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Marina Barrage

A dam across the mouth of the Marina channel that turned the bay into a freshwater reservoir, with a kite-flying roof.

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Typedam
WhereCentral
Nearest citySingapore
Best seasonYear round
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereAt Marina South; Gardens by the Bay MRT then a walk
EntryFree

The Marina Barrage was completed in 2008 across the mouth of the Marina channel, and it does three things at once: it keeps the sea out so that the bay became Singapore's fifteenth reservoir, it controls flooding in the low-lying city centre by pumping water out at high tide, and its roof is a green lawn that has become the city's kite-flying ground. A gallery inside explains the water system, and the roof gives a full view of the skyline.

What you actually see

  • The roof lawn - a green deck used for kite flying with the skyline in view.
  • The barrage - nine crest gates holding back the sea to make a freshwater bay.
  • The flood pumps - the drainage system that protects the low-lying city.
  • The sustainable gallery - displays on Singapore's water supply and the barrage's work.

When to go

Year round; late afternoon and evening are the best for kites and the light. Weekends fill the roof. Lightning closes the roof frequently.

Honest expectations

The roof closes for lightning, which is common, and the warnings are enforced. It is a walk from the nearest MRT with no shade. The gallery is aimed at school groups.

Nearby

Gardens by the Bay is north, and Marina Bay Sands is beyond it.

What to pack for Marina Barrage

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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