a Taoist Shrine, as well as a Muslim kramat, was built on the island. Nowadays, people often visit the place to worship and to offer thanks to God. The tradition of offering thanks and prayers on the eleventh month of the lunar calendar gives birth to an amazing festival here. In fact, when the festival takes place here, that season is also known as Kusu" season. The island now houses a wonderful Chinese temple called Da Bo Gong or Tua Pek Kong. There are two important deities inside the temple namely, Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) and Da Bo Gong. It is believed by the local people that the former deity is the authority of conferring prosperity, making the sea calm, averting danger, and curing diseases. To memorialize a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and sister (Puteri Fatimah) three kramats or holy shrines were built at the top of the rocky mound on Kusu Island. To pray for good health, a good marriage, wealth, and harmony many of the devotees climb up to the 152 steps leading to the kramats. Couples, who are childless, pray here with a strong belief of fulfilling their wish of getting a child. This island is famous for its tranquil settings, lagoons, and immaculate beaches. The tortoise sanctuary and wishing well attract the highest number of Visitors in this island. Here one can plan to arrange a picnic party in the afternoon. You must not miss visiting the tortoises' enclosure on Kusu Island. You can find two giant-sized tortoises in the enclosure. But, none is allowed to stay overnight or for camping on this island.

Marine life of Kusu Island

Kusu is ringed by reefs with a bewildering variety of hard corals and soft corals. Some of these reefs have crept back into the swimming lagoons. Commonly encountered animals include clown anemonefishes, anemone shrimps, giant clams and a wide variety of other fishes and crabs seldom seen on other Southern Shores. 

What to see and do?

Kusu Island is well developed today, mainly to support the steady stream of worshippers to the shrines on the island. On the ninth month of lunar calendar, about 130,000 people still throng the island's Da Ba Gong Temple (or Temple of the Merchant God). The island with its two swimming lagoons is also a popular destination for day-trippers to enjoy the sun and sand.

The ferry makes a loop from Marina South Pier to St John’s Island, then to Kusu Island and back again. The ferry timings vary from weekdays to weekends as well as public holidays. The ticketing booth closes at 3 pm daily. Prices for a two-way trip are fixed at $18 for adults and $12 for children aged one to 12 years old.

Tips

• Make your way to Marina South Pier (right next to Marina South Pier MRT Station) and buy your ferry tickets from Singapore Island Cruise around the main entrance of the pier. Check out the daily ferry schedule and ticket prices.
•  Ferry will head to St John's Island first before heading to Kusu Island.
  
• Do note you are not allowed to camp or stay overnight on the island, so remember to keep track of time to catch the last ferry back to the mainland!
• At the shrines, you’ll see yellow pieces of cloth tied to the trees and branches, each symbolising a wish made by believers. The shrines and temples are said to be able to grant wealth, a good marriage, children, health, and harmony, making them popular among believers who visit for blessings and worship. Singaporeans believe that if a wish you make on the island comes true, you must visit again to offer thanks, and some will also untie a yellow piece of cloth. There’s also a little wishing well near the temple where you can toss coins to hit the bell in the middle.
• Kusu Pilgrimage season is held during the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. During this time, about 100,000 pilgrims make the trip to the island. Ferry services, road access to Marina South Pier and other regular services may be suspended and changed.
  

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