Kusu (Turtle) Island



Kusu Island
Kusu Island is a getaway island approximately 5.6 km from Singapore with pristine beaches. It takes about 15 minutes approximately by ferry from Marina South Pier. St. John’s and Sister Islands are few islands lying on the south of Singapore between the Singapore mainland and straits of Singapore. 

Saint John's Island
St. John’s Island served as a quarantine centre for immigrants and later it was used as a holding centre for political detainees. In 1975, the island was turned into a holiday haven with lagoons, shady paths and picnic spots, making it a popular weekend venue. Sister Islands are home to some of Singapore's richest reef. A wide variety of corals can be found in the waters surrounding the islands.

 For those making their own trip, Singapore Island Cruise provides ferry services every half an hour starting at 7 a.m to Kusu and St.John's Island. To Sister Islands only Private Water Taxis are available.




My passion for photography led me to Kusu Island. The island got its name from an old tale which goes as; a turtle saved two drowning sailors, a Chinese and Malay, by carrying them on its back and then it turned to an island. In Chinese language Kusu means tortoise. The island was earlier called “Governor’s Island” after the Spanish Governor of Philippines and later renamed as “Goa Island” by James Horsburg, a Hydrographer to British East India Company. In 1819 island used to be a reference point to all ships entering the port. Now it is a wonderful picnic spot for tourists and pilgrims who come to pray for prosperity, good luck, good health, peace and happiness.


Tua Pek Kong Temple

 During the ninth lunar month between September and November, the island is frequented by many pilgrims and tourists. There are two places of worship on the island, the Tua Pek Kong Temple and the Kramat. The Tua Pek Kong Temple is a Toaist Temple with two main deities Da Bo Gong (God of Prosperity) and Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) built by a businessman in 1923. On the  hillock is a Malay holy shrine (Kramat) commemorating a pious man, Syed Abdul Rahman, his mother and sister. 

The Lotto Numbers on the Rock

At the entrance of the kramat, the rocks are painted in golden colour and it is believed that by writing the lottery/lotto numbers on it, you hold a good chance of winning. 


Tortoise Sanctuary

 There is a tortoise sanctuary in the island. There is a popular belief that feeding turtles bring prosperity, good health and longevity. 



Other amenities are food centre for the visitors, few gift shops and covered places to relax. We had a picnic out there with homemade lemon rice, sutchi fillet fish preparation, raita and vermicelli biryani. The last ferry leaves at 19 hrs and night stay is not permitted in the island. During the pilgrimage season ferries to St.John's and Sister Islands are suspended. 




Starfish

Shellfish

A good walk around the island, you can see the beautiful and unspoiled beaches, ships waiting to enter the Port and the skyline of mainland. The island is home to varieties of sea-creatures like starfish, clams, shellfish and crabs.
I am not making a song and dance about if I tell you that I took about 300 photos out there, the little island calls for it. And then it was time to get back to the mainland leaving the island to itself on the nightfall.



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