Thinking of staying overnight at Sentosa this month? Forget booking a hotel and pitch a tent instead.

The beach at Palawan Green will be open to campers on selected days and up to 30 tents can be set up there.

Besides falling asleep to the relaxing sound of waves, you can also watch movies at a series of free outdoor screenings or explore the maze-like tunnels of Fort Siloso on a night tour.

These activities are part of Thrillogy at Sentosa, a month-long campaign aimed at students and families in conjunction with the March school holidays.

Students enter the island for free and are eligible for special discounts at various attractions.

Sentosa Development Corporation, which manages the island, is trying to boost Sentosa's profile as a place to go after dark.

Ms Lynette Ang, Sentosa Development Corporation's chief marketing officer, is aware that the island "is admittedly not known as a night destination despite having romantic quayside restaurants and beach bars".

She adds that the management will assess the popularity of these after-dark activities and consider introducing more on a more permanent basis.

Sentosa may not have a reputation for having a bustling nightlife, but there are quite a number of places that are open in the evening.

Even without Thrillogy, about a third of the island's 30 attractions are currently open past 7.30pm.

Indoor skydiving facility iFly Singapore and Wave House Sentosa, for example, stay open till 9.30pm daily to accommodate people who visit after work or school.

Wave House Sentosa's marketing and events executive Diana Lee says Singaporeans make up 70 per cent of its clientele and the centre sees 30 to 60 customers in the evening.

One such customer is senior portfolio manager Kenneth Tang, 45, who goes there with his two sons, aged 17 and 14, once a week.

"It's cooler and quieter in the evening, which is a good thing for us," he says.

Over at Skyline Luge Sentosa, which opens till 9.30pm daily, the two luge trails glow with themed multi-coloured lighting in the evenings to offer a different experience, says the company's general manager Ryan Williams.

He adds that two additional luge tracks loop and a second Skyride will open progressively this year.

Then there are other attractions that extend their hours on weekends and during special events.

Universal Studios Singapore is open till 9pm on Saturdays, selected public holidays and occasions such as its annual Halloween Horror Nights. Usual operating hours are until 7pm.

Similarly, wax museum Madame Tussauds Singapore usually opens till 9pm on weekends and public holidays. It closes at about 7.30pm on weekdays.

Visitors to the island have mixed opinions when it comes to Sentosa's nightlife buzz.

Ms Angeline Goh, 36, who does part-time administrative work, has had staycations on the island with her family four times, and does not mind whether the attractions are open till late.

"The main reason we stay in Sentosa is to relax and make use of the hotel's facilities and just escape the bustle of the city life for a weekend," says the mother of two girls aged 11 and nine.

After finding out about the new night-time offerings at Sentosa, housewife Catherine Tan, 49, says: "We might squeeze more activities when we next go to the island, as the attractions don't just all close once the sun sets," she says.

Night-time thrills this month

FORT SILOSO NITE TOUR

By day, Fort Siloso, Singapore's only preserved coastal fort, is a military museum holding the country's largest repository of World War II memorabilia.

Now with this inaugural night-time history tour, visitors can wander through the dark tunnels of the fort and experience for themselves how soldiers lived and worked there when there was limited lighting.

Each session is open to a maximum of 20 participants and is recommended for those aged 16 and above. Younger children must be accompanied by a parent.

Where: Fort Siloso When: Today to Sunday and March 25 and 26, 8 and 9.30pm Admission: Free. Register on the day itself from 6.30 to 9.30pm at a booth at Beach Station, beside Gong Cha

CAMPING BY THE BEACH

The beach at Palawan Green will be open to campers for a few nights this month. A maximum of 30 tents are allowed each night on a first- come, first-served basis.

Where: Palawan Green When: Tonight, tomorrow and March 25, 6pm to 7am Admission: Free

MOVIE BY THE BEACH

At Palawan Green, you can see sand, sea, a setting sun and, now, free movies. Take your mats and popcorn to enjoy back-to-back screenings of popular hits such as the martial arts series Ip Man or musical comedy Pitch Perfect.

Where: Palawan Green When:Tonight to Sunday and March 25 and 26, 7.30 and 9.45pm for all nights plus additional show at midnight only on Fridays and Saturdays Admission: Free

• Go to www.sentosa.com.sg/thrillogy for all activities