Best time to visit Singapore

Kayak Through a Mangrove Forest in Singapore

Grand mangroves which rise from the northern rivers create a patch of jungles in a global city-state

Best time: February–May, October

Kayak Through a Mangrove Forest
Kayak Through a Mangrove Forest

If you decided to travel to the highly modern Singapore, jungles would be probably the last thing you could expect to find there. However, kayaking along Singaporean northern rivers named the Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil actually transfers you to a kind of rainforest, as your kayak makes its way through the grand mangroves that grow right from the water. Horseіhoe crabs and sea eagles only increase the feeling of wilderness, so strange to Singapore.

The most unusual Singapore's experience is available throughout the year, but to ensure the best impression it is advisable to choose the time out of Northeast Monsoon season between November and January as it brings too much rain and less severe Southwest Monsoon season that stretches over June to September and is remembered for extremely high temperatures. So the best time to kayak through the mainland mangrove forest is from February to May and also during October.

Practical info

When is the best time to kayak through Singapore's mangrove forest?

The ideal period to go kayaking in Singapore's mangrove forest is between February to May and October since it is too rainy with high winds during the northeast monsoon season from November to January, while the southwest monsoon season during June to September is too hot to handle. Therefore, one should avoid these two seasons and plan their visit during the mentioned ideal period. Show more

Where exactly can we find the Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil rivers?

Northern Singapore is the location where you can find the Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil rivers. The Mangrove Kayaking experience commences at Mandai Jetty, which holds the river banks of these two rivers. If you want to reach the jetty from Woodlands in Singapore's north, you can take a bus, car, or taxi to get there. Show more

How long does a typical kayaking session last?

The usual kayaking session time in Singapore's mangrove forest lasts for roughly two hours. The session offers an introduction to the forest, a trek through the woods, and finally settling into kayaks. Furthermore, the kayaking experience lasts almost an hour, and afterward, the remaining time is spent capturing images, learning about the forest's flora and fauna, and exploring the place. Show more

What types of wildlife can be seen during the kayaking experience?

The kayaking experience through Singapore's mangrove forest's Mandai rivers offers an opportunity to explore diverse wildlife. Tourists can expect to spot horseshoe crabs, kingfishers, monitor lizards, and pink dolphins, which is an endangered riverine creature exclusively found in Singapore. One can also see fiddler crabs and mud lobsters burrowing in the riverbank while sea eagles and herons soar high above. Alongside native and rare creatures, one may also come across urban animals like water monitors and otters. Show more

Is it safe for beginners to try kayaking in the mangrove forest?

Kayaking through Singapore's mangrove forest is indeed safe for beginners too. The tour operator provides safe and easy-to-handle kayaks equipped with safety equipment like helmets and life jackets. Additionally, customers receive paddling lessons alongside a safety demonstration. Professional guides accompany the group to provide security and contribute knowledge of Singapore's mangrove forest and its wildlife. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin