Cruising the Singapore River on a Bumboat Ride

Taking a bumboat ride on a Singapore River Cruise is a must-do Singapore experience!

The sun is shining and there is not a rain cloud in sight. The kids are getting restless and you’re hankering to get out of the apartment for a while. You can’t bare the thought of heading to another kid’s indoor playcentre but want the kids to get out and about…

Then why not get yourselves down to the Singapore River, put your captain’s hat on and climb aboard an old-fashioned bumboat (snigger)?

There’s nothing quite like a leisurely cruise on the water, past old shophouses and soaring skyscrapers to make you feel like you are really in Singapore.

Clarke Quay is the main entrance point for those looking to pick up a river cruise. While there used to be two main operators operating from this location there is now only one: The Singapore River Cruise (those old school bumboats).

Singapore River Cruise offers a 40-minute river cruise (perfect for little attention spans!), leaving at roughly half hour intervals daily. The 40 minute cruise takes you down the River past Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, out to Marina Bay and back again (the last trip leaves at 10.30pm).

Taking a cruise down the River is a sure fire way to get a really good look at Singapore, as history and the modern day meld into the Singapore that we know and love today. An extra bonus point is that toddlers aged 2 and under also get to travel free so it’s a (relatively) affordable way to spend a morning floating down the River, letting your kids enjoy the leisurely pace of life on the water.

Singapore River Cruise: Main pickup point is at the front of Liang Court at Clarke Quay. 9am – 11pm. Adults $25 each. Children 2 years and over $15 each. Tel: (+65) 6336 6111.

Originally from Australia, Sarah Fennell landed in Singapore via Hong Kong, where she spent 3 years eating Dim Sum and doing laps of the Peak Trail (in between having a baby and changing nappies). Since arriving in early 2011, Sarah set out to explore the Lion City in search of the perfect cappuccino (for her) and playground (for the toddler).