The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has unveiled the Greater Sentosa Master Plan (GSMP), a sweeping transformation set to reshape Sentosa over the next two decades.
The plan brings together Sentosa and the neighbouring 120 hectare Brani Island, with the goal of doubling annual visitor numbers from the more than 16 million recorded today.
Development will roll out progressively, with the first projects expected to come online from the early 2030s. Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu called it the boldest vision yet for Sentosa, which aimed at cementing the island as a world-class destination Singaporeans can call their own.
One of the most striking parts of the GSMP is Imbiah Canopy, a new landmark set to rise at the peak of Mount Imbiah. Expect a mix of attractions, dining, retail, and sheltered event spaces once it's built.
Imbiah Canopy will also feature a treetop skywalk linking directly to Siloso Beach. Alongside it, the Imbiah Lookout Walk, a sheltered elevated forest canopy walk, will connect the existing 350 metre Sensoryscape to Imbiah Lookout to provide visitors access to surrounding walking trails across Sentosa.
Along the coastline, a new attraction called Sensorium is planned as a fresh icon for the island to host a range of lifestyle and indoor experiences. It's also designed as a multi-purpose venue for events and festival activations, with green spaces built in to keep things comfortable even in Singapore's heat.
Sentosa's three main beaches, Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong, are all set for a major rejuvenation. Alongside new event spaces, the refresh will come with coastal protection measures designed to guard against erosion and rising sea levels.
You can also look forward to new experiences like beach clubs, coastal activities, and a floating boardwalk connecting a string of islets along Sentosa's 3 kilometre coastline. Known as islet-hopping, the experience lets you explore these small islands up close while taking in the island's natural waters and surroundings.
SDC has flagged Brani West as one of the biggest sites earmarked for new attractions under the GSMP. The agency says it's currently exploring partnerships to help bring the area to life.
To support the expected surge in visitors, the GSMP includes the Island Heart Transport Hub, a major gateway connecting Sentosa and Brani. It's designed to be the key arrival point and gathering spot before visitors continue their journey across the island.
A new People Mover System is also planned to replace the current Sentosa Express and offer greater capacity to handle future visitor growth. Other transport options under study include water taxis and additional waterfront links, alongside the existing Singapore Cable Car.
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) is also playing its part through RWS 2.0. One of the most anticipated additions is the Waterfront Lifestyle Development, set for 2030, featuring a promenade, a "mountain trail", and an 88 metre light sculpture.
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Singapore is also on the list of new attractions coming to the area. Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Singapore is also on the list of new attractions coming to the area.
RWS CEO Lee Shi Ruh said the GSMP benefits Singapore as a whole by drawing more visitors and broadening the range of tourism offerings on the island.
As Greater Sentosa takes shape, she noted, RWS sees opportunities to work more closely with the Singapore Tourism Board and other precinct partners to deliver a more seamless experience for visitors.
If you want to get a closer look at what's coming, SDC has launched a roving exhibition showcasing the GSMP in more detail.
After its debut run at VivoCity in early July, the exhibition will travel to Our Tampines Hub, Jurong Point, and Waterway Point in Punggol, before returning to Sentosa in October. Admission is free at every stop, so you can drop by and even share your own thoughts with SDC along the way.
While it'll only come together gradually starting in the early 2030s, the GSMP is easily one of the most ambitious plans ever drawn up for Sentosa.
If you already have plenty of memories tied to the island, get ready, because the Sentosa you know today is about to look a lot bigger in the years ahead.
