Hiking, nature walks or tours at St John's Island

St John's Island has served many different purposes through Singapore's history. It was previously home to:

• A British quarantine centre for passengers with infectious diseases.
• A detention centre for political prisoners.
• An opium treatment centre.
• A holiday resort with swimming lagoons and campsites.
  

St John's Island is home to mangroves that serve as nurseries for young fish and living "seawalls" to protect the coast from storms.

Look out for the 2 most dominant species:

• Bakau Pasir: This is identifiable by its prop roots.
• Tumu: This is identifiable by its knee roots that protrude above ground.

Both produce long fruits called propagules which begin to grow even before they fall off the tree.

Exploring St John's Island gives visitors the opportunity to spot unique plants and animals.

Look out for:

• Heritage trees: The island is home to 10 heritage trees, including 2 Tembusus, 4 Sea Figs, a Tempinis, a Penaga Laut and a Common Pulai. Some can be found in publicly accessible areas.
• Birds: Besides the Brahminy Kite that regularly soars over the island, you might also spot the Striated Heron and critically endangered Great-billed Heron stalking fish by the water's edge.
• Snakes: See if you can spy the Paradise Tree Snake, Gold-ringed Cat Snake and House Wolf Snake.
• Turtles: Keep your eyes peeled as you pass the waters. If you are lucky, you might spot a Hawksbill Turtle in the shallows.
• Crabs: You do not need to get in the water to find crabs. Species such as the Land Hermit Crab have adapted to life on land. Visit during low tide to see the Fiddler Crab feeding, or the Blue Land Crab, a species that was thought to be locally extinct until it was found on the island in 2015.