British Tourist Walks 15K Steps to Spot Otters in Singapore, Leaves Without Spotting Any

A British tourist’s final-day mission to spot Singapore’s famous wild otters turned into an exhausting 15,000-step journey across the city — but despite hours of searching, the animals never appeared.

Instagram user @sammeaney documented the experience in a reel posted seven days ago, showing him travelling across several parts of Singapore in hopes of catching a glimpse of the country’s iconic smooth-coated otters.

The video began with the tourist declaring that he “refused” to leave Singapore without seeing the animals in person before his flight home later that night.

Search Begins At Robertson Quay

The pair first headed to the area around Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview near Robertson Quay, after seeing online videos suggesting the otters had previously been spotted there.

Walking along the river, they even passed murals and artwork featuring otters, leading them to believe they were getting closer.

At one point in the video, the tourist excitedly thought he saw movement in the water.

“I promise you I’ve just seen a couple times an otter pop its head up out this water here,” he said.

Moments later, the camera revealed it was only a turtle.

“Pretty cool, but it’s not an otter,” he added disappointedly.

Locals Pointed Towards Marina Bay

According to the video, a local who noticed them filming later suggested the otters had “moved down south” towards Marina Bay Sands. The pair then continued their search around the Marina Bay area, clocking thousands more steps while checking different riverside spots.

But even after reaching what they described as their “last place”, the elusive animals still did not appear.

“We’ve done about 15,000 steps trying to find them,” the tourist said in the clip.

By the end of the video, the traveller admitted defeat.

“The otters have eluded us this time,” he said, before joking that it simply gave him “a chance to come back to Singapore one more time”.

Singaporeans Flooded Comments With Otter Tips

The failed search quickly amused viewers, especially Singaporeans who began sharing their own unexpected encounters with the animals and offering advice on where to look next time.

One commenter wrote:

“Visit Gardens by the Bay. You might stand a chance! good luck”

Another claimed:

“I saw them at the shops by Marina Bay!”

Several people explained that timing mattered more than location.

“Along Robertson Quay (where the Sheraton is) you have better luck early morning like around 7 am. That’s when they go feed”

Another user shared how random the sightings can be.

“You can’t predict them. I was lucky that one ran across my path in Gardens By The Bay on the path from the children’s garden towards the MRT.”

Others suggested that otters frequently appear outside tourist-heavy areas.

“Should’ve just come to Punggol Park lol”https://wakeup.sg/otters-maul-pet-koi-singapore/

Some viewers also found humour in how determined the tourist had become.

“You are trying too hard. Things happen/show up when you least expect it.”

Another person reminded viewers that the animals remain completely wild despite their popularity online.

“This is wildlife, my friend. Not a zoo. The animals show up when they show up. Not on demand.”

For many Singaporeans, otter sightings have become such a normal part of daily life that it is easy to forget how unpredictable the animals actually are.

And for one British tourist racing against time before a departing flight, Singapore’s most famous river residents remained just out of sight — leaving behind only tired legs, a viral story, and the possibility of one more return trip.

Watch the video here: