Pleasure island

SINGAPORE - He deals with people every day, training others in interpersonal skills.

But twice every week, Mr Ong, 67, trades his suit for casual wear and heads to his marina at West Coast where he fires up his 9.4m cabin cruiser for a day - and night - of fun.

He pilots his boat, Nimbus, to a deserted island hideout, where a select few go to escape the crowd and the bustle of city life. Mr Ong said he bought his boat about 30 years ago and it is worth about $500,000 now. He does not have to travel far on it. The island is not some fancy resort in Malaysia or Indonesia.

It is at the bay of Seringat-Kias, at Lazarus Island in Singapore, a mere 3km south of Sentosa.

The island is the secret playground for those who can afford to own and maintain a pleasure craft.

"It's a beautiful place to be," said Mr Ong, the chief executive officer of a consultancy firm.

To others, it is a place to go wild at night.

Said Mr Edwin Tan, 49, who owns the 11.4m cabin cruiser Tequila Sunrise 8: "This is a party island. Come nightfall, you'll see some pretty wild parties here."

Mr Tan runs a local commercial diving company. He bought his boat last year for $500,000.

Lazarus Island's pristine beach stretches about 800m and the quiet coastline is home to anemones, sea stars and other creatures.

Stingrays and coastal dolphins are occasional visitors.

As the sun sets, white-headed sea eagles can be seen circling the rising thermals from the island's forested centre.

Said Mr Ong, who started visiting the island 10 years ago: "If you are a boating person, you would know about this place. Otherwise, very few Singaporeans know Lazarus exists."

Lazarus, which is part of the Southern Islands, is too expensive and inconvenient for non-boat owners to reach. (See other story on right.)

That makes it an island of choice for boat owners seeking solitude out of more than 60 islands in Singapore. When The New Paper visited the island on Sunday morning, more than 10 boats and yachts dotted the calm waters at Seringat-Kias.

The beachgoers were swimming, kayaking or just lazing on the bow of their yachts in bikinis and board shorts.

NO PASSPORT NEEDED

Mr Tan said that the hassle of going to islands in other countries makes Lazarus more appealing to owners of boats licensed in Singapore.

"If you leave the border, you need to get a sailing permit first. Then, you will have to get your passports checked and stamped. But with Lazarus, you can sail there any time because it is in Singapore waters," he said.

It is also said to be the only island here where boats can sail right up to the beach and where enthusiasts can simply hop off and take a stroll around.

While there are footpaths and toilet facilities maintained by the Sentosa Development Corporation, there is not much else in terms of development.

According to the latest draft of the Urban Redevelopment Authority Master Plan, most of the island is marked as a reserve site for future development, while the southern side is marked as a sports and recreation site subject to detailed planning.

But not much has been built over the past decade, when the islands of Lazarus, Pulau Seringat and St John's were linked by bridges and reclamation work.

For now, seafaring folk here can still enjoy their exclusivity on Lazarus before the island becomes more accessible to visitors.

Just before TNP headed back to the mainland, a visitor shouted at us: "Don't write about this place. Don't tell others our secret."

Too late.

This is a party island. Come nightfall, you'll see some pretty wild parties here.

- Mr Edwin Tan, 49, who owns an 11.4m cabin cruiser

If you are a boating person, you would know about this place. Otherwise, very few Singaporeans know Lazarus exists.

- Human resources executive Ong Hong Him, who started visiting the island 10 years ago

ngjunsen@sph.com.sg

Other island getaways

ST JOHN'S ISLAND

It sits next to Lazarus Island.

Situated about 6.5km south of the mainland, the 39ha island is home to the Tropical Marine Science Institute and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's Marine Aquaculture Centre.

A holiday bungalow, which comes comfortably furnished with a kitchen and sleeps up to 10 people, is also available for booking on the island.

KUSU ISLAND

Thousands of devotees flock to this island, with its blue lagoons and sandy beaches, during the ninth lunar month each year.

Located 5.6km south of the mainland, the island has a popular Chinese temple, Da Bo Gong, built by a wealthy businessman in 1923.

The island's name means Tortoise Island, so called because of a legend in which a magical tortoise turned itself into the island to save two shipwrecked sailors.

PULAU HANTU

Pulau Hantu, or "island of ghosts" in Malay, is so named because it is believed that the ghosts of ancient Malay warriors wander the island after fighting to their deaths here.

It is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, snorkelling and scuba-diving. It is actually made up of two islets - Hantu Kecil and Hantu Besar - both of which have ample picnic areas and shelters for an enjoyable day out.

SISTERS' ISLANDS

It is made up of two islands - Big Sister's Island and Little Sister's Island.

Legend has it that the islands were struck apart when two sisters drowned while escaping from a pirate chief who abducted one of the girls to marry - hence the naming of the islands.

The reefs are filled with marine life, making it a great place for snorkelling. Camping is another favourite pastime here, but do remember to get a permit before setting out.

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