Singapore’s Southern Islands are finally back on many travelers’ radar, but buying the right ferry ticket has become more complicated since St John’s main jetty closed for repairs and services shifted to Seringat Jetty on Lazarus. This guide walks you through the current ticket types, island-hopping passes and Big Sister’s access so you can buy with confidence and step straight onto the right boat.
How Southern Islands ferries work today
Most visitors reach the Southern Islands by public ferry from Marina South Pier, a small terminal at the southern edge of the city. Two main operators handle the bulk of leisure traffic: Singapore Island Cruise and Marina South Ferries. Both run scheduled services that loop between Marina South Pier and the main islands open to the public such as St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu, with selected trips including Big Sister’s Island in the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.
Since April 2025, St John’s main jetty has been temporarily closed for essential repair works. Current public ferries no longer berth at the usual St John’s pier. Instead, they use Seringat Jetty on Lazarus Island, which is linked to St John’s by a short causeway-style bridge. In practice this means that when your ticket says “St John’s / Lazarus” you will disembark at Seringat Jetty and can walk across to St John’s on foot.
Most island-hopping tickets are sold as two-way passes rather than rigid return tickets. A typical day-trip ticket allows you to depart once from Marina South Pier, hop between designated islands on the same operator’s schedule, and then return on any listed boat later that afternoon. The headline price for a basic island-hopping pass is often around the mid-teens in Singapore dollars for adults, with slightly lower child and senior fares.
Because several different platforms resell the same physical ferry services, you may see the same pass offered on Marina South Ferries’ own website, on major travel platforms, and on hotel concierge desks. The underlying boats and jetties are identical. The key differences usually lie in pricing, rescheduling flexibility and whether Big Sister’s Island or Sentosa departures are included.
Return tickets vs multi-island hopping passes
For Southern Islands visitors there are two broad ticket styles: simple return tickets to a single island and multi-island hopping passes. A basic return works best if you only want quiet beach time on one island and do not care about seeing the shrines on Kusu or walking the causeways between Lazarus and St John’s. These simple returns are often slightly cheaper and are sometimes marketed as “round-trip ferry to St John’s and Lazarus” without separate stopovers on other islands.
Multi-island hopping passes offer far more flexibility. A common Southern Islands pass sold via Marina South Ferries and major online platforms gives you same-day access to St John’s / Lazarus and Kusu Island on any scheduled service, allowing you to step off and back on at each stop. Prices fluctuate slightly by sales channel, but at the pier level adults typically pay in the mid-teens, while children and seniors pay a couple of dollars less. Some passes bundle priority boarding or promotional extras, but the core inclusion is simply unlimited hops between the participating islands for that calendar day.
For a family of four, the math usually favors an island-hopping pass. For example, a family package sold through Marina South Ferries for two adults and two children is usually priced below the cost of four separate adult returns if you were to buy on the day. This makes it attractive for travelers who want to start on Lazarus’ long white sand arc, break for a picnic at St John’s shady lawns, then end the afternoon visiting the island temple complex on Kusu before sailing back to Marina South Pier.
If you are staying near Marina Bay or Chinatown and have only one half-day free, a simple return to St John’s / Lazarus can still be worthwhile. You board once, get off at Seringat Jetty and spend three to four relaxed hours on the beach before catching a mid-afternoon or last-boat return. You sacrifice Kusu and any temple visit, but you also avoid clock-watching for multiple departure times.
Big Sister’s Island access and special tickets
Big Sister’s Island, part of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, reopened to the public after several years of enhancement works, and now features a forest trail and lagoon-style tidal pool as key draws. Access is tightly managed to protect the marine environment. The island is generally open during daylight hours but is closed on specific weekdays each month, and visitor numbers are capped on scheduled days. Small Sister’s Island remains closed for conservation and research.
Only selected public ferry services include Big Sister’s as part of a regular island-hopping route. On Marina South Ferries, for example, standard island-hopping passes explicitly exclude Sisters’ Islands, while a separate “with Sisters’” ticket category appears on certain departure days. When you see language such as “Sisters’ not included” on a ticket description, it means your boat will not call at Big Sister’s at all, and you cannot simply remain onboard and expect to land there.
Expect Big Sister’s inclusive tickets to cost more than basic St John’s / Lazarus / Kusu passes. The higher price reflects both the extra cruising time and the stricter capacity limits imposed by park authorities. In practice, these tickets tend to sell out faster on weekends, public holidays and school breaks. If snorkeling in the lagoon pool or walking the new coastal trail is a priority, you should search specifically for “Sisters’ Islands Marine Park” or “Big Sister’s Island” on booking platforms rather than assuming all Southern Islands passes include it.
There are also occasional guided or chartered trips that pair Big Sister’s with St John’s or heritage-focused tours, sometimes announced as part of museum or festival programs. These are not day-to-day commuter ferries but special departures with fixed itineraries and guides, often at significantly higher prices per person. Independent travelers focused on price and flexibility will usually prefer the standard public ferries unless a particular guided experience strongly appeals.
Seringat Jetty, St John’s closure and how it affects your route
The temporary closure of St John’s main jetty has changed how island-hopping works on the ground. All regular public ferries that advertise St John’s access currently berth at Seringat Jetty on Lazarus Island, which is connected via reclaimed land and a short bridge to St John’s. For visitors this means a few concrete implications: you will walk slightly farther to reach St John’s central lawns, and all crowds for both islands now funnel through the same landing point.
When you step off at Seringat Jetty, you are technically on Lazarus / Seringat. Many travelers head first to Lazarus’ main beach, a long crescent reachable within 10 to 15 minutes on foot. If your main goal is the quieter coves on St John’s itself, allow roughly 20 minutes to walk across the bridge and follow the main paved paths to the old quarantine buildings and picnic fields. The path is easy and mostly flat, but it can feel exposed around midday, so bring sun protection and water.
Because all St John’s traffic now uses one jetty, peak weekend sailings can feel congested at arrival and departure times. Operators sometimes hold boats offshore briefly while waiting for jetty space to clear. From a ticketing perspective, nothing changes: your pass is still valid for a two-way trip between Marina South Pier and the islands on that day. Operationally, you should simply build in an extra ten to fifteen minutes at each end of the day in case of queues forming on the jetty.
If you previously visited St John’s when ferries docked directly at the main pier, do not be surprised that route maps, signs and Google search results still show the old pattern. Always check the latest notices on your ticket confirmation, which will explicitly mention rerouting to Seringat Jetty while repairs at St John’s continue. The change does not add an extra sea leg or surcharge, but it does subtly change how you plan your walking time between beaches, picnic spots and departure points.
Comparing operators, departure points and Sentosa alternatives
From a traveler’s perspective, the choice usually comes down to two public operators from Marina South Pier, plus a handful of smaller charter and water taxi providers that also tap into Sentosa. Singapore Island Cruise is the long-established operator on the basic St John’s and Kusu route, while Marina South Ferries has positioned itself heavily around island-hopping passes and open-deck boats serving St John’s / Lazarus, Kusu and, on selected dates, Sisters’ Islands.
Both main operators depart from the same pier building at Marina South Pier, roughly 30 minutes from central Singapore by MRT and a short walk. Schedules differ slightly, but on a typical weekend you will see morning departures starting mid-morning, with return boats in the mid to late afternoon. Tickets bought directly from operators are usually denominated in Singapore dollars and may offer child and senior discounts that mirror or slightly improve on resellers’ rates.
Sentosa adds another twist. Marina South Ferries runs private water taxi services that can depart from Sentosa Jetty at Cove Village instead of Marina South Pier, at a higher charter-style rate that is best suited to small groups or those staying in luxury Sentosa resorts. These services are priced per boat rather than per person, with a two-way trip between Sentosa and one Southern Island costing in the low hundreds of Singapore dollars, plus a small surcharge for embarking or disembarking at Sentosa. Compared to a public ferry, this is a premium convenience product rather than a budget option.
For most independent travelers, the most economical and straightforward option remains a standard island-hopping pass from Marina South Pier. Sentosa-based visitors typically still ride the Sentosa Express or local buses back to the mainland and then take the MRT to Marina South Pier to catch a public boat. Even factoring in transit time, this usually comes in far cheaper than chartering a private water taxi, unless you are splitting the cost among a larger group and value the door-to-door simplicity from your Sentosa hotel.
Child, senior fares, e-tickets and rescheduling rules
Public ferry operators on the Southern Islands route offer differentiated pricing for children and seniors. A common structure on Marina South Ferries, for example, is a standard adult fare in the mid-teens, with child and senior tickets a few dollars cheaper. Children under two often ride for free as “infants” when accompanied by a paying adult, but you should always check age brackets because definitions vary slightly between operators and booking platforms.
Many operators bundle family packages that effectively discount one or more child fares. A typical example is a “2 adults + 2 children” bundle priced at less than the equivalent of four individual adult tickets. If you are visiting as a multi-generational group, it can sometimes be cheaper to buy individual adult, child and senior tickets instead of a family pack, so it is worth running the numbers for your specific group composition on the booking page before paying.
E-tickets are now the default sales channel. When booking through an operator’s website or a major travel platform, you will receive a mobile voucher or QR code, which you then exchange for a physical boarding pass at the operator’s booth inside Marina South Pier. For instance, some island-hopping vouchers require you to find a bright yellow ticket counter outside the Marina South Ferries office at unit 01-03. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow time for this exchange, especially on weekends or during school holidays when queues can be long.
Rescheduling policies have become more flexible but still include cut-off times. Marina South Ferries, for example, currently allows free rescheduling provided you give at least 12 hours’ notice before your booked time, while same-day no-shows are normally treated as forfeited. Third-party platforms sometimes layer their own rules on top, so a ticket bought via a global booking site may have different cancellation terms even though the underlying boat is the same. If your dates are uncertain, booking directly with an operator that offers hassle-free changes can save you stress if thunderstorms or family illness force a last-minute switch.
Planning your ferry sequence and time on the islands
Because current passes let you hop between islands on a single day, thinking through your sequence can make the difference between a rushed scramble and a relaxed day out. A classic route on a weekend might be: early departure from Marina South Pier to Seringat Jetty, a late morning swim and picnic on Lazarus’ main beach, a mid-afternoon hop over to Kusu Island to explore the Chinese temple and Malay shrines, then a final boat back to the mainland in the late afternoon.
Families with young children often prioritize minimizing walking in the hottest hours. One practical strategy is to land at Seringat Jetty, walk straight across to the shadier lawns on St John’s for an early picnic under the trees, then head to Lazarus beach later in the afternoon when the sun is lower and sand is less scorching. You can then either return to Seringat Jetty for a direct ride back to Marina South Pier or, if your ticket includes it and the timing aligns, continue to Kusu for a short cultural stop before the final sailing.
If you secured a ticket that includes Big Sister’s Island, your route will typically be more structured. Operators usually publish a specific schedule that slots Sisters’ between other islands, with limited time windows for snorkeling and walking the lagoon trail. In that case you should treat Big Sister’s as the anchor of your day and adjust time on Lazarus, St John’s and Kusu around the fixed Sisters’ arrival and departure times. Because visitor numbers on Big Sister’s are controlled, late arrival at the departure pier may mean you lose your spot entirely.
Keep seasonal daylight and Singapore’s equatorial weather in mind. The last public ferries from the Southern Islands to Marina South Pier usually leave before nightfall. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially from November to January. If thunderstorms roll in, expect departures to be delayed or bumpy, and bring waterproof bags for phones and cameras. From a ticket perspective, ferries generally continue operating once conditions improve, but they rarely extend sailing hours beyond the published last boat, so missing your intended departure can shorten your time on subsequent islands.
The Takeaway
Southern Islands ferry tickets may look confusing at first glance, but most travelers only need to answer three questions before buying. First, are you happy with a basic St John’s / Lazarus and Kusu loop, or is Big Sister’s Island a must-see? Second, do you prefer the simplicity of a single return ticket or the freedom of a multi-island hopping pass? Third, are you willing to travel out to Marina South Pier for the best-value public ferries, or are you prepared to pay a premium for a private water taxi from Sentosa?
For most visitors, a standard island-hopping pass from Marina South Pier, giving same-day access to Seringat Jetty for St John’s and Lazarus plus Kusu Island, hits the sweet spot of price and flexibility. Families should look for child, senior and family bundle fares, while those with fixed travel dates benefit from operators that allow free rescheduling up to the day before sailing. Travelers who have already explored Sentosa’s manufactured beaches will often find that Lazarus’ long natural arc and St John’s quiet lawns justify the extra effort of getting to Marina South Pier.
As long as St John’s main jetty remains under repair, remember that all public ferries land at Seringat Jetty on Lazarus and factor in walking time between jetty, beaches and lawns. Check current notices for any Big Sister’s closures or capacity limits on your intended date. With a little planning and the right ticket in hand, Singapore’s Southern Islands deliver a surprisingly wild slice of sea, sand and heritage within sight of the city’s skyline.
FAQ
Q1. What is the cheapest way to visit Singapore’s Southern Islands right now?
The best-value option is usually a standard island-hopping pass from Marina South Pier that covers St John’s / Lazarus via Seringat Jetty and Kusu Island on public ferries.
Q2. Do I need a special ticket to land on Big Sister’s Island?
Yes. Only certain tickets and departures include Big Sister’s, and standard island-hopping passes often exclude Sisters’ Islands altogether, so you must book a specific Sisters-inclusive option.
Q3. How has the closure of St John’s main jetty changed things for visitors?
All public ferries now use Seringat Jetty on Lazarus Island, so you land there and walk across to St John’s. Your ticket type and price remain the same, but you should allow extra walking time.
Q4. Are there separate child and senior fares for the ferries?
Yes. Most operators offer discounted fares for children below a set age and seniors above a certain age, plus free or heavily discounted travel for infants, though exact age brackets vary.
Q5. Can I use a mobile e-ticket, or must I print my ferry pass?
Most bookings issue a mobile voucher or QR code, which you exchange for a physical boarding pass at the operator’s counter in Marina South Pier. Printing is usually not required.
Q6. How flexible are rescheduling and cancellations?
Policies differ, but many operators permit free date or time changes if you request them at least several hours in advance. Same-day no-shows are typically non-refundable.
Q7. Is it better to start my day at Lazarus, St John’s or Kusu?
If you want quieter beaches, start early at Lazarus via Seringat Jetty and move to Kusu later. Families who prefer shade often begin with a picnic on St John’s lawns before hitting the sand.
Q8. Are there ferries to the Southern Islands from Sentosa?
There are private water taxis that can depart from Sentosa Jetty at Cove Village, but they are priced per boat and cost far more than public ferries from Marina South Pier.
Q9. How long should I allow for an island-hopping day trip?
Most travelers allow five to seven hours, including the boat rides, walking time from Seringat Jetty to beaches and lawns, and at least one stop on Kusu Island before returning.
Q10. Do ferries still run in bad weather?
Services may be delayed during heavy rain, thunderstorms or rough seas, but operators typically resume sailings once conditions improve. They rarely extend operations beyond the published last boat, so always plan conservatively.