Sentosa was never meant to be the holiday. We went to Singapore in April 2023 because of a work trip, and Sentosa Island was simply where we were staying. By the end of the week, with our boys aged 7 and 9, it had turned into a proper family holiday.
This Sentosa Island guide is written for families: how to get onto the island and around it for free or nearly free, which beach suits which kids, where to stay, what the big attractions cost now, and what has changed since we were there.
Sentosa with kids in 30 seconds
- Getting there: walk the Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity for free, or take the Sentosa Express monorail for S$4.
- Getting around: Sentosa Bus A and B are free and loop the island from Beach Station.
- Best beach for young kids: Palawan. Siloso is for activities, Tanjong for quiet.
- Where to stay: the Imbiah side if you want pools and value, Siloso if you want the beach, Resorts World if the trip is about Universal Studios.
- New since 2023: Minion Land at Universal Studios (February 2025) and Singapore Oceanarium (July 2025).
Short on time? Our top 3 picks on Sentosa
Village Hotel Sentosa – Imbiah, connecting family rooms and four pools, 3 minutes from the monorail.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa – Siloso Beach, kids’ club and a children’s pool with slides.
Hard Rock Hotel Singapore – Resorts World Sentosa, on foot from Universal Studios and the Oceanarium.
How do you get to Sentosa Island?
Sentosa is connected to the mainland at HarbourFront, next to the VivoCity mall. With kids you have four options:
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sentosa Boardwalk (walk) | Free | Kids happy to walk in the heat; go early or late |
| Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity | S$4 (children under 0.9 m ride free) | Everyone else, and anyone with bags |
| Cable car | About S$17 adult / S$12 child (Sentosa Line only) | The view, as an experience rather than transport |
| Taxi / Grab | Metered | Arrival day with suitcases |
Since March 2025 there has also been a free Grab shuttle from Beach Station (Berths 12 and 13) to HarbourFront Bus Interchange, running Friday to Sunday from 6pm to 9pm, with extra afternoon runs on public holidays. It’s handy for getting back to the city after a beach day.
How to get around Sentosa for free
On our first day we did the whole loop on the free island buses before choosing where to stop. It’s the best thing you can do on day one: the kids had their faces pressed to the window as Siloso Beach and the resort area went past.
- Sentosa Bus A: Beach Station – Imbiah Lookout – Siloso Point – Resorts World Sentosa – Beach Station.
- Sentosa Bus B: Beach Station – Sentosa Cove – Palawan Beach – Beach Station.
- Sentosa Express: once you’re on the island, the monorail between its stations (Resorts World, Imbiah and Beach) doesn’t charge again.
Which Sentosa beach is best for families?
- Palawan Beach: the one for younger kids. Shallow water and wide sand. This is where ours were splashing and laughing.
- Siloso Beach: the busy one. Watersports, beach bars and the most going on. Better for older kids and teens.
- Tanjong Beach: the quiet one. Good for a slow afternoon, and the least set up for children.
Bring water, mosquito repellent and a light rain jacket. April is hot and humid, and we got caught by sudden downpours that stopped as fast as they started.
Where to stay on Sentosa with kids
I worked for 14 years as a hotel account manager, and on an island this size, choosing the area matters more than choosing the star rating. There are three sensible bases for families:
Imbiah (central): best value for families
This is where we stayed: Village Hotel Sentosa, in two connecting rooms (a double and a twin) at €500 a night with breakfast in April 2023. It has four pools and is a 3-minute walk from Imbiah monorail station. It’s not on the beach, and we didn’t miss that. Check prices for Village Hotel Sentosa.
Siloso: best if the beach is the point
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa sits right on Siloso Beach, with the Cool Zone kids’ club, a children’s pool with three animal-themed slides and the Nestopia play space on the sand. We didn’t stay here. It’s the obvious beachfront choice for families, and it’s priced like one.
Resorts World Sentosa: best for a Universal Studios trip
The hotels inside Resorts World Sentosa, such as Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, put you on foot from Universal Studios, Singapore Oceanarium and Dolphin Island, which helps a lot when a small child needs a nap between rides. We didn’t stay here either.
One honest note: if your trip is mostly about Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay, don’t stay on Sentosa for the whole week. We spent the last part of our trip in the city, and our 2-day Singapore itinerary covers that side.
Best things to do on Sentosa with kids
Dolphin Island
We did the dolphin programme: the boys got to touch the dolphins, and we came away with photos. From memory it cost around 100 dollars, but we don’t remember the exact price. The full story, including the ethics question you should know about before you book, is in our Dolphin Island post.
Sentosa Sensoryscape
A free garden walkway between Resorts World and the beaches, designed around the five senses. It’s at its best towards dusk, when the lights come on.
Universal Studios Singapore and Minion Land
Minion Land opened on 14 February 2025, after our visit, with the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride and an original Minion ride. One-day tickets start from about S$83 for adults and S$62 for children aged 4–12 (off-peak). Go at opening time. Queues and heat both build by midday.
Singapore Oceanarium
S.E.A. Aquarium closed on 30 April 2025 and reopened as Singapore Oceanarium on 24 July 2025, with 22 zones instead of 10. Tourist tickets run at about S$50–55 per adult depending on the day. It’s the best plan for a rainy afternoon.
Where to eat on Sentosa with kids
The food was one of the best parts of Singapore for us: Hainanese chicken rice, laksa in coconut broth, and satay from the grill.
On Sentosa itself there’s no proper government hawker centre. The closest thing is Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World Sentosa, a hawker-style food court, which is the cheapest sit-down lunch on the island. For a nicer dinner there are plenty of restaurants around Resorts World and the beaches. Our pattern was a cheap lunch and a proper dinner, which kept the budget sane.
What we wish we’d known
- Do the free bus loop on day one before you plan anything.
- Do the big attractions at opening time. Midday is the hottest and most crowded part of the day.
- Pack for rain and sun on the same day: sunscreen, water shoes, swimwear and a light rain jacket.
- Bring one smarter outfit for dinners at the resort restaurants.
- Sentosa is expensive. The free transport, the beaches and Sensoryscape are how you balance the ticketed days.
Is Sentosa worth it with kids?
Yes, and for families I’d call it the easiest part of Singapore. Everything is close together, the transport is free, and the beaches, pools and attractions mean the kids are never more than a bus ride from something they want to do. Stay a few nights, then move to the city for Marina Bay and the gardens.
Ready to book? Check prices at Village Hotel Sentosa, where we stayed →
More from our Singapore trip:
- Village Hotel Sentosa review
- Dolphin Island Sentosa with kids
- 2 days in Singapore with kids
- Changi Airport with kids
- Emirates economy review: Barcelona to Singapore with kids
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Sentosa Island with Kids FAQ
How do you get to Sentosa Island?
You can walk the Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity for free, or take the Sentosa Express monorail from VivoCity for S$4, with children under 0.9 m riding free. The cable car is the scenic option, at about S$17 for adults and S$12 for children on the Sentosa Line, and taxis and Grab also drive onto the island.
How do you get around Sentosa for free?
Sentosa Bus A and B are free and loop the island from Beach Station, covering Imbiah, Siloso, Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Cove and Palawan Beach. Once you are on the island, the Sentosa Express monorail does not charge again between its island stations. A free Grab shuttle also runs from Beach Station to HarbourFront on Friday to Sunday evenings from 6pm to 9pm.
Which beach on Sentosa is best for families with kids?
Palawan Beach is the best Sentosa beach for younger children, with shallow water and wide sand. Siloso Beach is busier and better for older kids who want watersports, and Tanjong Beach is the quietest.
Where should families stay on Sentosa?
Stay on the Imbiah side for value and pools, as we did at Village Hotel Sentosa; at Siloso for direct beach access, for example Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa; or inside Resorts World Sentosa if the trip is built around Universal Studios Singapore and Singapore Oceanarium.
What is new on Sentosa in 2026?
Minion Land opened at Universal Studios Singapore on 14 February 2025, and Singapore Oceanarium replaced S.E.A. Aquarium on 24 July 2025, with 22 zones instead of 10. Since March 2025 there has also been a free Grab evening shuttle from Beach Station to HarbourFront.
Is there a hawker centre on Sentosa?
There is no government hawker centre on Sentosa. The closest option is Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World Sentosa, a hawker-style food court that is the cheapest place for a sit-down lunch on the island.
Is Sentosa worth visiting with kids?
Yes. Sentosa is the easiest part of Singapore with children: attractions, beaches and hotels are close together and the island buses are free. We would spend a few nights there and then move to the city for Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay.
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