Sentosa, a renowned Singaporean island resort, draws around five million visitors annually with its array of attractions. It boasts a 2-kilometer sheltered beach, golf courses, two five-star hotels, and Resorts World Sentosa, home to the famous Universal Studios Singapore theme park. Beyond its physical beauty, Sentosa possesses a distinct character that sets it apart.
The name "Sentosa" was chosen in 1972 through a naming contest organized by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. Derived from Malay, it embodies the island's essence of "peace and tranquility." Previously known as "Pulau Panjang" (Long Island) and "Blakang Mati" (the island behind which lies death), it carries echoes of its historical past, including violent pirate conflicts.
Originally covering approximately 1.5 square miles, Sentosa underwent extensive development as a tourist destination from the 1970s onward. Access to the island was facilitated through various transportation modes, such as ferry services, the Singapore Cable Car, and the Sentosa Monorail system (now discontinued). Presently, visitors can reach Sentosa by car or on foot.
During the early colonial period, Sentosa housed diverse villages and a British signal station. However, a mysterious epidemic, likely malaria, led to the abandonment of the station and a decline in the village's population. Throughout the colonial era, Sentosa played a pivotal role as a military base, guarding the harbor entrances with forts and batteries.
In 1969, plans were unveiled for a resort on Pulau Blakang Mati (now Sentosa), envisioning hilltop chalet-style and floating hotels, kelong restaurants, golf courses, and water-based activities. While the original concept was eventually abandoned, subsequent land reclamation efforts in 1979 and 1980 expanded Sentosa by merging Sarong Island and Pulau Selegu. The reclaimed land became home to additional attractions and recreational facilities, with the completion of the project in 1994 connecting Sentosa to the reclamation site of Buran Darat, now known as Sentosa Cove.
