Coney Island Park

Coney Island, or Pulau Serangoon, was opened as a park in 2015 and managed on an unusual principle: leave it rough. The paths are gravel rather than paved, fallen trees are left where they fall, and the vegetation is a mix of casuarina, coastal forest and grassland with no manicuring. Beaches face the Johor Strait. A small herd of feral cattle lives in the interior and is occasionally seen. Bicycles are the usual way round.

What you actually see

• The rough management - gravel paths and fallen trees left in place deliberately.
• The feral cattle - a small herd living in the island interior.
• The beaches - five small shores facing the Johor Strait.
• The birdlife - over eighty species recorded, including the rare Baya weaver.

When to go

Year round; early morning is coolest and best for birds. The park closes at seven in the evening. Afternoon storms are common and there is little shelter.

Honest expectations

There is almost no shade on some stretches and no facilities inside. The cattle are wild and should be given distance. Bicycles must be brought or hired at Punggol.

Nearby

Punggol Waterway Park is south, and Pasir Ris is east.