A Guide to the Sentosa Caves: An Experience That Always Gets My Heart Pumping!
A dark abyss that no light from the sky has ever reached. Jagged rock formations that jut from everywhere and paths that no one knows where they lead to. Maybe they’re going nowhere, or maybe they’ll bring us to discover something amazing.
That’s always my answer every time someone asks me why I enjoy exploring caves. Sure, it’s quite challenging and even downright dangerous, but that’s the thrill of it! Being able to explore a place no one’s ever been—oh, how it lifts my spirits!
The caves located near Tanjong Rimau in Sentosa are the first ever ones I’ve explored, and I still come back there sometimes to see if there’s something I haven’t encountered before. If you want to explore caves in Singapore, check out this guide!
How to Get to the Sentosa Caves
Joining a Guided Tour of Tanjong Rimau Beach
– From: timeoutsg
Getting to the Sentosa Caves isn’t a straightforward affair, and I can recommend only two options. Of the two, joining a guided tour of Tanjong Rimau—called the Siloso Headland Intertidal Program—is the best one, in my opinion.
The reason I recommend this one first and foremost is because of the fact that Tanjong Rimau features coastal cliffs and rocky shores. There’s also the tide to worry about. Fortunately, the tour program has already considered all these factors.
If you’re interested in joining the program, register as soon as possible. It’s free but can get fully booked easily, so there’s no time to lose. As for the meeting point, it’s in Siloso Point, which is near Fort Siloso.
Paddleboarding/Kayaking/Canoeing from Siloso Beach
– From: sentosa_island
If you’re an amateur or professional paddleboarder, kayaker, or canoeist, then another way to reach the caves is by paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing from Siloso Beach. This popular beach is actually pretty close to the waves.
If you do plan to come to the caves via paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, be wary of the coral reefs and the plants under the sea. You also need to maneuver past the many rocks to reach the sandy shore.
Here are the coordinates of the caves to make your journey a little bit more seamless:
- 1°15’27.5″N 103°48’30.9″E
- N 1.25759341° E 103.80851340°
- N 1.25775910° E 103.80845944°
- N 1.25775330° E 103.80838261°
- N 1.25865848° E 103.80745343°
- N 1.25928590° E 103.80681097°
- N 1.25982392° E 103.80675164°
- N 1.25841976° E 103.80765166° (Triangle Stone)
What to Expect
So Many Caves, Big and Small!
The main thing about the Sentosa caves is that they’re everywhere on the coastline. Some are big, others are small, and some are connected. Because of this, I don’t think I’ve actually checked out all of them, which is why I come back often.
The first cave I checked out (the first one on the aforementioned list of coordinates) is my favorite. Its entrance is by the overhanging part of the cliff, so there are roots and trees above my head. The sight is kind of eerie but beautiful at the same time.
To get further inside, you have to squeeze on your side and crawl in, so keep that in mind. After that ordeal, you’ll find yourself in a relatively spacious area where you can actually sit down and look around.
The other caves in the area aren’t as big, but they’re still fun to check out. Some have small tunnels leading to smaller caves that are full of empty water bottles—a stark reminder that trash thrown in the sea finds its way to caves like this.
No Shrine, But Lots of Cool-Looking Rocks
According to local stories, these caves hide a shrine with treasure inside. Unfortunately, it seems like that’s just a legend because I’ve never found a shrine here (at least, not yet).
But what I have found are so many cool-looking rocks, many of which are formed naturally. There are rocks that are perfect squares and others with nice shades of green.
I’ve actually picked up a few of these rocks, stones, and pebbles as trophies. They’re sitting on my bookshelf, reminding me of my adventures in these caves.
A Fascinating Triangle Stone in Front of the Cliff
This isn’t technically a cave, but it’s still fascinating enough that I have to mention it. Along the coastline, you can find a large triangle stone in front of a cliff. It’s impressive how this rock formed to look like an actual triangle!
But even more fascinating is the fact that behind the rock, there’s an inscription with Chinese characters, a date, and a pair of handprints.
The inscription simply says that this is a broken cliff, but still, I get shivers from it because it feels like a curse. I mean, why else is there a pair of handprints beside the inscription?
To be fair, it’s pretty likely that this is just a joke that young people back in the day did. But what if it isn’t? That possibility is fascinating.