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Aerial perspective of Sentosa Island – By Bob Tan –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is an island off the southern coast of Singapore’s main island. The Island is separated from the main Island by the Keppel Harbor and a water channel.

Sentosa ranks as the fourth largest island in Singapore at 5 square kilometers. The island is only a mere 500m from the mainland’s coast. This is only a 4-minute ferry ride from the island to the mainland and vice versa.

Access to the island from the mainland is not limited to ferry alone. There is the Sentosa walkaway where people can walk to and from the island to the mainland.

Today, Sentosa Island is a popular tourist destination with numerous attractions such as restaurants, activities, and sites.  Formerly, however, the island was a British military base during the Second World War. Later (during the war still) it was a Japanese prisoner of war (POW) camp.

1. The Island Had an Unflattering Name

Sentosa was formerly known as Pulau Belakang Mati. This translates from Malay to “The Island After Death.”

There was piracy, fatal disease outbreaks, the island was a prisoner camp, and its waters were labeled dead due to no wind. Therefore, considering its history, this name might have been appropriate.

The island was renamed Sentosa in 1972 because the Singaporean government decided to develop it as a tourism destination; Sentosa is Malay for “peace and tranquility.”

2. It Was Almost Converted into An Oil Refinery

A fountain at Festive Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa, Singapore – By RM Bulseco –

At the end of the war, the Japanese surrendered Pulau Belakang Mati to the Brits. The Island remained under the rule of the British till 1967. In 1967, the British handed over the island to the newly independent Singapore Government.

The Singapore Government started planning to convert the island into an oil refinery. However, Albert Winsemius, then chief economic advisor, proposed to convert it into a leisure destination.

His proposal passed and was implemented immediately, converting the island into the leisure destination that it is today.

3. Sentosa Boasts an Extensive Collection of WWII Memorabilia

Japanese 120-mm gun at Fort Siloso Singapore – By Bryn Pinzgauer –

Fort Siloso was built in the 1880s to guard the Keppel Harbor entrance. It is located on the western side of the Island.

Two 6-inch (150 mm) Mark2 cannons and two 12-pounder guns with quick-fire were mounted on it by 1939. These guns are still standing to date, a mark of how persevering this fort was.

Twelve coastal gun batteries made up Fortress Singapore at the start of the war. However, only Fort Siloso is still standing.

As a military-themed attraction, the fort’s bunkers for ammunition, barracks, tunnels, and gun emplacements are now accessible to tourists. A collection of artillery pieces from the 17th century until World War II is also on display. To illustrate life at the fort, life-size reproductions of British soldiers and other people are on exhibit.

Fort Siloso houses the greatest collection of World War II artifacts in the nation. This includes; pictures, records, and movie clips.

4. Fort Siloso (In Sentosa Island) is Singapore’s 74th National Monument

Sentosa Island, Singapore, Fort Siloso – By Michael_Spencer –

Fort Siloso is Singapore’s best-preserved 19th-century fort. Formerly known as Sarang Limau or Tiger’s Lair, it is a significant location to commemorate the country’s wartime years.

The fort has 11 structures that jointly depict Singapore’s defense heritage. This historic site has been gazetted as the 74th national monument of Singapore. This is the first instance of a structure-containing site being designated as a National Monument.

5. Sentosa Island Installed the First Cable Line Car in Southeast Asia

The view from the Singapore Cable Car – By Vigorous action –

The Mount Faber Line is the first cableway in Southeast Asia and was opened for business in 1974. It was also the first cableway in Asia to cross a body of water.

Singapore has two lines of cable cars. One is the on-island Sentosa Line which offers visitors a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Sentosa and its golden beaches. The other is the Mount Faber Line connects Sentosa with diverse recreational opportunities at Mount Faber Peak.

6. The 2018 North Korea–the United States Singapore Summit Was Held On The Island

On 12th June 2018, the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit was held at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa, Singapore. This event or meeting is also commonly referred to as the Singapore Summit.

It marked the first-ever meeting between North Korea and the United State’s leaders. Then U.S. President Donald John Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un met following building tensions between the countries. Separate meetings with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were also held by both leaders.

In a joint declaration, they vowed to guarantee North Korea’s security, establish new, peaceful ties, denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, retrieve the bodies of fallen soldiers, and hold further high-level talks.

7. There Are Over 20 Conserved Buildings On The Island

Sentosa was previously the site of multiple towns and a British military installation. However, today it is a popular tourist destination with sandy beaches, thrilling attractions, dining options, and resorts.

The structure holding Capella Singapore is one of the old buildings that have been preserved. The British Royal Artillery personnel and their families once stayed at this contemporary resort. Other buildings Include Fort Siloso.

8. The Sentosa Island Has the World’s Largest Oceanarium

The largest oceanarium in the world is the S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

With its 45 million water liters, it’s a habitat for over 100,000 aquatic animals representing more than 800 species. from puffer fish to hammerhead sharks, the aquarium has almost all marine life.

9. Despite Rampant Urbanization, Sentosa Is Home to A Lot of Wildlife

Butterfly Park and the Insect Kingdom, Sentosa – By User: Sengkang –

Developments in Sentosa have been strategic. At the moment, about 70% of the Island is covered by forest land. The Island is therefore home to several animal and insect species including; monkeys, peacocks, lizards, birds, and butterflies.

 More than 3,000 insect species and over 15,000 butterflies are housed in the Insect Kingdom and the Butterfly Park respectively.

The island also has over 60 peacocks or peafowls. This is the largest number of peacocks in the entire country. A great fete considering they were introduced to the island in 1980.

The Great Billed Heron, Grey Heron, Collared Kingfisher, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Brahminy Kite, and White-bellied Sea Eagle are some of the other resident species on Sentosa.

10. You Can Have Fun on the Island for Free (Well, almost!)

You can enter the island for free if you use the Sentosa Boardwalk. Grab a free ride on the Sentosa Express trains, Sentosa Buses, or Beach Shuttles once you’ve arrived on the island.

Other free activities on the island are; Playing sports at three golden sand beaches, watching movies by the shore at Palawan Green, and taking in spectacular views from the 11-story Fort Siloso Skywalk (Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong).

The experience is not entirely free, however, since accommodation fees, food, and shopping will be done on the island.