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Sentosa
Photograph: Tristan Tan/Shutterstock

The ultimate guide to Sentosa

Our selection of the best attractions, coolest dining spots and top hotels to check into while you're on this little beach paradise

Fabian Loo
Cheryl Sekkappan
Written by
Fabian Loo
&
Cheryl Sekkappan
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Gather the fam or crew for some fun in the sun on Sentosa Island. From thrilling amusement park rides and a 50-meter bungee jump, to a cocktail at one of the many fancy bars and restaurants by beach, Sentosa has much to offer for anyone looking to have a bit of fun or rest and relax time. Here are the best things to do while you're there. 

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DO

  • Things to do
  • City Life

An 80-metre-high Sentosa SkyJet, a refresh of the iconic Sentosa Musical Fountain from the 1980s, and an international food street – these are the exciting new attractions on the Island of Fun. Called the Central Beach Bazaar, this new lifestyle offering is situated just steps away from Sentosa's Beach Station. The Sentosa SkyJet soars to a height equivalent to a 24-storey building, and is right beside the stage for Wings of Time, which comes alive at night in a symphony of water jets, laser light projections and pyrotechnics. Sentosa's Musical Fountain – an iconic show from the early 1980s – is also back with two five-minute performances of musical numbers from the 1990s. Don't miss the nosh at Internatinal Food Street either – there are eight F&B concepts taking inspiration from all around the world. 

 

 

  • Things to do
  • Sentosa

Set aside a day to explore Southeast Asia's first and only Universal Studios theme park with 24 exciting rides, shows and attractions in seven themed zones. Best for thrill-seekers and families alike. Planning to head down soon? Check out how a trip to a socially distant theme park looks like with our nifty guide here

 

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  • Things to do
  • Sentosa

Live out your ultimate Wipeout dream at Singapore's very first floating aqua park. Both kids and kidults can climb, slide, leap and bounce at the massive inflatable playground and obstacle course – think a giant bouncy castle in the sea, just off Sentosa's Palawan Beach. To maximise the fun for everyone, the water park is split into four zones with varying difficulty levels – Level 1 is specially designed for kids aged five to eight (every one child has to be accompanied by one adult), and Levels 2, 3 and 4 are for those aged nine and above.

  • Things to do
  • Sentosa

Cruise in a leisurely fashion – or race down, if you prefer – four thrilling luge tracks with specially designed features including hairpin corners, exhilarating tunnels, and exciting downhill slopes. When you reach the bottom of the track, scramble onto the brand new Skyride for a treetop ride back to the starting point, and do it all over again. Sheer fun for the whole family. 

 

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  • Sport and fitness
  • Parachuting and skydiving
  • Sentosa

You don't have to hop on a plane to a bungee jump anymore. Take the plunge at AJ Hackett Sentosa, Singapore's first and only bungee jump that's right over Siloso Beach. Dive head first or back flip you way over the edge – whatever you like. Besides the bungee, there are also other high-element activities for the thrill-seekers among you, including a giant swing that requires partners to link arms as you 'fly', a vertical skywalk where you 'walk' (facedown, mind you) down the side of the tower down to ground level, and more. 

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  • Attractions
  • Sentosa

No excuses about not wanting to jump out of a plane, because now we can feel the rush of skydiving a few metres off the ground. You won’t have the Earth zooming towards you, but you will have the South China Sea to look at as your body is kept afloat in the world’s largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel. We can now finally take flight somewhere other than Changi.

  • Things to do
  • Sentosa

If you visit only one World War II-related site, make it this one. On the northwestern tip of Sentosa, past Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is the last remaining inactive coastal gun battery in Singapore. Here's a brief history: Fort Siloso was built in the 1880s on Mount Siloso to aid in protecting the port, mainly the western entrance to Keppel Harbour and the coal stocked nearby. It formed part of Singapore's coastal defence alongside Fort Serapong and Fort Connaught. 

 

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  • Things to do
  • Sentosa

Renowned waxwork museum Madame Tussauds finally sets up camp in Singapore. Key themes at the attraction include World Leaders, History, Film, Sport, Music and TV; there's also an A-List Party section, where the figures of Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and friends are placed. Aside from international superstars such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, visitors can take selfies with some of our local heroes and celebs too, including Jack Neo and Gurmit Singh.

EAT

  • Restaurants
  • Sentosa

Bedrock Bar and Grill's offshore sister Bedrock Origin draws inspiration from its coastal address, offering the best that the sea – and land – has to offer. You can still find Bedrock's signature applewood-grilled steaks, but Origin spotlights lighter, fresher flavours. Highlights include the local barramundi tail ($98), whch is left to age for seven days for a firmer bite and finished in the oven with a blanket of chimichurri. Or try the turbot served on the bone ($78), a juicy slab fortified with kombu butter. 

  • Restaurants
  • Mediterranean
  • Sentosa

Meaning 'sun and shore' in Latin, Sol & Ora presents a melting pot of culinary influences from the Latin-Mediterranean countries. Traverse these sun-soaked regions via imaginative dishes – house-made and handcrafted pastas and risotto such as Seafood Fregola and Sardinian Porcetto; light seafood dishes that will bring to mind the French Riviera; lively Spanish flavours in the 'La Bomba', tapas, and grilled creations; and fresh Greek vegetables and herbs in hearty dishes like the vegetable moussaka. Besides an extensive list of wines, kick back Mediterranean style with Sol & Ora's sunny cocktails, our favourites being the Amalfi Afterglow (Pigskin gin, limoncello and Prosecco) and A Night in Ibiza, a boozy concoction of brandy, blood orange, and house-infused carbonated white wine sangria.

 

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  • Restaurants
  • American
  • Sentosa

Located within Sentosa Golf Club, Panamericana rewards you sumptuously for taking the extra effort to leave the mainland – be it by monorail, car or foot. First, there’s the unbeatable view. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a glimpse of the sea, but it’s best to dine al fresco. Grab a seat out on the verandah, or head down to the manicured lawn – both overlook glittering vistas of the South China Sea and palm trees that sway in the cool breeze.

 

  • Restaurants
  • Spanish
  • Sentosa

Inspired by the beaches of Barcelona, FOC Sentosa is the sister outlet to the popular restaurant on HongKong Street but with a more laid-back vibe. The two-storey beach house is split into two wings, one with a focus on food and the other on drinks. Laze by the side of its private pool, cocktail in hand, and take in the sunset before heading in to enjoy a feast of grilled seafood and paella.

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  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary European
  • Sentosa

Chef Richard van Oostenbrugge’s first restaurant in Singapore takes over the space left by Joël Robuchon, our city’s only three-Michelin star restaurant. But that doesn’t seem to have deterred the Dutch chef. In 2019, the restaurant managed to obtain its first Michelin star within a year of its opening. Be wowed from the moment you sit at the counter with warm hospitality and inventive plates. A meal here wouldn’t be complete without the taste of Oostenbrugge’s signature apple dessert – a ginger-poached Granny Smith sorbet encased in a sugared shell that sits pretty on top of a puff pastry and walnut crumble.

  • Restaurants
  • Seafood
  • Sentosa

Ocean Restaurant provides a unique dining experience: it’s uniquely housed within the world’s largest oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa, with a breathtaking front-row seat to the massive undersea habitat, and headlined by an immensely likeable celebrity chef, Cat Cora, lauded for her philanthropy and sustainable approach to cooking.

 

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  • Restaurants
  • Ramen
  • Sentosa

The Keisuke empire might soon be making its way overseas and into the United States. But before it crosses the Pacific Ocean, the brand has  opened its 21st outlet, at the offshore Resorts World Sentosa. Dining here will feel familiar: Ramen Dining Keisuke Tokyo brings together popular signatures and classics from various Keisuke Ramen concepts. Sip on the rich broth of the lobster ramen ($13.90), or slurp up the lighter Tokyo shoyu ramen ($12.90) made from a base of chicken stock. You’ll also find the famed tonkotsu ramen ($19.90) – in original, spicy, and black spicy variants. 

DRINK

  • Things to do
  • City Life

Popular rooftop bar and lounge 1-Altitude broke some hearts when it closed earlier in 2022. But it's now found new expression as 1-Altitude Coast – a rooftop bar and day club with enviable views over the Sentosa coast. Perched at the top of The Outpost Hotel, the concept boasts a rooftop pool, a contemporary Asian menu, and a selection of tropical-inspired cocktails. Lounge on the cerulean cushions with your drink in hand as you vibe to tropical house, afro beat, and electro-pop played by resident DJs at the deck. 

  • Clubs
  • Sentosa

Inspired by coastal cuisine from around the world, chef Jason Jones all-day menu includes dishes such as Mediterranean-style barbecued octopus salad and a snapper ceviche reminiscent of Mexico. The seaside locale also serves up icy drinks to help cool off from the tropical heat. And of course, what's TBC without its breezy weekend brunches? Aside from the typical eggy offerings, there are a few waist-friendly options, like the chilled melon salad and acai bowls. 

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  • Bars and pubs
  • Hotel bars
  • Sentosa

The perfect hideaway on Sentosa Island for a mojito or Old Fashioned. Bob's Bar combines the rich heritage and old-world charm of Capella Singapore and the breathtaking surroundings. Don't miss the Bosun's Call every evening at 6pm, where the bartenders will be giving out tasting rum infused with pineapple and small bites, a nod to the hotel's naval tradition. 

  • Restaurants
  • Sentosa

What’s a trip to the beach without lazing on a deckchair, Mai Tai in hand? At this sprawling seaside restaurant in Sentosa, you can do just that. Besides tropical cocktails, Coastes stocks a formidable array of draft and bottled beers, and the nosh is unfussy yet vibrant enough to live up to the restaurant’s beachy vibe.

STAY

  • Hotels
  • Resorts
  • Sentosa

Set against a lush rainforest, old meets new seamlessly at Sentosa’s six-star luxury hotel, where modern fixtures hug restored colonial buildings. The stunning resort is spread across 30 acres of verdant greenery on Sentosa overlooking the South China Sea, transporting you to the lush jungles of Ubud or unspoilt beaches of Koh Samui. Spend a leisurely afternoon taking a refreshing dip in the resort's cascading pools, admire the intriguing colonial architecture, having a Mediterranean breakfast at The Knolls, or simply luxuriating in spacious rooms and villas – some of which come with private terraces and plunge pools. 

  • Hotels
  • Sentosa

Oasia Sentosa Resort is a 191-key wellness resort with the beautiful facade of a conservation building surrounded by the island's lush vegetation and scenic views. Here's where to stay if you want a true rest-and-relax getaway. Sign yourself up for Oasia's signature spa and massage 'journey's at the in-house spa, or attend complimentary programmes which include sunset yoga, HIIT classes, and wellness-focused workshops hosted by partner brands. Oasia Sentosa Resort is also home to its signature restaurant, Bedrock Origin, with culinary highlights such as Kingfish Sashimi, Aged Barramundi Tail, and Australian Barley-fed Bone-in Striploin. Read more about our staycation experience at Oasia Resort Sentosa

 

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  • Hotels
  • Spa hotels
  • Sentosa

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa offers a modern tropical holiday experience along Siloso Beach. It boasts an outdoor pool, spa, fitness centre, and a private balcony in each guestroom overlooking views of the hill, sea or landscaped gardens. One of our favourite things about this hotel is its private beach, where you can enjoy the sand and waves away from the usual crowds in Sentosa. Water sports equipment are also available for rent, so you can start your water adventure right away. 

  • Hotels
  • Luxury hotels
  • Sentosa

This new upscale property in Sentosa exclusively caters to adults, so you won't be rudely interrupted during your romantic pool date by the sounds of wailing children. Stay in one of the 193 stylish guest rooms with chic design inspired by Singapore's distinctive colonial black and white bungalows. For a sundowner, head up to the lush rooftop overlooking the sea. Take a dip in the pool exclusively for guests while ordering your favourite cocktails from the bar.

 

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  • Hotels
  • Sentosa

Another luxury option is The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, a cosy 40-room property housed in a former British artillery outpost. It's all about intimacy, personalisation and romance here – The Barracks Hotel has a well-curated list of heritage tours, wellness activities and all-day dining to suit even the most well-heeled travellers. The rooms and amenities are pleasing too, of course, with modern rooms that retain a nostalgic charm, a cloistered swimming pool, and access to Oasia Spa. 

More places to explore

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