Legend says a magical tortoise became Kusu Island to save two shipwrecked sailors, and pilgrims still cross to its temple and shrines every ninth lunar month.
Kusu means tortoise in Hokkien, and the island's legend tells of a magical tortoise that turned itself into land to save two shipwrecked sailors. Devotees pray at the Da Bo Gong temple, built in 1923, and on a hillock above, up 152 steps, three Malay kramats honour the 19th-century holy man Syed Abdul Rahman, his mother and his sister. Pilgrims come every ninth lunar month.
Ferries leave from Marina South Pier and loop to Lazarus, then Kusu, and back; return tickets start from S$15. A ticket allows one hop from St John's or Lazarus on to Kusu, but there is no ferry from Kusu back to the other islands, so visit St John's first. Overnight stays and pets are not permitted, and you should take your rubbish home.
