One of my favourite spots to unwind in Yishun is the Lower Seletar Reservoir. It's calming to just sit around, relax, feel the breeze, and watch the world go by. I mean, how often do you find a place in Singapore that gives you an unobstructed wide-open view of the water, greenery, and sky?

If you are lucky, you might even spot a white-bellied sea eagle soaring and circling effortlessly high above the reservoir, waiting for the opportune moment to dive and grab a fish from the water below.

Some facts here: The reservoir has a surface area of 3.6 km², and a capacity of 9.5 million m³ of water. It’s not very deep, with an average depth of just 2 meters and 5.5 meters at its deepest, but its shoreline stretches for 14.3 km.

For families with kids, there is the Family Bay area. It’s a nice spot where children can splash around in the water play zone and wading stream, while parents can relax on the heritage deck to soak in the reservoir view.

Something I didn’t know until recently is that the reservoir is named after the Orang Seletar people, who originally inhabited the area - an interesting bit of history to ponder over as you stroll along the man-made 120-meter long Heritage Bridge and its accompany heritage dashboards 😊. Go take a walk along the Heritage Bridge - aside from the heritage visuals, you will find the reservoir view quite mesmerizing, especially during misty mornings with the emerging sun rise. As you gaze up, you see the immensely clear skies with possibly one or two white-bellied sea eagles circling and soaring above. At the end of the bridge, you look back and see a beautiful waterfront scene of residential apartments, a leisurely park strip, calming waters and blue skies.

For those seeking adventure, the Lower Seletar Water Sports Centre, which is managed by Camelot, is located within the park. Here, you can rent a kayak and paddle across the calm waters. 

If you’re keen to learn more, don’t miss the ABC Waters Learning Trail. It’s a great way to engage with Singapore's water sustainability efforts. You’ll get hands-on experience with water quality testing and discover the unique biodiversity of the reservoir.

There is a short 1.3 km jogging track that loops around the reservoir. I come here for a jog occasionally, especially in the cooler evenings, when the light is softer, and the whole place feels more alive with people, birds, and the gentle sounds of the water. Good place to clear your head or just enjoy the outdoors!

If you're looking for a peaceful waterfront escape in Yishun, make sure to visit Lower Seletar Reservoir. Dress in comfortable workout gear, and try to come either at sunrise or sunset—the views are simply stunning during those times. From my experience, if you arrive with a troubled mind, you’ll definitely leave feeling calmer and more refreshed. It's the perfect spot to clear your head and recharge.

Type of Experience

A walk along the Lower Seletar Reservoir Park as well as the Heritage Bridge takes around 20-30 minutes.

How to get here

Alight at the Khatib MRT station and walk southwards for about 7-10 minutes.