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kusu
island introduction | reefwalk
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Kusu
Island 8.5ha, coral reefs and sandy shores, interesting temples, swimming lagoons. Uniquely Singapore! The reefs of Kusu Island are only 15 minutes from the city centre by fast boat! More about our city reefs. Legends of Kusu Many legends surround the island, most referring to a magical giant turtle turning itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors - a Malay and a Chinese. It is said the grateful sailors returned to the island to give thanks and others continued the tradition. Before Kusu was reclaimed, some people say it looked like a turtle. Made up of two ridges on a reef, one ridge the head, and the other (where the hilltop is now) the back of the turtle. Kusu, however, has since been reclaimed into an 8.5ha holiday resort. There are now three Malay shrines or "keramats" and a Chinese temple on Kusu Island. Nearby, the Tortoise Sanctuary houses hundreds of tortoises. History of Kusu Kusu Island was called Pulau Tembakul in the past. It used to be a burial site of immigrants who died in quarantine on St. John's and Lazarus Islands. What to see and do? Kusu Island is well developed today, mainly to support the steady stream of worshippers to the shrines on the island. On the ninth month of lunar calendar, about 130,000 people still throng the island's Da Ba Gong Temple (or Temple of the Merchant God). The island with its two swimming lagoons is also a popular destination for day-trippers to enjoy the sun and sand. Marine life of Kusu Island Kusu is ringed by reefs with a bewildering variety of hard and soft corals. Commonly encountered animals include clown anemonefish, anemone shrimps, and a wide variety of other fishes and crabs seldom seen on other Southern Shores. Photo gallery of intertidal marine life on Kusu.  Let the Blue Water Volunteers show you Kusu's reefs! The best way to see marine life on Kusu Island is to join the Blue Water Volunteers guided reefwalk. Getting there There is a daily ferry from Marina South Pier currently provided by Singapore Island Cruise, see their website for their latest charges and ferry schedule. You can also hire a fast work boat from Marina South Pier. Rates will have to be negotiated with the operator. The work boats operate 24-hours, but the booking desks at the Pier only opens during office hours. |
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Links General description
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a nature event? Blue Water Volunteers walks, talks Hantu Bloggers guided dives Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research workshops for schools Creative Kids family groups field trips for schools Subaraj Rajathurai nature guide Joseph Lai nature guide |