Quick Read
- A crocodile was sighted off Sentosa Cove on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
- Water activities are suspended at Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong beaches, and four offshore islands.
- This is the first reported crocodile sighting in Sentosa’s waters.
- A joint search by NParks and SDC is currently ongoing.
- The MetaSprint Series Aquathlon was postponed due to the suspension.
SINGAPORE (Azat TV) – Water activities have been indefinitely suspended at three popular Sentosa beaches and several nearby islands in Singapore following a rare crocodile sighting in the waters off Sentosa Cove on Saturday evening, January 31, 2026. This marks the first reported crocodile sighting in Sentosa’s waters to date, prompting an immediate joint search operation by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) amid heightened public safety concerns and the disruption of scheduled events.
The crocodile was initially spotted and captured in pictures and videos circulating on social media on Saturday evening, drawing crowds to the shoreline. In response to the validated sighting, authorities quickly moved to halt all water-based recreational activities, including swimming and kayaking, at Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong beaches. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) also extended this advisory to St John’s, Seringat, Lazarus, and Kusu Islands, urging the public to avoid water activities there until further notice.
Sentosa Crocodile Sighting Prompts Immediate Halts
The Sentosa Development Corporation confirmed the suspension, stating that while the beaches remain open, water activities are prohibited as a precautionary measure. ‘As the sighting was assessed to be valid, a joint team was immediately activated to search for it. The search by NParks and SDC is currently ongoing,’ SDC announced in a Facebook post. This swift action reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the rare occurrence, given Sentosa’s status as a major tourist destination.
Safety signs warning of the crocodile sighting were promptly installed at affected locations, including Palawan Beach, by Sunday morning. The SDC has also ‘stepped up’ patrols and monitoring across Sentosa’s beachfront areas to ensure public safety and track any further signs of the animal. Officials emphasized that additional measures would be implemented in consultation with NParks, if deemed necessary.
Joint Search Underway for Sentosa Crocodile
The joint search and surveillance operations by NParks and SDC are actively continuing across Sentosa’s waters. This concerted effort aims to locate the crocodile and ensure the safety of both residents and visitors. Authorities acknowledge that while this is the first reported sighting in Sentosa’s immediate vicinity, the island is surrounded by natural waterways, making occasional wildlife sightings a possibility.
Members of the public are advised to exercise caution. If they encounter a crocodile, they should ‘stay calm and back away slowly,’ and refrain from approaching, provoking, or feeding the animal. Strict adherence to safety signs and instructions on the ground is crucial. Any sightings or encounters should be immediately reported to NParks’ Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
Public Safety and Event Impact Amid Sentosa Sighting
The suspension of water activities had an immediate impact on planned events. The MetaSprint Series Aquathlon event, scheduled along Palawan Beach, was postponed. Organizers, MetaSport, expressed disappointment but underscored their commitment to safety, stating, ‘However, the safety of our participants, volunteers, and staff remains our highest priority.’ A Mothership reader, part of a paddling club, also noted the disruption, humorously remarking they’d be ‘croc-blocked from training for the next week’ ahead of a national time trial.
The incident brings to mind a previous, albeit separate, event in 2023 when a nearly three-meter-long saltwater crocodile was put down in Singapore due to public safety concerns after being sighted at Marina East Drive and later near East Coast Park. Then-Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How had stated that crocodile posed a ‘significant risk’ to public safety. While the current Sentosa sighting is distinct, it highlights the consistent approach of Singaporean authorities to address potential threats posed by wildlife in populated areas.
The rare appearance of a crocodile in Sentosa’s typically well-managed resort waters underscores the persistent interface between urban development and natural ecosystems in Singapore, necessitating a swift and decisive response to balance public safety with the presence of native wildlife.