Loncat-Loncat Lah

Everlasting love.

  • Our Services
  • Merchandise & Promotions
  • Media Library
  • Online Tickets

Coming soon

river cruises melaka

  • Operating Hours
  • DAILY - 9:00AM TO 11:00PM
  • Perbadanan Pembangunan Sungai Dan Pantai Melaka (PPSPM) Dataran Pengkalan Rama, Pengkalan Rama Pantai, 75100 Melaka
  • Tel:  +606-281 4322/23
  • [email protected]

TourismMelaka.com

Melaka River Cruise

Navigate with Google Maps

Embark on a captivating journey through Melaka’s history and culture with the renowned Melaka River Cruise. Gliding along the scenic Melaka River, this cruise offers an unparalleled view of traditional Malay architecture, centuries-old churches, and vibrant modern cityscapes.

  • Historical Exploration: Travel through the heart of Melaka, exploring its rich cultural heritage from the comfort of a cruise boat.
  • Day and Night Cruises: Choose between the stunning daylight views or the magical evening cruise under the city’s sparkling lights.
  • Affordable Adventure: Enjoy this unique experience at a pocket-friendly price, perfect for travelers on a budget.
  • Convenient Booking: Easily book your tickets online or at various departure points throughout the city.

Why Choose the Melaka River Cruise?

  • A Must-Visit Attraction: Rated as one of the top attractions in Melaka, this cruise provides a unique perspective of the city’s beauty.
  • Suitable for Everyone: Whether it’s a family outing, a romantic date, or a solo exploration, the Melaka River Cruise caters to all.
  • A Memory to Cherish: With breathtaking views and a relaxing ambiance, the Melaka River Cruise promises memories that will last a lifetime.

How to Book

Booking your Melaka River Cruise tickets is a breeze. Visit their website or head to one of the many ticket counters located near the jetties. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable adventure; book today and explore Melaka like never before.

Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.

Sorry, unable to load the Maps API.

Accommodations Nearby

112 The Pines Melaka

The Pines Melaka

swiss garden 768x512

Swiss-Garden Hotel Melaka

courtyard 768x562

Courtyard by Marriott Melaka

138 The Majestic Malacca

The Majestic Malacca Hotel

Attractions nearby.

theshore1 768x512

The Shore Sky Tower

157 Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

159 Jonker Walk

Jonker Walk

jonker street night market 768x439

Jonker Street Night Market

Food nearby.

low roof hee kiaw 768x463

Low Roof Hee Kiaw Mee Stall

pampas2 768x512

Pampas Sky Dining Melaka [Special Offer]

bunga raya fried oyster 768x576

Bunga Raya Fried Oyster

hing loong 768x576

Hing Loong Taiwanese Noodle

Experiences nearby, trending articles.

river cruises melaka

  • Events Calendar 2024
  • PR Newswire
  • Johor Attractions
  • Kedah Attractions
  • Kelantan Attractions
  • Top KL Attractions
  • Labuan Attractions
  • Langkawi Attractions
  • Melaka Attractions
  • Negeri Sembilan
  • Pahang Attractions
  • Penang Attractions
  • Perak Attractions
  • Perlis Attractions
  • Putrajaya Attractions
  • Sabah Attractions
  • Sarawak Attractions
  • Selangor Attractions
  • Best of Terengganu
  • Kids' Attractions
  • City Walking Trails
  • Hiking Trails
  • Malaysia Mountains
  • National Parks
  • Beaches & Islands
  • Hill Resorts
  • Malaysian Wildlife
  • Malaysian Museums
  • MM2H Programme
  • Malaysian Churches
  • Malaysian Mosques
  • Chinese Temples
  • Hindu Temples
  • Sikh Temples
  • Thai Temples
  • Historic Schools
  • Clock Towers
  • Lighthouses
  • KL Nightlife
  • Malaysia Trivia
  • Philippines
  • Top Melaka Attractions
  • Melaka River Cruise

river cruises melaka

The Melaka River Cruise is a great way to see the sights of Melaka at a leisurely pace, in comfort and without breaking the bank.

The Melaka River is where the town began and it has played a key role in Melaka's colourful history. Taking a river cruise is like seeing Melaka from the back door.

A few decades ago the river was a stinking waterway lined with decaying houses on stilts and the untidy rear side of crumbling shophouses.

In recent years it has had a major facelift . Yes, there has been a lot of new development but at the same time an effort has been made to preserve many of the historic buildings and bridges along the river.

Even the newer buildings have been painted with colourful murals depicting different aspects of Malacca's rich history and culture.

Location to Catch the Melaka River Cruise

As at 2024, there are now only  two jetties , one at each end of the route. It appears that the one at The Shore mentioned below is no longer operational You can begin the cruise from either jetty 1 or 2:

  • Taman Rempah Jetty (or Spice Garden Jetty) , where a small spice garden is located, next to the Hang Jebat Bridge linking Jalan Tun Mutahir to Jalan Tun Sri Lanang. From here the cruise travels downstream as far as Muara jetty where the boat turns around and takes you back to the starting point. The  round trip takes 45 minutes  and covers  9 km . You will hear the  recorded commentary  as far as Muara jetty. On the way back you might be treated to Abba's greatest hits or a similar soundtrack.
  • Melaka River Square Jetty , next to Quayside Heritage Centre, close to the Maritime Museum easily recognisable by the replica of the Portuguese ship Flor De la Mar. From here the cruise takes you upstream as far as Taman Rempah jetty where the boat turns around and brings you back to the starting point. The round trip takes 45 minutes and covers 9 km . The boat's recorded commentary will begin on the return leg of your journey (from Taman Rempah to Muara Jetty).
  • The Shore Jetty , next to The Shore Melaka, a retail, hotel and residential development containing attractions such as Shore Oceanarium , Sky Tower , Toy Museum and 3D Interactive Park. Melaka Pirate Park, a small amusement park is also located nearby. Again the river cruise lasts 45 minutes round trip.

Although I saw some posters advertising a hop-on, hop-off route, that option does not appear to be available at present and you can only do a round trip with no disembarking en-route . That's a pity.

If you are driving to Melaka you will discover that finding a parking space in the town centre is not easy. If you just want to do the river cruise I would suggest you catch the boat at Taman Rempah jetty because they have a large car park and it's free of charge.   Alternatively you can park at The Shore and board the river cruise here.

I have marked the three locations mentioned above on this map:

Distinctive Melaka Style

2024 Ticket Prices

Prices as at January 2024 are as follows:

  • MyKad holders pay RM 25 for adults and RM 15 for children aged 2 to 12. 
  • Foreigners have to pay a little more, RM 30 for adults and RM 25 for kids.
  • Free for children under 2 .

Get a 5% discount, save queuing and avoid disappointment by buying  online through Tripcarte's secure website with instant ticketing, fully refundable and hassle free e-tickets.

Operating Hours

The Melaka River Cruise is open daily from 9 am to 11:00 pm.

Boats depart roughly every 30 minutes.

Which is the better time to go, by day or by night? At night many of the sights alongside the river are illuminated with colourful lights. But on the other hand, during the day you will get a better view of the murals and other details. You are also more likely to spot one of the monitor lizards which frequent the river bank. Perhaps you should go at sunset so that you can see both day and night.

Contact Melaka River Cruise

If you want to arrange a group outing or corporate event you can charter the whole 40 seat boat for RM 1,100.

For more details you can call the Melaka River Cruise company on 06 281 4322/23 during office hours.

The number for their Taman Rempah jetty is 06 286 1530.

The number for their Muara Jetty is 06 286 1531.

Official Website

Map of the route taken by the Melaka River Cruise

From whichever jetty you commence your Melaka River Cruise, the boat will pass near the following landmarks:

  • Kampung Morten . A traditional Malay village and living museum. Some of the houses, notably Villa Sentosa, are open to the public.
  • Pirate Park . A modest funfair with a ferris wheel, swinging pirate ship, flying fox, rock climbing wall and trampoline.
  • Ghost Bridge of Melaka . Where Japanese soldiers during WWII dangled the decapitated heads of local Chinese businessman.
  • Kampung Jawa . A small residential and commercial area where descendants of the original Javanese settlers still maintain some of their traditions.
  • Clock Tower . In the famous square of red painted Dutch buildings.
  • Jonker Walk . One of the best streets in Melaka to shop for souvenirs and enjoy local speciality dishes.

Melaka River

Share this page:

Like this website? Head over to my Facebook page and leave a like or comment:

You can also contact me via the link at the bottom of this page.

river cruises melaka

Recent Articles

RSS

Wonderfood Museum Penang - Plastic Has Never Looked So Tasty!

Mar 29, 24 12:36 PM

wonderfood-museum-stuffed-bean-curd.jpg

Wind Cave Nature Reserve, Bau, Sarawak

Mar 29, 24 12:12 PM

windcavenaturereservetrailmap.jpg

Malaysian Vehicle Registration Plates

Mar 29, 24 07:22 AM

Malaysian-Vehicle-Registration-Plates-1.jpg

More Recent Articles Here

river cruises melaka

Getting Around

  • Free KL City Bus
  • KL Hop-On Hop-Off
  • BRT Sunway Line
  • Malaysia By Coach
  • Malaysia By Train
  • Pangkor Ferry
  • Marina Island Ferry
  • Penang to Langkawi Ferry
  • Visa Requirements
  • Pet Friendly Hotels
  • Majestic Hotel KL
  • Hotels in Melaka
  • Hotels in Penang
  • Hotels in Putrajaya
  • Port Dickson Resorts

river cruises melaka

CONTACT ME   |    PRIVACY POLICY     |     TRAVEL BLOG     |     ABOUT ME  

Over 11 Million Unique Visitors Served Since 2011. Over 28 Million Page Visits. Statistics up to end February 2024.

Melaka River Cruise

Melaka River Cruise: Explore Malacca’s Rich Heritage by Boat

At the southwestern coast of Malaysia lies the historic city of Melaka . Furthermore, it beckons travelers with its enchanting blend of cultures. It includes its vibrant street art and an ancient river that has witnessed centuries of history. In fact, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in Melaka’s captivating past is to embark on the Melaka River Cruise. Nonetheless, it is a picturesque voyage that takes you on a journey through time.

Melaka River Cruise

A Glimpse into History

Melaka, also known as Malacca, boasts a storied history dating back to the 15th century. As such, it was a melting pot of cultures, attracting traders from all corners of the world. In fact, this includes traders from China, India, Arabia, and Europe. Furthermore, the Melaka River served as the lifeblood of this bustling maritime city. Specifically, it facilitated trade and cultural exchanges among locals and foreigners.

Melaka River Cruise

How to Buy Tickets for the Melaka River Cruise

Before embarking on your river adventure, it’s essential to know how to secure your Melaka River Cruise tickets. Tickets can be purchased directly at the Melaka River Cruise ticketing counter. It is conveniently located near the Dutch Square and Jonker Street. The process is straightforward, ensuring you can swiftly board your boat and begin your journey.

river cruises melaka

Melaka River Cruise Ticket Prices

In its online booking site, ticket prices for the Melaka River Cruise are exceptionally reasonable. Typically, adults pay around RM 30, while children aged 2 to 12 enjoy discounted fares at RM 25 only. Remember to check for any price updates before planning your visit.

Melaka River Cruise

Melaka River Cruise Schedule

The Melaka River Cruise operates daily, providing ample opportunities to explore this historic city. The schedule generally runs from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday to Sunday. Hence, it allows you to choose the most convenient time for your voyage. However, do note that schedules may vary, so it’s advisable to check the latest timings before your visit.

Melaka River Cruise

The Enchanting Stops Along the River

Kampung Morten : Your journey will take you to the picturesque Kampung Morten, a traditional Malay village that offers a glimpse into Melaka’s rich heritage. The wooden stilt houses and serene atmosphere are a stark contrast to the bustling city that awaits.

Kampung Jawa : As you glide further along the river, you’ll encounter Kampung Jawa. Also, it is known for its vibrant street art. The colorful murals adorning the walls tell stories of Melaka’s past and present.

Chinatown : Your cruise will take you through the heart of Melaka’s Chinatown. Therefore, you can marvel at the intricate architecture and sample delicious Chinese cuisine. Don’t miss the iconic Jonker Street, renowned for its night markets and antique shops.

Dutch Square : Melaka’s Dutch Square is a testament to the city’s colonial history. The crimson-colored Christ Church and the St. Paul’s Hill are prominent landmarks that harken back to Dutch rule.

Melaka Sultanate Palace : The grandeur of the Melaka Sultanate Palace, a replica of the original palace of Sultan Mansur Shah, comes into view during your cruise. The intricate design and lush surroundings make this stop a photographer’s paradise.

The Maritime Museum : Lastly, you’ll pass by the Maritime Museum, housed in a massive Portuguese ship replica. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn more about Melaka’s maritime history.

river cruises melaka

Truly, the Melaka River Cruise is not just a boat ride; it’s a voyage through history. As you glide along the serene waters of the Melaka River, you’ll be transported back in time, immersing yourself in the city’s rich and diverse heritage.

Whether you’re a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply a traveler seeking a unique experience, this cruise is a must-do when visiting Melaka. So, get your tickets, hop on board, and let the river’s gentle flow carry you through the captivating story of Melaka.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Leave a Comment Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Address:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

  • Bijak Laksana Tuah Berani Laksana Jebat

Tourism Melaka - Official Portal

Melaka River Cruise

Visiting Historic City of Melaka is not complete without taking 45 minutes to cruise down the historic Melaka River (9km). Your cruise will take you to many dutch style buildings, old shop houses, Malay village, places of worship, museums, riverside cafes and many more sites that can only be treasured and cherished when you see it first hand. The cruise operate from Taman Rempah and Dataran Sungai Melaka.

  06-281 4322 / 23 (Office),     06-2861530 (Taman Rempah Jetty), 06-2861531 (Muara Jetty)      9am -11pm Daily    Malaysian Adult: RM25.00  Children (Under12): RM15.00   Foreigner Adult: RM30.00  Children (Under12): RM25.00

Disclaimer Visit Melaka 2024 Portal Kerajaan Negeri Melaka

CONTACT US: Tourism Promotion Division Chief Minister of Melaka Lot G-14, Kota Cemerlang, 75450 Ayer Keroh, Melaka Phone: +6 06-232 8402 Email: [email protected]

  • Eco Tourism
  • Melaka My 2nd Home
  • Hotel Listing
  • Deal & Packages
  • Calendar of Events
  • Author Login

Melaka River Cruise

river cruises melaka

  • See all photos

river cruises melaka

Similar Experiences

river cruises melaka

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Marcus026

Melaka River Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Airport Transfer

Things to do, melaka river cruise.

river cruises melaka

What You'll Experience

Take a river cruise through Melaka, Malaysia's most historic city, and witness the many marks and influences of history still found around Melaka's river. Travel through Melaka's rich and vibrant heritage focal point — the area where trading ships docked and goods were traded. Journey through the heart of a UNESCO heritage site with this Melaka River Cruise, and explore 600 years of history as you drift along the city's river and take in the fantastic riverscape views. Cruise Route ( for reference only ):

Contacts, Facilities, Service Languages, and More

What people say, mohd h. b. m. n., nur a. b. r., available ticket(s) for you, location details, frequently asked questions, general information, other activities.

river cruises melaka

Payment Partners

river cruises melaka

About Traveloka

  • How to Book
  • Help Center

Follow us on

  • Airport Transport
  • Traveloka Affiliate
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Register Your Accommodation
  • Register Your Experience Business
  • Traveloka Press Room

Download Traveloka App

Melaka River Cruise

river cruises melaka

  • See all photos

river cruises melaka

Similar Experiences

river cruises melaka

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Marcus026

Melaka River Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Melaka River Cruise

Photo of Melaka River Cruise - Melaka, 04, MY.

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Map

Jalan Laksamana

75000 Melaka

Recommended Reviews

Photo of Username

  • 1 star rating Not good
  • 2 star rating Could’ve been better
  • 3 star rating OK
  • 4 star rating Good
  • 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

Photo of Luke T.

Cheap and Fun. A good addition to the Melaka sight seeing itinerary. For about $5 USD, you'll board a slow boat and cruise down the Melaka river. They do pack you in tightly , so be ready for a squeeze. The cruise will take you down and back up the short river and you can view the pre-colonial shops around the river. Its an idyllic ride down and up river. Best to do after you have had a lot to eat and are tired of the crowded streets. Great for seniors and kids of all ages.

Photo of Anjana C.

Hi , I have been to this place. It is such an amazing place with pretty view. Beautiful and green environment around. So peaceful and a must visit place in Melaka.

Photo of Lauren S.

On my weekend trip to Malacca I convinced my friend to try the Melaka River Cruise. For about $5 US dollars I thought it was a good value for what you got. Everyone gets a bag with a juice and some cookies in it and they force you to take a photo we wanted to skip but they wouldn't let us. The boat goes all the way down and you get to enjoy the scene views along the river. When it turns around a tour starts in Malay and English, I think I would of preferred the tour on the way down and to just enjoy the view on the way back personally but didn't totally mind the way it was done. We saw gorgeous murals and got a little history lesson of Malacca. We probably never would of went that far down on the river alone but we were glad we opted to take the cruise and got to see the beautiful water front.

Photo of Benjamin S.

The Melaka River Cruise is a short cruise around the Melaka River which takes about 45mins to 1 hour. Along the trip there will be a tour guide introducing you to different heritage spots along the river and this guide will be played over a speaker through a recorded tape; it's played in two languages - Malay and English. For me, I felt like there was nothing much to see as Melaka is already pretty developed, therefore, much of the heritage areas seem very modernized already. Also, for foreigners who do not understand Malay, by the time the English introduction kicks in, you would already have almost passed the area. Therefore, I feel that it is catered more for the local crowd. Another issue with the cruise is the poor maintenance of Melaka river, resulting in what it is today - a milky green color. So it felt very disgusting occasionally when the river water splashed onto us. Overall, not something I would recommend to my foreign friends if they visit.

Some of the wall paintings along the cruise.

Some of the wall paintings along the cruise.

Some of the wall paintings along the cruise.

A relaxing way to see Melaka, you will see some great art work on the buildings. If you are lucky you will see some massive lizards hanging out in the river or on the rocks at the edge(they are huge). Weekdays are cheaper. (And quieter) than weekends, glad we waited until Monday!

Photo of Michelle C.

This tourist cruise has been quite popular so I had the chance to be touristy with my family one Saturday night. Since I went at night it was difficult to see anything. The cruise itself was peaceful and we could see many murals at various points on the trip. However, there was no commentary playing when I was on the boat so if I was a foreigner I would be left in the dark and not know what's going on. There are many spots that are very pretty for scenic photography however. When we neared the sea however the river didn't smell very nice. For me, it was a nice way to look my home city and gave a new perspective but may not be worth the price.

Photo of Shearlee L.

I would definitely recommend for one to go on rides at night instead of during the day time. The extensive and beautiful culturally inspired mural on the walls are illuminated at night, making it quite a sight to behold actually. Also of the intimate cafes and romance along the sides of the river. As a local I paid RM10 and it is at a different rate for foreigners. The first time I went on it, I was under the impression that the cruise was going to take us a whole round, making a whole circle. But instead, I was confused when our boat stopped at a point and shifted into reverse, and then I realize that we were actually making a U-turn, meaning we would be revisiting and looking at the same scenes again. The first time, it was nice, but the second time.. it got a little boring. It didn't help that we had to bear the recording on speakers throughout, and also when the not-so-clean water splashed on our faces every now and then. There is also a slight stench to it but it didn't bother me really. I'd think it's great for children because my nephew loved it.

1 other review that is not currently recommended

Collections Including Melaka River Cruise

Malacca, Malaysia

Malacca, Malaysia

By Lauren S.

People Also Viewed

Melaka Straits Hotel on Yelp

Melaka Straits Hotel

Dataran 1 Malaysia on Yelp

Dataran 1 Malaysia

Hotel Puri Melaka on Yelp

Hotel Puri Melaka

Estadia Hotel on Yelp

Estadia Hotel

The Regency Tanjung Tuan Beach Resort on Yelp

The Regency Tanjung Tuan Beach Resort

Pergola Hotel on Yelp

Pergola Hotel

Syaz Meridien Hotel on Yelp

Syaz Meridien Hotel

Midcity Hotel on Yelp

Midcity Hotel

Sky Deck, EcoTree Hotel on Yelp

Sky Deck, EcoTree Hotel

Holiday Inn Melaka on Yelp

Holiday Inn Melaka

Boat Charters Cost Guide

Boat Charters Near Me

Boat Rides Near Me

Other Boat Charters Nearby

Find more Boat Charters near Melaka River Cruise

Related Cost Guides

Boat Charters

Boudoir Photography

Bounce House Rentals

Event Photography

Valet Services

Videographers

  • 5 More Cost Guides

Popular currencies

More currencies.

melaka river cruise-1

Melaka River Cruise

  • Mobile ticket

Enjoy a serene river cruise in the splendid city of Melaka and soak in the rich history the place has to offer.

  • Watch the city of Melaka in Malaysia on a relaxing river cruise that takes you through the city.
  • As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the place has got countless stories to offer that date back years.
  • Among the trading ships and goods, learn about the diverse culture and heritage of Melaka.
  • Discover the lifestyles on both banks of the Melaka River with its eateries, stores, and lovely murals painted on the structures that give them a modern appearance.
  • Feel the past and the future together as you learn about how the river is embedded in history and witness the modernization currently present.
  • From old historical landmarks to contemporary local symbols, the 45 minutes river boat journey is not to be missed if you are visiting Malaysia.
  • Some notable landmarks which you’ll be cruising by are the Stadthuys and Red Building, the Church of St. Francis Xavier, the Bastion Middleburg, and many many more sights and attractions.
  • 45-minute Melaka River Cruise

Cancellation policy

These tickets can’t be cancelled. However, you can use them any time within the next 5 months.

Ticket Validity

These tickets are valid for 5 months from the date of purchase.

Your Experience

Infrastructure from Melaka's colonial era is still in place today. Even today, over a longer length of time than the previous centuries, its legacy is still being felt. During this 45-minute boat ride, understand the history and the role the Melaka River played in it and witness the future with the modernization that has taken place.

As you cruise along the serene river, you will pass the Stadthuys and Red Building, which the Dutch built in 1888, as well as the 1856-completed Church of St. Francis Xavier. One will be able to see the Bastion Middleburg, which was built in 1660 to ward off approaching attackers.

Melaka underwent a remarkable transformation as new businesses were developed over time, creating an intriguing contrast between tradition and modernity. The Shore Shopping Gallery is situated next to these, precisely at the river's bend. Additionally, keep an eye out for the Eye on Melaka, a Ferris wheel located on the river's edge, and the Melaka Malay Sultanate Water Wheel, the country's first and biggest watermill. You will come across lovely bridges on this enjoyable river excursion. The Tan Kim Seng Bridge, which was first demolished and later rebuilt, will also be seen. Don't forget to see the Pasar and Chan Boon Cheng bridges. Last but not least, be sure to keep an eye out as you navigate along the river for artistic wall murals and paintings on the wall that contain many fascinating tales.

Know Before You Go

Important information:.

  • The boat leaves at a 30 min interval.
  • Children must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.
  • It is required to provide your passport ID while booking.
  • Daily: 9am - 11pm (last admission at 10pm)
  • Closed on Fridays between 12:15pm - 2:45pm
  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
  • Display the mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at the boarding point for verification.

Boarding Point

You may choose between any of the 2 departure ports:

River Cruise Taman Rempah Jetty

  • Board your cruise at River Cruise Taman Rempah Jetty.
  • Address: Jalan Tun Mutahir, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia.

Get Directions to the Boarding Point

Dataran Muara Sungai Jetty

  • Board your cruise at Dataran Muara Sungai Jetty (Beside Quayside Hotel).
  • Address: Jalan Graha Maju Aras 9, Graha Maju Building, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia.

Why Headout?

Similar experiences you'd love.

tickets to menara taming sari in melaka-1

Top things to do in Melaka

Melaka : MagicArt 3D Museum

Browse By Themes

Nearby cities to explore.

Kuala Lumpur

World at your tap.

iphone

We've served 20 million+ guests and we are here for you

20 million +

In the Media

24 x 7 Help Center

Melaka River Cruise

river cruises melaka

  • See all photos

river cruises melaka

Similar Experiences

river cruises melaka

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Marcus026

MELAKA RIVER CRUISE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Tripcarte.Asia

MELAKA RIVER CRUISE

RM 15 – RM 29

  • Description
  • What's Included
  • What to Expect
  • Important Information
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Reviews (250)

What’s Included

  • 45 minute Melaka River Cruise

Important Info

  • Saturday – Thursday: 9AM – 6.30PM & 8.15PM -11.15PM
  • Friday : 9AM -11.45AM & 2.30PM – 6.30PM &  8.15PM – 11.15PM
  • This attraction / activity is subjected to weather conditions
  • Free entrance for children under two (2) years old
  • Opening Hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm | 7 days a week, including school & public holidays
  • Closed every Friday from 12:15 pm – 2:45 pm
  • Last admission: 1 hour before closing time

The River That Flowed Through Time Take a cruise through time in Malaysia’s most historic city, Melaka. Even before the beginning of the Melaka Sultanate in the 15th century, and through the years of foreign rule that occurred centuries after, the Melaka River flowed. It was there when the Portuguese built the A’ Famosa fort in 1511, when the Dutch erected the Stadthuys in 1888, and when the Japanese invaded Malaya in the Second World War.

The Melaka River was there to witness Independence from the British.

Its legacy still continues to flow till this day, in a period than the previous centuries. Contrary from what it was before as a vital trade route or a front to fend off invaders, the Melaka River is now home to the Melaka River Cruise.

This 45-minute boat ride cruising along the vintage Melaka River moves at a peaceful pace, allowing one to admire the breathtaking view of Melaka. It’s just one of things that travellers should not miss when visiting the state. From the modern local icons to rustic colonial landmarks, here are some of the things you’ll see on the Melaka River Cruise.

Melaka River Cruise

Historical Landmarks of Different Eras Till today, infrastructure from Melaka’s colonial past still remains standing. As arguably Malaysia’s most historic state, the preservation of such buildings is important in ensuring that history is protected and serves as an acknowledgement of Malaysia’s significant past.

Today, many tourists who flock to Melaka make it a point to visit these historical landmarks. It’s no surprise, as Melaka City has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Some notable landmarks which you’ll be cruising by are the Stadthuys and Red Building established by the Dutch in 1888, the Church of St. Francis Xavier completed in 1856, and the Bastion Middleburg erected in 1660 to defend oncoming aggressors.

River Cruise Melaka

Melaka’s Modern Side As Melaka began to develop forward, new establishments were constructed without the need of compromising on any historical site.

From this, Melaka transformed into a unique blend of old and new, an intriguing juxtapose of history and modernization. Since then, Melaka has evolved into a bustling state.

Of all the exciting new come-ups that Melaka has, be sure to look out for The Shore Shopping Gallery located right at the river bend, the newly installed Melaka Malay Sultanate Water Wheel – which is the first and largest watermill in Malaysia, and the Eye on Melaka – a Ferris wheel on the banks of the Melaka river.

A Different Perspective It’s a different experience being in the crowd, and observing the crowd. Take the Melaka River cruise and see things from a different perspective. It is much less exhausting and it’ll allow you to serenely take in the sights and sounds as you cruise by. Idle away and gaze at the moving trishaws, the tourist crossing over bridges, and the picturesque shophouses as you spectate from a distance.

Iconic Bridges Perhaps not known to many, Melaka has some of the most historic bridges in Malaysia. While they are not as grand or as large as the Golden Gate Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge, they have very interesting stories behind them. There are a number of bridges along Melaka River, but some of which you should take note of is the:

Tan Kim Seng Bridge – This is the bridge that connects the Melaka Clock Tower area to Jonker Street. The bridge is named after a wealthy Peranakan businessman that contributed greatly to the community. The bridge was built in 1862, but was destroyed 80 years later in 1942 by the British. It was rebuilt and restored later on after World War 2 ended.

Pasar Bridge – This bridge was built during the Portuguese rule around the 1500’s, and it links Kampung Hulu to the Old Central Market.

Melaka Cruise

Chan Boon Cheng Bridge – This bridge links the west and east side of the Melaka river bank, but it isn’t best known for that. Instead, it’s known for its gruesome past. During the Japanese Occupation, Japanese soldiers used to place the heads of executed victims at the foot of the bridge to instil fear into the locals. So, watch your head.

Aesthetic Wall Murals Be aesthetically pleased as you are treated with some of the most stunning wall murals you can find in Malaysia. Along the river, shop and restaurant owners have allowed their walls to be painted with bright, artistic murals. Many of these wall arts are giant illustrations depicting Malaysian culture and history – from Malaysian local delights, traders, and such. It’s truly one of those beautiful sights to see these vintage shophouses transform into a canvas, accentuating the importance of art in preserving Malaysia’s heritage.

Conclusion The Melaka River Cruise is certainly a worthwhile trip for your visit to the historic city of Melaka. It is a river that is embedded in history and made this city a success in the first place. Popular with both local and international tourists, the journey is not difficult or strenuous, so it’s something that the whole family can do, from kids to seniors.

  • This ticket is refundable if it has not been redeemed
  • Tickets that has been redeemed at the counter will not be refunded
  • There will be a 10% cancellation fee for all refunds
  • All tickets are valid for 6 months from date of purchase
  • You do not need to print the ticket, simply present the QR code via your phone
  • In order to redeem your ticket, please proceed to the attraction’s counters
  • MyKad or MyKid must be presented at the attraction for purchase of Malaysian – with MyKad type tickets
  • Identification card for age verification must be presented at the attraction for purchase of Children type tickets

250 reviews for MELAKA RIVER CRUISE

chang wai kwan

everything is good and worthwhile to experience…… Except the smell of the rive.

Alifah Salleh

Muhammad Norizul Naufal Bin Dzulkarnain 2310078X8X4U35

good service. booking from tripcarte is cheap and easy. recommended

Md Atief Rahman

Very good experience and nice to try for whole family

river cruises melaka

Wan Nurraihanah Binti Wan Amir Sharifudin 230918MGN6M4SH

The best ever

NORLIYANA MOHAMAD

Happy family.. My child so excited to explore more in melaka. Easy to claim ticket. Tq cuti2..

river cruises melaka

Alyena emylia

Zaidi Bin Osman

Memang Terbaikkk👍🏼

Phua Kuo Sin

Zuhaidy bin sulaiman

NUR ALANY HANNA BINTI RADZUAN

🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Mohd Razi bin saion

NOOR SARINA BINTI BARAHAN NOORDIN

Good to buy here gais…cepat dan mudah..sblm korang smpai beli je msa otw smpai xpyh beratur

Mantappppp kali!

Haslina Mat Isa

Semuanya ok…tp walaupun kami beli tiket online,tetap kna beratur panjang.xde lane khas utk yg online tiket.perjalanan dgn cruise ok.masa 40m ckup utk kami menikmati keindahan malam keliling sg melaka Dan melihat sejarah2 melaka dikiri kanan sungai…

NURULHUSNA BINTI MOHD RAFAAD

Fast response Best service.,Tq

river cruises melaka

Siti Aishah Binti Mutazah 230826NW30HYH1

We but online ticket but there were a group of tourists did not buy online ticket but line up at online lane and buy there! . so we have to wait for them at the back. So please make sure who does not buy online ticket please use walk in lane.

river cruises melaka

NURUL AZIHA

Best and recommended

MOHAMAD YUSOF BIN ADBI

It’s was a great moment especially for me and my mom… Beautiful view at night with the colourful lamp along the river.

river cruises melaka

Denisia Bertha

Enjoy the great view and surrounding on the cruise

Nur syazwani

Cepatt gilerr.. Xyah bratuq panjang xsmpai 2 minit sy beli online tiket trus redeem

river cruises melaka

Syafiee abu bakar

Maswani Ismail

Moment for memories

river cruises melaka

Fadil bin Abd Manaf

nurul kamilia binti suhaimi

NorHafizah Hussein 230707C7A0K5T3

Very interesting with night niew

Mohamad Ashakrin bin Azman 2307140A04K8H5

Nice view especially during night.

river cruises melaka

Toral ap Lalit Kumar 230709GBV98UKX

It was quick and easy to deal with seller Not to mention cheaper tickets being sold. Recommended👍

NOR AZZAH BINTI ABDUL AZIZ

really enjoy the cruise trip

raihana 2306235GJQK50R

river cruises melaka

Mohd Jefri bin Din 230701T27KQ4BQ

Saya mahu datang lagi.. Anak saya suka sangat sampai tak mau turun bot.

Bot mahal, tak mampu nak beli bot sendiri. Kahkahkah

MOHD IZHAM BIN ISMAIL

We use rivers cruises during night…the view very nice and beautiful…only 5 minute que for redeem the tickets …excellent experience

river cruises melaka

Wong Wai Yean

Very pleasant and enjoyable experience. Well done to the team that did up this cruise and sights.

river cruises melaka

SHANMUGANATHAN RAMAIAH

NURUL BAZILAH BINTI MOHAMAD NOOR

Get less than original price at counter ticket

river cruises melaka

IFFAH FADHILAH BINTI ALAMBUAINA 230603E5924EDP

Very recommended to get an online ticket to avoid long queue. However, the queue to get on the boat are very smooth and quite fast as there are so many boat are available.

Great scenic view from the river & enjoyable cruising

river cruises melaka

noordarlina ain

Something interesting..have more acknowledge about melaka..my kids so happy with colorful lights at night view 🌹🌹

river cruises melaka

Alia Abdullah

Trusted web, lebih jimat berbanding harga beli dkt kaunter. Utk redeem tix tetap kena beratur mcm biasa. Perkara yg perlu tmbh baik ialah email sekali barcode utk redeem tix. Saya dah beratur panjang2 smpai dpn kaunter baru bg tau perlu dapatkan barcode utk redeem and kena whatsapp utk dptkn barcode.

SHAMSUL KHAIRUL

Waiting area very hot. No fan at there pls bring along when arrive here.

Suhana binti Rasul

Beautiful and service good

Good experiance for my daughter firat ride on a boat

Ahmad Fathi Helmi bin Mohd zuhaidi

Nice and will repeat, also cheap and affordable for holiday

Very recommended place to visit.

river cruises melaka

Siti Famira

Best… Sepanjang dalam boat menyusuri Sungai pengunjung diberi penerangan tentang lokasi di Kiri kanan.. manarik Dan seronok dengan lagu yang didendangkan memang membangkitkan suasana dulu dulu… Cuma audio bagi saya perlu dikuatkan sedikit lagi … Bising Dari bunyi air dan pengunjung yg bercakap menyebabkan sukar sedikit untuk mendengar apa yg disampaikan… Overall..bestt

river cruises melaka

Rosmawati bt Alias

WONG MEI LING

Easier to use the ticket. Need to exchange ticket at the counter and the cruise experience was great.

MUHAMMAD ZULHUSNIE KHALIB

Vijayaroheeni

Overall its a great experience.. we had fun looking and listening to the explanation they had for each and everything.

river cruises melaka

Nadia Farhanah

river cruises melaka

MA KAH HENG

Very very nice 🙂

Chok Yoke Ngar

We do online purchase for the river cruise tickets before we travel to Melaka. It’s really out of our expectations that we still need to Q up for the entry and redeem our tickets. This make the online purchase meaningless and hopefully going to improve in future ! It’s worth to go for river cruise and the explanation is clear and it’s great to ride at the night time, we all enjoy a lot

river cruises melaka

NoorHidayah Zainal Alias

Ride at night better than day as can see more colorful of lighting left and right. Will repeat again later.

Noor Farahin bt mohd jaes

Chuah Wei Bing

Great experience and saving time as no need queue up too when we’re there.

MUHAMMAD FIRDAUS BIN KHAIRUL ANUAR Shopee

Pantas,cepat dah mudah dalam urusan…di syorkan pada yg ingin membeli

SURENDRA KUMAR MOHAN

Good experience. Especially the late evening view with the colourful lights throughout the river ride.

river cruises melaka

HAZLINI binti Shaari

So Wonderful and kids have so much fun. Experiences with Melaka river cruise make we understand historical some of Malacca city and river.

Azhar sulaiman

Servis laju.tiket oder online..q nak naik pon tak tunggu lama walaupon org ramai..boat pon selesa..puas hati

Mariati Binti Abdul Latif

Menyusuri waktu mlm…mmg menyeronokkan dgn lampu warna-warni…

river cruises melaka

Cheap and best . No need to wait in long que and fast response from online ticketing counter

Eng Eng Yew

Very relaxing,to see the beautiful light ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Ann Rowberg

The cruise was comfortable informative. It was a great way to see the town from the water. I really enjoyed it!

Siti Nurul Syafiqa

Smooth services, book online on the spot because got promotion. & redeemed the ticket at the counter. Need to wait around 30 mins for the ride. We really enjoy the trip with the explanation.

river cruises melaka

Chandan Das

It was worth the price, recommended to take the trip in the evening.

Mohd Iswan bin Mohd Isa

Interesting Experience. Easy to ride

river cruises melaka

MOHD EFFENDY BIN MAT DESA

Very good so easy

Zulaika Haffiza

The cruise ride was fun! Great experience especially for children. Online ticket really help to save some time

Nurul Hazwani binti Abdullah Zawawi

Very easy ticket redeeming process. Comfortable waiting area. Punctual, we depart into the boat and it started at 8pm and concluded at 8.30pm. Very clear explanation by tour guide throughout the cruise. Kids enjoyed it.

river cruises melaka

ABDUL HAFIZUDDIN BIN ABDUL HAMID

Nice view at night.. But if raining cannot operate the boat for safety reason.

river cruises melaka

akma abdullah

so far all ok..our family happy

nor faizah bt mohd nasir

sgt berbaloi dgn hrga

Viswanathan Rajagopal

Rahimatul munirah

Servis terbaik dan cepat…

Nice travel by boat. The lighting is very colourfull

Zunara binti Mohd Alie

my family happy with this trip until the end

Rafidah Binti Abu Bakar

Zahirul Tasyriq

Nurul Raudhah Afra Binti Ismail

Really easy when purchase ticket with yours, no need to queue

Nurfarhana Azwanie Saniman

Its very enjoy for our family..

Muhamad Azlin Bin Ismail

Wonderful and great experienced

Zuraini Mohd yusof

Terbaik! servis cepat, dan sangat mudah.. thank youu..

NORAINI BINTI RADZALI

happy holiday

river cruises melaka

siti mashayu mohamad

mmg pengalaman yg xdpt dilupakan sbb view dia sepanjang sg tu sgt cantik sbb kami naik masa malam kan. lampu sepnjg tu cantik. pilot kita org pun sgt bgs

Freddie Chong

{“rating”:”4″,”timing”:”spent 2 hours”,”suited”:”Solo Traveler”,”extra”:”The e-ticket, a FlexPlus, did not mention I must redeem it at the ticketing office for a physical ticket; just mentioned “Present your QR code to the staff, and that’s all” which is common and similar to other attractions in other countries. The staff controlling the entry to the long queue said ok to show the QR code. However, the staff at the boarding point for the boat asked for a physical ticket. So I left the queue to queue for 20min at the ticketing office and rejoined the 30min queue to board the boat. It was the peak school holiday season, so PLEASE state properly under “What to do next”. Wasted 60min. \n”,”files”:[]}

Nurul Nadiah Binti Mohd Sah

Nasib beli tiket online so tak payah nak beratur, pergi waktu malam sebab ada lampu so lagi cantik bak ambik gambar atau video

NURUL FAIZAH BINTI KASMURI

river cruises melaka

Ahilah Sivelingam

Good and recommend

NOOR HIDAYAH BINTI ABDUL AZIZ

1 tarikan terbaik did melaka

river cruises melaka

Abi Zhar Lokman

Enjoy the ride and the view along side the river is very beautiful and fantastic. I also had learnt more about historical place during the journey.

My not so good review only about a long wait before we can get onto the cruise. .This place very crowded due to festive holiday.

Anyway thanks to River Cruise Malacca.We had amazing experience during our stay here.See you soon.

Dayang Fauzirah

Fun & smooth my family very happy this is second time i come here. First time when my kid still in primary now all in college. TQVM 💯✅👍😁❤️

Shirley Kam

Nice view along river n even nicer at night👍👍

Nornasirah binti Ismail Moin

Amat mudah beli tiket online… X perlu beratur panjang sbbnya ada line tiket online. Mak abh, ank dn suami rasa gembira dn teruja….

Siti Suhana bt Aris

Nor Adela Md Radzi

Marlina Musa

Anak2 seronok. beli online mg sgt2 membantu. ke kaunter terus ke line online utk confirm tiket. dan blh terus naik cruise. Tak tunggu lama da blh naik. Kami naik dari taman rempah, x crowded mcm kt bandar hilir lg2 musim sek ni kan. Naik cruise pergi balik dalam 50minit. seronok, puas hati dan paling penting anak2 happy 🥰

Norhasimah ibrahim

Sangat seronok pada waktu malam, sejuk, dan menarik dengan lampu yang berwarna warni.

river cruises melaka

Siti sarah bte mohd juni

menyeronokkan. driver byk bercerita ttng sejarah setiap bangunan

noorsyamira

river cruises melaka

MOHD AFANDI BIN MOHAMMAD AZHAR

Good service

Salizza Nor bt Sarmin

Nice & good experience… ☺️

river cruises melaka

Azian Mohd Izuddin

So nice especially going with my kids. Going there at night time. They are so interesting with the colorful bridge but the mural mostly so old maybe need re paint again. Overall nice with trip Melaka Cruise River

river cruises melaka

Alhamdulillah, datang masa Hari Ahad malam. Tak beratur panjang untuk Scan Barcode kat kaunter. Dan beli kat apps laju sangat dapat E-mail.

Cuma, saya sangat geram kerana menunggu lama untuk naik Cruise. Mereka hanya gunakan 1 boat sahaja untuk jalan. Tunggu 30minit dah sampai baru kami naik. Sangat mengecewakan.

river cruises melaka

Short tour, was ok overall. But the souvenir photo shooting was expensive and magnet is very poor quality with double sided tape and fell off next day we put up 🙁

Very easy to get tickets online

Armadi derus

Slow and slay

SITI AISYAH BINTI ABD MAJID

Very easy to enjoy the trip. Just book online, present the qr code at ticketimg counter, ticket printed by staff, and enjoy the cruise. Some useful tips: go to ticketing counter Taman Rempah (the other terminal), it has spacious parking area and public toilet. Ticketing Counter at Banda Hilir is usually packed.

Nurul Izdihar Binti Mohd Zahari

Easy & fast to get the ticket. No need to waiting long time at jetty & my kids very enjoy. 😊 Thank You

river cruises melaka

Siti Masita Binti Hassan

Naiss!! 👍🏼💯

river cruises melaka

Juanita anak Suhai

Amazing experience and for sure will come again.

river cruises melaka

Nur farah aida binti mohamad

Mudah. Seronok. Ank anjoy. Best naik malam byk2 lampu cantik sgt. Boat pn bersih dan selamat.

river cruises melaka

Suriani Binti A Karim

It was a wonderful experience.. My childrens love it.. Definitely will repeat again.

Nor Hazwani binti Mohd Marzuki

Terbaik mudah dengan online booking. Xperlu beratur terus print tiket and ke Cruise

WAN IZZATI BINTI W AHMAD

Excellent service 👍🏻👍🏻..no need to queue at all..fast lane as bought online..easy for me to handle with the children

river cruises melaka

Siti Saudah Hassim

Very good view

Nur Athirah binti Azli

best tapi beratur lama sebab public +weekend..beli tiket xpayah beratur sebab dah beli online n lagi murah tp kena beratur untuk naik cruise..tapi berbaloi

river cruises melaka

Nur Shazila

It’s my second trip with family. So fun.

Chen Yaw Cheung

Their online ticket counter is less efficient than the on-site ticket purchase counter. Claiming online ticket is slower than people who purchase ticket on-site. However, the benefit is around 10% discount for purchasing ticket via tripcarte.asia. The Melaka River Cruise itself is great, waiting time is ok even on holiday!

river cruises melaka

Annuar Tumar

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We went at night and all the lightings make it very beautiful

Khoo Kee lok

Great experience. Recorded audio tour on the point of interests along the river. And a relaxing local musics on the way back. Beautiful scenery. Whole round trip took around 30 mins.

Rohaina abd wahab

I was with my family (me husband 7yo son 3yo daughter) and two of my best friends on sunday night. It was a great moment and memorable 💜 waiting time is not too long, price is a lil bit cheaper than price at the counter. Night view was so amazing especially along the kg morten 🥰

Ziela Zakaria

Good ! Nice view, information so clear. Will come again with parents ❤️🥰

river cruises melaka

Just checkin just like VVIP. No need to que for the tx. Tqsm! Great services!!

river cruises melaka

Rahmah Arjek

Melaka River Cruise give me many knowledge about Malacca. Our Son’s also very happy and excited escply lighting at bridge..so very nice and beutiful.

river cruises melaka

Mohd ashek bin mansor

Very nice place. Recomanded

JABRI BAHRI

First but an experience will never forget. Nice operator and helpful

river cruises melaka

HAFIZAH BINTI MUHAMAD

Sangat berpuas hati..tidak perlu beratur panjang untuk beli tiket..

river cruises melaka

MOHAMAD IDWAN BIN MOHD HASLI

First of all, this web/app is trusted. You van buy with confidence.

I would suggest to take the cruise form Jeti Taman Rempah because it has spacious parking.

Then, make sure to arrive by 8pm if u don’t want to wait for too long.

Sit at the middle or back of the cruise. There are many times the river will splash into the cruise.

river cruises melaka

Saiful Rijaluddin Ismail

Nice night scenario and full information given

river cruises melaka

NOR HAFIEZA

Pro: great experience. Good effort to promote melaka

Cons: beratur panjang dgn baby yg menangis panas . Dgn bising beca yang keterlaluan. Ini melaka bandar kesultanan melaka. .bukan thailand.

Noorzila Binti Oden

Berbaloi beli tiket online, xperlu beratur. Redeem tiket online pon cepat dan pantas.Jimat masa 😍 puas hati.

Nurul Atika Binti Yunos

Amalina Nabilah

Easily redemption with discount.. Price at counter is rm 50 + 6% service charge which is total of rm 53. But here, I only purchase at rm 47.60..a good bargain..

river cruises melaka

WAZIR BIN ARBAIN

Online ke walk in sama je beratur😅

Norfarahin binti mohd yussop

Everything just nice n good experience

Mudah tiket online,murah,cepat..

river cruises melaka

ELVIE JEN TEO MEI JUN

The view was perfect, good to go especially as a tourist. There are many shops/ stalls along the way along with the beautiful sceneries that were just established not long ago. Definitely worth the money.

RAZATUL ASHIRA

Terbaik… Xpayah bratur as walk in customer…berbaloi, melaka mmg cantikkkkkkk

river cruises melaka

Its fast online booking and can used immediately..

Siti Maisarah Binti Mohd Lokman

Very easy buy ticket here. No need to queue. Nice view!

river cruises melaka

MUHAMMAD HAFIZUL HAZIM BIN ROSDI

Boleh potong barisan, Thank you

river cruises melaka

Excellent, enjoy the trip.

Aziah bt boyong andong

Melaka river cruise seronok..cuma masa nak masuk ade kekecohan sedikit dgn penjaga pintu masuk Cruise….saya order tiket online utk 6org bila tebus tiket meraka bg utk 5org saja..tapi saya dah bayar utk harga 6org..

Fatin nazirah

Interesting

Marlina Model

good experience

river cruises melaka

CHAN TECK LOY

Nice & Excellent, need special arrangment follow person older 65years and OKU

MOHD RAFIUDDIN BIN BAHARUDIN

Zarienah razak

love the view

Norhayati binti Mohd khalib

Very good…

Kalsom binti othman

WAFA AZ-ZAHRA BINTI HAIRUDDIN

Great and i learn many history about Malacca.

Mohamad Jeffrey Ismail

Beli online tak perlu beratur panjang kat kaunter. Boleh direct redeem terus. Plus murah sbb ada diskaun 10%.

MUHAMMAD SYAZWAN BIN MD YUSOF

river cruises melaka

Its a great experience

Mohamed Nazri bin Mohamed Taib

Nuramalina Jamaluddin

beli tiket melalui online.sangat mudah dan murah…x perlu tunggu lama…pemandangan yang cantik…..sangat puas hati.

Siti Sakinah binti Bahari

please create oku and elderly friendly facilities

river cruises melaka

Pembantu, pembantu yang ramah dan baik. Anak-anak seronok naik cruise. Nanti datang beli yang pakej pula.

Sumaiya binti Shokri

Interesting!

river cruises melaka

Nor Azlin Abdullah

Nice experience for the first time. Just nice and enjoy

Wan Nor Yusmiza Wan Hamzah

Pilihan terbaik utk family enjoy dan releks atas boat pd waktu mlm dgn suasana Indah dan menarik. Namun harga ticket kalau boleh kurang kan sedikit harga..

river cruises melaka

This was good experience but the parking is limited .

NORHIDAYATY

Pemandangan cantik dengan lampu² bila mlm…staff yg mesra dan peramah.cuma naik bot beli tiket on9 dgn tiket beli dikaunter barisan yg sama…cuma tiket on9 murah siket berbanding di kaunter.

river cruises melaka

Sarah Nabilla Mohd Ali

Very convenient buying ticket on9. The cruise trip was fun and my kids really enjoyed it.

river cruises melaka

Mohd Haizal bin Umar

Beli tiket online lebih menjimatkan masa. View sgt cantik. 45 minit dlm boat sgt menyeronokkan.

river cruises melaka

Siva Sharmah

Very nice.. queue system poor..no difference between online purchase and walk in purchase.

river cruises melaka

Nor Farhana binti Mohd Azmi

ok not so bad….

Izzati Syimma Binti Mohd Mazlan

The view in night is worth every penny Hope can upgrade the waiting place and procedures

Steven Batok

good view,..

MUHAMMAD FAIZ BIN NOOR HASIM

Just showing the QR code and they will process accordingly at counter. Most important, this price is more cheaper compare to buy at counter. 👌

river cruises melaka

sazatul syahirah

Easy buy through online…fast lane

Ahmad Sharil bin Abu Hassan

Really good especially cruising at night…beautiful

MOHD NAZARUDDIN

Good environment

Mohamed Fazli bin Mohamed Ismail

Its cool. Really fantastic experience & enjoy it so much!

Nor Azlina Binti Mohd Yusof

So for ..sangat mudah beli tiket online…tidak perlu beratur panjang di kaunter. Best juga dapat naik cruise bersama family.Boleh lihat tempat2 yang menarik dan bersejarah.

Mohd Faiz bin Arsat

Muhammad Hazam

Great experience

Susila Binti Kamarudin

Good experience…nice…my family enjoyed…💃💃💃

Nurul nabilah azamon

Sangat berpuas hati….berbaloi ok…sgt recommended….

NORUL SYUHADA

great experience

Amira Nabeela

My family and I had a great time on the night cruise. I would recommend it

RAZIAH BT RAZIB

Sooo… Good…

Nik Azli Bin Mamat

Nice night view on board

Norhasyimah binti ibrahim

Memang best..seronok

Noraishah Binti Abdul rahman

Best and driver cruise friendly…later need repeat

NURUL AINI BT KHAIRUDIN

amazing ride

Normaziah Khori

Very relaxing and enjoyable. The night view was wonderfull with full of colurfull lights reflected to the river wave. The explanation from the recorded audio help us learn more about the story behind each place along the river. We are in a group of 12 adults and 10 kids. About half an hour tour. We had a very good bonding session. Hightly recomended to all to experience this melaka river cruise at night!

Khoo Kah Yen

It’s interesting , can view all the historical building on shore while river cruising. Nice and must try experience when go to Melaka!

Nur Syahira Bt Mustapa

Adiba Farhana

Bestt& murah

ELLNE ATEA BINTI SARDI

Pengalaman yg sangat menarik dengan anak2.. Mereka sangat gembira.. Suasana yg menarik dan cantik2

river cruises melaka

Raja Syuriani

Best and exciting

This vacation is even more fun when taking this cruise with the family.

My children, wife and I enjoyed this river cruise a lot. The explanations given along 9km plus two ways really made the river cruise exciting. Night cruise surely an advantage with the lightings. The crews are friendly and helpful. Overall, strongly recommended to try the river cruise in Melaka.

river cruises melaka

Norsharaini

Quick tour around the city at a leisurely pace.

river cruises melaka

RAIHANAH BT MOHD FAUZI

Good experience

river cruises melaka

Mohamad Huszaimi bin Husin

Terbaik… Tunjuk qr code saja… Murah sikit dari harga asal.. Terima kasih tripcarte.

river cruises melaka

Marlina Mohd Sadli

so beautiful view while in the river cruise .

Laila Fadzirah

Very nice scenery at night.

river cruises melaka

Ninie mazira mokhtar

Pergi malam..x ramai org..sekejap dh dpt naik bot…mlm lg cantik lg meriah tq

river cruises melaka

Syed Ali Abbas Naqvi

Overall good experince. Evening trip is recommended in order to enjoy lighting.

river cruises melaka

Musa bin Ahmad

This was my third experience cruising the river ! Trip to Malacca will not complete without this activity !

river cruises melaka

Norliza Othman

Thank you,we have a really good time here!

river cruises melaka

Mohd asmir bin ahmad @ ahmad kushairi

Terbaik mantop

pemandangan yang menarik sepanjang perjalanan.

Ainul Basyirah

Best menarik la

Riya Nur Aseh

the place was nice and price very affordable.

Atikah Basiron

Murah berbaloi beli 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Pantas tunjuk QR code,scan trus naek kapal 😁😁😁😁

river cruises melaka

Mohd Asmawee bin Ismail

INCREDIBLE NIGHT PANORAMA ALONG MELAKA RIVER

Nur shafiqa binti shamsir

Its very nice view . My children so excited & so happy .

river cruises melaka

MOHAMMAD EFFANDI BIN OTHMAN

Nurfadzidda binti Kamarudin

Saya seronok dapat menggembirakan anak-anak yang memang teringin sangat menaiki river cruise..

river cruises melaka

rosatikah wagiman

It was such a great experience! We love it, worth for money. Wish to be here again!

Menikmati pemandangan yang cantik dan lampu lampu neon yang memukau disertai dengan maklumat yang menarik.

river cruises melaka

Syairilsyukri bin Shaifuddin

I boarded the boat at night because the child liked to see the colorful lights. When a child is happy, for me it is a fun place. Thanks also to TC for assisting in purchasing tickets and correcting purchase errors.

river cruises melaka

Amin Feerdaus bin abdul hadi

great experience. See Melaka from a different view. 👍🏻

Nice experience and hassle free if purchase through online. Thanks. Raelly appreciate it.

Mohd nasahruddin bin masnan

NORFARILAH BINTI SOFIAN

Best sebab jauh dan lama perjalanannya .. berbaloi dgn harga .. Tq 🙂

river cruises melaka

Munirah Binti Mohd Zamli

Great experience! easy bought the tickets from this website. Just show your handphone with qr code to the counter, & waalaaa.. Will come again. Best time to come is at 7.30pm onwards. Many lights and breezy.

river cruises melaka

Fatin izzati bt azlan

Senang booking online tak yah nk beratur beli tiket..beratur nk masuk jer😄

Thirumurugan

Its good but just 30 min only

Faten Farhana pakhruddin

ROSLAN BIN ISMAIL

river cruises melaka

Nor Fadhiah

Best sgt²..pemandangan yg cantik.. Alhamdulillah beli on9..murah dari beli dikaunter..

Nor Haslinda Binti Ahmad

Bagus,ada penerangan berkenaan lokasi yg di tuju…pemandangan yg indah d waktu malam 😊

Norizal Mohd Noor

Not too long waiting

SITI NURUL ATIQAH BINTI MOHAMAD ROSLI

Easy and no hassle. You just need to present the barcode to the counter and there you go. It was a pleasing and memorable trip 🙂

great and the info is very useful. my kids get a lot knowledge and their very excited to come again

river cruises melaka

HALIMATUL SAADIAH BINTI KHALID

This is my 2nd time taking the river cruise. Compared to my 1st, this time no explaination on the Melaka history (about kg morten, melaka tree, etc) via recording tape (played while cruising) or by the boat driver. Just a plain ride 35mins back and forth. Breezy night is truly a saver.

Evgeniia Moskaleva

Very pleased with your service

Mohd Nolizam Bin Bahrom

Sangat mudah dan berbaloi…dapat harga murah berbanding beli di kaunter….tpi tak dapat goodies kalau beli online….but its okay goodies pun cuma dapat air.mineral je…anak2 pun seronok dan happy.

river cruises melaka

Wan Mohamad Hafizol

Khairul amin b khalid

Mohamad Famizal Mohamad Daud

Saya rasa mungkin kebetulan jam 6.50 petang kami sampai cahaya senja menerangi awan, ketika kami menaiki bot jam 7 semuanya tampak sempurna masih belum gelap dan bot terus membelah sungai dengan sinaran lampu berwarna warni mengiringi perjalanan.. Pemandu yang cukup peramah buat kami lebih selesa..

river cruises melaka

Noor Sabreena Ismail

Enjoyable n memorable one. Need to improve to provide the QR code scanner for online ticket purchase, to expedite boarding.

Noorain Aini

The trip itself was very enjoyable. Value for money. Clear narration of historicsl facts. However, getting there was not. We went to the Shore jetty to embark but found that it was closed and were then directed to Pengkalan Rama. With kids and the heat, that was troublesome.

RIZAL AHMAD

Best.. Anak² excited sgt.. Waktu Mlm pemandangan lebih menarik berbanding siang. Tp syg dlm bot Lampu biru ‘mencacatkan’ gambar yg diambil. 😥

river cruises melaka

Sh norhayati bt syed Yahya

We enjoy with the cruise

Joanne Diong

It is very good experience with river cruise. It totally Bring out the speciality of Melaka. With the explanation n description of the places introduce well to the passengers to let them have a clearer picture of the real places subjected to.Try to have a ride, experience yourself.

river cruises melaka

Muhd Khairol Anuar Bin Ahmad

Mazarrudin Bin Manan

river cruises melaka

Faruq bin md jalal fahmey

NORHIDAYAH BINTI ABDUL AZIZ

Start typing and press enter to search

Logo

10 Essential and Helpful Tips on the Melaka River Cruise

A Welcoming sign for visitors coming to Melaka on the Melaka River Cruise

A Welcoming sign for visitors coming to Melaka on the Melaka River Cruise

The Melaka River Cruise is one of the main tourism attractions of Melaka . The city of Melaka is one of Malaysia’s top tourist destinations because of its heritage from the 15 th Century .  The Melaka River Cruise is the only river journey in South East Asia that takes you back through these 600 years of history. Melaka is also known by the historic name of Malacca.

Melaka started as a trading post in 1403 to serve the hinterland. By the late 15 th Century, Melaka was an established trading hub known as the “Venice of the East with people coming from far and wide to trade. It was said that there were 84 languages spoken in its heyday. The river was filled with merchant ships large and small. The buildings that lined the river in the city were for commerce and houses further away.

Although it started out as a Malay sultanate, Melaka was subsequently ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and English at various times but peoples from different parts of the world settled here. The Chinese came and intermarried with the locals. They are known as the Peranakan (or Baba for men; Nonya for women). The Portuguese also integrated with the locals through marriage and the marital union gave rise to the Kristang community.

Melaka is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city. A focal point of this heritage city is the Melaka River – this was where the trading ships docked and the goods traded. Taking a Melaka River Cruise will allow you to experience part of the history that goes back 600 years.

Aerial view of the Melaka River at a bend overlooking Kampung Morton. This kampung (malay village) adds to the attractions of the Melaka River Cruise.

Aerial view of the Melaka River at a bend overlooking Kampung Morton

Why the Melaka River Cruise?

It was the Melaka River that offered a safe harbour for the ships and it became a thriving trading hub from the 15 th Century.

The trip on the river goes through the heart of the UNESCO heritage site. The river cruises are frequent with a pre-recorded commentary. It gives visitors a different and exclusive riverscape view of the city in safe and comfortable boats. It is an enjoyable and relaxing experience for about 45 minutes and the cruise covers about 9km.

The Melaka River with a cruise boat going up the river as part of the Melaka River Cruise. At this point, the river goes through the centre of the UNESCO heritage site. The left (North) is the cultural side of the city and the right (South) are the heritage buildings built in the Malay, Portuguese, Dutch and English governance.

The Melaka River with a cruise boat going up the river. At this point, the river goes through the centre of the UNESCO heritage site. The left (North) is the cultural side of the city and the right (South) are the heritage buildings built in the Malay, Portuguese, Dutch and English governance.

Ben van Wijnen (Malaysiasite.nl) mentioned that the Melaka River cruise has become a main attraction now that the river has been cleaned up and the historical and modern buildings along the banks have been restored and spruced up. I have noticed more wildlife especially among the mangrove trees along the river bank. Along both sides of the River is the Melaka River Walk where there is a walkway along the route of the Melaka River Cruise. This is modelled on the San Antonio River Walk in Texas, USA.

UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The historic city of Melaka together with George Town in Penang is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in Malaysia . These 2 cities have over 600 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West. The influences of both Asia and Europe have endowed these two cities with specific multicultural heritage both tangible and intangible aspects.

Dutch Square showing the Queen Victoria’s Fountain (English), Christ Church and the Old Town Hall (The Stadhuys, Dutch) in the background. This is very close to the Jetty for the Melaka River Cruise.

Dutch Square showing the Queen Victoria’s Fountain (English), Christ Church and the Old Town Hall (The Stadhuys, Dutch) in the background.

The river cuts through the centre of the UNESCO heritage site. On the North side, the culture of the Peranakan is showcased in Joncker Street (renamed as Jalan Hang Jebat). This area is largely made up of shop houses built during the “Dutch” period. They are long and narrow as the property tax was based on the width of the property.

This is the commercial tourist area with shops and street food. However, there are the intangibles or cultural aspects like the Melaka museums (Cheng Ho Cultural Museum and the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum), Peranakan Restaurants and the oldest Chinese Temple built in 1645. Melaka is well known for artisans who craft beaded shoes.

Buildings by the River and decorated with murals as seen in the Melaka River Cruise

Buildings by the River and decorated with murals.

The South side of the river is dedicated to the heritage buildings. The Dutch Square is the centre for visitor activity with food stalls, street artists and a pick up point for the flamboyantly decorated Melaka trishaw taxi. This end is where the tangible aspects of the heritage are – Queen Victoria’s Fountain, Christ Church and the old town hall (The Stadhuys) which are painted in terracotta colour. This is also the starting point for walking routes to the Sultanate Palace, St Paul’s Hill, A’ Famosa Fort and others.

The Melaka River Cruise Jetty

The departure area is near the replica of the Flora de la Mar, a Portuguese galleon that sank off the coast. This replica is so prominent that it can hardly be missed.

There is a ticketing counter and a covered waiting area that can hold about 80 people. That is 2 boat loads. There is no set timetable but I was told that the frequency of the trips is dependent on the demand or the number of people waiting.

The boat goes to the other terminus at Taman Rempah jetty and turns around. There is a large car park where you can park and ride on the boat to Melaka as finding a parking space in town is difficult.

The Cruise boats

The boat seats 40 passengers. Most of the seats are under cover but not the front row seats which have the best views. People in the front row seats are however, subject to splashes from the bow wave.

In our trips, we were not offered life jackets but they were stowed at prominent locations. There is a pre-recorded commentary in Malay and English.

The Sights along the Melaka River.

The cruise starts off in the UNESCO heritage site. On the North side are the old commercial buildings where many have been converted to riverside bars, café and hotels. There are murals of street art with many depicting the history of the Sultanate of Melaka. On the South side are the Heritage buildings and a Church of Gothic design – Church of St Francis Xavier.

Entertainment at the Melaka River Cruise Jetty is provided by the brightly lit trishaws carrying sound systems.

Entertainment at the Jetty is provided by the brightly lit trishaws carrying sound systems.

Pirate Park is a conventional amusement park and the Melaka River Cruise provides a close up view.

Pirate Park is a conventional amusement park.

The boat passes under a number of historic bridges reflecting the history of Melaka including a foot bridge that resembles the Rialto Bridge of Venice. Further down the river is the Pirate Park, a conventional amusement park with Ferris wheel, bungee trampoline and a rocking pirate ship. After the river bend is Kampong Morton, a Malay village that has been spruced up and illuminated at night making quite a beautiful sight.

The Best time for the Melaka River Cruise:

Many people have found the best time to take the Melaka River Cruise is in the evening when it is cooler. The buildings and murals are lit up to highlight their best features. During the day, the strong tropical sun appears to bleach the colour of the walls.

Murals depicting the history of Melaka from the Sultanate to the European rule. This is a close up view from the Melaka River Cruise.

Murals depicting the history of Melaka from the Sultanate to the European rule.

There is usually a queue for the Melaka River Cruise. It is cooler at night but also, you can be entertained by the brightly lit trishaws blaring with loud music and street entertainers which I found quite amusing. Our wait was no more than 30 minutes for about 280 people (7 boat loads of 40 people). These conditions would have been unbearable in the mid-day sun.

The people taking the evening tours are mainly family and friends. On day trips, I noticed that tour groups who did not understand the language of the pre-record commentaries, the tour leader would shout over the commentary. Also, disinterested passengers would talk loudly amongst themselves. I found this behaviour disruptive.

Where and What to eat:

When we visit a destination, we would specifically look for the food that is unique or characteristic of that place. In Melaka, it is Peranakan food . This is a local speciality where the local ingredients are cooked using Chinese techniques. We tried a number of restaurants in Melaka and would recommend dining at The Mansion at The Majestic Malacca . We found the dishes not only taste authentic but consistently good. When I am dining, I just want to enjoy the food in a conducive environment. I do not want to be concerned with dramas in the restaurant or staff missing orders. This restaurant has excellent service in a lovely and air conditioned room. The humidity can be stifling without air condition. It would make a very pleasant evening by combining the Melaka River Cruise with dinner at The Mansion.

Night View of Kampung Morton as seen on the Melaka River Cruise.

Night View of Kampung Morton as seen on the Melaka River Cruise.

Tour Guides:

There is much to see in Melaka as it has a history going back some 600 years.  A tour guide would be useful to show and explain the main attractions. Melaka can be divided into 2 parts – the tangible and the intangible. It is straight forward to get explanations of the tangible parts – the ruins of A’formosa fort gate, the church at St Pauls Hill and the Malay Sultanate Palace. However, it is more difficult to explain the intangible – Peranakan culture, which is characteristic of Melaka.

A large mural showing Chinese food – Moon Cake, Dim Sum and Chinese vegetables as seen on the Melaka River Cruise.

A large mural showing Chinese food – Moon Cake, Dim Sum and Chinese vegetables.

We have used 2 tour companies many times and found them to be reliable, trustworthy and attentive to our needs as well as providing a good and helpful service – Discovery Overland  and AOS . Even though they operate throughout the country, they have specialist guides on Melaka.

Hang Tuah - A mural of the legendary Malay warrior at the side of one of the attractions on the river - bonjor. as seen on the Melaka River Cruise.

Hang Tuah – A mural of the legendary Malay warrior at the side of one of the attractions on the river – bonjor.

The cruise operates everyday of the year and the time of service is between 9am to 11pm.

Frequency – it depends on the demand. The intervals can vary between 10 to 30 minutes.

Return Fare: Overseas Tourist: RM15 (equivalent to £3 or USD$4), Child RM10; Malaysian (MyCard): RM10 Child RM5

Duration of Boat Ride – A return journey of about 45 minutes of a distance of 9km.

9. Recommendation:

The Melaka River Cruise is certainly a worthwhile trip for your visit to the historic city of Melaka. It is a river that is embedded in history and made this city a success in the first place.

The River Cruise is a simple and energy saving way to see the city.

I would certainly recommend taking this cruise in the evening as part of winding down the day’s activities.

Murals depicting the 3 main races of Malaysia – Indian, Malay and Chinese as seen on the Melaka River Cruise.

Murals depicting the 3 main races of Malaysia – Indian, Malay and Chinese.

  • The Start Point of the Melaka River Cruise: By the Maritime Museum next to the replica Portuguese Galleon. This can be easily seen in the town.
  • The Melaka River Cruise route is to be lighted up in 2017.

References:

  • Wikipedia on Malacca River
  • Wikitravel on Malacca
  • Google Map of the Melaka River Cruise.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Ben van Wijen’s The Malaysia Site
  • AnythingLily.blogspot.com

Related Posts on Malaysia  

  • Penang Street Art – The Story behind the Success (in 10 parts).
  • Call Of The Wild On Gaya Island Resort
  • The Blue Mansion in George Town – A Feng Shui Analysis.
  • Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur
  • Wild About Pangkor Laut

New blog posts have been posted on Food and Travel:

Food:  Hainanese Chicken Rice: 10 facts & Hainanese Delights

Version 1.3 updated 27 Jun 2017

© MyFaces And Places 2016

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related Posts:

Pingback: 5 things to do with kids in melaka, malaysia - exploramum & explorason | jul 31, 2017 at 6:19 am.

' src=

Michael Oon | Jul 31, 2017 at 9:11 am

Hi Exploramum. Thank you for the comment – Melaka certainly looks different from the River. It was this River that was the lifeblood for the Malacca sultanate and then the Portuguese, Dutch and English. Life is certainly strange, we are going to visit your home City Adelaide later this year. Michael

' src=

James | Oct 17, 2022 at 7:18 am

wow what a beautiful place one day surely will visit this one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen

Post A Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

The Island Drum

Southeast Asia based travel blog and information source for Langkawi, Malaysia and the surrounding areas.

Island Apartment Management

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise? Yes!

November 10, 2022 by Vanessa Workman Leave a Comment

The Melaka River Cruise is at the top of my list of recommended things to do in Melaka. In fact, it’s worth taking the cruise twice if you have the time, because the Melaka River day cruise and River of Light night cruise are both unique and separate experiences. If you come to Melaka in the first place, you were likely attracted to it for its historic significance (and of course great food). And one thing you will see plenty of during a Melaka River Cruise is its history and the fingerprints of time.

Melaka River Cruise

A Little History of the Melaka River

The Melaka River begins at the foot hills near Hutan Simpan Bukit Tampin in Negeri Sembilan and flows 40 kilometers south-west to the Straits of Malacca. The river connected with inland waterways providing inland traders a way to get their forest produce to the Melaka markets; gums, rattan, resins and the like all being highly sought after.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Both the Malacca Straits and Malacca River (Sungai Melaka) were important trade routes back in the 15th century; a time when the Malacca Sultanate was at the height of power and Melaka was known worldwide as one of the most important trans-shipment ports in the world.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Ships from all over the world entered the Melaka River channel and brought with them a unique heritage that lingers in Melaka City to this day.

How Long does the Melaka River Cruise Take?

The roundtrip Melaka River Cruise covers just 9-kilometers of the famous river and takes about 45-minutes. It may seem shorter than that at night, as it’s one kaleidoscope of colorful lights after another and quite easy to lose track of the time.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Plenty to See Along the Melaka River Cruise Route

The Melaka River Cruise is a convenient way to see the general lay of the land and visually earmark nearby landmarks for further exploring. It’s also just a great way to relax; kick back, see the passing sights and enjoy the river’s gentle breeze.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

During the cruise the river boats pass a variety of famous Melaka city landmarks, such as Jonker Street, Church of St. Francis Xavier, Kampung Morten and the Kampung Hulu Mosque, just to name a few. You will also see loads of gorgeous street art . Do make note of several interesting bridges you will pass under along the way. They all have historic significance and are photogenic to boot. Some are more historically significant than others, but noteworthy none the less.

The Bridges of Sungai Melaka River

Tan Kim Seng Bridge (Jambatan Tan Kim Seng) Tan Kim Seng Bridge was built in 1862 and named after a wealthy Melakan trader. Tan Kim Seng was a Hokkien born in Malacca in 1805. He donated the bridge as well as the land to be used for a Chinese Cemetery. The Tan Kim Seng Bridge connects Jonker Street to the Melaka Clock Tower area. The Tan Beng Swee Clocktower, btw, was named after Tan Kim Seng’s son and was built by his grandson; Tan Jiak Kim. The British destroyed the Tan Seng Bridge in 1942, but it was later rebuilt to its present design.

Other history (circulating the internet) about this particular bridge is that its original existence was as far back as the 1500s, when the Portuguese invaded Melaka. Apparently, they seized the bridge, cut off local communications between the communities on the two sides of the river and thus conquered Melaka. I’m not sure I buy this as fact, but just putting it out there.

Chan Koon Cheng Bridge (Jambatan Chan Koon Cheng) Chan Koon Cheng Bridge was built in 1908 to replace a drawbridge that was previously there in the 1830s. During those days, sizable trade ships came and went through the Melaka River route to do their trade business in Melaka City. The cost of the bridge was covered by a large donation from Chan Koon Cheng, a wealthy plantation owner. His ancestors migrated from China to Melaka in 1671.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Kampung Jawa Bridge (Jambatan Kampung Jawa) One of the more infamous of the Melaka River bridges is the Kampung Jawa Bridge. History tells us that during the Japanese invasion of Malaya during World War II , the Japanese military hung severed heads of local Chinese on the bridge’s pillars, to instill fear in the people of Melaka.

The Kampung Jawa Bridge was soon nicknamed the ‘ Ghost Bridge ’. Prior to World War II the bridge was often referred to as ‘ the Gateway to Hell ’, due to the number of nefarious activities available on the other side of the bridge; opium, alcohol, gambling, etc.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Market Bridge (Jambatan Pasar) The wooden Market Bridge is said to have been built around the 1500s during the Portuguese rule or 1885 depending on your source.  It links Kampung Hulu to Kampung Jawa, where there was once a central market.

Hang Jebat Bridge (Jambatan Hang Jebat) Named after Melaka’s famous warrior Hang Jebat, the original bridge was made from wood and destroyed during one of the many wars. It was rebuilt in 2008 with concrete, and a special styrofoam was used for the foundation construction.

Old Bus Station Bridge (Jambatan Old Bus Station) The Old Bus Station Bridge (also known as Cathay Bridge, Terminal Bridge and Tun Ali Bridge) links the old Cathay Cinema and the (now closed) Tun Ali Bus Terminal (built in 1969). Namesake Tun Ali ( Bandahara Sri Nara Diraji Tun Ali ) was the fourth prime minister of the Malaccan Sultanate. Year it was originally built? I unfortunately have no idea.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Interesting, right? The Melaka River Cruise is almost a living museum with all the history flowing through the muddy waters of the Sungai Melaka. But as you can see from my photos, the night cruise can make for challenging photography (for some of us). If you are keen on getting good scenic night shots, be prepared with proper camera/ camera settings. But like I mentioned earlier, the day and night cruises are both unique experiences and it’s worth taking both.

For other things to see and do in Melaka, check out 8 Free Memorial Museums in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka and A Fun Non-Touristy Day Trip to Melaka City.

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

How to Get Melaka River Cruise Tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online or at the Spice Garden and Melaka River Square Jetty ticket counters. Can also check the Melaka River Cruise website for special deals and promotions HERE 

Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise

Melaka River Cruise Aras 9, Bangunan Graha Maju, Jalan Graha Maju Tel:  +606-281 4322/4323 Open: Daily 0900 to 2300 Tickets: Foreigners AdultsRM30/ Kids RM25 and Locals Adults25/ Kids RM15

Melaka River Cruise

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

river cruises melaka

Subscribe To Our Monthly Newsletter Yet?

Subscribe to The Island Drum's newsletter and get monthly updates on latest blog posts and upcoming events.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

river cruises melaka

  • How to Book
  • Private Car To JB
  • Private Car To Desaru
  • Private Car To Legoland
  • Private Car To Mersing
  • Private Car To Malacca
  • Private Car To KLIA/KLIA2
  • Private Car To Port Dickson
  • Private Car To Tioman Island
  • Private Car To Cameron Highlands
  • Private Car To Genting Highlands
  • Private Car To Johor Premium Outlets
  • Outside Johor
  • Airport Transfer
  • Full Day Service
  • Innova ( 7 Seater )
  • Alphard ( 8 Seater )
  • Starex ( 11 Seater )
  • Changi International
  • Johor Senai Airport
  • Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA/KLIA2)
  • Travel Guide

Melaka River Cruise: Latest Ticket Prices, Location & Route

  • Melaka River Cruise: Latest Ticket…

river cruises melaka

Have you heard of the Melaka River Cruise?

It is the best sightseeing option in Malacca town!

This is truly a unique cruise experience where you can see the beauty of the heritage town both day and night.

Sitting on the boat in comfort, you will be brought to significant landmarks at the most leisurely pace.

Hence, a wonderful trip to Malacca is never a complete one without taking the Melaka River Cruise!

But if you plan to do so, we are here to provide you with the essential and helpful tips to make your trips smoother.

Table of Contents

Melaka River Cruise

  • Melaka River Cruise Location (To Catch The Cruise)
  • Melaka River Cruise Tips
  • Melaka River Cruise Ticket Price
  • Melaka River Cruise Operation Hours
  • Melaka River Cruise Route
  • Melaka River Cruise Map

SGMYTAXI Official Singapore to JB Taxi

Melaka River Cruise is the major tourism attractions in Malacca. It can take you back through

time over 600 years ago when Parameswara, the price from Palembang first started to build the great empire here.

River Cruise Melaka (View From Cruise)

The total journey takes around 45 minutes. It operates from day to night and both offer a considerably distinct experience. The night cruise offers a romantic experience under the lighted bridge and decorative lightnings while the day cruise offers you the sense of nature appreciation.

Also read:  Jonker Street (Ultimate Travel Guide)

During old times, the river serves as the international trade centre and often called “Venice of the East” by the European seafarers. Now, it successfully transforms into a new tourism, boosting the tourism industry in Malaysia.

Melaka River Cruise Malacca (View From Cruise)

Lots of interesting events have been carried out here. One of them is the Melaka River International Festival.

This annually held festival boasts exciting competitions such as Power Boat Race, Dragon Boat Race, Canoe Marathon and many more. This festival truly makes the river more colourful and lively!

Also read: Top 11 Attractions In Jonker Street

1. Melaka River Cruise Location (To Catch The Cruise)

There are only 2 jetties for you to board the cruise. Each jetty is located at the end of the water route. It’s up to you to choose which jetty you want to begin your journey with.

Malacca River Cruise Malacca (View From Cruise)

1.1 Muara Jetty

Muara jetty is located beside Quayside Heritage Centre. If you still can’t find the place, search for the Maritime Museum where a giant Portuguese ship locates. It is highly recognisable.

Pick up point at Muara Jetty For Melaka River Cruise trip

The cruise will travel upstream and return the Muara Jetty again. The round trip covers 9km and it takes around 45 minutes in overall.

1.2 Taman Rempah Jetty

Taman Rempah Jetty is near to the Hang Jebat Bridge that linked Jalan Tun Sri Lanang to Jalan Tun Mutahir.

Pick up point at Taman Rempah Jetty For Melaka River Cruise trip

The cruise will take you downstream and bring you back to the same jetty. The round trip covers 9km and it takes 45 minutes in overall.

2. Melaka River Cruise Tips

  • If you drive to Malacca and you want to board the cruise, go to Taman Rempah jetty as there is a large carpark beside. The best part is, it is free.

River Cruise Tour In Malacca (View From Cruise)

  • Pre-book your river cruise tickets to make your trip smooth and hassle-free.
  • The boat accommodates 40 passengers. To get the best view, sit at the most front because seats at the back are under cover.

Malacca River Cruise at Night

  • The steps the boat is not that hard because a safe platform has already been prepared. Hence, no worries for elderly and small children.
  • To take the best sightseeing photos, board the cruise during the sunset. The golden light is extremely stunning.

Melaka River

  • If you prefer quiet moments, board the trips in the morning. The environment is cool and the boat is still not crowded with tourists.

River Cruise Malacca (Day view)

  • The commentary is done in both English and Malay language.
  • During Ramadhan (the fasting period of Muslims), the river cruise is closed until 8pm.

River Cruise Malacca (View From Cruise)

3. Melaka River Cruise Ticket Price

The round trip ticket price of river cruise is divided into 7 categories:

  • All children below 2 years old are free of charge.
  • Currently there is no river cruise package available from official website.

4. Melaka River Cruise Operation Hours

The Melaka River Cruise operates daily from 9:00am to 11:30pm with a frequency of 30 minutes.

In fact, there is no best time to take the river cruise. It all depends on the environment that you like the most.

For the day cruise, you get to see the murals and significant buildings clearly. If you love taking sightseeing photo, this is best suited you. For the night cruise, you can enjoy the scenery when all the lights lit up. The weather is much cooler too.

5. Melaka River Cruise Route

No matter which jetty you begin your journey with, the boat will pass through the same landmarks as below:

  • Pirate Park
  • Ghost Bridge of Melaka
  • Kampung Jawa
  • Jonker Street

jonker street

  • Eye on Malaysia Ferris Wheel

Eye on Malaysia Ferris Wheel (Day Time)

  • Clock Tower
  • Kampung Morten

Kampung Morten

6. Melaka River Cruise Map

You Might Also Like:

  • How To Go To Malacca From Singapore
  • 18 Best Malacca Attractions
  • 11 Best Resorts in Malacca
  • 13 Local Nyonya Food In Malacca
  • Malacca One Day Trip
  • 27 Best & Cheap Things To Do In Malacca

Related Posts

5 Famous Local Bak Kut Teh Malacca

  • Compare Hotels
  • Add Your Business

river cruises melaka

Malacca River Cruise

Melaka River tour should be one of the first things to do in Melaka, so you can get an overview of the area and see which restaurant suits you best. This state has done a great job making a nice river walk a la San Antonio. It’s quiet, clean and pleasant to stroll. There is lots of good graffiti art on the buildings which adds to the atmosphere. This is a real nice touch in hectic Southeast Asia, where cramming as much stuff into tiny places seems to be the norm.

You can see nice restaurants, bars and shops scatter along the river. If you want to get explanations or the story behind the design along the river, the river cruise provides narrative guide; great value of money, very informative and pretty.

river cruises melaka

river cruises melaka

Melaka River is not a very broad water body. So, the manmade features and the decor on either side of the river are clearly visible.

The best time to take the ride is during the dusk hour. Almost the entire length of the bank is lit with decorative lights.

Famous Melaka Location

river cruises melaka

Recommended Activity

river cruises melaka

About the Author

' src=

Related Posts

river cruises melaka

Lockdown – Real Escape Game →

river cruises melaka

Jonker Street →

river cruises melaka

Dataran Pahlawan Megamall →

river cruises melaka

Mahkota Parade →

2 responses to malacca river cruise.

' src=

The convenient location of the hotel made it easier for me to access the Malacca River. I took the river cruise during night time and it was no doubt a fascinating ride. The beautiful view of the town available from the river offers several opportunities to have some nice pictures.

' src=

The river very smelly and dirty it make me doesn’t want to ride the river cruise

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Don't subscribe All Replies to my comments Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

river cruises melaka

goMelaka.my © 2013-19. All rights reserved.

Pin It on Pinterest

IMAGES

  1. Melaka River Cruise, 2020

    river cruises melaka

  2. Local Attractions

    river cruises melaka

  3. Melaka River Cruise, Malaysia: Through Lights and Colors

    river cruises melaka

  4. Melaka (Malacca) River Cruise in Malaysia

    river cruises melaka

  5. Tales Of A Nomad: Melaka River Cruise: A Delightful Experience

    river cruises melaka

  6. Img Melaka River Cruise

    river cruises melaka

VIDEO

  1. Dekat Melaka River Cruise 🚢 #melaka #travel #vlog #cafe #travelvlog #cr7 #photography

  2. Melaka River Cruise

  3. Melaka River Cruise

  4. Melaka River Cruise || Malaysia

  5. Melaka river cruise

  6. Melaka river cruise Malaysia

COMMENTS

  1. Melaka River Cruise

    Contact Us. Perbadanan Pembangunan Sungai Dan Pantai Melaka (PPSPM) Dataran Pengkalan Rama, Pengkalan Rama Pantai, 75100 Melaka. Tel: +606-281 4322/23. [email protected]. FAQ. EXPLORE the Historical City of Melaka by gliding along Sungai Melaka with an awe-inspiring 45 minute cruise.

  2. Melaka River Cruise

    Booking your Melaka River Cruise tickets is a breeze. Visit their website or head to one of the many ticket counters located near the jetties. Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure; book today and explore Melaka like never before. Closed now: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm. Phone: +606 281 4322.

  3. Melaka River Cruise

    Contact Melaka River Cruise. If you want to arrange a group outing or corporate event you can charter the whole 40 seat boat for RM 1,100. For more details you can call the Melaka River Cruise company on 06 281 4322/23 during office hours. The number for their Taman Rempah jetty is 06 286 1530.

  4. Melaka River Cruise

    Melaka, Malaysia211 contributions. Melaka River Cruise. Jan 2020. Good experience throughout the 4-45 min journey. Wonderful view as normally we only able to see the front view of Melaka Street by car. Recommended to visit this place during evening time as you could enjoy both day and night view with cooling weather.

  5. Melaka River Cruise: Exploring Melaka's Heritage by Boat

    Melaka River Cruise Ticket Prices. In its online booking site, ticket prices for the Melaka River Cruise are exceptionally reasonable. Typically, adults pay around RM 30, while children aged 2 to 12 enjoy discounted fares at RM 25 only. Remember to check for any price updates before planning your visit.

  6. Tourism Melaka

    Visiting Historic City of Melaka is not complete without taking 45 minutes to cruise down the historic Melaka River (9km). Your cruise will take you to many dutch style buildings, old shop houses, Malay village, places of worship, museums, riverside cafes and many more sites that can only be treasured and cherished when you see it first hand.

  7. Melaka River Cruise

    Jun 2023 • Couples. Highly enjoyable river cruise which takes you along Melaka river. Total journey time is about half an hour, and you get to see the nice architecture throughout the city, the street art and even monitor lizards swimming by the side.

  8. Melaka River Cruise Ticket Price

    Take a river cruise through Melaka, Malaysia's most historic city, and witness the many marks and influences of history still found around Melaka's river. Travel through Melaka's rich and vibrant heritage focal point — the area where trading ships docked and goods were traded. Journey through the heart of a UNESCO heritage site with this ...

  9. Melaka River Cruise

    Dec 2022. It is 30 RM for foreign adults for a 35 minutes cruise ride, quite pricey. It brings visitors along the Melaka river to view many attractions. An area of improvement would be the commentary. The commentary on the boat was unclear and too soft over the boat motor.

  10. MELAKA RIVER CRUISE

    The Melaka River Cruise is a short cruise around the Melaka River which takes about 45mins to 1 hour. Along the trip there will be a tour guide introducing you to different heritage spots along the river and this guide will be played over a speaker through a recorded tape; it's played in two languages - Malay and English. ...

  11. Melaka River Cruise

    Watch the city of Melaka in Malaysia on a relaxing river cruise that takes you through the city. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the place has got countless stories to offer that date back years. Among the trading ships and goods, learn about the diverse culture and heritage of Melaka. Discover the lifestyles on both banks of the Melaka River ...

  12. MELAKA RIVER CRUISE

    Jun 2023 • Couples. Highly enjoyable river cruise which takes you along Melaka river. Total journey time is about half an hour, and you get to see the nice architecture throughout the city, the street art and even monitor lizards swimming by the side.

  13. MELAKA RIVER CRUISE

    Melaka River Cruise, Malaysia - Through Lights and Colours; Experience Melaka's rich and vibrant heritage's focal point - where the trading ships docked and the goods traded. Taking a Melaka River Cruise allows you to experience part of the history that goes back 600 years. Journey through the heart of the UNESCO heritage site giving ...

  14. Melaka River Cruise (10 Essential and Helpful Tips)

    The Melaka River Cruise is the only river journey in South East Asia that takes you back through these 600 years of history. Melaka is also known by the historic name of Malacca. Melaka started as a trading post in 1403 to serve the hinterland. By the late 15 th Century, Melaka was an established trading hub known as the "Venice of the East ...

  15. Should You Take the Melaka River Cruise? Yes!

    The roundtrip Melaka River Cruise covers just 9-kilometers of the famous river and takes about 45-minutes. It may seem shorter than that at night, as it's one kaleidoscope of colorful lights after another and quite easy to lose track of the time. The lights can be mesmerizing.

  16. Melaka River Cruise: Latest Ticket Prices, Location & Route

    Melaka River Cruise. Address: Jalan Tun Sri Lanang, Pengkalan Rama Pantai, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +606-281 4322 / +606-281 4323. Office Hour: 8.30 am - 5.30 pm (For reservation) You Might Also Like: Melaka River Cruise Is A Great Way For You To Enjoy Riverside View Of Historical City Centre.

  17. Malacca River

    The ticket counter for Melaka River Cruise opens daily from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The ticket costs RM5 for children aged below 12. The price for local and foreigner adults is RM10 and RM15 respectively. Jetty and Waiting Area. Jetty at estuary. Melaka River Cruise has a beautiful jetty and waiting area. There is broad walking space with railing ...

  18. Melaka River Cruise

    Melaka River Cruise, Malacca City. 14,897 likes · 44 talking about this. Let's get the experience to ride on boat for about 40-45 minutes and enjoy the beautiful scenic of th ...

  19. Melaka River Cruise

    ariemohr on March 25, 2024: "Melaka River Cruise"

  20. Melaka CM assures adequate water supply in state during Aidilfitri

    Monday, 01 Apr 2024 9:41 AM MYT. JASIN, April 1 — The Melaka government has assured adequate water supply for the people, including for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration, with the stable condition of the water level in the three dams in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the three dams, namely Durian Tunggal Dam, Jus ...