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Water activities halted at 3 Sentosa beaches after crocodile sighting; search ongoing
Patrols and monitoring have been stepped up across Sentosa’s beachfront areas.
A crocodile sighting in the waters off Sentosa Cove on Jan 31, 2026. (Photo: CNA reader)
01 Feb 2026 07:29AM (Updated: 01 Feb 2026 10:25AM)
SINGAPORE: Water activities, including swimming and kayaking, have been halted at Sentosa's Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong Beach until further notice after a crocodile was spotted in the waters off Sentosa Cove on Saturday (Jan 31) evening.
The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said in a Facebook post that the National Parks Board (NParks) and SDC were alerted to the sighting.
"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," they said.
While Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong Beach remain open, water activities are not allowed amid the ongoing search, with SDC adding that it has “stepped up" patrols and monitoring across Sentosa’s beachfront areas.
The suspension of water activities prompted the postponement of the MetaSprint Series Aquathlon event along Palawan Beach.
"We understand this is disappointing - many of you have been looking forward to this event and have trained extensively for it. However, the safety of our participants, volunteers, and staff remains our highest priority," organisers MetaSport said in a statement on its website on Sunday.
Members of the public are advised to stay calm and back away slowly if they encounter a crocodile, and not approach, provoke or feed the animal.
They should also adhere strictly to safety signs and instructions on the ground.
Any sightings or encounters should be reported to NParks' Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.
Then-Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said the crocodile had been assessed to pose a “significant risk” to public safety.
