North-Eastern Islands Planning Area, Singapore

The North-Eastern Islands Planning Area (Simplified Chinese: 东北群岛, Traditional Chinese: 東北群島, Pinyin: Dōngběi Qúndǎo, Malay: Kepulauan Timur Laut, Tamil: வடகிழக்கு தீவுகள்) is one of the planning areas of Singapore, located outside the main island. As its name suggests, it encompasses the islands situated off the north-eastern coast of Singapore. These include Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong, and a number of smaller islets. Covering a combined area of about 42.8 square kilometres, the planning area had a very small resident population, recorded at just 40 people as of 2020¹.

History of the North-Eastern Islands

Historically, both Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong were inhabited fishing and farming communities. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Pulau Ubin developed a granite quarrying industry that supplied stone for early Singapore construction, while Pulau Tekong supported coconut and rubber plantations. Over the decades, mainland resettlement policies reduced their populations, and by the 1980s, most kampung (village) communities had been relocated.

Name and Pronunciation

The name “North-Eastern Islands” refers to their geographic position relative to mainland Singapore. The term is pronounced /nɔːrθ ˈiːstərn ˈaɪləndz/ in English. In Malay, the islands are known as Kepulauan Timur Laut, literally “northeast islands.”

Geography and Boundaries

This planning area covers Pulau Ubin to the northwest, Pulau Tekong to the east, and surrounding islets including Pulau Sekudu and Pulau Ketam. It lies across the Straits of Johor, near the Malaysian state of Johor’s southern coast. The islands are accessible only by boat, with Pulau Ubin being reachable by bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

Transport and Accessibility

Unlike mainland planning areas, the North-Eastern Islands are not connected to the MRT network or major expressways. Transport options include:

Pulau Ubin: Accessible via bumboats from Changi Point Ferry Terminal.
Pulau Tekong: Restricted to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) ferries for National Service training purposes; no public access is allowed.

Movement on Pulau Ubin is largely by bicycle, walking, or van transport. Pulau Tekong is off-limits to civilians due to its use as a military training base.

Land Use and Development

Pulau Ubin has been conserved as a nature and heritage site, retaining its kampung charm, rustic tracks, and biodiversity-rich areas such as Chek Jawa Wetlands. Pulau Tekong, on the other hand, is primarily reserved for Singapore’s National Service training facilities. The smaller islets remain undeveloped and serve as ecological and marine habitats.

Residential and Population

As of 2020, the North-Eastern Islands collectively had only about 40 residents, mainly on Pulau Ubin. These are long-term villagers who chose to remain even after government resettlement initiatives. Their presence preserves the island’s unique cultural atmosphere. Pulau Tekong has no permanent civilian residents, being used exclusively for military purposes.

Recreation and Attractions

Pulau Ubin is the main recreational destination in the North-Eastern Islands. Popular attractions include:

Chek Jawa Wetlands – a unique coastal ecosystem where six habitats meet, including mangroves, sandy beaches, and seagrass lagoons.
Pulau Ubin Town – the rustic village area with provision shops, bicycle rentals, and seafood restaurants.
Ubin Quarry and Pekan Quarry – scenic former granite quarries now filled with water and surrounded by wildlife.
Outdoor Activities – hiking, bird-watching, kayaking, and cycling trails are popular among visitors seeking an escape from urban Singapore.

Biodiversity

Pulau Ubin and its surrounding islets are biodiversity hotspots, home to hornbills, wild boar, mousedeer, otters, and various migratory birds. The government has identified the area as important for nature conservation, complementing Singapore’s City in Nature vision.

Fun Facts

Pulau Ubin’s name means “Granite Island” in Malay (Pulau = island, ubin from “jubin,” meaning floor tile). It references the island’s history of granite quarrying. Pulau Tekong, meanwhile, means “an island of mangroves” in Malay, although its name is often mistakenly thought to mean “island of mosquitoes.”

Map of North-Eastern Islands, Singapore

Sights in North-Eastern Islands

Chek Jawa (GPS: 1.40872, 103.99121)

Quick Facts

Total Area: 42.8 sq km
Population: ~40 (2020)
Postal District: Not applicable (islands outside standard postal districts)
Main Islands: Pulau Ubin, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Sekudu, Pulau Ketam
Main Use: Nature conservation (Ubin), military training (Tekong)
Main Attractions: Chek Jawa Wetlands, Ubin Quarry, cycling trails
Accessibility: By boat only

References

Page Details

This page was created on 8 September 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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