Singapore has unveiled plans to undertake a comprehensive transformation of Sentosa over the next two decades with the aim of doubling visitation to the island via expansive eco-friendly experiences, new attractions and hotels.
The Greater Sentosa Master Plan (GSMP), which will also integrated Sentosa with the adjacent 120-hectare Brani Island, will feature new iconic landmarks, reimagined beaches and coastlines, nature-centric growth and enhanced connectivity which the government says will create more compelling reasons for Singaporeans and visitors to return across different times of the day and seasons.
The plan will also further connect Resorts World Sentosa to its surrounds with the existing Sensoryscape – a 350-meter green connector between the integrated resort and the island’s beaches – set to link with the new Imbiah Lookout Walk. Slated for an early 2030 opening, new Imbiah Lookout Walk is described as a sheltered elevated forest canopy walk that will connect Sensoryscape to Imbiah Lookout and provide access to surrounding Sentosa walking trails.
Debuting the concept at an exhibition on Friday, the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) also highlighted the fact that RWS will offer further experiences of its own in the coming years via its RWS 2.0 expansion, including Waterfront Lifestyle Development, scheduled for completion in 2030, and immersive SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Singapore.
Lee Shi Ruh, the CEO of RWS, told local media outlet The Straits Times that the GSMP “benefits Singapore as a whole by attracting more visitors and broadening tourism offerings.
“As Greater Sentosa takes shape, we see opportunities to work more closely with the Singapore Tourism Board and precinct partners to deliver seamless experiences and strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading leisure, lifestyle and tourism destination.”
According to SDC, the GSMP will see Sentosa’s destination appeal reinforced through new landmarks that bring together play, nature, leisure and discovery. These are to include the Imbiah Canopy, a beacon and vantage point atop Mount Imbiah, that will house attractions, food and beverage, retail options and sheltered event spaces.
This will be complemented by the Imbiah Lookout Walk, while new nature-based attractions will also encourage visitors to explore the secondary forests and heritage buildings at Sentosa’s Mount Imbiah, with expanded nature and heritage trails planned in later phases to eventually connect to Southern Ridges on the mainland. Together with future plans to link forests across Brani, Serapong and Imbiah into a continuous green network, Greater Sentosa’s ecological connectivity will be further strengthened, allowing guests to immerse in nature for restoration and well-being, SDC said.
Along the beachfront, the Sensorium is envisioned as a new icon that will host a range of lifestyle and indoor attractions, including a multi-purpose venue for events and festival activations. The Sensorium is designed with green spaces to enhance thermal comfort and elevate the guest experience, the agency added.
While Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong Beach will all be rejuvenated to create new lifestyle developments and multi-use, day-to-night spaces, SDC said it is exploring other experiences that play up Sentosa’s natural assets, including coastal activities, beach clubs and a floating boardwalk connecting islets. An islet-hopping experience across the 3km stretch of Sentosa’s beaches will allow guests to explore islets across Sentosa’s beaches and discover the island’s waters and natural elements up close.
Concepts under study include beach club experiences positioned around scenic sunrise and sunset views, as well as treetop dining, turning the island’s beachfronts into more vibrant and flexible spaces for different occasions across the day and night.
SDC explained that a key part of the GSMP is Brani West, intended to be one of the largest sites for attractions development and engagements with potential partners are underway.
Connectivity to and within Greater Sentosa is also expected to be transformed through enhanced links by land, air, sea and waterfront. The Island Heart Transport Hub is envisioned as a major gateway and key arrival point to Sentosa, linking Sentosa and Brani while providing a seamless way for Singaporeans and visitors to arrive, gather and continue their journey across the island. Likewise, a new People Mover System is intended to replace the existing Sentosa Express and provide a more seamless connection from the mainland to Island Heart and across the island, with increased carrying capacity to cater to anticipated growth in visitation.
As Greater Sentosa grows, SDC said the GSMP will deepen Sentosa’s identity as a nature-centric destination by embedding sustainability, climate resilience, thermal comfort and ecological considerations into its long-term planning. Building on efforts such as Cooling Sentosa, future developments will take a more integrated approach, weaving together greenery, movement routes, green infrastructure and guest experiences to enhance thermal comfort, strengthen ecological connectivity and ensure new experiences are sensitively introduced within Sentosa’s natural setting. Coastal protection measures will help build resilience against erosion and sea level rise.
SDC said the transformation will be implemented progressively, with developments expected to come on board from the early 2030s.
“For more than five decades, Sentosa has welcomed generations of Singaporeans and visitors from around the world, growing into a place that holds precious memories for many and well-loved by all. It is, in many ways, a global Singapore brand,” said SDC’s CEO, Thien Kwee Eng,
“The GSMP is the greatest transformation in our history. We will stay true to the soul and identity of this island, while shaping the next generation of world-class experiences.”
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