The best places for watersports in Singapore

Work up a sweat and get your dose of the ocean with these watersports in Singapore.

Text: Shin Yee Koh

Singapore is such a metropolitan city that we can sometimes forget that we live on a tropical island surrounded by beautiful waters. With all of us returning back to the office and sitting at our desks for the better part of the day, getting out in the fresh air and staying active has become more important than ever.

Besides soaking in some much needed vitamin D and getting your weekly dose of mood-boosting endorphins by splashing around with your friends, the other health benefits of being out in the ocean should be more than enough to get you to reach for your flip flops and take a trip to the beach. 

Kayak on still waters and enjoy the view (Credit: Pexels)

1. Kayak around Singapore’s islands

Usually a two-person activity, kayaking brings back fond memories of being a youth at sports camp rowing in tandem with a good friend. Now though, it makes for the perfect date activity, especially if your partner is the sporty and adventurous type. My personal favourite is the Southern Islands trail. Though challenging and spanning over the course of 8 hours, you get to paddle around and explore untouched marine life all the while getting to know your partner on a more intimate level. Lazarus Island makes for the perfect place to take a dip after working up a good sweat – the crystal-clear waves are definitely not to be missed. If you’re looking for more places to kayak in Singapore? We’ve got you covered. 

2. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon on a water bike 

If you have friends who still don’t know how to cycle, or struggle to balance on a bike yourself, pencil in an hour or two to go water biking for your next group hangout. The water bike comes equipped with two catamaran floats, making it virtually impossible for riders to capsize and way more stable than a traditional bike. You can reach brisk speeds up to 15km/h on the bike, making it a perfect environmentally friendly way to explore Singapore’s shores from the water. Located at Pasir Ris, one hour on the bike starts at SGD 30++. Some of the water bikes even come with umbrellas to provide some respite from the scorching afternoon sun, but my tip is to go during the evening to enjoy the balmy breeze as the sun sets. 

3. Give paddle boarding a try at Siloso Beach

Home to some amazing flat-water lagoons, Siloso Beach is great for riding waves and is the perfect training ground to kick off your stand-up paddle boarding journey so make sure to give it a try the next time you’re down by the beach. Paddle boarding also doubles as a fantastic cardio session that will keep you fit by paddling standing up while you enjoy the soft breezes and gentle rolling waves of the sea. Most places have experienced instructors to coach both newbies and expert paddleboarders, so paddle away! Supventures offers beginner sessions at SGD 50++, making it ideal for those who just want a small taste of paddleboarding without having to commit. 

Paddleboard to your heart’s content (Credit: Pexels)

4. Taste the sea while windsurfing

A full body sport that requires a certain degree of athleticism, windsurfers are required to harness the wind to create speed. Thrill seekers will enjoy this exhilarating combination of sailing and surfing that fosters agility, strength and focus. Though it seems intimidating at first glance, I’ve heard from more than one friend that the view of Singapore’s shoreline from the sailboard is incomparable to anything else. There’s a good selection of different water sport centers for both beginners looking to try their hand at windsurfing to even certification courses for those with a little more experience with this sport. They’re stationed at East Coast Parkway, and their two hour introduction programme begins at SGD 200++

5. Perform impressive backflips while wakeboarding

Wakeboarding promises to be both fun and challenging, and it certainly delivers. Towed by a motorboat, riders are given the freedom to ride the water and flip around to their hearts’ content. Although wakeboarding looks challenging, it is known to be a water sport that beginners pick up faster than most, though showy tricks like doing a backflip while going at dizzying speeds will have to wait until you’re a more seasoned wakeboarder. With Singapore being one of the few countries in the world with calm waters all year round, ideal wakeboarding conditions means there are a ton of facilities for you to give this water sport a go. At Ryders at Punggol, a one hour session with a coach starts at SGD 150++ per hour. 

Windsurfing offers a much needed adrenaline rush (Credit: Pexels)

Whether or not you’re planning to spend the whole day out in the sun, make sure to slap on some sunscreen so you don’t end up getting sunburnt. A good rule of thumb is to measure how much sunscreen you actually need by using your index and middle finger as a gauge. The quality and ingredients in your sunscreen are important as well, so make sure to read up on The Soothe’s guide to SPF to give your skin the love it deserves.

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