Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of The Singapore Yachting Festival
Yacht shows have returned to Singapore, rebranded and refreshed as the Singapore Yachting Festival. After a successful inaugural edition last year, this second edition is expected to be bigger and better, including an impressive lineup. Held across four days from 25 to 28 April, it will showcase the fast growth of Asia's yachting industry and be hosted on Singapore's exclusive island of Sentosa at the ONE°15 Sentosa Cove Marina.
Sentosa is the most developed of Singapore's islands, the gateway and hub of Asia's yachting industry. It is full of award-winning retreats, themed attractions, white sandy beaches, and luxury dining, shopping, and accommodation options. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to enhance your experience at and around the Singapore Yachting Festival this April.
Getting To And From The Festival
Sentosa is technically an island, but it is connected to the rest of Singapore by rail network, road, and pedestrian boardwalk, making it extremely easy to access. Located in a prime position, the Yachting Festival is being held at the ONE°15 Sentosa Cove Marina, conveniently accessed by various methods. From here, the international airport is only around a 30-minute drive.
Grab/Gojek: While in Singapore, you can use Grab and Gojek's ride-sharing services. These taxi booking apps can allow you to secure transportation ahead of the show. Be advised that in busy periods, you may have to wait slightly longer for an available car. A flat-rate admission charge will apply to all cars entering.
Private Car: It is conveniently accessed by car, with plenty of all-day parking available; the best place to be dropped off is at the Fountain Plaza drop-off point, just opposite The Residences at W Hotel. Parking is available at Quayside Isle, and there are 78 car parking lots, with specific family, electric car, and wheelchair-friendly parking lots operating 24 hours a day.
Quayside Isle Shuttle Buses: The shuttle bus service for Quayside Isle departs every 30 minutes and runs between Harbourfront Bus Interchange and Sentosa Cove Village, just a short walk from Quayside Isle. It costs $3 per ride and is available daily from 06:30 until 22:30. A complimentary Sentosa Bus B runs between Beach Station and the W Hotel, less than a minute's walk from Quayside Isle. This service runs daily every 15-20 minutes between 07:00 and 21:40.
Public Transportation: The MRT system is the country's principal rail network. To arrive, take the Northeast line or Circle line and alight at Harbour Front Station, then a short walk via the Sentosa Boardwalk or a shuttle bus transfer from the third level of the VivoCity mall is required.
Where To Stay
Capella: Located in the island's heart, this luxury resort offers various options, from rooms, suites, and villas to manors. Spanning 30 acres of lush rainforest, it blends colonial with contemporary aesthetics and is home to a renowned spa. Opt for a luxurious room, a villa with a private pool and terrace, or a manor distinguished by the personal butler service. A footpath connects the resort to Palawan Beach, a scenic cove and one of the island's main beaches.
W Singapore Sentosa Cove: The hotel has 240 rooms, with various options to choose from. Suites include futuristic interiors with a range of unique and luxury features, such as plunge pools and DJ booths. As the show's hotel partner, it is in a prime position, and the luxury brand's 'Whatever/Wherever' service fulfills guests' needs 24/7. To unwind after a day viewing yachts, the hotel has a seven-treatment-room AWAY Spa.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa: This is Singapore's only beachfront resort that offers rooms with balconies and ocean-facing views. The spacious guest rooms are timelessly styled and luxuriously comfortable. Guests can indulge in a range of dining experiences here. The resort also has an array of facilities, such as multiple outdoor pools, a spa, and direct access to the beach.
Le Meridien: A hotel housed in a restored colonial building, Le Meridien is close to pristine beaches and various attractions. The 1940s restored building with suites that include outdoor Japanese-style hot tubs makes it a unique property on the island. Amenities also include the rooftop pool and a range of dining options.
The Barracks Hotel: This former British artillery outpost has been converted into a luxury hotel. Once home to soldiers, it is now a luxury hotel for guests visiting Sentosa. A short drive from the marina, this boutique hotel, with just 40 rooms, offers a sense of exclusive calm throughout the busy Festival atmosphere.
Where To Wine And Dine
Burnt Ends: Located in Dempsey Hill, in Singapore, this modern barbecue restaurant thrives on an open kitchen concept headed by Australian chef David Pynt. The fun and relaxed atmosphere boasts a Michelin star and the refined meats and fish can be washed down with various boutique wines.
Candlenut: The world's first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Chef Malcolm Lee takes an authentic and contemporary approach to traditional Chinese cuisine, using fresh and seasonal ingredients. The dishes are inspired by Peranakan fare with a creative Indonesian touch. After a day at the Festival, there is a 20-course tasting menu for a unique gastronomic journey.
Chifa!: 'Chifa' is Peruvian-Chinese cuisine, and this restaurant represents the country's first Chifa restaurant, where the flavor of Peru meets China, celebrating the diverse cultural melting pot of Singapore. This trendy hangout in Sentosa's Resort World serves food in large sharing formats, perfect for group meals.
Nouri: This Michelin-starred restaurant in Singapore combines various cultures, ingredients, and destinations into the menu. The table and connected chef's counter are perfect for front-row seats to sit back and enjoy the culinary action. The restaurant also does a chef's tasting lunch menu.
Odette/Smoke and Mirrors: The three Michelin-starred Odette helmed by Chef Julien Royer, is in Singapore's National Gallery. The modern French cuisine here combines creativity and elegance. Atop the National Gallery is also the Smoke and Mirrors award-winning rooftop bar, perfect for a pre or after-dinner drink with a view.
The Cliff: From Asia, be transported back to the Mediterranean at The Cliff in Sentosa. This Italian restaurant has favorites like Buratta and Tiramisu on the menu, where you can enjoy a two- or three-set lunch menu or a three- to four-set dinner menu between the Festival's events.
Altitude Coast: This adult-only exclusive rooftop effortlessly switches between a day and night club. Situated on top of The Outpost Hotel, there is an alfresco pool deck overlooking Palawan Beach. Escape here for a refreshing cocktail, or refuel away from the Festival with the all-day dining experience.
VUE: Back in the city, head to Singapore's first rooftop spritz bar. On top of the QUE Bayfront on Collyer Quay, catch an amazing sunset over the city and Marina Bay with the bar's happy hour. Vue also offers a chef-driven rooftop restaurant.
What To See And Do
Visit IYC at the Singapore Yachting Festival: Meet some of our team at the show to discuss our fleet and Asia's yachting market. We will showcase GALILEO among the impressive lineup - get in touch with your IYC Consultant to book your viewing. There will also be a Lifestyle Festival market, spotlight live music performances, supercar displays, and an eclectic mix of pop-up food and drink and retail experiences to discover.
Golf Courses: The Sentosa Golf Club offers a world-class golfing experience, boasting two award-winning championship courses within picturesque settings. The exclusive club keeps sustainable practices at the heart of its values. Five minutes from the Festival, you can easily tee off between viewing the yachts.
Universal Studios: This iconic destination is perfect for adrenaline seekers. This world-renowned theme park has state-of-the-art rides, immersive shows, and interactive attractions. As Southeast Asia's first and only Universal Studios theme park, it is ideal for a family-friendly fun activity in Sentosa between the Festival's activities.
I Fly Singapore: More activities for the thrill-seekers is I Fly Singapore, the professionally-guided indoor skydiving experience, and the world's most giant themed wind tunnel. As you fly above, you can also view the South China Sea and Siloso Beach.
Marina Bay Sands: The architectural marvel of Singapore's cityscape, Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort full of luxury experiences and entertainment in the city's heart. The development features the three iconic soaring towers crowned by the SkyPark, with its observation deck, infinity pools, and lush gardens. There are various immersive experiences, including a visit to the ArtScience Museum. Throughout the resort, there is a plethora of luxury shopping and dining options.
Gardens By the Bay: This national garden is a showstopper for the city, with its meticulously designed gardens spanning around 250 acres on the waterfront, featuring a diverse array of species. A highlight of Singapore is an impressive skyway over the gardens and various conservatories dotted around to explore, a perfect respite from the bustling city.
Insider Tips & Tricks For Singapore
Clothing & Footwear: Comfort is key throughout the day as yacht shows require lots of walking. Opt for easy-to-remove, comfortable shoes ideal for boarding the yachts. Loose, breathable clothing is recommended for Singapore's hot and humid climate.
Plan Ahead: With so much to see and do at the Festival, it's advisable to plan ahead to ensure you visit all the yachts you want to. It's also best to plan for quieter periods; arriving earlier in the morning is better for beating the crowds. Work with your IYC Consultant to schedule your viewings so you can plan around and enjoy the Festival's atmosphere.
Weather Precautions: Bring sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, to wear while exploring the yachts and outdoor exhibitors. Singapore's weather is very hot and humid. Carrying an umbrella is also wise during the Festival, as Singapore is prone to sudden rain showers.