Kusu Island is an island located to the South of Singapore. Kusu Island means ‘Tortoise Island’ and the name of the island has a legend behind it. One such story is that two sailors, whose ship was sunk near Singapore, were saved by a giant magical tortoise. After which the tortoise had turned into an island to save the sailors. Afterwards, as a step to show their gratitude the sailors returned to this island and the place received the name in honor of that magical tortoise which saved the lives of the two sailors. Ever since then, a large number of people have been visiting the Kusu Island and even till this date the practice is continued by not just the people of Singapore but also outsiders who come to explore this island nations. It is said that the islet is filled with little turtles swarming all over the beach and for this very reason also over the years Kusu Island has become a great tourist attraction. 

A visitor to the island would notice that there is a Chinese Temple that dominates the island with its unique setting and in the eleventh month of the lunar calendar the temple and the island is visited by more than 90,000 devotees coming to pay their respects to the residing gods in this shrine. Tourists and devotees alike visit this place to worship the two main deities residing in the temple who are referred to as Da Bo Gong who is considered as the goddess of mercy and believed to have the power to grant prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and prevent danger. And the other deity is referred to as Guan Yin who is regarded as the ‘giver of sons’.

In the island you would also find a Malay shrine at the top of a small hill in Tortoise Island to commemorate pious man Syed Abdul Rahman, his Mother Nenak Ghalib and Sister Puteri Fatimah who are believed to have lived in the nineteenth century. So many Malay devotees climb the hill of 152 steps up to the holy shrines of Malay saints to pray for wealth, good marriage, fine health and peace. It is also a famous place for childless couples to come and pray for children.

For anyone who is keen on island hopping, Kusu is a beautiful island with pristine, golden sandy beaches. It provides a great holiday spot for families as they can spend time in the sea, playing and enjoying. In the island you would also come across a wishing well, and a turtle pond which is really impressive. Though overnight stays at the island are not permitted on this amazing island, afternoon picnics are popular among the visiting crowd. So it is indeed a leisurely and an interesting place to visit with friends and family. For the visitor to Singapore, if it is private Accommodation Singapore you are searching for, Somerset Liang Court Singapore is an ideal option as a Serviced Accommodation Singapore from where you can head for a day of picnicking in Kusu Island.