Pulau Hantu
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 Pulau Hantu highlighted in red |
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| English | Pulau Hantu |
| Chinese | 韩都岛 |
| (Pinyin | hándū dǎo) |
| Malay | Pulau Hantu |
| Tamil | fill in |
Pulau Hantu is located to the south of the main island of Singapore, off the Straits of Singapore. Pulau Hantu is actually made up of two islets: Pulau Hantu Besar (Big Ghost Island) and Pulau Hantu Kechil (Little Ghost Island), with a total area of 12.6 hectares. At low tide, it is possible to wade across the shallow lagoon between the two islands, but not at high tide.
[edit] Legend of Pulau Hantu
Hantu is the Malay word for ghost and Pulau Hantu is aptly named as "island of ghosts". It was here that ancient Malay warriors once dueled to the death and their ghosts are said to wander the isle.
There were once two great warriors locked in a fierce battle at sea. Many people died and the blue seas slowly became polluted with human blood, upsetting the Jinns at the bottom of the ocean. In anger, one powerful Jinn created a whirlpool and sucked the two warriors into the deep sea to drown them. Not deterred, they continued their battle. Suddenly, the Jinn sprayed water on one of them. The other warrior, seeing his opponent blinded, thrusted his sword into his abdomen. At the same time, the wounded warrior plunged his sword into the other man. Both collapsed and died.
The gods felt it was wrong for the sea spirits to interfere in human affairs. Thus, the Jinn transformed the two warriors into islets so that their spirits can continue to live on them. As one of the warriors was smaller than the other, his islet was known as Pulau Hantu Kechil while the bigger one was called Pulau Hantu Besar.
[edit] Pulau Hantu today
Despite its forbidding name, Pulau Hantu is a favourite haunt for fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts because of its sheltered beaches, swimming lagoons and inviting waters. The islands are also popular with campers and day-trippers who prefer a unique outdoor experience.
Pulau Hantu has rich reefs despite its proximity to Pulau Bukom's refineries. A wide variety of corals can be found on Pulau Hantu, and mushroom corals are particularly abundant in the waters surrounding the islands. Common sea life that can also be found include the clown fish or anemonefish, the giant clam and the seahorse. There is a small patch of mangroves between Pulau Hantu Kecil and Pulau Hantu Besar, where native seashore plants also line their beaches.
Visibility is chronically poor, ranging from 0.1 m to 1.5 m (rarely).
It was reported in June 3, 2006 edition of The Straits Times that a plan to create a "marine sanctuary" has been dropped due to opposition from conservationists.
The plan, known as Project Noah, was to install mechanical filters around a strip of lagoon off Pulau Hantu, to clear the waters of excess silt and pave way for coral growths.
[edit] External links
| edit | Islands of Singapore |  |
| Natural islands |
Pedra Branca (disputed with Malaysia) | Pulau Anak Bukom/Pulau Anak Bukum | 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 (Saint 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 Ujong (Singapore Island) | Pulau Ular | Pulau Unum | Sentosa | Sultan Shoal |
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| Artificial islands |
Chinese Garden | Coral Island | Japanese Garden | Jurong Island | Kias Island | Paradise Island | Pearl Island | Pulau Punggol Barat | Pulau Punggol Timor | Sandy Island | Treasure Island |
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| Former islands |
Anak Pulau | Berhala Reping | Pulau Ayer Chawan | Pulau Ayer Merbau | Pulau Bakau | Pulau Darat | Pulau Merlimau | Pulau Mesemut Darat | Pulau Mesemut Laut | Pulau Meskol | Pulau Pesek | Pulau Pesek Kecil | Pulau Saigon | Pulau Sejahat | Pulau Sejahat Kechil | Pulau Sakeng/Pulau Sekang/Pulau Seking | Pulau Sakra | Pulau Sanyongkong | Pulau Semechek | Pulau Seraya | Pulau Tekong Kechil | Terumbu Retan Laut |
