Dear readers, I have recently been to Coney Island. I would like to share with readers on how to go to Coney Island and what to do on the island. Coney Island is a beautiful island, as you will see from my sharing below, and hence you should consider to explore this island as a getaway from main land Singapore!
First, how to go to Coney Island? I believe if you have a car and are thinking of driving to the island, it will be a cinch. Hence, I would like to highlight on how to get to Coney Island if you are taking public transport there.
There are two gate entrances to Coney Island: West Entrance and East Entrance. Public transport is accessible near the West Entrance of the Island. Take Bus 84 from Punggol bus interchange (next to Punggol MRT station) and alight at Bus Stop 65139 Punggol Rd End.
When I took Bus 84 to Coney Island, I was literally counting the no. of bus stops to reach Punggol Road End. But this was not really needed as when the bus reached Punggol Road End bus stop, almost all the passengers on the bus alighted.
When you have alighted, you will reach Punggol pier. Take some time to enjoy the pier where a Police post is also located and take a look at the beach. You will see a playground and a toilet. You may consider to use the toilet before starting the hike on Coney Island later.
Okay, next, what to do on Coney Island? Well, I present to you the following fun facts of Coney Island.
1. The West and East entrances of Coney Island are gated entrances and Coney Island is not open to the public from 7pm to 7am. Hence if you are thinking of visiting Coney Island, remember to visit it during the earlier part of the day.
2. The West and East entrances are effectively two extreme ends of the island. I have mentioned only the West entrance is near to public transport and hence if you are thinking of walking from the West entrance to the East entrance (as what I have done), the estimated walking distance is about 4 to 5km. Including sight-seeing on the island, this walking distance will take you at least an hour from the West to East entrance.
3. About one kilometre next to the West entrance are food and beverage outlets, cafes and restaurant. Hence, if you are walking or cycling from the East entrance to the West entrance, you can stop by and satisfy your hunger pangs or thirst at these food and beverage outlets. Otherwise, you can always head back to the West entrance again after your trek on Coney Island.
4. From what I could describe, Coney Island is organised into three adjacent-running zones. There is a long and wide sandy route which will bring you straight from one end to the other end of the island. And then there are the tall trees and trekking paths that cover most of the island. The final zone is the beaches. There are also steps along certain parts of the beaches, which you could sit down with your family and friends and take in the beautiful water scenery in front of you. You could also see people canoeing.
5. On animals, I once read that there is a goat on Coney Island but I did not see any on my trip there. Instead, I saw a pack of three wild dogs some distance in front of me and I slowed down my pace. The pack then disappeared into the grasslands. They do not appear aggressive and if you do see them on the island, just be calm, let them finish their passing by or business and then move on.
6. There are mangrove swamps on the island for which a board walk is built over. However, the mangrove swamps are not extensive.
7. There is a region at the eastern side of the region which is closed to public at this time of writing. An Outward Bound School (OBS) is being built on Coney Island. Nevertheless, you can still proceed to head to the East Entrance via the long and wide path which I described before toward the direction of “Lorong Halus”.
8. Eastern entrance of Coney Island: I did not know what to expect as I kept walking toward the Eastern entrance. You should be able to see a white building as you near the Eastern entrance. The white building is actually Seletar Tidal Gate. The Gate controls the water and sea level just as what Marina Barrage gate does to the Marina reservoir.
9. Lorong Halus: keep walking once you reach the Eastern entrance of Coney Island to Lorong Halus. I think many will know the history of Lorong Halus where Singapore disposed of waste underground before offshore landfill Semakua Island was built. At Lorong Halus, you will see that the place there has now been transformed into a wetland with lush vegetation! There are also resting areas and toilets at Lorong Halus wetland.
10. Lorong Halus Red Bridge: just venture around at Lorong Halus wetland and you should be able to locate and walk on the photogenic Lorong Halus Red Bridge which is in the middle of a big waterway. Take pictures of the scenic waterways!
11. To Pasir Ris: if you still have the stamina to continue walking, just continue to walk along the direction of Pasir Ris Park. You will hit Pasir Ris Farmway roads. If you are observant enough, you should be able to spot one ornamental fish farm (“Aquarium Iwarna Pte Ltd”) in one of the Pasir Ris Farmway lanes (location check: you should be in Pasir Ris Farmway 3). I entered the farm and was delighted to see so many beautiful fishes after an equally satisfying trip to Coney Island!
The above trek from the West to the East of Coney Island, to Lorong Halus and then to Pasir Ris (you will end up at the Lorong Halus Park connector at Pasir Ris) took me about 2 hours 30 mins and a total walking of 10 km including sight scenery. I have not placed photos in this post because photos of Coney Island, Lorong Halus, etc are aplenty on the internet. I just find that it is more important that I share with readers here an overview and narrative of Coney Island trek and the rest, the sights and scenes are for readers to explore!
Since Year 2020 where Singapore entered into Phase 1, 2, 3 of the Covid-19 Safe Re-opening, I have been taking the opportunities to explore our lovely little island more and more. And sharing with you readers here! My previous posts include:
HOW TO WALK RAIL GREEN CORRIDOR FROM ONE END TO ANOTHER? (sgstocksinvesting.com)
HOW TO GO TO CLEMENTI FOREST? (sgstocksinvesting.com)
JURASSIC MILE, CHANGI AIRPORT: THREE WORST-KEPT SECRETS REVEALED! (sgstocksinvesting.com)
Don’t miss as I share with readers even more of the gems in Singapore!
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