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Everything You Need to Know About the Live Turtle Museum in Singapore (From a Local!)
- Where is the Live Turtle Museum?
- How to Get to the Live Turtle Museum
- Best Time to Go
- What to Do at Live Turtle Museum
- Meet the giant tortoises
- Feed and pet the tortoises
- Explore rare and exotic species
- Stroll through the terrapin pond
- Capture memorable moments
- Where to Eat and Drink Near Live Turtle Museum
- Siam Kitchen- HomeTeam Khatib
- Takagi Ramen
- Orchid Live Seafood
- Where to Stay Near the Live Turtle Museum
- Orchid Country Club
- Village Residence Hougang
- Hotel 81 Kovan
- FAQs
Honestly, I never thought I’d spend a morning staring at turtles, but the Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum totally won me over. There’s something oddly satisfying about watching giant tortoises shuffle slowly across their enclosures while tiny turtles peek curiously at you.
The variety is wild – some turtles are so small you almost miss them, others are enormous and lumber along like they own the place. I caught myself leaning in, noticing every little detail: the shells’ patterns, how they stretch their necks, even the slow blink of a tortoise.
It’s surprisingly engaging, whether you’re a kid, a curious adult, or someone who just loves odd little pockets of nature. There’s no rush here. You can wander, take photos, or just sit and watch them go about their day.
To help you get the most out of your visit, here’s a local’s guide to the Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum, from quiet corners to the highlights you won’t want to miss.
Where is the Live Turtle Museum?
The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum is tucked away on Sungei Tengah Road, in a quiet neighborhood of small houses and calm streets. It’s a peaceful little spot where visitors can linger and watch turtles and tortoises at their own pace.
How to Get to the Live Turtle Museum
By MRT or Bus: Take the Downtown Line to Gul Circle, then catch Bus 182 or 179 and hop off near Sungei Tengah Road. From the stop, it’s a quick walk to the museum.
By Car or Grab: Drive to 81 Lorong Chencharu Road, then head to Checharu Link. You can find free parking slots along ORTO/Loron Chencharu site.
By Taxi: Tell the driver to take you to “Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum, Sungei Tengah Road.” They’ll know the location.
By Bike/Scooter: From Khatib MRT, ride all the way to Yishun Avenue 2, then turn into Lorong Chencharu. Follow the road to the ORTO complex, where the museum is located.
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit the Live Turtle Museum is during weekday mornings when it’s the quietest – visitors are few and the setting is most relaxed.
If you’re unable to visit in the morning, late afternoons, and early evenings on weekdays typically provide a calmer alternative to the weekend crowds.
What to Do at Live Turtle Museum
Meet the giant tortoises
– Media from professorwill
The first things you’ll notice when you enter the museum are the giant tortoises – you really can’t walk past without stopping. They move slowly, taking their time with every step, and it’s oddly calming to just watch.
Look a little closer and you’ll see how each one is different. Their shells have unique markings, and the way they stretch their necks is almost graceful. Some wander around like they’re exploring, while others just laze in the sun.
Stick around for a bit, and you’ll catch the small details – one munching on leaves, another stretching out, even one letting out what looks like a slow-motion yawn. It’s simple, but really fun to watch if you’re not in a rush.
Feed and pet the tortoises
– Media from singaporetravelholic
Feeding the tortoises is a big draw at the museum. The staff hands out leafy greens, and before long, a few of the larger ones start heading toward the crowd.
Visitors are allowed to touch the shells. They’re tough and ridged, with different lines and shapes that show how old and individual each tortoise is. Getting that close makes them feel less like exhibits and more like living relics.
The feeding spot usually becomes busy with families and kids laughing as the tortoises move between people. It’s noisy and cheerful, and very different from the calm of simply watching them in their pens.
Explore rare and exotic species
– Media from turtlemuseumsg
The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum is full of species you don’t often see. Some are tiny and brightly marked, others have shells with odd shapes that catch your attention right away. You’ll end up slowing down just to look at them properly.
The star tortoise is one of the standouts, its shell patterned like something drawn by hand. Then there’s the softshell turtle that slips easily through the water, almost too smooth to notice at first.
What makes it memorable is how near you can get. Watching them eat, stretch, or simply pause in place feels like a quiet glimpse into their everyday life.
Stroll through the terrapin pond
– Media from turtlemuseumsg
The terrapin pond feels different from the rest of the museum. The path around it is simple, shaded in some spots, and quiet enough that you mostly just hear the water. It’s the kind of place you end up walking slowly without meaning to.
There are a few spots where you can lean over and watch the pond from closer up. Sometimes the terrapins bunch together on the rock, sometimes they just slip under the surface and disappear. Nothing really happens fast here, and that’s part of what makes it nice.
The walk isn’t long, but it breaks things up. After the busy exhibits, this corner feels more like a small garden where you can take your time before moving on.
Capture memorable moments
– Media from turtlemuseumsg
Walking through the museum, you’ll find plenty of moments worth saving on camera. A giant tortoise might lumber slowly across the path, or a small terrapin could be perched on a rock as if posing for a picture. These little sights are what make the place fun to remember later.
Snap a few pictures as you go, and you’ll carry home reminders of a visit that feels both unusual and personal.
Where to Eat and Drink Near Live Turtle Museum
Siam Kitchen- HomeTeam Khatib
– Media from siamkitchensg
Address: 2 Yishun Walk, #01-01 HomeTeamNS Khatib
Phone: +65 3125 8710
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Daily: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Siam Kitchen at HomeTeamNS Khatib is an easy place to settle into if you’re craving Thai food. The vibe is casual, the tables are well spaced, and the staff is friendly without being over the top. It feels more like a neighborhood spot than a formal restaurant.
The menu covers the classics – green curry, tom yum soup, fried rice, stir-fries – and the flavors are strong without being too heavy. Prices are reasonable, especially with their weekday lunch sets.
If you’re coming with a group, the Ambeng platter is fun since you can mix and match dishes to share.
Takagi Ramen
– Media from scrappyfoodie
Address: 101 Yishun Ave 5, #01-27 Chong Pang City
Phone: +65 9170 7870
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Takagi Ramen does ramen straightforwardly. The broth is heavy on flavor, rich and creamy, and it feels like the kind you could keep spooning without getting tired of. The noodles come with a nice bite, and the pork slices are soft, sometimes even falling apart as you lift them.
Sides like gyoza or karaage make the meal more filling, and they come out hot and fresh. The prices are low enough that you don’t think twice about adding a side or a drink.
This restaurant isn’t trying to be fancy, and that’s exactly why it works. You sit down, get a big bowl of ramen, and walk away satisfied.
Orchid Live Seafood
– Media from elleaboutfewd
Address: 2 Yishun Walk, #03-01, HomeTeamNS Khatib
Phone: +65 6756 0311
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Daily: 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Orchid Live Seafood has built its name around lobster porridge, and it’s easy to see why. The broth is rich and layered, with sweetness from the lobster that blends into every spoonful of rice. It’s filling but also comforting, something people keep coming back for.
Beyond that, there are plenty of dishes worth sharing. Garlic bamboo clams arrive steaming, full of aroma, while the Soon Hock fish is served simply with light soy, so the freshness stands out.
The portions are large, meant for family-style dining.
Where to Stay Near the Live Turtle Museum
Orchid Country Club
– Media from sakilahammed21
Address: 1 Orchid Club Road
Phone: +65 6755 9811
Pricing: $$$
Orchid Country Club is a nice spot when you want a quiet break from the city. It’s tucked away in Yishun, so you get that open space and greenery that makes everything feel slower.
You can spend time on the golf course – even at night — something that you won’t really see anywhere else. If golf’s not your thing, you’ve still got bowling, swimming, or just walking around and enjoying the calm.
The rooms are comfortable, the food choices are decent, and the staff treats you well. What makes it even better is how close it is to the Live Turtle Museum, so you can spend the day exploring with ease and return to relax without any hassle.
Village Residence Hougang
– Media from rave_photography
Address: 1 Hougang Street 91
Phone: +65 6019 0400
Pricing: $$$
Village Residence Hougang is a really practical spot for a stay, especially if you want that mix of comfort and convenience. Since it’s located right above Hougang 1 Mall, you’ve got a supermarket, food court, and plenty of shops just downstairs, which makes daily living super easy.
The facilities are solid, too. You can swim a few laps in the pool, let the kids run around the playground, or even have a barbecue at the rooftop garden. There’s also a gym and sauna if you prefer a quiet workout or some downtime.
What makes it nice is how fuss-free it feels. You’ve got the space to cook, do laundry, and settle in without needing to run around.
Hotel 81 Kovan
– Media from kimi_chen71
Address: 768 Upper Serangoon Road
Phone: +65 6286 8181
Pricing: $
Hotel 81 Kovan is a no-frills budget option along Upper Serangoon. The rooms are compact and the décor is very plain, but they provide the essentials: air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and a television. The bathrooms are small, though they’re functional enough if you’re only staying a night or two.
The main advantage here is convenience. Kovan MRT is close by, making it easy to get around the city. The neighborhood itself has plenty of food choices, from hawker stalls to late-night eateries, so finding a meal is never a problem.
For the price, the hotel works well if you just need a simple place.
