After filling up our tummies at Melaka Nyonya Village, it’s time for a romantic night time cruise along the Melaka River. Please allow me to apologize in advance for the picture quality. My husband and I accidentally left our DSLR at the hotel and had to make do with our smartphone’s camera.

DJ Azz, all hyped up for the night cruise

Scenery along the river

Passed by a lot of old Malaccan houses with unique architecture.

Sigh. I’m so sorry. My picture does no justice. But I assure you that the river cruise is the best way to get sights of Melaka at a leisurely pace.

The Melaka River is where the town began and it has played a key role in Melaka’s.Taking a river cruise is like seeing Melaka from a completely different perspective.

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. Efforts has been made to restore the buildings and preserve the historical values.

Here is where you can ride on the cruise:

There are two jetties, one at each end of the route. You can begin the cruise from either jetty:

Muara 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 or tourguide will begin on the return leg of your journey

Or

Taman Rempah 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 or the tourguide as far as Muara jetty.

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.

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 go shopping for food and souvenirs.

The Melaka River Cruise is open daily from 9 am to 11:30pm.

Boats depart roughly every 30 minutes.
depart roughly every 30 minutes.

So do I recommend going during the day or at night? I’d say neither. I’d recommend you to go during the sunset. Why? Well I’m a hopeless romantic and I think that way you can see the best of both world, night view and daytime view of Melaka river.

Price per ride:

MyKad holders: RM10 for adults and RM5 for children under 12

Non MyKad holders: RM15 for adults and RM5 for children under 12.

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.

The trip to Melaka was made possible by MMode, Santai Travel and Malaysia Tourism.