Chek Jawa Wetlands: Coastal and Mangrove Boardwalks Through Intertidal Flats And Jejawi Tower Viewpoint

Chek Jawa Wetlands or Tanjong Chek Jawa is a cape at the southeastern end of Pulau Ubin, where six major ecosystems exist, namely sandy beach, rocky beach, seagrass lagoon, coral rubble, mangroves and coastal forest, offering a crash course of the biodiversity present on coastal Singapore. As Chek Jawa Wetlands is an intertidal area, most ecosystems are only visible during low tide. I went on a rainy day, and thus with a high tide, but it was a pleasant visit nonetheless.

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The taxi van from the Main Jetty dropped us off at Punai Hut just in front of the Chek Jawa Wetlands entrance.

The main gate leading to Chek Jawa Wetlands. Chek Jawa Wetlands is open daily from 8.30am to 6.00pm, and no cycling is allowed inside.

The earth track leading to the boardwalks.

There is an information kiosk at the main junction linking to the boardwalks with a manned counter and vending machines selling cold drinks. They aren’t cheap though, at S$2 for a bottled isotonic drink and S$1.60 for bottled mineral water.

I headed to the Coastal Boardwalk first, taking an anti-clockwise loop.

The area map of Chek Jawa Wetlands.

I got there at high tide after lots of rain, so it looked more like a water walk rather than a coastal and mangrove walk.

Nonetheless, it was still pretty nice with good weather to boot.

The Coastal Boardwalk skirts around the whole cape of Tanjong Chek Jawa.

Looking back at Changi Point from the Coastal Boardwalk.

Some parts of the Coastal Boardwalks feature grilles to look down at certain features. This was supposed to be looking down to coral rubble, but with the high tide, all I saw was sea water.

Skirting around Tanjong Chek Jawa.

Tanjong Chek Jawa is also home to the Chek Jawa Beacon.

On the hill sits the Chek Jawa Rear Beacon.

The Chek Jawa Front Beacon sits in front of the Coastal Boardwalk.

From the ship’s perspective, she is aligned when the two points match up in a straight line to navigate the Straits of Johor, as explained here.

There is a shelter in the middle of the Coastal Boardwalk for a rest if needed.

There is a floating pontoon attached to the Coastal Boardwalk, but this was sealed off with a gate.

Heading through the seagrass lagoon, but again, all I saw was water.

Heading back inland.

The Coastal Boardwalk ends at the main junction to go back to the information kiosk on the earth track, or to continue onwards on the Mangrove Boardwalk.

Heading onwards to the Mangrove Boardwalk.

The flooded mangrove area at high tide.

Heading through the inland mangrove area.

A wild mud lobster perched on top of a mud lobster mound.

Towards the end of the Mangrove Boardwalk, the path branches off a little to the Jejawi Viewing Tower.

The Jejawi Viewing Tower is 20 meters tall, offering a top view of Chek Jawa Wetlands.

A maximum of 20 persons are allowed on the Jejawi Viewing Tower. As the Jejawi Viewing Tower is unsheltered, you should not head up during an imminent risk of lightning.

The top (and only) deck of the Jejawi Viewing Tower.

The view out to mainland Singapore.

Mynahs perched on a tree enjoying the sea breeze.

The canopy of Chek Jawa Wetlands.

The view out to Pulau Tekong. What a world of difference when wanting to go to the field.

Ending the Chek Jawa Wetlands on a “high” note with a top-down view of the canopy.

Overall, an interesting trip to a compact, untouched natural side of Singapore, just minutes away from the mainland.

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