My experience overlooking Sentosa from 35m on the SkyHelix ride

Not too sure where to go over the holidays? Here’s a place you might want to consider.

Sentosa’s SkyHelix ride lets you sit in the sky 12 storeys high, enjoying the very strong breeze and views. It is Singapore’s highest open-air panoramic ride and Sentosa’s first carbon-neutral attraction.

Apart from the many Instagrammable selfies you can take, there’s also some delicious treats you can enjoy on your ride. 

Here’s what my experience was like at SkyHelix Sentosa.

Getting there was easy. You can get there via cable car, or walk from Imbiah Station. I was informed by a staff member that the walking distance is currently longer than usual due to construction works, but go ahead if you are up for a little exercise!

Before boarding the ride, I picked up some snacks from their snackbar. Though it isn’t halal-certified, there are other options like fresh fruits which cost $4.50 a bowl. There’s also a range of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to choose from.

To keep my stomach filled throughout the 12-minute ride, I tried their tuna pie and apple cinnamon muffin, and it was savoury with its flavours bursting in my mouth.  

Each ticket comes with a choice of a standard non-alcoholic drink, or you can choose to get an exclusive SkyHelix Sentosa souvenir instead. I tried the banana milkshake and a passion fruit mocktail. Just like the pastries, I wasn’t disappointed. 

Before ‘takeoff’, the staff will check your safety belts to ensure everything is secure. A few minutes later, it’s time for liftoff!

Going up was smooth and not jerky at all, nothing like the roller coasters at the nearby Universal Studios Singapore (USS). And though I was never afraid of heights, I was worried about my cup being blown off and hitting someone below. Thankfully, there were cup holders on the ride! 

The ride operator also reminded us from time to time to be aware of where you place our phones, just in case. 

As we got higher, the winds got stronger. My friend’s hair was all over her face so I would advise you to bring a hair tie if you have long hair. 

Also, since your feet will be dangling in the strong winds, flip flops might not be ideal footwear.

Needless to say, the view was breathtaking when we finally reached the top. There was a freshness in the cool air and at certain points I could even smell the sea. 

Surprisingly, it wasn’t warm despite the sun shining in our faces. I booked a slot from 5pm to 6pm and got on the ride around 5.30pm, when the sun was just starting to set. If you want the best sunset shots, slots between 6pm to 7pm would be ideal.

There is also no need to figure out which seat promises the best view as the ride will slowly rotate so you can enjoy a 360° view of the island.

We began our slow and smooth descent and before we knew it, the ride was over. 

Overall, it was a nice and even romantic experience, but I do wish it could have been longer than just 12 minutes. Nonetheless, I would say this is something you should try at least once. 

Tickets are priced at $18 each for adults and $15 for children aged four to 12. And as a special opening week treat till Dec 19, you can get a free mini Häagen-Dazs ice cream on a first-come, first-serve basis.