Singapore: Cruising in a Bumboat Along the Singapore River

A fraction of the Singapore skyline with a historic bumboat cruising past in the foreground.

I had the entire cruise to myself for the 40-minute duration.
An impromptu private tour, huzzah!​​

A look into Singapore River Cruises "the Tale of 2 Quays" river experience;
- ​Includes photos and tour information -

The Singapore River Cruise's heritage bumboat I bordered at One Raffles Place.

The Singapore River Experience is called 'the Tale of 2 quays', and covers Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Marina Bay; cruising past key attractions such as Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands. 

Singapore River Cruises operate a heritage fleet of 24 iconic bumboats, that port divided over 13 jetties situated at key points of the journey. 

Each of the 13 Jetties is home to a ticket booth, and you can commence the tour from any Jetty.

Inside the historic bumboat with the tour guide and driver.

I boarded the boat at OUB Plaza (One Raffles Place ticket booth) and aside from one couple that only boarded to travel two stops; I had the entire cruise to myself for the 40-minute duration. ​An impromptu private tour, huzzah!​
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The tour was in presented in English with information displayed on a tv-screen and sound projected throughout the boat.

I always like completing timely boat or bus tours like this when I don't possess much knowledge of an area, or I don't have much time to spend in a city. They point out all the key points and give you plenty of general history about the sights you are cruising past.

​One piece of knowledge from the tour that sticks in my mind - possibly as it's all sorts of horrifying - is that during the Japanese occupation of Singapore (1942-1945) the severed heads of criminals used to be displayed on the Anderson Bridge, serving as a warning to citizens to abide the law. Going to guess that worked to at least some degree.

Looking back at the Alexander Bridge from Queen Elizabeth Walk.

As to not end my experience on that note - history is a stark contrast to the beauty along the river that you see today. Every sight you see on tour is great, and Singapore City is definitely worth seeing from the river. The architecture you cruise past is phenomenal. The tour also gave me a glimpse of Clarke Quay - an area I was yet to explore.

Scroll to the end for pricing information and jetty locations.

Merlion Park.

The OUE Tower.

Marina Bay Bands Hotel.

The ArtsScience Museum of Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum.

Theaters of the Bay.

Approaching colourful Clarke Quay.

Colourful Clarke Quay.

The boat turning around. Looking back on Clarke Quay (left) and Riverside Point (right).

Riverside Point shopping plaza and restaurants.

Cruising past Clarke Quay Central.

Boat Quay.

Boat Quay.

It wouldn't be a solo river cruise without a solo river cruise selfie.

SINGAPORE RIVER CRUISE SCHEDULE

9 AM - 11 PM daily.
40-minute duration.
The last boat leaves approx 10:30 PM.

Departs at approximately 15-min intervals, however, if they are low on people they will postpone cruises in hopes to attract more customers.

For example, ​I arrived at 12:05 PM and was the only person waiting for the 12:15 PM cruise. I was told by the attendant to come back at 12:30 PM. While waiting, I went and grabbed an amazing salad nearby at The Salad Shop (which we need in Melbourne, stat!). The tour ended up starting at 12:40 PM.

SINGAPORE RIVER CRUISE TICKET PRICE

• Adult/Senior Citizen - SGD $25
• Child (12 and under) - SGD $15

SINGAPORE RIVER CRUISE JETTY LOCATIONS AND ROUTE MAP

River Valley - Robertson Quay - Clemenceau - Read Bridge - Clarke Quay - South Bridge - Boat Quay - One Raffles Place/ Fullerton - Esplanade - Merlion park - Bayfront South - Promenade - Marina Barrage

View Extra-Large Map

Singapore River Cruises 

Phone: +65 63366111
rivercruise.com.sg/river-cruise

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