Situated just 5.6 km from Singapore’s mainland, Kusu Island is a nice break from the bright lights and urban bustle of Singapore, and can be reached by speed boat in just 15 minutes. For travellers staying on the mainland of Singapore, serviced apartment is an ideal base for a low fuss stay, especially if you’re planning on doing a bit of sightseeing. A good option to keep in mind is the Somerset Liang Court Singapore which is just 20 minutes drive from the Marina where the ferries to Kusu Island dock.
Folklore surrounding the island tells the tale of a kindly magical turtle that spotted two shipwrecked sailors, a Malay and a Chinese, and turned himself into an island to save the sailors lives. The sailors, grateful for the turtle’s sacrifice, returned to the island to give thanks, and from there a tradition began that continues to this day. The turtle references don’t end there though, with the island playing host to a tortoise sanctuary that is home to hundreds of tortoises while a few dozen spend their days in the islands shrines.
There are four shrines located around the island, three of them kramats (holy shrines of Malay saints) and the fourth a popular Chinese temple. The kramats are situated atop a rugged hillock and many devotees climb the 152 steps leading up to the shrines to pray for wealth, good health and harmony. The Chinese temple, named Da Bo Gong, has been around since the 1920’s and pays tribute to two main deities, the Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin. Da Bo Gong is believed to have the power to bestow wealth, cure diseases, calm the sea and ward off danger while Guan Yin is believed to grant sons to expectant couples.
Today, the island is a well developed holiday resort with a steady flow of visitors who come to worship at the shrines. Tourism peaks on the island during the ninth month of the lunar calendar (between September and November), when 130,000 worshippers come to celebrate the annual Kusu Pilgrimage season. There is a steady stream of visitors throughout the year who come to bask in the islands swimming lagoons and spend some time with the ample marine life. It is also popular spot for day-trippers as overnight stays on the island are not allowed. Travellers hoping to visit the island can catch a speed boat or a ferry from the Marina South Pier and tickets are priced at S$18 for adults and S$12 for children up to 12 years of age.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
