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Singapore
has some very beautiful coral reefs and many different species of fishes
and corals. However, diving in Singapore needs special care and attention
as the environment suffers in some areas. The dive areas around Singapore
(city) are subject to heavy ship traffic which has not been good for
the underwater environment.
The southern and western islands have not been affected nearly as much,
therefore you will find some nice dives available there.
These islands offer sites such as Raffles Lighthouse, Pulau Hantu,
Pulau Biola, Pulau Salu and Pulau Sudong. Here you will find many species
of fishes, including resident sharks and turtles at Pulau Hantu.
You can also find dive trips out of Singapore which visit Malaysia and
Indonesian dive areas nearby.
Climate 73 - 87F 23 - 31C Water Temp Average 79F 26C
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Dive
Services
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Travel
& Tips
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Travel
to Singapore
Airlines Servicing Singapore
Singapore Changi Airport is served by these airlines.
Airport
Tax
A passenger service charge of SGD21 should be incorporated
in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside of Singapore).
If this has not been done, you may be required to pay the
SGD21 during check-in. In some cases, the airline may absorb
the service charge. Passengers who are in transit for less
than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay
the service charge upon departure from Singapore.
Travel around Singapore is quite easy and economical. There
are shuttles, taxis, busses, rental cars and a Mass Rapid
Transit system.
Entry Requirements
Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry
and are visiting Singapore as tourists, may be given up
to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore.
Tourists, however, should have valid passports, onward /
return tickets, onward facilities (e.g. visas, entry permits,
etc.) to their next destination and sufficient funds for
their stay in Singapore. If they require a longer stay,
they may apply to the Singapore Immigration and Registration
after their arrival. The processing of extension of stay
will take at least one working day.
Visiting tourists holding travel documents issued by the
following countries will require a Visa to enter Singapore:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Commonwealth of
Independent States
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
Russia
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan |
Egypt
India
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Laos
Lebanon
Libya
Myanmar
People's Republic of China
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Tunisia
Vietnam
Yemen |
CUSTOMS
Duty-Free Items: Personal effects and food preparations
not exceeding $50 in value. Visitors over 18 and not coming
from Malaysia are allowed to bring in duty-free 1 litre
of spirits, 1 litre of wine and 1 litre of beer, also 200
cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.
There is no export duty. Export permits are required for
firearms, ammunition, explosives, animals, gold in form,
platinum, precious stones and jewellery (except reasonable
personal effects), poisons and drugs. Any goods in excess
of reasonable personal effects should be declared at exit
points and an Outward Declaration form prepared, if need
be. |
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There
is much to enjoy when you are not diving. Here is just a
sample of the many activities available during your visit
to Singapore.
Nightlife and Entertainment
If you're not totally exhausted from eating, drinking and
sightseeing, there is plenty of nightlife to choose from
in Singapore. Big hotels feature discos, lounges, cabarets
and theatre restaurants. For a pleasant, high-class evening,
symphonies, operas and ballets are abundant. Other popular
nighttime activities include late-night tours, catching
a movie at the local cinema, or relaxing on a nighttime
harbour cruise. A great way to enjoy the night, without
spending a lot of money is to roam the streets where you
can witness a variety of colourful and interesting activities.
Shopping
Singapore offers a variety with value for money quality
and excellent services. Be it European high fashion or Asian
designer products, traditional crafts or the latest, high-tech
electrical and electronic goods, Singapore has it all. 'It
is a "you-name-it, we-stock-it" city'. The best
thing about shopping in Singapore is that it is a duty-free
port offering all goods at prices lower than those existing
in their original country of production. Add to all this
is the fact that the shops are open seven days a week and
for at least 11 hours a day.
Dining
The food of Singapore reflects its multiethnic society.
The hotels contain restaurants that specialize in dishes
from all over Europe and Asia. The famous hawker centres,
however, are possibly the best place to sample the various
Singaporean cuisines. You can taste Indian, Malayan and
Chinese dishes all in one night. These food centres can
be a great experience and are part of the reason why Singapore
is considered by many to be "the food capital of Asia."
There are very strictly enforced official Public Health
controls in Singapore, so it is safe to eat food from any
of the restaurants or stalls.
Sports & Activities
Horseback riding is an increasingly popular sport in Singapore
and it is one of the few cities providing such country amenities
in city living.
Canoeing
You can hire a canoe from various private operators located
at Changi Point, East Coast Park, and Sentosa Island. Operating
hours are generally from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Climbing can be accomplished at various venues on Singapore
Island as well as some of the offshore islands.
Cycling is a great recreational activity. Cycling paths
link many parts of the island. Those with a strong sense
of adventure can go mountain or dirt biking. Bicycles can
be rented at a number of public parks, including those at
East Coast Park, Sentosa, Pasir Ris, and Bishan. Pulau Ubin
also offers mountain and dirt biking.
Golf Singapore has some of Asia's finest golf courses. Fees
range anywhere from S$40 to S$200. There are several world-class
golfing facilities in Singapore. If these are not enough,
golf courses in neighbouring places, like Bintan and Batam
in Indonesia are just a short ferry ride away and Johor
in Malaysia is just across the Causeway.
Horse Racing
On-site racing as well as live telecasts of Malaysian races
can be enjoyed at the Singapore Turf Club. Visitors must
observe a strict dress code: Shorts, singlets, and slippers
are not allowed in the public stands. Smart casual is the
dress code for the Members' Enclosure.
Paint Ball Is a new sporting activity in Singapore. There
are two facilities for the action packed pastime, one at
Pasir Ris and the other on Sentosa Island.
Sailing is an exciting, yet at the same time, relaxing pastime.
What better way than to meander along Singapore's coast
line or you can drift across to off shore islands at sunset.
White water sports are rapidly becoming part of the sporting
scene in Singapore, although there are no raging rivers
on the island itself, the nearest, and most accessible is
at Sungei Selangor, which runs off Fraser Hill, 1 hr from
Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. This river offers both simple
sections for beginners and Grade 5+ waters downstream.
Bowling
Singapore has over 200 bowling centres, each offering more
than 20 lanes. Most bowling centres open as early as 9:00
a.m. and close between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., though there
are some 24-hour centres, mostly in the Marina South area.
Other activities widely offered are windsurfing, water-skiing,
tennis and squash.
Singapore Travel Tips
Do not use first names unless you are invited to. Use Mr.,
Mrs. or Miss as titles. Obey the laws, as they are strictly
enforced.
Smoking in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas,
government offices and air-conditioned restaurants and shopping
centres is against the law. First offenders may be fined
up to a maximum of S$1,000. While it is an offence to smoke
in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is not prohibited
in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.
It is common courtesy to ask permission to take pictures
of people, mosques or temples. When entering a Singaporean's
house or a mosque, remember to take off your shoes. Do not
eat or offer anything with your left hand when with Muslims
and NEVER use your left hand when shaking hands with a Muslim.
Singapore's clean and green image is the result of more
than two decades of public education campaigns and strict
laws against littering. Littering of any kind is subject
up to S$1,000 fine for first offenders, and up to S$2,000
fine and a stint of corrective work order cleaning a public
place for repeat offenders. As an extension of the law against
littering, the import, sale and possession of chewing gum
is prohibited. The high costs and difficulty in removing
indiscriminately discarded chewing gum were the reasons
for the prohibition.
Spitting is also punishable by law in Singapore. So beware
the next time you wish to clear your throat.
BANKING
Generally banks are open from 10am to 3pm, Mondays to Fridays
and 11am to 4:30pm, Saturdays.
ELECTRICITY
Singapore's voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second.
Most hotels can provide visitors with a transformer, which
can convert the voltage to 110-120 volts, 60 cycles per
second.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police: Singapore police are very helpful, if you need assistance
dial 999
Fire and Ambulance: Dial 995
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the
world, with well qualified doctors and dentists, many trained
overseas. Pharmaceuticals are available from numerous outlets
including supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping
centres. Registered pharmacists work from 9am till 6pm,
with some shops open until 10pm. Most hotels have their
own doctor on 24-hour call. Contact the Front Office or
Room Service for assistance.
RELIGION
Main religions are Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
and Taoism. Places of worship welcome visitors, however,
visitors are expected to be properly attired and to respectfully
witness the ceremonies or rites. Please note that shoes
are not to be worn in temples and mosques.
WHAT TO WEAR
Singapore's tropical weather makes light summer clothing
(preferably of natural fabrics) most practical, especially
for outdoor activities like sightseeing. Most restaurants
and nightspots are not restrictive on the dress code, polo
shirts, t-shirts, jeans, slacks, blouses and skirts, sun
dresses and sneakers are acceptable at most places. Although
some establishments require formal wear for the evening,
suits and evening dresses will never be out of place in
Singapore's trendy nightspots. It is always advisable to
ring up beforehand to check on dress regulations, if any. |
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