Chek Jawa Wetlands

Chek Jawa Wetlands is located at the eastern end of Pulau Ubin, about 3 km away from the public jetty at Pulau Ubin. You can hire a van or rent a bicycle from the main village, or the more adventurous, can take a 40 min walk to Chek Jawa from the jetty.

Covering approximately 100 hectares in area, Chek Jawa is a unique natural area, where six major ecosystems – sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest - meet!

Pulau Ubin's value for biodiversity conservation is highlighted by the recognition of a new plant species, named Utania nervosa. The Utania nervosa was discovered at Chek Jawa in 1997, and was previously called "Fagraea racemosa", having been confused with a much more common tree species that is native from Indo-China to Thailand, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. This new species was published in the international journal Plant Ecology and Evolution in July 2014, in effect becoming Singapore's newest species! Utania nervosa is known only from a very restricted area including southeast Johor and the Singapore islands of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. Its known habitats in Johor are marginal sites in degraded swampland.

To create greater access to Chek Jawa, visitor facilities were put in place since July 2007, such as a visitor centre with a viewing jetty, a 1km boardwalk (Mangrove and Coastal Loops), and a 21 m viewing tower called the Jejawi Tower. This development constitutes part of a long-term sustainable visitor management plan to protect the rich biodiversity. Visitors can conduct their own DIY tour along the boardwalks to appreciate the rich biodiversity at Chek Jawa seven days a week, between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. 

About Chek Jawa
One of Singapore's richest ecosystems, Chek Jawa is a unique natural area where six major habitats meet and mix. 

Slated for land reclamation in 1992, the wonderful secrets of Chek Jawa were unveiled only in December 2000. As public attention was drawn to this site, thousands of Singaporeans flocked to visit this wetland treasure. At the same time, appeals from nature lovers and the general public led to a review of its reclamations plans.

After carefully considering all public submissions and extensive consultations with scientific experts and relevant government agencies, it was announced in 2001 that reclamation works would be deferred for as long as Pulau Ubin is not required for development. 

Chek Jawa Boardwalk and Jejawi Tower

From the visitor centre, you can choose to experience the Chek Jawa Wetlands via two routes:  the Coastal Loop (600m) and Mangrove Loop (500m) boardwalk with lookout platforms, a floating pontoon, and shelters. Learn about the rich biodiversity through the educational panels and directional signs installed along the boardwalk. Both routes can be completed in about one and a half hours.

Along the way, you will be able to climb the seven-storey high (21m) Jejawi Tower to view the tree canopy and observe the biodiversity, such as birdlife. The viewing tower is named after the native tree (Malayan Banyan) that grows just beside the tower. Aluminum was used in the design and construction of the railings of the boardwalk, jetty, and viewing tower for its durability and ability to withstand harsh natural conditions at the wetlands.

Planning your visit

Chek Jawa is an intertidal area, with various ecosystems unveiled at low tides of 0.5 metres and below. Do refer to the tides table when you plan a visit to avoid disappointment. Do refer to the tide table when you plan a visit.

Chek Jawa Opening Hours: 7.00 am - 7.00 pm

Getting to Chek Jawa Wetlands

Upon arrival at the Ubin jetty, visitors can hire a van or rent a bicycle from the main village. For the more adventurous, a walk to Chek Jawa would take about 40 minutes.

Visitors can either cycle or hire a vehicle to get to Chek Jawa Wetlands. For the safety of visitors, bicycles and vehicles will have to be parked at designated lots near Punai Hut. Do remember to ask for a bicycle lock when you rent your bicycle.