Singapore River Cruise from Clarke Quay | Singapore Purple Travel Guide

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The Singapore River Cruise offers a relaxing and highly insightful journey along the historic Singapore River aboard a traditional motorized bumboat. This 40-minute round-trip journey provides an essential perspective on the transformation of the city, physically connecting the colonial-era heart of the river to the futuristic architecture of Marina Bay.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

Why You Should Visit

It is arguably the best way to witness the dramatic juxtaposition of the history and modernity of Singapore. The cruise allows you to glide past the restored 19th-century shophouses of Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, which now stand in the literal shadow of the massive skyscrapers of the Central Business District. Seeing the city from the water-level provides a sense of scale and tranquility that is impossible to achieve while walking the busy city streets.

What is Special About It?

• Heritage Bumboats: The vessels used are faithful replicas of the traditional bumboats that served as the ‘water taxis’ of the 19th and 20th centuries. While they were once used to haul cargo between ships and warehouses, they have been modernized with quiet, eco-friendly electric engines as of 2025.
• The ‘Eyes’ of the Boat: You should notice that the bumboats are painted with ‘eyes’ and ‘teeth’ on the bow. Historically, the boatmen believed these features would allow the vessel to ‘see’ underwater obstacles and ward off evil spirits, ensuring a safe journey.
• Open-Air Views: Unlike enclosed tour buses, the bumboats feature an open-air rear deck. This allows for unobstructed photography of the skyscrapers and the 165-foot (50-meter) tall Supertrees in the distance as you enter the bay.
• Comprehensive Narration: Every cruise includes a pre-recorded audio commentary that explains the history of the landmarks you are passing and details the massive 10-year cleanup effort that transformed the once-polluted river into a clean urban waterway.

History and Landmark Checklist

• The Raffles Landing Site: You will pass the exact spot where Sir Stamford Raffles is believed to have first stepped onto the island in 1819. Look for the white polymarble statue standing on the riverbank.
• Bridges of History: The boat will pass under several historic bridges, including the Cavenagh Bridge, which was built in 1869 and is the oldest suspension bridge in Singapore. You will also see the Anderson Bridge, which features intricate ironwork and once served as the gateway for vehicles entering the city center.
• The Old Hill Street Police Station: This building is famous for its 927 windows, each painted in a different vibrant shade of the rainbow. From the river, you can capture a perfect symmetrical photograph of this colonial masterpiece.
• The Fullerton Hotel: This massive Neoclassical building was once the General Post Office and served as ‘Mile Zero’, the point from which all distances in Singapore were measured.

Self-Guided Information

Traveler Tip

You should try to secure a seat at the very back of the boat in the open-air section. This provides the best ‘selfie’ angles with the Marina Bay Sands in the background. Please be aware that if you disembark at any jetty other than your starting point, your ticket is considered used, and you will not be allowed to re-board.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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