Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about to the south of the main island of Singapore and below the Singapore Straits. "Kusu" means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Hokkien; the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay. It can be taken by a boat from Marina South Pier. The wordkusu also means flatulence in Tamil, one of Singapore's official languages—however, this is in no way related to the name of the island, and is a misconception. From two outcrops on a reef, the island was enlarged and transformed into an island of. The legend behind the island says that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors, one a Malay and the other a Chinese. At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stands three keramats to commemorate a pious man, his mother and his sister, all of whom once lived in the 19th century. Many devotees will climb the 152 steps leading up 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 keramats, but at the sites. Also located on Kusu island is the popular Chinese temple dedicated to both Da Bo Gong, or Tua Pek Kong, and Na Tuk Kong. Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two main Taoist deities, Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin. 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 general tranquil settings. Visits are often made by occasional ferry trips from the nearby Marina South Pier to see the famous wishing well and the Tortoise Sanctuary. Afternoon picnics on the island are also very popular, although no food or beverage service providers are situated on the island. A stand-alone open-air hawker centre is located in the middle of the island but it is only open and running during certain periods of the year, such as during festivals or pilgrimages to the keramats or the temple. No overnight stays are permitted on the island. However, most ferries to Kusu Island also route past Saint John's Island, which does have overnight lodging offered.
