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Singapore River by Bumboat - From 2006/07 Travel Blog
Once the working lifeline of the port of Singapore and a dirty, unsightly waterway, the Singapore River today is clean and pleasant and winds a scenic path through the central city to Marina Bay.
For a few dollars a ticket the 45 minute bumboat tours of the Singapore river are great value. We boarded outside the Riverfront centre opposite Clarke Quay but there are several other boarding points.
Sadly there is a corny and annoying recorded commentary but as soon as we tuned out to that we enjoyed an excellent tour up and down the river.
The old boats are well maintained and cruise slowly enough for you to enjoy the views and snap a few photographs.
Up river is a little dull......mostly its just hotels and condo buildings up in the direction of Robertson Quay, but down river to the Marina area is very scenic.
You pass the impressive Fullerton Hotel before heading past the Big Durian (officially known as Esplanades - Theatres on the Bay) and Marina Bay. A loop past the Merlion (which is kitsch) is most enjoyable because of the amazing views you get of the city skyline and waterfront.
This end of the river gives you a birds eye view of the massive land reclamation projects that have taken place - what was once ocean is today a solid platform for massive concrete towers and hotels. It all looks very impressive.
The old bumboats used to bring cargo to and from the docks in the old days. Today their only cargo are passengers, and they are well fitted out with wooden benches.
A comfortable and pleasant trip and if you are lucky enough to go on a sunny clear day as we did, you really get million dollar views.
A river cruise is also a cool escape from the humidity of Singapore....a chance to sit back and not get drenched with sweat.
If you are looking for something more splendid than a bumboat, you can arrange all manner of cruises along the river of some magnificent boats. Dinner cruises, night cruises, you name it, its available. You can also hire bumboats as water taxis for short hops or negotiate your own private itinerary.
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