Sembawang Jetty

Sembawang Park

Sembawang Park is located on the northern shore of Singapore, facing Johore. You can get there by bus service 882 or drive there if you have your own transport, there's two parking lots; carpark 1 being closer to the shore.

Because of the restricted flow of current by causeway between Singapore and Malaysia, the water quality may not be as good as compared to the southern or eastern shore. The water tends to be a little brackish as well. Also, the park is located just beside a shipyard so there might be possible pollution from there as well. Water is generally shallow throughout the entire stretch of the beach.

Most anglers will fish at the jetty located at the end of the park. It's a very small jetty and can accomodate very little anglers compared to Labrador and Bedok Jetty. One thing bad about the construction of the jetty is that the wooden flooring has gaps that allow small objects to drop through it. Stuff like coins, scissors, hooks and sinkers can easily be lost by this means if you're not careful.

There's a restaurant located just beside the jetty and there are toilets and vending machines behind the restaurant. The jetty itself has no shelter but you can walk in abit from the jetty to cool yourself down under the shady trees. Do take note that there are often people swimming at the beach just beside the jetty, so do watch where you cast your lines.

Entrance to Jetty

Restaurant infront of the jetty

As you can see, the jetty do not extend very far out from shore. What's more, the shore is very gently sloped down outwards so the water is still pretty shallow at the furthest end of the jetty. So in reality, there isn't too significant of difference fishing from the beach or from the jetty if you're using a surfcasting setup. It is observed that most anglers throw more to the side of the shipyard.

Overall view of the jetty

Rocks are exposed during low tide and the sea bed can be seen from the jetty above. Crabbing is usually done on the long vertical stretch of the jetty. The water on this part is too shallow to fish during low tide.

Left side of the jetty

Right side of the jetty

This is another favoured spot by the regulars at Sembawang Park. There's shelter and you don't have to squeeze shoulder to shoulder with people on the small jetty. It's more rocky on this side so it means a higher chance of snag but it also increases the chance of a grouper surprise.

The shelter and rocky area on the right side of the jetty

One thing that haven't changed over the years is the abundance flower crabs at Sembawang Park. It is interesting to note that they are able to sustain its population very well despite the continuous crabbing activities, though usually in small sizes. The flower crabs can be easily seen near the beach at night using a torchlight as well.

Crabbers at the jetty

Many small flower crabs caught

Marine catfishes are probably the most consistent species of fish you can catch there. They aren't fussy eaters and can pack quite a punch on your light tackles. It has been an accepted fact by anglers that Sembawang Jetty is generally unproductive, though one may find occasional surprises such as Spotted Sicklefish, Chermins and groupers. Other fishes you may catch there include striped eeltail catfish, Kekeks.

Marine catfish caught by the surf anglers

More catfish

Just a minute's walk from the bus stop you will see a few chairs at the edge of the shore. This is another place to try if you do not wish to cramp with other anglers on the jetty. Also, the trees beside the chairs provide excellent shade while fishing. Further to the right, you see more concrete ledges; those are also good place to try out.

A steep drop with chairs

Some rocky areas down the beach

If you walk all the way to the right of the jetty, you'll reach the Bottle Tree Village, formally occupied by Sembawang Sea Sports Centre. Good thing is that the slipway is still there, and it provides some extension out to see for that little extra distance. It is also a cover for fishes as well, there maybe groupers hiding under it! Just beside the slipway is the mouth of the Sungei Simpang Kiri (A big Canal).

For those taking buses, you can alight at the roundabout where the bus u-turns and walk right along the beach till you see the slipway. Or, you can alight a stop before the roundabout and walk in from Andrew's Avenue and follow straight down the road where you'll walk past Mosque, and finally the Bottle Tree Village. For those who have your own transport, you can can park your vehicles at the Bottle Tree Village.

The Bottle Tree Village

A slipway behind the Bottle Tree Village

Sungei Simpang Kiri is a very old monsoon canal, there used to be a few prawns ponds just beside the canal. If you observe the canal wall along side of the jogging path, you will come across a big hole where water discharges; that's where the ponds were located. They are now almost filled up during the construction of the park connector, narrowing into a small stream. The entire canal has also been cleared up since then. Most parts of the canal is flooded during high tide and there will be fish moving in during this time. Fishes mullets, needlefishes and tilapias can be commonly found in this canal. It is possible that Barramundis to enter the canal to hunt, especially during the night.

Sungei Simpang Kiri

The jogging path beside the canal

The beach itself is splitted into two sides by the canal; Wak Hassan on the Bottle Tree village side, and Simpang on the opposite side. It is actually possible to cross over to Simpang during very low tide (at your own risk), but take not that it is a protected area used for army training. The actual entrance into Simpang has a sentry point and unauthorized personnels are not suppose to enter. There used to be many prawn ponds inside Simpang, most of which are probably abandoned by now. Nevertheless, most anglers will probably be able to guess what lies within these ruins.

The other side of the canal

Created 23 September 06