Kusu Island

Kusu Island
Native name: Pulau Tembakul ; 龟屿 ; குசு தீவு
	Aerial perspective of Kusu Island, Singapore. Shot in 2016.
	Location of Kusu Island within Singapore
	Kusu Island
Etymology	Tortoise island
Geography
Location	Southeast Asia
Coordinates	1°13′22″N 103°51′40″E / 1.22278°N 103.86111°E
Archipelago	Malay Archipelago
Area	0.085 km2 (0.033 sq mi)
Administration
	Singapore
Region	Central Region
Planning Area	Southern Islands
Demographics
Population	not applicable (not allowed to live there) (2020)
Additional information
Official website	Official website
	Transport Marina South Pier

Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) to the south of the main island of Singapore and below the Singapore Straits. "Kusu" means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Hokkien (Chinese: 龟屿; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ku-sū); the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay.

During the lunar ninth month of every year, the Kusu Island pilgrimage attracts thousands of devotees who visit and worship at the Tua Pek Kong Temple. Besides the Chinese temple, the island is also home to three Malay shrines (Keramat).

From two outcrops on a reef, the island was enlarged and transformed into an island of 85,000 square metres (914,932 sq ft).

Mythology

The legend behind the island says that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors, one a Malay and the other a Chinese.

Facilities

At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stood a large shrine, the Keramat Kusu that consisted of three keramats (or sacred shrines of Malay holy figures) to commemorate a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and his sister (Puteri Fatimah), all of whom once lived in the 19th century. Many devotees climbed the 152 steps leading up to the keramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines were also popular with childless couples who would pray for children. On April 17, 2022, the keramats were badly damaged in a fire.^[2]

Also located on Kusu island is the popular Chinese temple dedicated to both Dà Bó Gōng (大伯公), or Tua Pek Kong (Grand Uncle), also known as Fú Dé Zhèng Shén (福德正神) and Ná Dū Gōng (Dato Keramat or "拿督公"). Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two main Chinese Deities, Da Bo Gong and Guān Yīn ("观音", or Goddess of Mercy). The former is highly regarded as having the power to confer prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and avert danger, while Guan Yin is known as the "Bestower of Sons".

Da Bogong Temple on Kusu Island.

Marble Tortoise statues on Kusu Island.

It is popular for its lagoons, pristine beaches and general tranquil settings. Visits are often made by occasional ferry trips from the nearby Marina South Pier (formerly from Clifford Pier) to see the famous wishing well and the Tortoise Sanctuary. A stand-alone open-air hawker centre is located in the middle of the island but it is only open and running during certain periods of the year, such as during festivals or pilgrimages to the keramats or the temple. No overnight stays are permitted on the island.