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1°13′22″N 103°51′40″E / 1.22278°N 103.86111°E / 1.22278; 103.86111 Template:Infobox Singapore neighbourhood 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, off the Straits of Singapore. "Kusu" means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Hokkien; the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay. The word kusu also means flatulence in Tamil, one of Singapore's national languages—however, this is in no way related to the name of the island, and is a misconception. From two man outcrops on a reef, the island was enlarged and transformed into an islandland of 85,000 square metres (914,932 sq ft).

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

At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stands three kramats (or holy shrines of Malay saints) to commemorate a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and sister (Puteri Fatimah) who lived in the 19th century. Many devotees will climb the 152 steps leading to the kramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines are also popular with childless couples who would pray for children. Despite misconceptions, they do not pray to the kramats.

Also located on Kusu island is the popular Chinese temple - Da Bo Gong 大伯公 or Tua Pek Kong (Grand Uncle) and Na Tuk Kong(Dato Keramat). Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two main deities - the Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin 观音 (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 'giver of sons'.

It is popular for its lagoons, pristine beaches and tranquil settings. Visits are often made by ferry from the nearby Marina South Pier to see the wishing well and Tortoise Sanctuary. Afternoon picnics are also very popular. Overnight stay is not permitted on the island. However, most ferries to Kusu Island also take in Saint John's Island which does have overnight lodging.

References

Chia, Jack Meng-Tat. "Managing The Tortoise Island: Tua Pek Kong Temple, Pilgrimage, and Social Change in Pulau Kusu, 1965-2007." New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies 11, 2 (December 2009): 72-95.
Lu, Caixia. "The Kusu Pilgrimage: An Enduring Myth." International Institute for Asian Studies Newsletter 59 (Spring 2012): 50-51.

External links

Satellite image of Peak Island - Google Maps
Info for visitors on wildsingapore
Kusu Island Coral Reef Survey Data on Coral Reefs of Singapore

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 | tamilname   = ''குசுத் தீவு''
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-'''Kusu Island''' is one of the [[Southern Islands]] in [[Singapore]], located about {{convert|5.6|km|mi|1|abbr=off}} to the south of the [[Pulau Ujong|main island of Singapore]], off the [[Straits of Singapore]].  "Kusu" means "[[Tortoise]] Island" or "[[Turtle]] Island" in [[Chinese language|Chinese]]; the island is also known as ''Peak Island'' or ''Pulau Tembakul'' in [[Malay language|Malay]]. The word [[Fart|kusu]] also means [[flatulence]] in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], one of Singapore's national languages—however, this is in no way related to the name of the island, and is a misconception. From two man outcrops on a [[reef]], the island was enlarged and transformed into an islandland  of {{convert|85,000|m2|0|abbr=out}}.
+'''Kusu Island''' is one of the [[Southern Islands]] in [[Singapore]], located about {{convert|5.6|km|mi|1|abbr=off}} to the south of the [[Pulau Ujong|main island of Singapore]], off the [[Straits of Singapore]].  "Kusu" means "[[Tortoise]] Island" or "[[Turtle]] Island" in [[Hokkien]]; the island is also known as ''Peak Island'' or ''Pulau Tembakul'' in [[Malay language|Malay]]. The word [[Fart|kusu]] also means [[flatulence]] in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], one of Singapore's national languages—however, this is in no way related to the name of the island, and is a misconception. From two man outcrops on a [[reef]], the island was enlarged and transformed into an islandland  of {{convert|85,000|m2|0|abbr=out}}.
 The legend behind the island says that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors - a Malay and a Chinese.

v t e Islands of Singapore
Natural	Pedra Branca Pulau Anak Bukom Pulau Bajau Pulau Berkas Pulau Biola (Violin Island) Pulau Brani Pulau Buaya Pulau Bukom / Pulau Bukum Pulau Bukom Kechil / Pulau Bukum Kechil Pulau Buloh Pulau Busing Pulau Damar Laut Pulau Damien Pulau Hantu (Ghost Island) Pulau Jong (Junk Island) Pulau Keppel Pulau Ketam Pulau Khatib Bongsu Pulau Malang Siajar Pulau Palawan Pulau Pawai Pulau Pergam Pulau Renggis Pulau Sakijang Bendera (St. John's Island) Pulau Sakijang Pelepah (Lazarus Island) Pulau Salu Pulau Samulun Pulau Sarimbun Pulau Satumu (One Tree Island) Pulau Sebarok (Middle Island) Pulau Seletar Pulau Semakau Pulau Senang (Barn Island) Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island) Pulau Selugu (Sarong Island) Pulau Serangoon (Coney Island) Pulau Seringat Pulau Seringat Kechil Pulau Subar Darat (Sisters' Islands) Pulau Subar Laut (Sisters' Islands) Pulau Sudong Pulau Tekong Pulau Tekukor Pulau Tembakul (Kusu Island / Peak Island) Pulau Ubin Pulau Ular Pulau Unum Sentosa Singapore Island (Pulau Ujong) Sultan Shoal
Artificial	Chinese Garden Coral Island Dragonfly Island Japanese Garden Jurong Island Kias Island Nibong Island Paradise Island Pearl Island Pulau Punggol Barat Pulau Punggol Timor Sandy Island Treasure Island
Former	Anak Pulau Berhala Reping Buran Darat Pulau Ayer Chawan Pulau Ayer Merbau Pulau Bakau Pulau Merlimau Pulau Mesemut Darat Pulau Mesemut Laut Pulau Meskol Pulau Pesek Pulau Pesek Kecil Pulau Saigon Pulau Sejahat Pulau Sejahat Kechil Pulau Sakra Pulau Sanyongkong Pulau Semechek Pulau Seraya Pulau Tekong Kechil Terumbu Retan Laut