Pulau Satumu Island

Small coral islet marking Singapore's southwestern maritime boundary

Pulau Satumu marks Singapore's southernmost reef and hosts Raffles Lighthouse; the isolated islet is visited by sailors and photographers interested in maritime navigation points.

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Pulau Satumu at a Glance#

Address: Pulau Satumu (Raffles Lighthouse), Singapore southern waters

Website: https://www.mpa.gov.sg/

Hours: No public visiting hours; access by permit only

Admission: Access to the lighthouse area restricted; no public landing without permission. No admission fee for official visits.

About Pulau Satumu#

Pulau Satumu is a small reef-islet in Singapore’s southern waters that hosts Raffles Lighthouse and marks the southern approaches to Singapore’s territorial waters.

The lighthouse on the islet was first lit in the mid-19th century and has served as a longstanding navigation aid for vessels entering and leaving the Singapore Strait.

The islet is remote, has no civilian facilities, and is managed as part of Singapore’s maritime infrastructure rather than a recreational island.

  • Restricted access: The islet functions as a fixed maritime navigation point and is not generally open to public visitation without permission from maritime authorities.

What to See#

  • Raffles Lighthouse: Raffles Lighthouse, the navigational structure built on the islet and first lit in 1855, marking the southern approaches to Singapore’s port waters.

How to Get to Pulau Satumu#

Pulau Satumu is remote and not open for casual visitation. Any landing requires coordination with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and appropriate permits. The nearest public embarkation points for charter or research vessels are Marina South Pier and other commercial marinas in southern Singapore.

Tips for Visiting Pulau Satumu#

  • The island is off-limits for casual landings - arrange any visit through the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore well in advance.
  • Bring binoculars for seabird and marine observations from a boat; sunsets are exceptionally photogenic from the waterline.
  • Respect navigation markers and ship movements - the channel is busy and visits must be coordinated with port authorities.

Best Time to Visit Pulau Satumu#

Sea conditions rather than seasons determine access; aim for calmer months (often Dec-Mar) and always check with maritime authorities.

Northeast Monsoon (Dec-Mar)
Dec-Mar · 23-31°C
Calmer seas in parts of the southern approaches; occasional showers but generally good for sea travel.
Inter-monsoon / Southwest Monsoon (Apr-Nov)
Apr-Nov · 24-33°C
Hotter, heavier rains more likely from May to October; boat transfers can be more uncomfortable.

Weather & Climate near Pulau Satumu#

Climate

Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2307 mm/year), wettest in December.

Air Quality: AQI 60 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
23°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 24° - 29° 27° 211 mm overcast 85% 2.8 m/s 1.8 very high 11.9h
February Good 24° - 30° 27° 163 mm overcast 83% 2.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.0h
March Good 24° - 31° 31° 176 mm overcast 81% 2.0 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h
April Acceptable 24° - 31° 31° 200 mm overcast 79% 1.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.0h
May Acceptable 25° - 31° 32° 174 mm overcast 80% 1.9 m/s 1.9 very high 12.1h
June Acceptable 25° - 31° 32° 165 mm overcast 80% 1.9 m/s 1.8 very high 12.1h
July Acceptable 25° - 31° 32° 158 mm overcast 81% 2.2 m/s 1.8 very high 12.1h
August Good 25° - 31° 31° 171 mm overcast 81% 1.9 m/s 1.8 very high 12.1h
September Good 25° - 30° 31° 176 mm overcast 80% 1.9 m/s 1.8 very high 12.0h
October Good 25° - 31° 31° 203 mm overcast 79% 1.7 m/s 1.8 very high 12.0h
November Good 25° - 31° 31° 246 mm overcast 82% 1.8 m/s 1.8 very high 11.9h
December Good 25° - 30° 31° 264 mm overcast 85% 2.3 m/s 1.7 very high 11.9h

Nearby Attractions to Pulau Satumu#