Pasir Ris and Punggol sit on the north-east and east edges of the island, and between them they hold a mangrove, a waterway that runs between HDB blocks and an island park. We'd start on the Pasir Ris boardwalk at 7am, while the light is soft and the birds are busy, then eat breakfast at the hawker centre and take the bus across to Punggol.
Every stop is free to enter. Pasir Ris Park and Punggol Waterway Park never close, and Coney Island Park shuts at 7pm, so any day works. Carry water, wear covered shoes for the island and eat before you cross. Our guide to the Punggol Waterway at sunrise shows the same bridges in the early light.
Where to start
Pasir Ris MRT (EW1)
When to go
Morning, start by 7am
Stop by stop
We'd do these in order, and each linked stop has its price and directions.
7:00 AM
The mangrove boardwalk
NParks lists Pasir Ris MRT as the station for Pasir Ris Park, a 70-hectare park open 24 hours. Walk the boardwalk through the 6-hectare mangrove and climb the birdwatching tower, where the White-collared Kingfisher and Black-naped Oriole turn up. Give it about 90 minutes.
8:30 AM
Breakfast at Pasir Ris Central
Pasir Ris Central Hawker is at 110 Pasir Ris Central, with about 42 cooked-food stalls. Stall hours vary, so check the one you want before you go. Eat properly here, because the next three stops are outdoors and the bus ride takes around 40 minutes.
10:00 AM
Three bridges at Punggol
SBS Transit's Service 39 links Pasir Ris and Punggol, and LTA puts the bus trip at around 40 minutes. Punggol Waterway Park runs along Sentul Crescent, with Punggol MRT and Damai LRT the nearest stations. Cross the Jewel, Kelong and Sunrise Bridges and look for the old Punggol Road bus stop.
11:30 AM
Coney Island Park
A park connector runs on from the waterway toward Coney Island Park, 81 hectares open 7am to 7pm. Use the west entrance near Punggol Point Walk. NParks lists Punggol Coast MRT as the nearest station and no carpark on the island. Give it 90 minutes and head back before the midday heat.
Save for another day
- Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, 1.2km of lookouts over Serangoon Reservoir with food and drink at Tebing Lane
- An SG Bike ride along the waterway, from the docks beside the path
- Wild Wild Wet, the ticketed water park next to Pasir Ris Park
Before you go
Book ahead where you need to, and turn up for the rest.
Pasir Ris ParkPasir Ris · FreeGo
Pasir Ris Central HawkerPasir Ris · FreeGo
Punggol Waterway ParkPunggol · FreeGoPunggol Promenade Riverside WalkPunggol · FreeGo
Coney Island ParkConey Island · FreeGoPasir Ris to Punggol questions
Can I get from Pasir Ris to Punggol by MRT?
Not directly. LTA describes today's journey as a bus ride of around 40 minutes, and SBS Transit's Service 39 links Pasir Ris, Punggol and Yishun. LTA's Cross Island Line extension will add a train link between the two stations, with Pasir Ris and Punggol as interchanges. Check the stop in a transit app before you set out.
Is the Pasir Ris to Punggol route open every day?
Yes, with one deadline. NParks lists Pasir Ris Park and Punggol Waterway Park as open 24 hours and Coney Island Park as open 7am to 7pm. NParks posts closures and trail notices on each park's page, so read them before you leave home.
How do I enter Coney Island Park from Punggol?
Use the west entrance near Punggol Point Walk and Punggol Promenade, or the east entrance near Lorong Halus Wetland. NParks lists no carparks on the island, so the nearest is at Punggol Settlement. The terrain is rugged in places and may not suit young children or anyone with mobility issues.
Where can I eat on the Pasir Ris to Punggol route?
Start at Pasir Ris Central Hawker before the bus ride. In Punggol, NParks says a cluster of food and drink outlets sits at Tebing Lane beside the Riverside Walk, which is a separate walk from the waterway. Eat before you cross to Coney Island Park.
Stories from along the way
Longer reads on the places you'll pass through.
