If you're not keen on fishing, we know an activity that you might be interested in – prawning! Here's where you can catch some fresh seafood, and even enjoy them on the spot.
Want to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun, Singapore-style? It’s time you try prawning! This weekend and school holiday activity is a crowd-pleaser regardless of age. Honestly, we’re not surprised. Why? Well, you get to cook up a delicious feast with your catch, so the seafood stays oh-so-fresh! Rent a rod, pick your lucky spot and some fresh bait, and get ready for a day of fishing for shrimp…
Where to go prawning in Singapore
1. ORTO
When it comes to prawning in Singapore, you either go big or go home. If you choose the former, we know just the place. Orto has the largest prawning facility in the country, with 10 ponds that consist of big head prawns and yabbies. Kill two birds with one stone by catching your own seafood and enjoying close bonds with your loved ones. This place operates 24/7, so if you can’t sleep at night or wake up too early, there’s a place where you can fight boredom. But be quick – this place is sadly set to close its doors in June 2023.
ORTO, 81 Lorong Chencharu, Singapore 769198
2. Bait N Catch
Betcha didn’t know Aranda Country Club has a prawning facility! Bait N Catch is the latest and freshest prawning arena in Singapore’s eastside, with four freshwater ponds filled with big head prawns and yabbies. Prawners can participate in challenges and competitions, all with attractive prizes to be won. So if you’re looking for a fun-filled prawning experience in Singapore, Bait N Catch is where it’s at.
Bait N Catch, Aranda Country Club, 60 Pasir Ris Drive 3, Singapore 519497
3. FishBugis+
Sweltering under the hot, hot heat for a few hours of prawning is just not our idea of fun. It’s a good thing that FishBugis+ is located indoors! Head up to the seventh floor of Bugis+, where you get the chance to catch the expensive and delicious seawater tiger prawns. There are barbeque grills onsite, so you can cook your catch and enjoy them fresh. Are you a prawning newbie? Fret not – the staff will be able to teach you how to do so. You’ll be a prawning pro in no time.
FishBugis+, #07-05, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street, Singapore 188067
4. Hai Bin Prawning
Would you rather be watching a soccer game on the telly instead of prawning? Well, you can get the best of both worlds at Hai Bin. Catch up on footie and swig cans of beer while keeping an eagle eye on your twitchy rods (and the kiddies, too, of course). Didn’t score a big catch? That’s okay, the friendly folks will give you some frozen prawns to barbecue if you do poorly at the ponds.
Hai Bin Prawning, #01-04, 6 Tebing Lane, Singapore 828835
5. D’Best Fishing
Here’s another indoor prawning spot in Singapore that you can hit up. Located in Pasir Ris Town Park, D’Best Fishing prides itself on having two fishing ponds; the outdoor pond is regarded as the largest pond in Singapore. Beginners can try their luck prawning at the indoor pond, which releases the catch at irregular intervals. Besides prawning, this recreational destination is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
D’Best Fishing, Pasir Ris Town Park, 90 Pasir Ris Central, Singapore 519635
6. Riviera Prawning
If Hai Bin’s a little too crowded for your liking (#relatable), we know another place in Punggol where you can enjoy some quiet prawning time. The littlies get a taste of the kampung spirit over here (there’s no WiFi!), so you can all try your luck fishing some catch. Riviera has a reward system too, where you can win up to $10 just by catching a tagged prawn. It’s open 24 hours, AKA you’re free to drop by at all hours.
Riviera Prawning, #01-11, Punggol Golf Club, 60 Punggol East, Singapore 828825
7. ATC Fishing Village
For those living in the west, you can pop over to ATC Fishing Village for a spot of prawning in Singapore. There’s a wide variety of prawns which are tagged in different colours. This is part of ATC’s tagged prawn rewards system, where you stand a chance to win $2, $5, $10, or a free hour of prawning. That’s shrimply cool! The tagged prawns (and reward system) are available from 6pm on Fridays to 6am on Mondays.
ATC Fishing Village, 241 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, Singapore 629143
8. Iwarna Aquarium
Keen to see a rural and quieter side of Singapore? Pile your littlies in the car and trundle to Iwarna Aquarium for some prawning time. This secluded spot also offers grilling services, so the fam can cook after your fishing sesh. Is the car trip worth it? Deffo, especially if you’re someone who’s not into crowds. Psst, you can’t find much on Google regarding this place. But rest assured, it exists, and you can get your prawn on over here.
Iwarna Aquarium, 24 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 699964
9. Fish at AMK
The sister outlet to FishBugis+, Fish at AMK is located within The Grassroots Club, directly beside Yio Chu Kang MRT station. (You may have seen it before once or twice!). The kiddos will have a ball of time prawning; otherwise, they can try out longkang fishing, fish feeding, and even fish spa. It also organises lucky draws, which take place between 2 and 7pm daily. No idea where to celebrate bub’s birthday? Fish at AMK is an excellent party venue.
Fish at AMK, 190 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, Singapore 568046
What you should know about prawning in Singapore
Is there the best time to catch prawns?
Seeing as you’ll be fishing in artificial ponds, which are regularly filled with fresh prawns and yabbies, there’s no best time to take note of. If you’re prawning in the wild, however, you’ll need to be aware of the time, tide, and moon phases. Yeap, that’s three things too many to remember!
What is the best bait for prawning?
Plenty of things can be used as bait. Earthworms are one favourite, which some prawning centres provide. Other places may offer dry bait pellets. Be sure to dip those in bait oil or powder so that you’re guaranteed a catch. Professional prawners are said to use raw baits such as cockles and tiny chunks of chicken heart or liver.
What should I do to ensure that I can catch prawns?
Here are three tips that you should be mindful of:
- Prawns tend to stay at the bottom of the pond, so make sure your hook touches the pond base after you cast the rod. This allows your bait to float at the right height, thus attracting prawns and winning you some seafood.
- It’s a misconception that you need small hooks for prawns. What you actually need is a large, curved hook. This makes it easier to snag prawns and unhook them.
- Don’t overstuff your hook with bait. Just tip the hook with a small amount.
How should prawns be consumed?
Clean your catch thoroughly and remove the veins. Season the prawns with salt and pepper, and grill both sides until slightly charred. Squeeze some lemon juice and enjoy. Prawns can apparently be eaten raw too, but we recommend refraining from doing so. Vibriosis is not something you’d want to experience!
Grab your tackle box and have fun prawning!
