Situated approx. 6.5km south of Singapore, St. John's Island - a beautiful and serene island, is famous for having a penal settlement but today it is a perfect getaway spot to relax, swim and suntan. Other facilities include picnic areas, trekking routes, holiday bungalow (from S$52.50 for 4 days) and cosy dormitories at the Holiday Camps (can take up to 60 persons, from S$63 per day) are managed by Sentosa. No food or drinks on sale on the island.

The 39-hectare island is also a haven for a host of flora and fauna. St. John's natural shores is ringed by coral reefs with a variety of hard and soft corals. Fiddler crabs can be seen in the mudflats of the mangrove areas during low tide. The island also has small patches of mangroves.

For many of Singapore's immigrants, St. John's Island (previously known as Pulau Sekijang Bendara) was the first place of disembarkation. Here, they were registered and screened for disease. Immigrants who were found to be carriers of tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, typhoid, etc were quarantined on the island.

When the island ceased to be a screening centre, it became a colony for cholera patients. It has since also been used as a drug rehabilitation centre and a place of exile for political dissidents. In recent times, the western end of the island hosts a $30 million Marine Aquaculture Centre. With effect from 21 November 2006, ferries departs from Marina South Pier instead. Ferry services will no longer run from Sentosa's ferry terminal.

There is no guided tours on St. John Island. You may want to visit Lazarus Island, opposite of St. John Island. You can get to the Island on foot via a link.