melaka river cruise parking

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• Melaka River Cruise

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:

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

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.

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10 Essential and Helpful Tips 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

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. 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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

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

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

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

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Melaka River Cruise

• Sit back and relax on a river cruise through the historic city of Melaka—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Get a unique view of Melaka’s most iconic landmarks and colourful wall murals.
• Choose from both day and night cruises for a different experience of the city.

Choose Your Activity

Select Package Option and Local Operator

≻ ≻ ≻ 1 Package Options

What's included.

Meander down the vibrant and historic waterways of Melaka City on the blissful Melaka River Cruise! Soak up the multicultural architecture as you cruise through the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Both day and night, the cruise will take you past iconic attractions such as the Stadthuys and Red Square, the Dutch Bastion Middleburg, the Shore Shopping Gallery as well as Jonker Street Night Market. Enjoy the brightly coloured murals on display along the river banks and the gothic designs of Church of St. Francis Xavier. The Melaka River Cruise is the perfect way to explore this eclectic city!

What To Wear

• T-Shirt 
• Long / Short Pants 
• Hat / Cap 
• Sunglasses 
• Comfortable Footwear

What To Bring

• Sunscreen 
• Camera 

Important Notes

• Children aged 0-2 may enter free with paying adults.  
• Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Proof of identity (MyKad or passport) is required at ticket counters.
• Tickets are only valid for the duration of the purchased date.
• Life jackets are provided for the number of passengers per boat.

Additional Info

• Parking is available at Taman Rempah Jetty.
• Boats can accommodate 40 passengers at a time.
• Sunset cruises offer some of the best photo opportunities of Melaka City.
• Commentary is available in both English and Malay.
• It is recommended to bring a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated.

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

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Melaka River Cruise

Coast along the Melaka River aboard the iconic Melaka River Cruise whilst taking in some of its magnificent sights along the way. Wave to passersby as you float by lively restaurants, vibrant bars and other exciting stores that are situated just by the river. 

The Melaka River Cruise operates daily from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, welcoming you on board with the option to either bask in the town’s daylight beauty on its day cruises or enjoy the serene views that Melaka has to offer by night.

The Melaka River Cruise is more than just a means to get across town. While on board, visitors will also have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge around the rich culture and fascinating history that the state holds.

The cruise sets sail past various historical landmarks including the Tan Kim Seng Bridge, which is a tribute to a wealthy Melakan trader and the iconic Kampung Jawa Bridge that was built in 1714. Along this picturesque 45-minute ride also, you will get to enjoy spectacular views of the Stadthuys, Jonker Street, Kampung Morten and many more.

As an added bonus, take advantage of the various promotions that are generously offered by the cruise. Its Dinner Cruise offers a good selection of meals featuring a host of mouth watering flavours of Melaka in just one sitting. 

Looking for a more intimate and personal cruise experience? Try out the VIP Cruise promotion that can be tailor-made to your liking. The VIP Cruise is exclusively available from Friday to Sunday at 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

Ticket pricing for the Melaka River Cruise :

Tickets can be purchased at the River Cruise Ticketing Counters which are located at Spice Garden (Taman Rempah) or Dataran Muara Sungai Melaka. 

• Foreigner (Non-MyKad Holder)
• Adult (12 years and above): RM 30
• Child (2-12 years): RM 25
• MyKad Holder
• Adult (12 years and above): RM 25
• Child (2-12 years): RM 15
• Disabled Adult: RM 15
• Disabled Child: RM 10
• Senior Citizen (60 years and above): RM 20
• Super Gold (70 years and above): RM 10
• IPTA / IPTS Student (with Student ID Card): RM 20
• Chartered Boat (40 Seater): RM 1100
• Children below 2 years old: Free Admission
• 1-Day Unlimited Rides (Pit-Stop Package)
• Local Adult (12 years and above): RM 40
• Local Child (2-12 years): RM 25
• Local Senior Citizen (60 years and above): RM 30
• IPTA / IPTS Student  (with Student ID Card): RM 30
• Foreigner Adult (12 years and above): RM 50
• Foreigner Child (2-12 years): RM 40

*Prices may be subject to change. Visit Melaka River Cruise’s website for price confirmation.

How to get to Melaka River Cruise

If you are driving to the jetty, stop at the Spice Garden (Taman Rempah) jetty, where you will find a large car park just beside with ample parking spots for your vehicle.

Alternatively, passengers can also get there by one of Melaka’s bus services. Priced between RM 1 to RM 1.80, the Town Bus No.17 will take you directly to the jetties.

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Melaka River Cruise

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.

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The Pines Melaka

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Melaka River Cruise Questions & Answers

Ample parking spaces around the area.

yes. not to worry. Malacca generally doesn't require to drive a lot. the reason being is most of the attractions are nearby. you just need to find a parking near the RED church museum (on hill) . then can go to various places.

Of Course. A lot of Car Parking around the Cruise Ticket Counter.

Sorry,I don't know where is the car park because we used the Grab cab.

No, there is no car park facility right near the pier but there is one in the vicinity. Since its just 4 minutes from the main road there is a car park closeby to park the car and walk up to the pier.

Browse nearby

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

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
• Closed every Friday from 12 pm – 3 pm
• 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.

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.

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.

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

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..

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

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.

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.

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

Syafiee abu bakar

Maswani Ismail

Moment for memories

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.

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

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

Wong Wai Yean

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

SHANMUGANATHAN RAMAIAH

NURUL BAZILAH BINTI MOHAMAD NOOR

Get less than original price at counter ticket

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

noordarlina ain

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

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.

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

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.

Nadia Farhanah

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

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.

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…

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.

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

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.

ABDUL HAFIZUDDIN BIN ABDUL HAMID

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

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

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

Ahilah Sivelingam

Good and recommend

NOOR HIDAYAH BINTI ABDUL AZIZ

1 tarikan terbaik did 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.

Siti sarah bte mohd juni

menyeronokkan. driver byk bercerita ttng sejarah setiap bangunan

noorsyamira

MOHD AFANDI BIN MOHAMMAD AZHAR

Good service

Salizza Nor bt Sarmin

Nice & good experience… ☺️

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

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.

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

Siti Masita Binti Hassan

Naiss!! 👍🏼💯

Juanita anak Suhai

Amazing experience and for sure will come again.

Nur farah aida binti mohamad

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

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

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

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!

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 ❤️🥰

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

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.

Mohd ashek bin mansor

Very nice place. Recomanded

JABRI BAHRI

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

HAFIZAH BINTI MUHAMAD

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

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.

Saiful Rijaluddin Ismail

Nice night scenario and full information given

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..

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..

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

Its fast online booking and can used immediately..

Siti Maisarah Binti Mohd Lokman

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

MUHAMMAD HAFIZUL HAZIM BIN ROSDI

Boleh potong barisan, Thank you

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

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

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

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

Sumaiya binti Shokri

Interesting!

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..

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.

Sarah Nabilla Mohd Ali

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

Mohd Haizal bin Umar

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

Siva Sharmah

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

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. 👌

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

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.

Norsharaini

Quick tour around the city at a leisurely pace.

RAIHANAH BT MOHD FAUZI

Good experience

Mohamad Huszaimi bin Husin

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

Marlina Mohd Sadli

so beautiful view while in the river cruise .

Laila Fadzirah

Very nice scenery at night.

Ninie mazira mokhtar

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

Syed Ali Abbas Naqvi

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

Musa bin Ahmad

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

Norliza Othman

Thank you,we have a really good time here!

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 😁😁😁😁

Mohd Asmawee bin Ismail

INCREDIBLE NIGHT PANORAMA ALONG MELAKA RIVER

Nur shafiqa binti shamsir

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

MOHAMMAD EFFANDI BIN OTHMAN

Nurfadzidda binti Kamarudin

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

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.

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.

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 🙂

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.

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

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

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.

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..

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. 😥

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.

Muhd Khairol Anuar Bin Ahmad

Mazarrudin Bin Manan

Faruq bin md jalal fahmey

NORHIDAYAH BINTI ABDUL AZIZ

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The Island Drum

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 

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

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