Ever wondered where the waste from our city winds up? Well, the answer’s right here. And yes, you can tour this landfill without the need to pinch your nose – Semakau is surprisingly serene, clean and teeming with wildlife.
The only way to get to the island is with a permit from the National Environment Agency (NEA). Don’t worry, though. Applying for one isn’t tough. You’ll first need to book one of two tours: the landfill tour, run by the NEA, or the intertidal walk, organised by nature societies such as The Nature Workshop. Once you’ve done that, get in touch with the NEA for a permit at least three weeks in advance. You’ll also need to fork out about $400 (not a typo) for the boat ride there.
The half-day landfill tour takes you around Semakau’s operations and facilities to show you how waste in Singapore is managed. If you’re looking for a more natural experience, embark on the intertidal walk instead. On it, you’ll discover more about Semakau’s diverse marine life, whose residents include crabs, shrimp and colonies of knobby sea stars.
Boats to Pulau Semakau depart from any of these three terminals: West Coast Pier, Marina South Pier and Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal ($400/return trip).