How to Get to Lazarus, St John’s and Kusu Island (2026 Ferry Guide)
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Most guides to Singapore’s Southern Islands will send you the wrong way.
They tell you to take the ferry to St John’s Island, then walk across the causeway to Lazarus. That stopped working in April 2025, when the St John’s jetty closed for repairs. Ferries now land at Seringat Jetty on the Lazarus side, and St John’s is the 30-minute walk instead.
That is not the only thing that has changed. Kusu Island has its own ferry rules during the pilgrimage season, Big Sister’s Island has no weekday trips with one operator, and there are now five different boats you can take, from S$12 to S$40.
I checked the current notices from the Singapore Land Authority and the Maritime and Port Authority, both ferry operators’ pages and every Klook listing. This guide shows you how to get to Lazarus Island today, which boat suits your day and what it really costs.
What Changed: You Now Land at Lazarus, Not St John’s
The St John’s Island jetty and the Kusu bumboat jetty closed on 24 April 2025 for investigation and repairs, according to the Singapore Land Authority. A port notice from April 2026 still lists the closure, with no reopening date.
Here is what that means for your day:
- Public ferries from Marina South Pier land at Seringat Jetty, on Lazarus Island.
- Lazarus Beach is now the short walk. St John’s is about 30 minutes away on foot, over the causeway.
- Singapore Island Cruise runs a loop from Marina South Pier to Lazarus, then Kusu, then back to Marina South Pier. There is no ferry from Kusu back to Lazarus, so do Lazarus and St John’s first.
Some booking pages, including one of the Klook listings below, still name St John’s as a stop. Plan on landing at Lazarus.
The 5 Ways to Get to Lazarus Island
| Option | Leaves From | Return Price (Adult) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Island Cruise ferry (Klook) | Marina South Pier | S$12 | The cheapest return trip |
| Marina South Ferries open-deck ferry (Klook) | Marina South Pier | S$12.60 | Pets, bikes and seniors |
| Albatross hop-on hop-off speedboat | Resorts World Sentosa, Ola Beach Club | S$39.90 on Klook, S$30 direct for locals | Visiting three or four islands in a day |
| YachtCruiseSG speedboat transfer | Sentosa Cove | S$25 | People staying on Sentosa |
| Marina South Ferries water taxi | Marina South Pier | S$220 per boat for up to 12 | Groups who want their own timing |
Prices checked on 23 October 2026.
1. Singapore Island Cruise Ferry — Cheapest Return Ticket
→ Get the S$12 island ferry ticket on Klook
Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services is the older of the two operators and the one most people use. The Klook ticket is a round trip for S$12 per adult and S$10 per child aged one to 12, against about S$15 at the counter. It has 4.7 out of 5 from more than 5,000 Klook reviews.
You swap the Klook voucher for a physical ticket at the Singapore Island Cruise counter (#01-04) at Marina South Pier. Arrive 25 minutes early to do that.
What it is great at:
- The lowest fare to the islands, with free cancellation on Klook until you redeem it.
- It is the only operator allowed to berth at Kusu during the pilgrimage season.
- A ticket stays valid for the next day’s return if you camp overnight.
Where it falls short:
- The last weekday ferry back from Kusu leaves at 4.15pm, which is early.
- On weekends and public holidays, boarding is first-come, first-served. The operator itself says to avoid arriving after 3pm.
- The ticket does not cover Kusu between 10 October and 8 November 2026 (see the Kusu section below).
- Weekday trips to Big Sister’s Island are suspended until further notice.
Bottom line: The default choice for a budget day on Lazarus and St John’s. Go early, and plan to leave Kusu last.
→ Book the Singapore Island Cruise ferry
2. Marina South Ferries Open-Deck Ferry — Best for Pets and Bikes
→ Get the Marina South Ferries ticket on Klook
Marina South Ferries runs open-deck boats from counter #01-03 at the same pier. Klook sells its round-trip island-hopping pass at S$12.60 per adult and S$10.65 per child (two to 12) or senior (60 and up). Buying direct costs S$15 and S$12.
The open deck is the draw. You sit outside with the wind and the skyline behind you. Pets, prams and bicycles ride free.
What it is great at:
- Pets and bicycles travel free, and Lazarus has a dog-friendly stretch at Eagle Bay.
- Seniors get the lower fare on Klook.
- If you camp, tell the staff and your return leg stays valid for the next day.
Where it falls short:
- Big Sister’s Island is not included. Reviewers mention a small top-up at the counter, but the exact fare is not published.
- No Kusu stops during the pilgrimage season.
- An open deck means you get wet if it rains on the crossing.
Bottom line: Pay the extra 60 cents if you are bringing a dog, a bike or a parent over 60. Otherwise the S$12 ticket does the same job.
3. Albatross Hop-On Hop-Off Speedboat — Best for Island Hopping
→ Check the Albatross speedboat pass on Klook
The Albatross speedboat is run by the same company as the Royal Albatross tall ship. It loops from Resorts World Sentosa and Ola Beach Club on Sentosa to Lazarus, Kusu and the Sisters’ Islands, then back. A full loop takes about an hour, and the pass gives you unlimited rides for the day.
That is the point of it. On a ferry, you see one or two islands. On the speedboat, you can swim at Lazarus in the morning, see the tortoise sanctuary at Kusu and walk the boardwalk at Big Sister’s before sunset.
Locals, book direct. Klook sells the pass at S$39.90, below the S$45 list price. But speedboat.sg showed a S$30 rate for Singapore citizens and PRs on 23 October 2026. Tourists should use Klook. Klook also has bundles with Adventure Cove Waterpark, a Shake Shack meal or lunch at the Albatross Island Restaurant.
What it is great at:
- Four islands in a day, including Big Sister’s on weekdays when the ferry does not go.
- Boarding on Sentosa, so it fits a Sentosa staycation.
- Fast. Each hop is five to 15 minutes.
Where it falls short:
- Two to three times the price of a ferry ticket.
- Hours differ between sources (10am to 7pm on the operator site, 12pm to 6pm on a reseller), so confirm on the day.
- During the Kusu pilgrimage season, only Singapore Island Cruise can berth at Kusu, so expect the speedboat to skip it until 8 November 2026.
- Children under eight must sit in the middle row with a life jacket, and the boat needs one adult per four children under 13.
Bottom line: The best way to see more than one island. Locals should take the S$30 direct rate while it lasts.
→ Book the Albatross pass on Klook
4. YachtCruiseSG Speedboat Transfer — Best From Sentosa Cove
→ Check the Sentosa Cove to Lazarus transfer on Klook
If you are staying on Sentosa, crossing back to Marina South Pier wastes an hour. This S$25 return transfer takes you from Sentosa Cove Jetty straight to Seringat Jetty on Lazarus in about 10 minutes.
It runs Tuesday to Sunday. Boats leave Sentosa Cove at 10.40am and 3pm, and return from Lazarus at 1.20pm, 3.20pm or 5.20pm. The operator assigns your return slot over WhatsApp.
What it is great at:
- The shortest crossing to Lazarus.
- Saves a trip across the island if your hotel is on Sentosa.
Where it falls short:
- Non-refundable. Bad weather gets you a reschedule within a month, not your money back.
- Only two outbound times and no Monday service.
- Open to ages three to 70 only, and has just five Klook reviews so far.
Bottom line: Worth it for Sentosa hotel guests. Everyone else should take the S$12 ferry.
→ Book the YachtCruiseSG transfer
5. Private Water Taxi — Best for Groups of 10 to 12
Marina South Ferries also runs a water taxi for up to 12 people. A return trip to one island costs S$220, which is about S$18 a head for a full boat. Two islands cost S$330. Trips between 8pm and 8am add S$120 each way.
Book 48 hours ahead with a 20% deposit. For a big birthday or a family BBQ, this beats queuing for a public ferry on a Saturday.
How to Get to Lazarus Island: Step by Step
Step 1 — Get to Marina South Pier (20–40 minutes)
Take the North-South Line to Marina South Pier station (NS28) and use Exit B. The pier is right there. Parking at the pier is very limited, so drivers should use the Marina Bay Cruise Centre car park, about 10 minutes’ walk away.
Step 2 — Swap your voucher for a ticket (10 minutes)
Go to your operator’s counter: Singapore Island Cruise at #01-04 or Marina South Ferries at #01-03. Show the Klook voucher and collect a physical ticket. Arrive 25 minutes before you want to sail.
Step 3 — Cross to Seringat Jetty (about 30 minutes)
Reviewers put the crossing at 20 to 30 minutes. Both operators publish their timetables only as images, and departures are not every hour, so check the board at the counter and photograph it.
Step 4 — Lazarus first, then St John’s
From Seringat Jetty, walk to Lazarus Beach for the swim. If you want St John’s, budget about 30 minutes each way over the causeway. Bring a trolley rather than a stroller if you are carrying BBQ gear.
Step 5 — Head back before the last ferry
The confirmed last weekday ferry back from Kusu with Singapore Island Cruise leaves at 4.15pm. Ask at the counter for the last boat from Lazarus on your day, and aim to be at the jetty 20 minutes early. Weekend boats fill up.
Kusu Island and the Pilgrimage Season (10 October to 8 November 2026)
Kusu Island is home to the Da Bo Gong (Tua Pek Kong) temple and a Malay keramat at the top of 152 steps. During the ninth lunar month, tens of thousands of devotees visit, and the ferry rules change.
For 2026, the Kusu Pilgrimage Season runs from 10 October to 8 November, according to SLA’s announcement as reported by MissLobang and Little Big Red Dot:
- Only Singapore Island Cruise ferries may berth at Kusu. Regular Klook ferry tickets do not cover Kusu during these dates.
- Pilgrimage fares are S$16 for adults on weekdays, S$18 on weekends and public holidays, and S$12 for children aged one to 12. These are Kusu-only and non-refundable.
- Ferries run hourly from 7am, with the last one out at 5pm and the last one back from Kusu at 7pm.
- SLA asks visitors to go on weekdays. Expect long queues on weekends, especially the final weekend.
- No pets and no overnight stays on Kusu.
Normal ferry service, including regular Kusu stops, resumes on 9 November 2026. If you want a quiet visit to the tortoise sanctuary, wait until then.
Big Sister’s Island: The One People Miss
Big Sister’s Island reopened in October 2024 as part of the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. It has a tidal pool you can snorkel at low tide, a floating boardwalk and a short coastal forest trail with a viewing deck.
It is the hardest island to reach:
- Open 7am to 7pm, closed on the first and third Wednesday of every month.
- Singapore Island Cruise has suspended weekday trips until further notice. On weekdays, take the Albatross speedboat.
- There is no snorkel rental and no water cooler. Bring everything.
- Do not swim in the channel between the two Sisters’ islands. The current is strong.
NParks runs a free monthly guided walk on Big Sister’s for up to 30 people. You buy your own ferry ticket and take the 9am boat.
What a Day on the Islands Costs
| Group | Singapore Island Cruise (Klook) | Marina South Ferries (direct) | Albatross (Klook) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple | S$24 | S$30 | S$79.80 (S$60 direct for locals) |
| Family of four (two kids aged 2–12) | S$44 | S$54 | Child price not listed |
| Group of 12 | S$144 | S$180 | S$478.80 |
For 12 people, the S$220 water taxi costs only S$76 more than the cheapest ferry and lets you pick your own times.
Add MRT fares and whatever food you bring. There is nothing to buy on St John’s or Kusu.
What to Bring
Food and water. St John’s and Kusu have no shops or food stalls. Lazarus has a small convenience store, but SLA says it only opens Friday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
A bag you can close. Long-tailed macaques on the islands snatch food. Do not feed them, and picnic away from trees.
First aid. There are no medical services on any of the islands. SLA has posted box jellyfish advisories, so pack vinegar and know the sting first aid.
BBQ gear, if you want it. St John’s and Kusu have BBQ pits, first-come, first-served. Open fires are not allowed.
A camping permit, if you are staying. Camping is only allowed in designated areas with an SLA permit, applied for at least 14 days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct ferry to Lazarus Island?
Yes. While the St John’s jetty is closed, public ferries from Marina South Pier land at Seringat Jetty, which is on the Lazarus side. From there, Lazarus Beach is a short walk. There is also a direct speedboat from Sentosa Cove for S$25 return.
Can I walk from Lazarus to St John’s Island?
Yes, over the causeway. SLA puts the walk from Seringat Jetty to St John’s at about 30 minutes. It is flat, but hard going with a stroller or heavy BBQ gear in the midday sun.
How much is the ferry to St John’s and Lazarus Island?
The cheapest return ticket is S$12 per adult and S$10 per child on Klook, with Singapore Island Cruise. Marina South Ferries charges S$15 and S$12 direct, or S$12.60 and S$10.65 on Klook. All tickets are round trips.
What time is the last ferry back from the Southern Islands?
The confirmed last weekday ferry from Kusu with Singapore Island Cruise leaves at 4.15pm. Times from Lazarus vary by operator and day, and both operators publish their timetables only as images, so check the board at Marina South Pier and photograph it before you sail.
Can I go to Kusu Island during the pilgrimage season?
Yes, but only on Singapore Island Cruise’s special pilgrimage ferries, from 10 October to 8 November 2026. Fares are S$16 on weekdays and S$18 on weekends for adults. Regular Klook ferry tickets do not cover Kusu during these dates.
Can I bring my dog to Lazarus Island?
Yes. Marina South Ferries carries pets for free, and the Albatross speedboat allows pets too. Lazarus has a dog-friendly area at Eagle Bay. Pets are not allowed on Kusu during the pilgrimage season.
Final Thoughts
Getting to Lazarus Island is cheap and easy once you know the new route. Take the MRT to Marina South Pier, show a S$12 ticket and land at Seringat Jetty in about half an hour. Do Lazarus and St John’s first, and be back at the jetty early.
If you want to see more than one island, the Albatross speedboat is the better day out. Locals should check the S$30 direct rate before booking.
New to Klook? Sign up with the DLCuration Klook referral link first to get a S$5 promo code, which more than covers a ferry ticket.
→ Get the S$12 Southern Islands ferry ticket
Been to Lazarus since the jetty change? Let me know how long the queue was in the comments.
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