Remember the time when short getaways were so easily available and travelling overseas was a breeze? Those were happy times before Covid-19 reared its ugly head and ruined holiday travel plans almost everywhere.
Two years on, everyone is feeling a little stir crazy from the lack of travel. Well, there’s no better time to make the best of a bad situation and explore what’s in our own backyard.
In 2020, the government announced that all Singaporeans aged 18 and above will receive $100 worth of SingapoRediscovers vouchers. However, all bookings with the SRV had to be made before 31 Dec 2021, and used before 31 March 2022.
What are SingapoRediscovers Vouchers?
Tongue-twisting name aside, SingapoRediscovers Vouchers are cash vouchers that could be used in Singapore on the following:
– Staycations
– Tickets to leisure attractions
– Tours
They extended to all licensed hotels, tourist attractions and tours that have been approved by the Singapore Tourism Board to open or operate. The vouchers couldn’t be used at restaurants and bars, nor could they be used to pay for your shopping. That means yes to a staycation at a five star hotel or taking your family to the zoo, and no to binge drinking at Orchard Towers.
You must be 18 years old and above to have received your SingapoRediscovers vouchers in 2020. Younger folks don’t really lose out on this tourism initiative because each of them gets to enjoy a $10 subsidy at attractions and for tours. Every adult can purchase up to six child or youth tickets at subsidised prices.
If you forgot to use your SRV, slap your thigh, say alamak, and move on. Whether you’re planning for a family day out with your kids, date weekend, or simply trying to spend some me-time, there are many things you can do in Singapore:
Singapore Tours
| Tour company | Price |
| Singapore Sidecars | From $160 per person |
| Oriental Tours | From $10 per person |
| Tribe Tours | From $45 per person |
| Lighthouse Adventure Co | From $150 per person |
| Chan Brothers | From $488 per person |
| Cuddlefish Divers | From $110 |
| Monster Day Tours | From $70 per tour |
| One 15 Luxury Yachting | From $883++ |
| The Cycle Startup | From $35 per person |
| Yacht Cruise SG | $89 per person |
Singapore Sidecars
What’s faster and more stylish than a trishaw with blinking neon LED lights blaring loud music from an attached speaker? Look up Singapore Sidecars and hop on a ride in the sidecar of a Vintage Vespa for an unusual sight-seeing experience.
There are several tours on offer, such as a 60-minute Sidecar Ride Date for lovebirds that comes with a selection of pretty preserved flowers encased in a dome from social enterprise Bloomback.
Other experiences on offer include a Crazy Rich Asians tour and a party tour to popular drinking spots. You can even ask to customise your tour. What you can’t do is to drive the Vespa sidecar yourself.
Oriental Tours
Oriental Tours conducts 2.5- to 4-hour tours, including some unusual ones that will have you exploring secret spots rather than popular tourist sights.
The 4-hour Singapore Famous Murder Story & Ghost tour will take you to some supposedly haunted sites together with “ghost hunting” equipment, while the 4-hour Journey Across The Heartland tour will let you experience the charm of some local spots. Fancy a tipple? Go bar-hopping on the 3-hour Nocturnal Gems tour at some of Singapore’s chicest locations.
While most tours are priced at $65 to $150 per person, they’ve got some bargains such as the Stories of Chinatown walking tour which costs just $10 per person.
Tribe Tours
Tribe Tours has 20 curated tours with a strong focus on traditional foods and Singapore’s fast-disappearing past.
Their Hawkerwalk — Old School Snacks tour will take you down memory lane as you tuck into food from yesteryear. Another memorable experience is the outdoor escape room game tour that will take you all over Chinatown on a search for a serial killer, while learning little-known facts about the area.
Choose from 2-hour walks to half-day tours, and expect group sizes to be kept small and cosy.
Lighthouse Adventure Co
Take a walk on the wet side on a dive trip with Lighthouse Adventure Co. The company offers scuba diving certification courses for novice and experienced divers.
Once you know how to dive, you can discover underwater Singapore on a dive trip. Their next trip will take you to Pulau Hantu and comprises two guided dives starting at $150 per person.
They’re currently offering dive promotion bundles for those who wish to buy their own equipment. For $840, you get a Tecline Peanut 16 BCD and a free buoyancy workshop worth $200. $1,825 gets you a Tecline Peanut 16 BCD, V1 ICE DIR regulator set and a free SDI buoyancy course with certification worth $350.
Chan Brothers
Chan Brothers is better known for its overseas package tours, although it started offering 3D2N tours around Singapore that comprises a staycation, transportation and a day tour in 2020.
Its tours covered many popular tourist attractions in Singapore. There’s one dedicated to Joo Chiat, which includes a day tour focusing on the Peranakans of the area. Another tour took you through Chinatown and Kampong Glam, and Pulau Ubin.
Currently, Chan Brothers has decamped from local tours to offer 4-hour private Catamaran yacht charters to Lazarus island. For 4 hours, you get to sail out to nearby waters, kayak, snorkel, fish, or float around on a giant mat. Prices range from $599 (weekdays) to $799 (weekends) for a maximum of 5 pax.
Cuddlefish Divers
Since you have to wear a mask everywhere, it might as well be a diving mask. Cuddlefish Divers conducts dive courses and dive leisure trips that will have you exploring the waters around Singapore.
Since overseas trips are not possible at the moment, their dive trips all go to Pulau Hantu, with slots available every week. There are two options: guided ($168) and non-guided ($135). Gear rental costs an additional $25, but you’ll need your own wetsuit.
Want to dive more often? Thanks to their 3-trip promo, you can purchase a set of 3 trips at $195 with no guide, or $230 with a guide. You must have at least three divers on each trip.
One 15 Luxury Yachting
Can’t take to the skies on a plane to your dream destination — not even to nowhere? Think land tours can get too crowded? Your best bet is to head out to sea.
Sail away into the sunset on a luxury yacht trip with One 15 Luxury Yachting, leaving the pandemic behind you for just 2 hours… while you snap lots of Instagram stories.
It includes a 2-hour joyride on a private yacht for 2 or 5 guests. You’ll pass by neighbouring islands such as St John Island, cruise past the Marina Bay skyline, before docking at ONE°15 Marina. Prices range from $299++ for 2 pax, and $470++ upwards for 5 guests from Mondays to Thursdays only.
Monster Day Tours
Once a favourite of tourists, Monster Day Tours used to conduct very popular — and free — walking tours. Due to the pandemic, it is now charging for their walking tours in order to survive.
Each tour covers a specific tourist area such as Chinatown, Little India or Kampong Glam. You can also opt for tours focusing on culture, food and nightlife.
Thanks to a current promo, you can bring up to 4 people along for free each time you book a tour.
The Cycle Startup
Want to work up a sweat as you take in the sights of Singapore? If the hot and humid climate isn’t enough for you, hop on a bicycle with The Cycle Startup as they take you on a cycling tour. Its current tours range from 3 to 5 hours.
Most of its tours will take you from Punggol to Pasir Ris Beach Park, Lorong Halus and Coney Island. Each group comprises 1 to 4 participants, and you will cycle 15km to 20km, depending on the tour selected.
Yacht Cruise SG
Yes, Singapore is a small island. But there are smaller islands surrounding it. Why not venture beyond our local beaches and check out these mini islands nearby? Yacht Cruise SG offers what you need to get you there.
Visit Singapore’s southern islands on a yacht, cruising past Pulau Hantu, Semakau Island (our national landfill), Raffles Lighthouse, Sister Islands, St John’s Island, Lazarus Island, Kusu Island, Marina Bay and Sentosa Island.
You’ll listen to commentary from a licensed tour guide while munching on onboard refreshments.
How are you planning to spend your weekends? Tell us in the comments!
Related articles
Singapore Attractions To Visit — Promotions At Sentosa, USS, Cable Car, the Zoo and More
12 Best Kids’ Activities for School Holidays in Singapore For Every Budget