Chek Jawa – Singapore Best Kept Secret
Opening Hours: 8.30 am - 6.00 pm
Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Chek Jawa – Singapore Best Kept Secret

One of Singapore's richest ecosystems, Chek Jawa is a unique natural area where six major habitats meet and mix. Slated for land reclamation in 1992, the wonderful secrets of Chek Jawa were unveiled only in December 2000. As public attention was drawn to this site, thousands of Singaporeans flocked to visit this wetland treasure. At the same time, appeals from nature lovers and the general public led to a review of its reclamations plans. After carefully considering all public submissions and extensive consultations with scientific experts and relevant government agencies, it was announced in 2001 that reclamation works would be deferred as long as Pulau Ubin is not required for development.

New amenities at Chek Jawa Wetlands, Pulau Ubin have been opened to the public from Sunday, 8 July 2007, which will allow visitors to conduct their own DIY tour of Chek Jawa every day of the week. The amenities, including a visitor centre with viewing jetty, over 1 km of boardwalk (Mangrove and Coastal Loops), and the 21-metre Jejawi Tower, are part of a long-term sustainable visitor management plan to protect the rich biodiversity

Planning your visit

Chek Jawa is an intertidal area, with its various eco-systems unveiled at low tides of 0.5 metres and below. Do refer to the tides when you plan for a visit to avoid disappointment.

Getting to Chek Jawa Wetlands

Upon arrival at the Ubin jetty, visitors can hire a van or rent a bicycle from the main village. For the more adventurous, a walk to Chek Jawa would take about 40 minutes.

Visitors can either cycle or hire a vehicle to get to Chek Jawa Wetlands. For the safety of visitors, bicycles and vehicles will have to be parked at designated lots near Punai Hut. Do remember to ask for a bicycle lock when you rent your bicycle.

Guided Tours at Chek Jawa

Measures have been put in place to manage access to the intertidal flats at Chek Jawa.

The intertidal flats are most suitable for visiting during low tides of 0.5 metres and below, when you will be able to see most of the marine life. At higher tides, the area will be submerged under water.

If you wish to visit the intertidal flats at Chek Jawa:

1. Please call our Pulau Ubin Hotline (Tel: 6542-4108) or visit our Information Kiosk between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm to book a visit. As demand for the guided tours is high, please book early to avoid disappointment. Each booking call is entitled to make reservation of up to maximum 10 places. A booking number would be given for successful booking.
2. On the day of visit, please register with your booking number at the basketball court at the respective registration time. If you will not be able to make the visit, please call our hotline to cancel your booking.
3. Arrangements will be made for taxis to fetch you to and from Chek Jawa. The taxi ride takes 15 minutes and costs $2 per person one way. Alternatively, you may wish to rent or bring a bicycle and cycle to Chek Jawa.
4. On reaching Chek Jawa, nature guides will be at hand to take visitors on a 45-minutes walk to experience the amazing marine life there. Participants must wear appropriate covered footwear e.g. sneakers and canvas shoes (slippers and sandals are not suitable). Please follow the instructions of the guide, and stay on the designated route.
5. We seek your cooperation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Chek Jawa.

For more information, please visit FAQ on Chek Jawa

Text & Photographs Courtesy of NParks. All Rights Reserved