Coney Island on a Holiday

Singapore is a tiny city-state and admittedly there isn’t much to explore, especially if you are someone who has been living in the city for more than four years. However, I am a person who tries to see things with a new pair of eyes. There is still so much to see if you are just to explore.

Fast forward to Good Friday and my friends and I didn’t really have anything planned so we ventured to the newly opened Coney Island Park. For people who have not heard of the island, it is an actual island located on the Northeastern part of Singapore.

The island’s charm is that it is undeveloped and going there is akin to being transported to a different place and time. Coney Island is quite small, just 2.4 km and it can be explored on foot or on a bicycle. Know though that there is only 1 toilet in the area and there are no places along the way where you can buy water or snacks so it is best that you get them from Punggol Settlement, near the entrance.

How to get there

There is only a single bus that goes to Coney Island from Punggol Mrt, bus 84. Once you alight you will see the picturesque hotel rooms of the Punggol Ranch Resort. According to a short guide, which I read, there is actually a stable nearby and you can ride a horse for only $10 but we didn’t try this. For people interested in horse-riding this is something not to be missed.

We didn’t go cycling as one of your friends does not know how to ride a bike but those who do and would not like to explore the park on foot, you can rent a hipster bike or a bike for rugged terrain from the shops at Punggol Settlement or Go Cycling.

Tranquil and green, Coney Island is a great place to take Instagram worthy pictures.

History

Coney Island was once owned by the Haw Par twins, the same twins who founded the Tiger Balm empire. It was named so because they wanted to copy Coney Island in New York, complete with amusement parks and the likes but their plans were not realized. The brothers also built a villa in the island but it fell into disrepair after the Japanese occupation. You can still see the villa but it is off limits to the public.

Coney Island is otherworldly and charming

You can either explore the park alone or with friends

There are plenty of great places where you can find Instagram worthy pictures

The East Entrance to the island which is seldom taken by visitors

One of the pretty, little bikes you can rent in the island