Melaka River
Take a relaxing cruise down the Melaka River, the top attraction at the historical UNESCO World Heritage site of Melaka City.
An important trading port in the 16th century, the Melaka River is now a popular attraction for tourists. Cruising down the serene river, you will have the opportunity to see and appreciate the beautiful architecture of colonial buildings, bridges, and churches alongside contemporary buildings and local art works.
Location
Close to the Maritime Museum, the Melaka River is located next to the Quayside Heritage Centre and within walking distance of Jonker Street.
Opening Days and Hours
The Melaka River Cruise is open daily from 09:00 to 23:30, and the boats depart at 30-minute intervals. You can, of course, walk along the river at any time of the day.
Entry Fee and Bookings
Cruise prices are as follows:
- Locals: Adults: RM 10 (USD 2.43); Children under 12 years old: RM 5 (USD 1.22)
- Foreigners: Adults: RM 15 (USD 3.65); Children under 12 years old: RM 7 (USD 1.70)
How to Get There
There are two jetties to catch the cruise, one at each end of the route. You can begin the cruise from either the Muara jetty, which is next to the Quayside Heritage Centre, or Taman Rempah Jetty, which is next to the Hang Jebat Bridge. If you are driving, then you should catch the boat at Taman Rempah Jetty because it offers free parking at its large parking area.
Suggested For
The river cruise is great for all types of travelers of all ages interested in seeing the historical Melaka city.
Time to Spend
The Melaka River Cruise takes about 45 minutes and covers about 9 kilometres of the river.
Popularity and best time to go
The river can look very different when seen during the day or night. After the sun sets, many of the sights alongside the river are illuminated with colourful lights. On the other hand, you will get a better view of the murals and other details during the day. Many tourists choose to go around sunset so that they can see both day and night views in one cruise.
Nearby Attractions
- Menara Taming Sari – 300 metres
- Jonker Street – 400 metres
- The Stadthuys – 450 metres
- Christ Church – 450 metres
- Hard Rock Café Melaka – 450 metres
- A’Famosa Fort – 500 metres
- Paul’s Church – 550 metres
- Church of St Francis Xavier – 600 metres
- Baba And Nyonya Heritage Museum – 650 metres
- Masjid Kampung Kling – 750 metres
Stay
There are a number of hotels and guest houses near the area, from backpacker accommodations to luxury boutique hotels. In addition, there are also a number of homestays located near Jonker Street, the area’s main attraction, within walking distance.
Good to Know
Most of the seats in the boat are covered except for the few front row seats, which have the best views. People in the front row seats are however, subject to splashes from the bow wave. Life jackets are not offered to passengers but are stowed at prominent locations.
