Marina South Pier – Things To Do
Marina South Pier usually falls outside the radar as a venue for family outings or a meeting place with friends. However, if you prefer a place with thin crowds even on weekends, this is the place for you.
1. How To Get There
Getting to Marina South Pier is a breeze if you travel by MRT. Marina South Pier MRT station (NS28) is the final station on the North South Line (red line). Simply alight at this station and proceed to Exit B. You’ll be greeted by an idyllic sea view as soon as you exit the station. The building is right at the doorstep of the MRT station.
If you prefer to travel by bus, do note that the only bus service plying this route is SBS Transit Bus 400. It starts from Shenton Way Bus Terminal and travels along Anson Road, Cecil Street, Marina Boulevard, Marina Gardens Drive and finally to Marina Coastal Drive where you can alight at Bus Stop No. 03419. This bus stop is the 13th bus stop if you were to board the bus at Shenton Way Bus Terminal. The first bus is available from 6 a.m. daily, and the last bus sets off at 11.40 p.m. daily. The frequency of this bus service is approximately 30 minutes.
If you drive, the address of Marina South Pier is:
31 Marina Coastal Drive
Singapore 018988
There is a carpark right in front of the building but parking lots are limited. If you are really intent on securing a lot there on your visit, do check out the fees for marina south pier parking in our other blog post. The next available carpark is at Marina Bay Cruise Centre, a short 2-minute drive away.
2. Marina South Pier Building Directory
The Marina South Pier building is actually a ferry terminal. It is one of the three public landing places in the port of Singapore, alongside West Coast Pier and Changi Point Ferry Terminal.
Marina South Pier is not commonly recognised as a tourist attraction, instead it is more well known for catering to seafarers who traverse between mainland Singapore and the eastern anchorages, as well as visitors to the southern islands.
| #01-01 | MPA Management Office |
| #01-02 | York Launch Service Pte Ltd |
| #01-03 | Marina South Ferries Pte Ltd |
| #01-04 | Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services Pte Ltd |
| #01-05 | Seajoy |
| #01-06 | Liang Heng Clocks & Watches |
| #01-08 | Hong Yun Catering Services Pte Ltd |
| #01-09 | MPA Management Office |
| #01-13 | MPA Management Office |
| #01-14 | Access Harbour Services Pte Ltd SeaCabble Pte Ltd Seaswift Launch Service Pte Ltd |
| #01-15 | CKL Motor Boat Pte Ltd |
| #01-16 | Eng Motor Launch Service |
| Level 2 | Singapore Maritime Gallery Fort Canning Room |
| Rooftop | Playground Garden |
As you can see, most of the services available there cater to maritime and shipping purposes.
If you are a foodie on a hunt for delicacies at Marina South Pier, you will be sorely disappointed. Food courts, coffee houses, cafes and restaurants are non-existent. At most, you will find small shops resembling Mama Shops where you can buy your last-minute titbits and drinks before boarding your ferry to one of the southern islands.
3. Things To Do At Marina South Pier
Marina South Pier may not be a city dweller’s usual haunt due to the lack of amenities like a shopping mall and eateries. However, if you do want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town area on a weekend, Marina South Pier is a place you can consider. Here are some things that can occupy your time while you are there.
(a) Take A Ferry To The Southern Islands
Sentosa is indisputably the most-visited island for us locals if we were to travel out of mainland Singapore without the need for a passport. Pulau Ubin should clinch the second spot, with tens of thousands of students getting the opportunity to experience island camping at the NPCC campsite as well as at the Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campsite. As an adult now, islands still hold a special place in my heart. Those were the days when resilience was inculcated in us and strong friendships forged amidst sand fly bites, muddy shoes and buckets of sweat. Pulau Ubin is also popular with day trippers, nature enthusiasts and fishing fanatics.
Of course, access to islands like Pulau Tekong and Pulau Bukom is restricted to the public. If you are already all too familiar with Sentosa and Pulau Ubin, a trip to the southern islands should breathe new life into your weekend itineraries.
At Marina South Pier, there are two operators which offer ferry services to Kusu Island, Sisters’ Islands, Lazarus Island and Saint John’s Island. Kusu means “turtle island” in Chinese. During the ninth month of the lunar calendar, devotees visit the temples, shrines and kramats (Malay shrines) on the island by hopping onto ferries from Marina South Pier which replaced Clifford Pier in 2006.
The close proximity of these islands makes island-hopping possible but do check out the ferry schedules and plan your timings accordingly. For island-hopping, an adult ticket costs $15. For senior citizens and kids below 12 years old, a ticket costs $12. There is no charge for infants below 2 years old.
One important note when visiting the southern islands. You MUST bring enough food and drinks to last you for the whole island-hopping trip because these are things that money cannot buy you on the islands. Other essential items to pack are the usual items for an outdoor trip like mosquito patch, sunblock, poncho, umbrella, tissue paper etc. If you intend to go for a swim or a picnic, do pack accordingly.
(b) Visit The Singapore Maritime Gallery
A visit to the Singapore Maritime Gallery should be one of the highlights if you were to set foot on Marina South Pier. Located on the second floor of the building, the gallery brings Singapore’s rich maritime history to life. Visitors will be able to gain invaluable knowledge on the rise of Singapore as a modern port as well as try their hands at navigating obstacles using the ship simulators.
That’s not all! Be prepared to spend at least an hour to appreciate the exhibits and immerse in the various experiences designed for non-seafarers!
(c) Explore The Rooftop
Opening Hours Of Rooftop Deck:
8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Daily
The rooftop, which is on the third level of the building, offers a fantastic vantage point from which you can watch little boats and big ships on the waters in the distance with their seemingly negligible bobbing motions. Many vessels can be seen anchored here right at the seafront of Marina South Pier, segregated into the various anchorages by vessel type, purpose of call and duration of stay.
In the greater distance at the horizons, you can even spot the Indonesian island of Batam which defines much of the southern margin of the Singapore Strait. Kusu Island and Seringat Island are also visible from this point. Seringat Island underwent reclamation works in 2000, linking it with the neighbouring Lazarus Island. The island currently features an 800 metres long manmade beach.
A wealth of knowledge on maritime structures can also be acquired. You can try spotting the Marina South Pier breakwater which runs parallel to the coastline. This structure protects the pier from the effects of waves and provides safe berthing for small vessels. Running perpendicular to the coastline is another structure called the current training wall. It is a kilometre long barrier designed to divert the flow of the tidal current from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
One thing to note, though, is the strong smell of exhaust fumes from the boats. Even with a face mask on, the smell is still overpowering so it might not be so pleasant for most of us. Do remember to bring along a pair of sunglasses so the blinding rays of the sun will not get in the way of you admiring the view.
The rooftop deck also features a spacious area and a playground.
(d) Take A Stroll Along The Coastline
As soon as the escalator takes you up to the ground level at Exit B of the station, an amazing view of the sea greets you. If the weather is cooler, you can lay a picnic mat by the sea and ponder about life as you stare at the calm waters.
Alternatively, you can take a stroll along the coastline and see where it leads you. Unlike taking a stroll along the beach at East Coast, you will find that the Marine South Pier coastline offers a more tranquil and peaceful strolling experience.
