Singapore River Cruise at Clarke Quay stand offers visitors an iconic waterway journey through Singapore's historic and modern landmarks, departing from the vibrant Clarke Quay riverside entertainment district. Operating from the picturesque Clarke Quay Jetty at 3 River Valley Road, this popular tourist attraction provides a unique perspective on Singapore's urban development and cultural heritage through scenic 40-minute cruises along the Singapore River. The experience appeals to both international tourists seeking to understand Singapore's history and locals wanting to appreciate their city from a different vantage point, combining leisure, education, and sightseeing in one memorable river adventure.
The cruise journey showcases Singapore's most significant riverside attractions including the historic Raffles Landing Site, the iconic Merlion, bustling Boat Quay with its colorful shophouses, the futuristic Marina Bay Sands complex, the distinctive Esplanade performing arts center, and the architectural marvel of the Helix Bridge. All cruises feature live audio-visual commentary that provides fascinating insights into Singapore's transformation from a colonial trading post to a modern metropolis, helping passengers understand the historical significance and cultural importance of each landmark. The route covers both heritage and contemporary Singapore, offering passengers a comprehensive overview of the nation's rapid development and cultural evolution along its most important waterway.
Located at Clarke Quay Jetty, the cruise stand offers convenient booking with on-spot tickets priced at S6 for adults and S7 for children, though online advance booking provides instant discounts and guaranteed availability, especially during peak seasons. Operating schedules accommodate various daily departure times, though evening cruises may experience route modifications due to Marina Bay water traffic restrictions from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. The service includes both indoor and outdoor seating options with multiple pickup and drop-off points at Clarke Quay, Marina Bay, and Boat Quay jetties, providing flexibility for passengers' travel plans.
This is the only jetty you can take the river cruise from. The others are all closed; I tried the Merlion jetty, but it was shuttered. That means it’s very crowded at this one. You don’t need to buy tickets in advance. It’s actually faster to just get them at the booth. When you come up to the booth, the line for buying tickets is at the window closest to the street. The right window is for 'E-ticket verification,' and the left window is for buying tickets. The ticket-buying line moved a lot faster. After you buy your tickets, get into the 'Red line' by the boat dock. The whole ordeal took 20 minutes, and we were on the boat. It was Saturday night, so I was surprised it didn’t take longer. In August, the perfect time to go is 7:15 PM when it’s not too dark, but the lights are all on. Overall, it was too expensive, too hectic, and disorganized, but good for a first-time tourist.
Positive Reviews
Aileen Gan
The river cruise company has a monopoly on river cruises along the Singapore River. The staff have poor attitudes and are impatient, probably due to being overworked and understaffed. The cruise itself is enjoyable, though, offering scenic views. Expect long queues in the evening and into the night. Many tour groups are also taking the cruise.
Basil Farhan
Here's the edited review:
It’s highly recommended to add this activity to your list if you're in Singapore.
The Singapore River Cruise costs $25 for adults and $15 for children.
The entire ride lasts 40 minutes, and visitors can disembark at any of the 8 jetties to explore, although they should note that doing so will conclude their trip.
Note:
They open every day as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 1 PM to 9 PM
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10 AM to 9 PM
Joel Faris
Here's the edited review:
"This was such a serene way to take in the cityscape around the Marina in Singapore. We went at night. We bought tickets, went for dinner, and then got in line for one of the frequent boats. If I lived in Singapore, I would come take this trip every now and then; it’s that good."
Drew Lu
Decent tourist experience. Takes you around the Marina Bay and back. Unlike the Duck Tour, where there's a tour guide with live commentary, the river cruise uses a video. There is less human interaction, but the uncles are very enthusiastic about offering to take photos.
Kian Tan
First time on a river cruise with family, near evening, and we encountered a long queue. The boat was clean and nice, and the ride was fantastic. Too bad it wasn't a night view with all the lighting effects. However, the views were still worth seeing, and the trip was enjoyable. The whole trip was around 40 minutes without much rocking. Recommended for the nice, iconic views of Singapore around the Singapore River.
Lian De
The river cruise was great! We did it in the evening around 18:30 and had no regrets – so many illuminated highlights, and it was very nice. We would do it again.
Moh
I experienced both a day cruise (around 6 PM) and a night cruise (after 7:30 PM). The view was wonderful, and the breeze was comfortable. Seats are first-come, first-served, so you might not get an outside seat, but you'll still have a wonderful view during the cruise. I recommend sitting on the right-side seats for better views and photos. 👍
Bryan
Lovely opportunity to cruise the river and bar area to see the sights and learn about the history of Singapore. We did the night cruise for over 40 minutes at $26 each, which was a very good rate. The boat was electric and peaceful, with a video and narrative running in the background providing information and details of the sights that you were seeing throughout the journey. Incredible sights, a beautiful sightseeing tour, a comfortable boat with plenty of seating. It takes in all the major sights you may want to see. Worth the money. You can turn up and pay for the tickets at the riverside ticket booth near Hooters Bar in Clarke Quay.
Alex Soh
We just turned up on a Friday morning and were able to join the next tour. It was an enjoyable 40 minutes, seeing the old and new parts of the city, learning some history, and heading around the iconic Marina Bay. The tour boats are now electric, smooth and silent. It's fascinating to see how Singapore has evolved over the 15 years since our previous visit.
Azat Bakar
Not many options for things to do in the late evening in Singapore with teens. So this was suggested by our concierge. It was very nice, calm, beautiful, not too long and not too short, and a bit educational too. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Jillian Wang
Absolutely fantastic evening cruise. Really great way to see a bit of Singapore. The staff were all very friendly and the boat was clean and tidy. Highly recommend!
Ian Manickam
A really good cruise. It gives a good view of the Bay and surrounding areas. It's not overly expensive, so I definitely recommend it if you are in Singapore. It's best done around the "golden hour" (18:30-19:00).
James Soon
Excellent value for money. About a 40-minute cruise with outstanding commentary. You'll see *the* sights of Singapore!
Mackie Goh
Great little stand. Very nice ladies running the place. Very efficient! They take both cards and cash, so there are no cash-only issues. One thing to note: you can't buy tickets too far ahead. They explain they won't be able to refund you, and even when pressed, they still refuse to sell you one a few hours in advance. But the boats are running every half an hour, so you should be able to get on one easily. There is a premium package with lasers and more – you can see it free of charge from the shore, so it’s maybe not the best value, but it offers huge convenience.
