Quick answer: Lazarus Island is one of Singapore’s Southern Islands, joined to St John’s Island by a causeway, with a sheltered, curved beach and calm water. Food options on the island are limited, so the easiest way to enjoy it is by private yacht: anchor off the beach, swim, paddle, and eat on board. Seawind sails there from One°15 Marina, Sentosa Cove.
Ask most people in Singapore where to find a quiet beach and they will say Sentosa. Ask someone who owns a boat and they will say Lazarus.
Lazarus Island sits a short cruise south of the city, in the same cluster as St John’s, Kusu and the Sisters’ Islands. It has a soft, curved beach, shallow water in the bay, and on most weekdays very few people. It feels much further from Marina Bay than it really is.
Where Lazarus Island is
Lazarus Island lies in the Singapore Strait, south of the main island. Its old Malay name is Pulau Sekijang Pelepah, which roughly means “island of a deer and palms”. A man-made causeway links it to St John’s Island, and a sand bank joins it to neighbouring Pulau Seringat.
The Singapore Land Authority manages Lazarus, St John’s and Kusu as state land. There is no road link to the mainland, so every visitor arrives by boat. You can read the official visitor guidance on the SLA island visitor page.
How to get to Lazarus Island
By public ferry from Marina South Pier
Scheduled ferries leave Marina South Pier for St John’s and Kusu. SLA has closed the St John’s Island jetty for repairs since 24 April 2025. While the works run, ferries dock at Seringat jetty instead, which puts you on the Lazarus side of the causeway. You still work to a fixed timetable and carry your food, water and gear for the whole day.
Check the ferry operator’s current schedule before you go. The jetty arrangement is temporary and may change once repairs finish.
By private yacht
A private charter skips the pier and the timetable. You board at the marina, cruise out, and anchor in the bay off the beach. The yacht stays with you all day, so shade, cold drinks and a bathroom are never more than a short swim away.
What you will and won’t find on the island
Lazarus is quiet because it is barely developed. According to SLA, a small convenience store on Lazarus opens Friday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, selling essentials and ready-to-eat meals. On weekdays there is nothing to buy. There are no restaurants, and SLA says there are no medical services on any of the islands.
- No open fires are allowed on the islands. BBQ pits exist on St John’s and Kusu, first come, first served.
- Overnight camping is only allowed in designated areas, with a permit applied for at least 14 days ahead.
- Bins are limited, so bag your rubbish and take it back with you.
- Treat the beach as unsupervised. Swim with care and keep children close.
So the beach stays wild. On a charter, the comfort waits a short swim offshore.
Why go by private yacht
You can do Lazarus on a ferry ticket. A day on open sand with a ferry to catch feels very different from a day with a boat at anchor.
- Anchor right off the beach. The yacht becomes your beach club, with shade, cold drinks and a bathroom on board.
- Swim straight from the platform. Seawind’s swim platform lowers into the water, so getting in and out is easy for everyone.
- Bring the toys. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a floating water mat are on board.
- Eat on your schedule. A BBQ or a private chef serves lunch on deck while the island stays in view.
- Cool off inside. The saloon is air-conditioned, which matters on a hot afternoon.
Seawind is a 75 ft S07 Spider by MandaYachts, built in Italy in 2025. The model won “Reveal of the Year” at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024. It has a 6.1 m beam, 3+1 cabins and room for up to 40 guests, which suits a big family day or a corporate outing. Every charter is private, with an MPA-licensed captain and uniformed crew.
A typical Lazarus Island charter
- Board at One°15 Marina. Meet the crew, settle in, and cast off from Sentosa Cove.
- Cruise the Southern Islands. The route passes St John’s, Lazarus and the Sisters’ Islands with the city skyline behind you.
- Anchor off Lazarus. Swim, paddle to the beach, or stay on the sunpad with a drink.
- Lunch or an early dinner on board. Choose the Surf & Turf BBQ or the chef-on-board menus.
- Sunset run home. Time the return for golden hour and arrive back at the marina as the lights come on.
The captain confirms the final route up to 3 days before your charter, based on weather and sea conditions. If it is your first time on a yacht, our first-timer’s guide covers what to expect on the day.
Reefs and marine life around Lazarus
The Straits Times reported in 2024 that 97 coral species have been recorded on the reefs off Lazarus. The southern part of the island also has a rare rocky shore, a large intertidal lagoon and one of Singapore’s largest mature secondary coastal forests.
Because of this, the government plans to make Lazarus South and Kusu Reef Singapore’s second marine park, after Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. The URA Master Plan 2025 confirms the plan, with NParks studying the boundaries.
For guests, this means a few simple habits. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Don’t stand on coral or take shells and animals. Keep paddleboards and kayaks off shallow reef flats at low tide.
Best time to go
Weekdays are the quietest. Weekend ferries bring more day-trippers to the beach.
Mornings and early afternoons usually bring the calmest water for swimming. If you want both the beach and the sunset, a late-morning or midday departure with a return around sunset gives you the full day in one charter. In Singapore, the sun sets around 7pm for most of the year. Our sunset cruise guide has more on timing the skyline.
Safety on the water
SLA has posted advisories on the Southern Islands after sightings of box jellyfish in Singapore waters. The advisories explain how to spot a sting and give basic first aid. Most days you can swim as normal. Look at the water before you jump in and follow the crew’s advice.
On Seawind, life jackets are on board for every guest, and children should always swim with an adult.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- A waterproof phone pouch for photos from the water
- Your playlist: the yacht has a sound system
Water and ice are on board. You can add food and a free-flow bar (S$100 per guest) when you book. Halal options are available.
How much a Lazarus Island yacht charter costs
The whole yacht is yours, and the rate depends on the day and group size. Weekday charters (Monday to Thursday) start from S$3,500 and weekends or public holidays from S$4,000 for up to 15 guests. Larger groups of 35 to 40 guests run up to S$6,000 on weekdays and S$6,500 on weekends.
Until 31 October 2026, an opening promotion starts from S$2,500 on weekdays and S$2,800 on weekends for up to 10 guests. See the full rate table for extra guests and extra hours. For a wider comparison of options, read our yacht charter Singapore guide.
Want Lazarus Island to yourselves? Tell us your date and we will plan the route. We reply within 2 hours, and booking 7 to 14 days ahead gives you the best choice of dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lazarus Island open to the public?
Yes. It is state land managed by SLA and open to visitors. Public ferries run from Marina South Pier, and private boats can anchor off the beach.
Can we go onto the beach from the yacht?
Yes. Guests usually swim or paddle in from the anchored yacht. Ask the crew on the day, as it depends on sea conditions.
Is there food on Lazarus Island?
Only a little. A convenience store opens Friday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, and there are no restaurants. On a charter, you can add a BBQ, a private chef or a free-flow bar, so lunch is sorted before you leave the marina.
Does Lazarus Island have toilets?
Facilities on the islands are basic. On a yacht charter you have a bathroom on board all day, a short swim from the beach.
Can you stay overnight on Lazarus Island?
Camping is only allowed in designated areas with an SLA permit, applied for at least 14 days in advance. Seawind charters are day trips that return to One°15 Marina.
Is Lazarus Island good for children?
The bay is usually calm, and life jackets are on board for every guest. Treat the beach as unsupervised: children should always swim with an adult.
How long does it take to get there?
It is a short cruise from Sentosa Cove. The captain plans timing around your charter length and the weather.
Can we combine Lazarus with a sunset cruise?
Yes. It is our most popular plan: islands and swimming first, then the skyline at sunset on the way back.