Sembawang - Neighbourhood Guide

With prospective industrial developments along Gambas Avenue, Sembawang residents can expect more employment opportunities closer to home. The upcoming development of Woodlands Regional Centre and North Coast Wafer Fab Park nearby will also bring fresh retail and job options to the environment. Sembawang Shipyard, specializing in markets such as passenger ships conversions and upgrading of navy ships repairs can also be found here. The opening up of new housing areas along Canberra Link including The Nautical condominium and Build-To-Order development along Sungei Simpang Kiri will add on to existing residences. As a national monument, the former Admiralty House is set to be a centerpiece of the future Sembawang Community Hub and enhance the community development with its rich heritage. Sembawang Shopping Centre has also been newly renovated to bring convenience as well as provide more retail and dining offerings. In addition, a new primary school and a foreign system school at Jalan Ulu Sembawang will be joining the current education cluster.

Public transport and amenities in Sembawang

Sembawang, located in the North Region of Singapore, is a charming residential area known for its rich history, serene parks, and vibrant community. Geographically, Sembawang is bordered by the Johor Strait to the north, providing picturesque waterfront views and a cooling sea breeze. To the south, it is bounded by Yishun, while Woodlands lies to the west and Mandai to the southwest.

Once a prominent naval base, Sembawang retains much of its colonial heritage, which is evident in landmarks like the historic Beaulieu House and the former British naval base buildings. The area offers a blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. The neighbourhood is also expected to undergo more development, including industrial, retail and housing developments, potentially leading to more employment and retail options for its residents soon.

With its mix of historical charm, lush green spaces, and convenient amenities, Sembawang offers a unique and enjoyable living experience for residents and a delightful exploration for visitors. The area's geographical location by the sea, coupled with its rich cultural heritage and modern conveniences, makes it a distinctive and attractive part of Singapore.

10 Best Things to Do in Sembawang

If you wonder what to do in this neighbourhood, 99.co has listed some of the best ones for you! These activities highlight the diverse experiences that Sembawang has to offer, from historical explorations and nature retreats to culinary delights and recreational activities.

1. Visit Sembawang Park

Sembawang Park is a serene waterfront park perfect for family outings and picnics. The park features a picturesque beach, barbecue pits, playgrounds, and fitness areas. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach or take in the scenic views of the Johor Strait. The park also has historical landmarks such as the Beaulieu House, adding a touch of heritage to your visit.

2. Explore the Sembawang Hot Spring Park

This natural hot spring is a unique attraction in Singapore. Sembawang Hot Spring Park offers visitors a chance to soak their feet in the warm spring water, which is believed to have therapeutic properties. The park also features a foot bath area, a cascading pool, and a café, providing a relaxing experience amidst nature.

3. Enjoy Recreation at Sembawang Country Club

Sembawang Country Club is a premier golfing destination featuring an 18-hole golf course set amidst lush greenery and scenic landscapes. The club offers excellent facilities, including a driving range, swimming pool, and fitness centre. It's a perfect place for golf enthusiasts and those looking to relax and unwind in a tranquil environment. The club also has dining options, making it a great spot for a leisurely meal after a game of golf.

4. Discover the Sembawang Heritage Trail

The Sembawang Heritage Trail takes you through the rich history of the area, highlighting its naval past and colonial architecture. Key sites include the Sembawang Shipyard, former British naval base buildings, and the Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang, a historic mosque. The trail offers a fascinating glimpse into Sembawang's past, making it a must-do for history enthusiasts.

5. Exciting Water Sports at SAF Yacht Club

Located in Sembawang, the SAF Yacht Club offers a range of water sports activities, including sailing, kayaking, and powerboating. The club provides training courses for beginners and has facilities for members and visitors. It's a great place to experience the thrill of water sports while enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery.

6. Dine at Chong Pang Market & Food Centre

For a taste of local cuisine, head to Chong Pang Market & Food Centre. This bustling hawker centre offers a wide variety of affordable and delicious local dishes, such as satay, chicken rice, and laksa. The vibrant atmosphere and diverse food options make it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

7. Stroll along the Canberra-Sembawang Park Connector

This park connector provides a scenic route for walking, jogging, or cycling. It connects various green spaces in the area, allowing you to enjoy the lush greenery and tranquil environment while getting some exercise. The path is well-maintained and ideal for a leisurely outing.

8. Visit the Sembawang Shopping Centre

This neighbourhood shopping centre offers a variety of retail stores, dining options, and entertainment facilities. It’s a convenient spot for shopping, dining, and leisure activities. The mall also hosts regular events and promotions, making it a lively place to visit.

9. Explore the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Though slightly further afield, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is worth the visit. This nature reserve is known for its mangrove swamps and diverse wildlife, including migratory birds. It offers several trails and boardwalks for visitors to explore, along with observation hides for bird-watching. The reserve provides an educational experience about Singapore’s natural habitats and conservation efforts.

10. Relax at Admiralty Park

Admiralty Park, located nearby, is known for its diverse flora and fauna. The park features multiple trails for hiking, jogging, and nature walks. It also has one of the largest playgrounds in Singapore, with various play equipment suitable for children of all ages. The park’s rich biodiversity makes it a great spot for nature lovers.

Housing Options in Sembawang

Sembawang offers a variety of housing options catering to different preferences and budgets. From public housing estates to private condominiums and landed properties, here’s an overview of the housing options available in Sembawang:

Public Housing (HDB Flats)

Public housing in Sembawang is primarily managed by the Housing & Development Board (HDB), which provides affordable and well-maintained living spaces. HDB estates in Sembawang are family-friendly and come with various amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and community centres. Some notable HDB estates in the area include:

• Sembawang Crescent
• Sembawang Drive
• Canberra Street

These estates offer a mix of flat types, ranging from 2-room to 5-room units, catering to singles, couples, and families.

Executive Condominiums (ECs)

Executive Condominiums are a hybrid between public and private housing, offering the facilities of private condominiums at a lower price point. Sembawang has relatively more options for ECs, compared to other areas in Singapore. Some notable ECs in Sembawang include:

• Parc Canberra
• Provence Residence
• SkyPark Residences
• The Visionaire

These developments typically feature amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and BBQ pits, providing a comfortable living environment for residents.

Private Condominiums

Sembawang also has a selection of private condominiums for those seeking more exclusive living arrangements. Private condos in the area often come with comprehensive facilities and security. Some notable private condominiums in Sembawang include:

• The Nautical
• Canberra Residences
• D’banyan

Landed Properties

For those seeking more spacious and luxurious living options, Sembawang has a range of landed properties, including terraced houses, semi-detached houses, and bungalows. These properties offer larger living spaces and private gardens, making them ideal for families. Areas like Sembawang Springs and the vicinity of Sembawang Park are known for their landed properties.

Eat & Drink in Sembawang

You'll be surprised at how much of a foodie haven this quiet neighbourhood can be. Let us here at 99.co show you the must-tries! First, head to Sembawang Traditional Claypot Rice for a sumptuous throwback to the good ol' days, with some claypot rice and bee hoon dishes. Speaking of bee hoon, White Restaurant's white bee hoon is not to be missed - incredibly fragrant, satisfying and affordable!

Nearby, Sum's Kitchen serves what is claimed to be one of the best-roasted ducks in Singapore; in fact, it's so popular that you have to place a reservation for a roasted duck days in advance.

Northerners craving Korean Fried Chicken can now head to Seoul Chicken along Sembawang Road for their Korean food fix - or even order delivery from them.

Many eateries in Sembawang are also memorable for their unique dining experience: Handle Bar is, as the name suggests, a biker-themed restaurant with delicious American food to match. Alternatively, if motorcycles are not your thing, you might want to check out Baker's Brew Studio. Their speciality cakes - such as the Ondeh Ondeh Cake - add a truly decadent twist to local delicacies, and should not be missed! The cake studio also conducts baking classes for those interested.

Finish off with a scoop (or ten) of ice cream from The Daily Scoop, which has a branch at Sembawang Cottage; with their countless flavours, one would be hard-pressed to choose just one!

Shopping in Sembawang

There are two shopping malls in the neighbourhood: Sun Plaza and Sembawang Shopping Centre. Both malls are extremely accessible, with Sun Plaza located right next to Sembawang MRT and Bus Interchange, and Sembawang Shopping Centre having free shuttle bus services from the nearby Yishun and Sembawang MRT stations.

Sun Plaza has a supermarket, as well as many and varied eateries. There are also a number of different education centres for children, as well as schools that offer dance classes and the like; the whole family would be able to find something for them at this shopping mall!

Sembawang Shopping Centre, too, has a wide variety of stores to cater to the needs of the residents: there are a number of home and furnishing stores for those who are shopping for furniture and home decor, and there are also beauty stores, spas, electronic stores, clothing stores and even a karaoke lounge.

This is, of course, not to mention the various convenience stores and coffee shops scattered around the neighbourhood for the residents' easy access to commodities.

Schools in Sembawang

Sembawang is home to a variety of educational institutions catering to different levels and needs. There are currently five primary schools and three secondary schools in the neighbourhood, along with a handful of preschools and other types of educational facilities.

Primary Schools

• Sembawang Primary School
• Wellington Primary School
• Endeavour Primary School
• Northoaks Primary School
• Canberra Primary School

Secondary Schools

• Sembawang Secondary School
• Canberra Secondary School
• Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School

Junior Colleges

• Yishun Innova Junior College (YIJC) (merger of Yishun Junior College and Innova Junior College)

International Schools

• Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS)

Special Education Schools

• Spectra Secondary School (a specialised secondary school for students who benefit from a hands-on approach to learning)

Sembawang Public Library

Residents of the North West area, especially Sembawang, can go to Sembawang Public Library to access a lot of literary resources and educational activities. It is located within the Sun Plaza Shopping Centre and occupies the entire fifth storey with a floor area of 1,607 square meters. Housing about 150,000 items for users of all age groups, the library’s collection includes more than 400 magazine titles, an Early Literacy collection for children aged 0 to 6 years, and digital library resources such as e-newspapers, e-magazines, and Quick Reads. 

Sembawang Public Library has a thematic storytelling session conducted by librarians every month where children can enjoy stories with themes such as folk tales, friendships, and festivals, and engage in fun educational activities with or without their parents. The children’s section itself is specially zoned into three areas; the babies and toddlers section, the young readers’ area, and the reading deck. The first section features the Early Literacy Collection, a collection that focuses on children’s learning and development by singing, playing, talking, reading, and writing. The young readers’ area is designed for children aged 7 to 9, while the reading deck features an open setting area for parents and children to host the storytelling program.

Parks and Gardens in Sembawang

Time for a day out in nature? Just take your loved ones to Sembawang Park. Situated facing the Johor Straits, Sembawang Park offers visitors a tranquil and beautiful beachside. It is a popular fishing ground and a great place for family and friends to spend quality time together. There are shelters and barbecue pits along the park and beach, allowing you to barbecue by the sea and enjoy the gentle breeze and the sound of the waves. Children can have their best times at the maritime-themed playground as well, so the park really has something for every member of the family. 

Another interesting destination for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city is the Sembawang Hot Spring Park. Located at Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Hot Spring Park features new cascading pools and a water collection point, where visitors can learn about Singapore’s only hot spring park’s history and geology as well. The rustic environment is enhanced by unpaved paths and naturalised streams flowing from the hot spring, which mimics the freshwater swamp forest landscape. Several other parks in Sembawang include Canberra Nature Park and Jelutung Harbour Park.

Sports Facilities in Sembawang

Residents of Sembawang can expect the new integrated sports and community hub, Bukit Canberra, in the near future. Bukit Canberra will feature an expansive indoor sports hall with multiple courts for sports such as badminton, volleyball, and basketball. On top of that, it is also built with school competitions and community events in mind, the hall’s gallery will have a seating capacity of up to 500 people. As for the aquatic sports, the swimming complex will debut an 8-lane lap pool, a 6-lane sheltered training pool, a fun pool for kids, and a “natural setting” wading pool for all to enjoy. Fitness enthusiasts who do not thrive in confined air-conditioned spaces can look forward to their obstacle course-type Forest Gym. Moreover, of course, you can always work your way through the many running trails around the complex. Not only a sports centre, the 12-hectare hub will also provide amenities such as a hawker centre, a polyclinic, a senior care centre, and green space for community farming.

Public Transport and Connectivity - Sembawang

Sembawang is well-served by various modes of public transport, making it easy to navigate the area and connect to other parts of Singapore. Here’s an overview of the public transport options available in Sembawang:

Sembawang MRT Station (NS11)

The Sembawang MRT Station is a key stop on the North-South Line, providing convenient access to the rest of Singapore. The station is centrally located and serves as a major transportation hub for the area. From here, commuters can travel directly to the city centre, as well as to other residential and commercial districts.

Sembawang Bus Interchange

Located near the Sembawang MRT Station, the Sembawang Bus Interchange is a central hub for bus services in the area. It provides seamless transfers between bus and MRT services, making it easy for commuters to switch modes of transport. The interchange is equipped with amenities such as seating areas, information boards, and retail outlets.

Residents will enjoy an extensive network of bus routes that serve the local community and link to other parts of Singapore. Key bus services in Sembawang include:

• Service 859: Provides connections to Yishun and Woodlands.
• Service 858: Links Sembawang to Changi Airport via Yishun and Tampines.
• Service 962: Runs between Woodlands and Sembawang.
• Service 981: Serves the residential areas within Sembawang and connects to Sembawang MRT Station.
• Service 117: Connects Sembawang with Punggol and Yishun.

Cycling Paths and Park Connectors

Sembawang features a network of cycling paths and park connectors, promoting cycling as a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transport. The Canberra-Sembawang Park Connector is a notable route that links various green spaces in the area, providing scenic and safe pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. Bike-sharing services are also available, offering an alternative way to get around.

Future Transport Developments

There are ongoing plans to enhance public transport connectivity in Sembawang. The upcoming North-South Corridor, a major expressway, will improve road connectivity and provide dedicated bus lanes, cycling routes, and pedestrian paths. This development is expected to ease traffic congestion and promote more sustainable transport options.

These public transport options make Sembawang a well-connected and accessible area, ensuring that residents and visitors can easily travel within the neighbourhood and to other parts of Singapore.