Singapore’s Kusu Island is preparing for its annual pilgrimage season, with the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) advising visitors to plan weekday trips to avoid the larger crowds expected on weekends.
The 2026 Kusu Pilgrimage Season will run from October 10 to November 8, coinciding with the Ninth Lunar Month, when thousands of devotees traditionally travel to the island to visit its religious and cultural sites.
SLA said visitors should consider going on weekdays because weekends are expected to be particularly busy during the pilgrimage period.
Kusu Island Set for Another Major Pilgrimage Season
Located about 5.6km south of Singapore, Kusu Island—also known as Tortoise Island or Pulau Tembakul—is home to the Da Bo Gong Temple and three Malay shrines, or kramats, associated with Syed Abdul Rahman, his mother Nenek Ghalib and his sister Puteri Fatimah.
The annual pilgrimage brings together devotees visiting the island for religious observances and prayers. SLA describes the event as a longstanding part of Singapore’s cultural and religious heritage.
The island typically experiences its highest visitor numbers during the Ninth Lunar Month pilgrimage period.
Visitors Told to Prepare Before Heading Out
SLA is advising visitors to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, particularly because reaching the island’s religious sites involves walking.
Visitors should also plan ahead for basic needs. SLA’s general guidance for its Southern Islands notes that there are no retail or food-and-beverage outlets on Kusu Island, making it important for visitors to bring sufficient food and drinking water for the day.
Overnight stays and bringing pets to Kusu Island are not permitted, according to the latest pilgrimage-season advisory.
Ferry Travel Will Be an Important Part of Planning
Visitors heading to Kusu Island during the pilgrimage season should also plan their ferry journey in advance.
SLA’s previous pilgrimage-season arrangements have used Marina South Pier as the departure point, with ferry services operating during the pilgrimage period. The authority has also advised visitors to use public transport when possible because parking capacity around Marina South Pier is limited.
The Kusu Island bumboat jetty has been under temporary closure since April 2025 for investigation and repair-related work, but SLA said the island remains accessible through its main jetty.
A Religious Tradition With Deep Cultural Roots
Kusu Island’s pilgrimage is more than a seasonal increase in visitors. The island contains religious sites connected to both Chinese and Malay traditions.
The Da Bo Gong Temple, constructed in 1923, houses Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin. On the island’s hillock are three kramats commemorating Syed Abdul Rahman and his family members. Visitors traditionally climb the 152 steps leading to the shrines.
With the 2026 pilgrimage season approaching, SLA’s weekday recommendation is aimed at helping visitors manage the expected surge while allowing devotees to make their visits in a more orderly environment.
For anyone planning a trip, the key message is straightforward: the pilgrimage season begins October 10, and choosing a weekday could mean avoiding the heaviest weekend crowds.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
