Marina Bay FAQs
Q1: How do I book? This month's slots are full, and there's no link for next month's slots.
The free DBS Sailing Program is popular and has limited slots; people locally and worldwide are doing their best to get one. DBS releases slots for the following month the week before.
Tip: Visit the website every hour, every day, from the last week of the month through the first week of the month, until you see open slots.
Q2: I did not get a confirmation email. Is my slot confirmed? Is my name or my guest's name in the booking?
We can only check the DBS check-in system on the day itself, 30 minutes before your sailing time. Based on past experience, 2% of registered guests do not receive their confirmation email. This is because of typos when entering their email address on the registration page, or the email went into their junk/spam folder. Also, some institutions' email servers may have blocked the confirmation email due to firewall settings.
Q3: I didn't receive the date and time of my booking in the confirmation email. When am I sailing?
If you didn't receive a date and time in the confirmation email, it's because you didn't select one during booking.
This may happen when you book on a mobile phone and the date and time selection windows aren't visible. Try it again on a desktop or a tablet.
Q4: What is the weather like at Marina Bay when it is raining at my home? What if it rains when I get there?
We will cancel the sailing session if the National Environment Agency (NEA) issues a lightning warning. You can check the lightning status on this website before the sailing time or when you are at Marina Bay.
Singapore's weather can change within minutes.
So we recommend coming down if you have a booking and sailing with us if the weather permits.
If there's a lightning warning while you are here, you will need to rebook for another day.
Q5: I can't attend my current booking because something came up. Can I reschedule for another date or have someone else take my place?
You will need to book again, as we can't transfer unused slots. All slots for the month are usually fully booked by the first week of the month.
To sail with us, you need a valid booking in your name (as shown on your NRIC, SingPass, passport, or photo ID) in our booking system.
Q6: It is so difficult to get a slot on the website; it is always full! Can I just come down to Marina Bay and get a no-show slot?
As of August 2025, we have opened up no-show slots to walk-in guests from the public. However, we will only know about no-shows 5 minutes before the session starts, so you will need to wait in a line that may be long. If a no-show opens a slot, you will need to fill out an indemnity form, which collects personal information, as on the registration page. We cannot guarantee available slots because we do not know whether guests will turn up for their free sailing slots.
Q7: Do I need to be vaccinated to attend? If so, what kind of vaccination do I need?
There is no vaccination requirement for public events.
However, our sailing activity involves 10 people on a 40-foot sailing boat, restricted to a sitting area about 6 meters by 2 meters, for 40 minutes.
Since guests are from the general public and foreigners, it is prudent to take the necessary precautions.
Q8: I booked for 5 to 10 guests. Why do only three of their names appear in the confirmation email?
Each attendee may register only three guests. That's four people per booking. You will need multiple bookings to accommodate five or more people.
Q9: Why do I keep getting an error message saying my booking has failed due to an infringement?
You may have inadvertently infringed on one of the booking rules, or may have gone to the DBS sailing website through a suspicious link, or you may have tried to register the primary registrant or their guests for more than one session each.
Please book at this official link:
If you can get a slot, manually enter your particulars. Do not cut and paste from a spreadsheet or run a bot.
Q10: May I bring my pet dog/cat/mouse/rabbit/parrot/capybara/donkey or service animal?
As we will be on a boat with nine other people of various races, religions, nationalities, and sensitivities, from Singapore and around the world, pets are not allowed on the boat. Thank you for your kind understanding.
Q11: Why are all the slots always fully booked? It's impossible to get a slot!
We have 1,040 slots for guests every week, from Wednesday to Sunday, unless it is a public holiday or we are holding sailing regattas.
All the slots are free, so many people bid for them from Singapore and around the world.
Q12: I got a slot! Where do I check in to sail?
Come to the pontoon at Customs House. Here's a map.
Q13: I have successfully registered my 3-year-old child; can she sail? If she can't, may I leave her at the check-in table? She'll sit there with her phone for hours.
The DBS registration page clearly states that the sailing age range is 7 to 70 years. The booking system collects personal information only for indemnity purposes. People you register who are not within the age limit will not be allowed to sail. We cannot take responsibility for your child. If you must sail and leave the underage child behind, please bring along a caregiver.
Q14: May I be on the same boat as my friend/family who booked at the same time slot?
Booked slots may not be on the same boat, as each boat can carry only eight guests. Once a boat is full, we will assign subsequent checked-in guests to another boat.
Tip: To sit together in a group of up to 8, arrive early and check in before other guests.
Q15: How can I correct the name of my guest?
Name changes are not possible after a successful registration. Please book again and avoid typos, partial names, and nicknames. Register using the name on your ID, passport, or SingPass, as facial verification is required at check-in.
Q16: I have a large bag/luggage because I just arrived from the airport/am heading to the airport. Is there a place where I can store my bag/luggage?
The boat only has space for a small bag to carry your water bottle, sunscreen, hat, phone, and wallet/purse. Please don't bring large items when you come sailing. Our staff cannot look after your belongings while discharging their duties, and they are not responsible if your items go missing. Being a public place, items have gone missing in the past.
Q17: Some of the dates for the month are missing. How do I book a slot during those dates?
Dates not indicated on the booking website mean there will be no sailing on those dates, due to either a public holiday, race days, or a private event.
Q18: I recently broke my ankle and am now using crutches. Will I be able to sail?
Participants must be able to walk up and down a flight of stairs and get on and off boats. You can view videos of the required manoeuvres at this link.
Do sail with us if you can conduct these movements unassisted.
Q19: My organisation would like to bring underprivileged children and youth to sail. How do we book a session?
If your organisation would like to bring underprivileged children or youth to sail on Marina Bay, fill out the form here, and we’ll be in touch.