It is connected by a causeway to Saint John's Island, which is reachable by ferry.

[2] In 2006, Lazarus Island and Pulau Seringat were linked by a sand bank.

The island and nearby St Johns Island was originally a penal colony and a quarantine station initially for cholera, beri-beri then later for leprosy - a termed lazaretto - which may have been later changed to Lazarus.

Lepers may also have been transferred to Lazarus Island (the connection being that the biblical character.

(See Order of Saint Lazarus and Leper colony.)