Pulau Hantu

Pulau Hantu is a beginner-friendly dive destination encompassing the reefs around Ghost Island, one of Singapore's most important sites for recreational diving and marine conservation. Located just a short boat ride south of the main island, this small island and its surrounding waters offer a surprising wealth of tropical marine life that contradicts every assumption visitors might have about diving near one of the world's most densely developed city-states. The reefs of Pulau Hantu extend to a maximum depth of around eighteen meters, providing a range of diving environments from shallow coral gardens to deeper reef slopes that cater to various experience levels. The island's position in the southern waters of Singapore means it receives relatively clean oceanic water from the Singapore Strait, and while visibility rarely matches that of remote tropical destinations, the water quality supports a remarkably diverse coral community. Hard corals at Pulau Hantu number over two hundred and fifty species, a biodiversity figure that places this tiny island's reefs among the most species-rich in the region relative to their size. Massive coral heads that have grown for decades provide the reef framework, while branching, plating, and encrusting species fill every available space. The corals are adapted to the turbid conditions, and their resilience in the face of heavy shipping traffic, reclamation projects, and urban runoff makes them objects of genuine scientific interest. The reef supports an equally impressive fish community. Schools of cardinalfish hover above the coral heads, while damselfish zealously guard their algal gardens. Butterflyfish in pairs pick at the coral polyps, and hawksbill turtles occasionally visit to feed on sponges growing among the coral. The macro life is exceptional, with multiple nudibranch species, decorator crabs, mantis shrimp, seahorses, and pipefish rewarding patient divers who search carefully among the reef's countless hiding spots. Pulau Hantu holds special significance for Singapore's diving community. It serves as a training ground where new divers take their first breaths underwater, a research site where marine biologists monitor reef health, and a recreational destination where experienced divers return repeatedly to discover new species and observe seasonal changes. The island represents the possibility of coexistence between urban development and marine biodiversity. Night diving at Pulau Hantu reveals an entirely different reef. Nocturnal creatures emerge from their daytime hiding places as the sun sets. Basket stars unfurl their elaborate arms to filter-feed, crabs and lobsters roam the reef openly, and the bioluminescent flashes of various organisms create a magical underwater lightshow that contrasts dramatically with the daytime experience. Pulau Hantu proves that extraordinary marine life can persist in the most unexpected places. For divers visiting Singapore, the chance to explore these resilient reefs offers not just enjoyable diving but a powerful lesson about the tenacity of nature in the face of human pressure.