Fun Things to Do in Pulau Serangoon, Singapore's Own Coney Island

Brooklyn, New York, isn't the only place where you'll find a Coney Island. There's also a Coney Island in Singapore, also known as Pulau Serangoon, off the Punggol coast in the northeast of the city-state.

Pulau Serangoon, also sometimes spelled Pulo Serangoon, was initially just 13 hectares, as per the National Library Board (NLB), although its size has increased to 100 hectares following reclamation projects. It was also called Haw Par Island in the past, back when brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, known for Tiger Balm ointment, still owned it in the 1930s and '40s.

The island boasts of a 50-hectare sustainable park, Coney Island Park, that was opened to the public in October 2015. It has habitats like mangroves, forests, and woodlands.

If you're looking for a time well spent in nature, exploring Coney Island is much recommended. Here are some things you can do there.

Bird Watching

Bird watching is also one of the recommended activities here, as it is a favourite stopover of migratory birds. Coney Island Park has about 80 species of birds, such as the locally endangered, black-crowned night heron and the spotted wood owl, as per the NLB. Keep your eyes peeled for migratory birds like the Asian drongo-cuckoo.

Peaceful Beaches

Enjoy the two-kilometre beach of Coney Island Park, which can be accessed through five points, with Beach Area A beginning from near West Promenade to Beach Area E in the east. You won't find your usual gaggle of tourists on this island's hidden beaches, so you can revel in the pristine sandy shores, listen to the waves, and watch the sun set. Just make sure you don't overstay your welcome; gates close at exactly 7 PM.

Nature Walks and Photography

Preserve your time in this sanctuary by lapping up its natural wonders and snapping photos in the process for you to always have for reminiscing. Coney Island is the perfect place to take nature walks, thanks to its wide range of tree species (about 86!) and over 157 animal species. Just some of the creatures you should look out for are smooth-boasted otters, which can only be found in Asia, as well as the sultan dragonfly.

A past famous inhabitant of Coney Island was a single Brahman bull. It was already ill when it was found while the park was being developed. It died in October 2016 after veterinarians failed to revive it.

When taking photos, make sure to use the hashtag #nparksbuzz to share your snaps with other nature lovers.

Casuarina Exploration

This adventure area is perfect for kids and the young at heart, as it has obstacles made from felled Casuarina trees. Obstacle courses like the Millipede, Earthworm, and Caterpillar, will have you hopping, zigzagging, and keeping your balance.