Best boat tours in Singapore

By Alex Birungi
Published: July 18, 2024
Traditional boat on the Singapore River near Clarke Quay

Set on the banks of the historic Singapore River, Singapore has a deep connection to water and it’s the lifeblood of this Asian metropolis. Hopping on a boat ride and exploring the ancient river and its islands is an incredible way to see the city from a unique perspective.

We hit the water and came up with a list of the best boat tours in Singapore. From classic bumboat tours of the city to exploring the northeastern islands of the city-state, you’ll find an array of fantastic boat tours that cater to every desire.

Here are our top picks for boat tours in Singapore. Grab your camera and let’s hit the water!

  1. Singapore River Cruise
Image of Boat, Vehicle, Boating, Water, Water Sports, Bridge, Cityscape, Urban, Ferry,

Highlights

  • See the city from a unique perspective
  • Experience life on the Singapore River both day and night
  • Discover the city’s extraordinary mix of heritage and modernity
  • Spot famous landmarks like the Merlion, Raffles, and the Esplanade

Experience Singapore’s most famous landmarks and historic monuments on a Singapore River Cruise. One of the best boat tours in the city, this fantastic tour takes you past all the top spots in the city.

Hop on a traditional bumboat at Clarke Quay Counter, the very place where Sir Stamford Raffles first stepped foot onto Singapore. Marvel at the enchanting mix of rich heritage and modern architecture. Ancient shophouses along the riverbanks have been beautifully restored to house stylish restaurants and bars and shimmering skyscrapers stand sentry over the city.

Glide beneath the grand bridges of Singapore such as the Anderson, Cavenagh, and Clemenceau Bridges, and learn their fascinating stories from your guide. You’ll also get to visit various historical landmarks along the Singapore River that played a central role in the development of the city.

Pass the emblematic Merlion statue at Marina Bay and keep an eye out for the Raffles' landing at the historic Boat Quay. Admire the breathtaking modern architecture of the Esplanade performing arts center. Designed to look like a durian (tropical fruit), the striking buildings have aluminum cladding that reflects the sun to create a spectacular shimmering effect. Have your camera ready to catch it at the perfect angle.

Singapore River Cruises are offered during the day and at night. Don’t forget to use your pass to get onto one of these incredible tours and soak up the essence of Singapore.

  1. Singapore DUCK Tour
Image of Boat, Vehicle, Ferry, Water, Waterfront, Person, Boating, Water Sports, City,

Highlights

  • Explore Singapore on land and sea by amphibious vehicle
  • Make a splashy entrance into the sea at Marina Bay

Another fantastic way to explore the city from the water is on a Singapore DUCK Tour. These tours are conducted on remodeled amphibious vehicles from the Second World War Vietnam and promise an unforgettable experience. Use your pass to enjoy this one-of-a-kind Singapore experience.

Hop on board at Suntec Shopping Mall and drive to Marina Bay where you’ll splash into the water for the water-based part of the tour. Take in spectacular views of Singapore’s famous landmarks like the Esplanade Theater, Gardens by the Bay, and the awe-inspiring Marina Bay Sands. Keep your camera on hand to snap a shot of the official mascot of Singapore - the Merlion.

Trundle back onto land and drive into the Civic District, passing the giant Singapore Flyer Ferris wheel. Explore the rich history of the city with visits to the Old Supreme Court, where the British surrendered to the imperial Japanese army during the Second World War. Pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Japanese occupation as you pass the War Memorial Park.

Take a final spin around the world’s largest water fountain, the Fountain of Wealth before ending your tour back at Suntec City.

  1. Sunset Sail - Dinner Cruise
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Highlights

  • Cruise in luxury on the Royal Albatross tall ship
  • Discover the magic of old Singapore
  • Take in the spectacular sunset from the water
  • Enjoy a gourmet three-course dinner while cruising

Treat yourself to something special with a luxury dinner cruise on the Royal Albatross. Board the four-mast, 22-sail tall ship at the Sentosa Gateway and cruise past the Palawan Beach Walk on Sentosa Island as you sip aperitifs.

Watch the sun dip below the horizon as you sail past the beautiful southern islands of St Johns and Lazarus. Sit down to a gourmet three-course dinner of globally-inspired cuisine. Marvel at the spectacular views of the city by night as you sail back to Sentosa.

  1. Kelong and Pulau Ubin Guided Boat Tour
Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Land, Water, Waterfront, Rainforest, Tree, Vegetation, Summer, Sea,

Highlights

  • Escape the city and explore the northeastern shores of Singapore
  • See mangrove swamps, uninhabited islands, and loads of nature
  • Experience life on a floating fish farm
  • Discover the island of Pulau Ubin

Escape the concrete jungle and enjoy a three-hour sojourn to the northeastern banks of Singapore. Hop on a catamaran at the SAF Yacht Club and head out to sea with an experienced guide at the helm. As you make your way towards Pulau Ubin, keep an eye out for fishermen earning their living and floating kelong villages.

Learn about life on a kelong, a wooden platform built by fishermen primarily for fishing or fish farming, and the struggles of sustainable fishing and fish farming. Larger structures are also used by fisherman and their families as dwellings. Only a handful of these ancient structures remain due to rapid urbanization.

Cruise along the shores of Pulau Ubin, the only inhabited island out of Singapore’s 63 islands, and home to traditional kampongs (villages) and disused granite quarries. Pass the lush mangrove swamps of the Chek Jawa Wetlands and watch out for bulbuls and kingfishers.

End your trip with a visit to a kelong with a floating restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal as you experience life on a floating fish farm.

  1. Southern Islands Tour
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Highlights

  • Explores Singapore’s lesser-known southern islands
  • Learn interesting history and facts about the islands from an experienced onboard guide
  • Enjoy a picnic on Lazarus Beach

Hop on a private boat charter for a curated tour of Singapore’s lesser-known islands. Explore five beautiful islands, including Kusu Island, Lazarus Island, St John's Island, Sisters’ Islands, and Seringat Island.

As you cruise around the uninhabited islands, a professional guide will share the rich historical and cultural heritage of the islands and the extraordinary biodiversity of flora and fauna that reside on them.

Visit the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, home to Singapore’s first turtle hatchery. Discover why Kusu Island is also known as Tortoise Island and is steeped in local folklore and myth. Learn the significant history of St John's Island that is tied to Singapore. Enjoy a picnic on the little-known beach paradise of Lazarus Island and swim in gin-clear waters.

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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Best Neighborhood to Stay in Singapore

Picking the right accommodation location is one of the most important parts of planning a vacation. What can your budget allow? What kind of vibe are you looking for? What do you want to be near? Whether you're looking for a mix of things, or are more specifically target one parameter, we've got you covered. Below, we've collated the best neighborhoods to stay in when you visit Singapore. So, whether you're looking to be by the city's most famous landmarks, in the thick of Singapore's nightlife, or want something a bit more traditional, we've found districts that will fit you like a glove. So read on, and find the perfect place for you! Including Marina Bay Riverside Downtown Orchard Road and more! Marina Bay Bringing your family to Singapore? Then Marina Bay is arguably the best neighborhood for you and your clan to stay in. Though it may err on the pricier side, if you're bringing the entire family to the city, you probably have the cash to burn. Location-wise, you'll be in the thick of the action. Marina Bay is a stone's throw from Clarke Quay and the Civic District, so you'll find plenty to keep busy. Plus, one of Singapore's top attractions, the Gardens by the Bay, is right on your doorstep. If you can, book a room at the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Not only are the rooms exquisite, but you'll also have easy access to the hotel's wonderous infinity pool. Riverside Leaving the little ones at home and looking to explore the city's after-dark samplings? Look no further than Riverside. Here, you'll find Singapore's hub of nightclubs, bars, and affluent restaurants. The once-busy docks have been transformed into Singapore's hippest evening area. Not only will you find plenty of rooftop bars where you can soak up some rays or see in the sunset, but you'll also don your dancing shoes at one of the area's many discotheques. Boogie woogie, and all that. However, like Marina Bay, Riverside is on the dearer side of Singapore neighborhoods. Many of the city's top restaurants and night haunts are located there, and you'll be paying a premium to sample their delights. It's also the busiest district for tourism, so if you travel during peak season, expect to be rubbing shoulders with plenty of other travelers. Downtown Singapore's financial district is, understandably, the city's most expensive place to stay. Reserved for traveling business people and the many clients they're visiting, accommodation can be on the pricier side. However, if you can afford it or are in town for business, why not splash the cash? Some of the city's best hotels are housed within, so if you've got it, why not flaunt it? Stacked with skyscrapers and futuristic designs seen in shows like Westworld, you'll find plenty of photo ops around Downtown. But don't worry; it isn't all glass, steel, and concrete. In fact, you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities and even parks if you need to take a verdant break. And yes, while most hotels are relatively expensive, hunt about, and you might find cheaper deals on some more reasonable places. Orchard Road Calling all shoppers. Do you have expensive taste? Do you accept nothing but the biggest and best labels adorning your body and accessories? If you answered yes, then Orchard Road is the best neighborhood to stay in while visiting Singapore! Even if you're not in the market for a new coat or bag, there are still plenty of reasons to stay in the area. You'll find classy cafes, wonderful restaurants, and smaller boutique stores where you can pick up unique items you won't find on the high street. And, when you finally hit your overdraft and have too much to bring back with you, you'll find easy connections to other parts of the city. So, if you need to shop but also want a dazzling locale as your base of operations, check out Orchard Road. Chinatown While we've mainly covered the higher end of budgets when it comes to neighborhoods in Singapore, you needn't break the bank to get the best. In fact, if you're looking for a more authentic cultural experience where rents are cheap, and food is affordable, you can't do much better than Chinatown. A little piece of China in the heart of Singapore, Chinatown also offers all the wonderful delicacies you can expect from a little slice of the east. Food stalls selling myriad Chinese dishes and street food; welcoming shops full of cultural items and knickknacks, as well as great connections to some of the more expensive parts of the city. If you're not looking to break the bank and desire a bit of peace with your accommodation, Chinatown is more than worth a look. Plus, you'll even find the city's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant within, so you can dine like a king without flogging the crown jewels. Little India If you like the idea of Chinatown but prefer your cuisine with a little added spice, say hello to Little India. As a location, it shares many of the same benefits as its eastern partner, with cheaper rents, affordable food, and plenty of authentic shops and experiences to discover. Food-wise, however, expect to find plenty of traditional offerings; curries of all shapes and sizes, pakora, vada pav, and many more. And, as it's located close to some of Singapore's best shopping districts, you'll have plenty of reasons to head out and explore, should you wish to. And those are our picks of the best neighborhoods to stay in during your Singapore vacation! Now that you know where to set up your base camp, you'll need to plan the rest of your trip. If you're suffering from choice paralysis, let Go City ease your woes! Thanks to our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits and make huge savings while you're at it!
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Indoor Activities in Singapore

First the good news: Singapore is warm year round, with super-hot summers and winters with balmy tropical breezes and average temperatures that rarely dip below the mid-70s. But it also rains rather a lot. Monsoon seasons here run from December to March and June to September; frequent downpours even outside of these seasons have earned Singapore a spot comfortably inside the 20 wettest countries on the planet. And, believe us, when it rains here it really Singa-pours! But don’t let a little thing like that put you off! Simply grab a sturdy umbrella and hop on the excellent MRT subway system for direct access to some of the best indoor activities in Singapore, including: The Gardens by the Bay The National Museum Jewel Changi Airport Snow City The Fragment Room Scentopia Hawker centers for adventurous foodies The coolest libraries in town Flower Power Gardens by the Bay is the kind of attraction that merits multiple visits on any Singapore vacation. See it on a dry day from Marina Bay’s SkyPark observation deck – a dizzying 56 stories up – and don’t miss the free evening light show at its Supertree Grove, a series of deliciously Instagrammable tree-like structures on the waterfront, with a fun elevated walkway. Fun, that is, assuming you’re not caught out unawares up there when the heavens open. The gardens have plenty of indoor exhibits to keep you entertained (and dry) if the weather does turn against you. Take the soaring Flower Dome, for example. This huge durian-shaped hothouse – a veritable riot of vibrant blooms and nose-tickling perfumes – is only the biggest of its kind on the entire planet. Step inside to discover the baobab forest, an olive grove that features as its highlight a 1,000-year-old tree, and carpets of colorful flowers in gardens that showcase blooms from around the world, including Australia, South America and the Mediterranean. You might not feel very dry inside the Cloud Forest, where regular misting is in use to keep plants well hydrated and a huge crashing waterfall (the tallest indoor waterfall in the world... maybe) creates its own spray. Find it by following the roaring sound through the forest of ferns, vines and sweet-smelling orchids. An airport may not be the place you’d naturally think of when planning how to spend a rainy day, but then Jewel Changi Airport is no ordinary airport. This nature-themed entertainment complex contains hundreds of shops and restaurants as well as an indoor garden, the Shiseido Forest Valley, that spans five stories. Cascading recycled rainwater through an oculus in the glass-paneled roof, The Rain Vortex makes for a spectacular centerpiece and – wait for it – also lays claim to the title of the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Heck, go see both and you can make up your own mind! Cultural Indoor Activities in Singapore You don’t have to be an art aficionado to admire the collection at Singapore’s National Gallery, housed inside the monumental City Hall and former Supreme Court in the Civic District. Browse a huge collection of over 9,000 contemporary and modern works from Singapore and southeast Asia and see highlights including Georgette Chen’s series of evocative family portraits and Singaporean Choo Keng Kwang’s woodcuts and oil paintings. The art-inspired shops and two (count em) Michelin-starred restaurants here make it a great destination for filling an entire Singapore rainy day. The National Museum is no slouch either. This neoclassical icon houses one of the largest collections of historical artifacts in Asia. Check out paintings, drawings, sculptures, objets d'art and archaeological finds from in and around Singapore, including such priceless treasures as the ancient Singapore Stone, with its mysterious indecipherable inscriptions. Whiz over to the futuristic ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands for ever-changing immersive exhibitions and a gallery filled with virtual reality artworks. For something a little more traditional but no less eye-popping, catch the curated selection of classic movies, documentaries and arthouse films on show at the museum’s cinema. Did somebody say ‘popcorn’? Indoor Activities in Singapore for Foodies and Funsters Looking for the perfect rainy day activity? How does an afternoon spent gorging on chicken smothered in spicy peanut satay sound? Pretty good, right? Sweet-and-savory-sauce-drenched chili crab –so good it’s basically Singapore’s national dish – is another absolute must-try. Oyster omelet? Count us in! And you’ll need an army to keep us away from umami nasi goreng, another south-east Asian staple that’s at its very best in Singapore’s ubiquitous hawker centers, great inexpensive markets where the heady scents of sizzling spices are nothing short of intoxicating. Try the Old Airport Road Food Centre and Ghim Moh Market for some of the best street snacks in town. Singapore is a treasure trove of quirky indoor activities, meaning you’ll rarely have a dull moment regardless of what the weather decides to do! We’re talking augmented reality experiences, rage rooms, indoor snowboarding and, um, public libraries (bear with us on that one). If you’ve ever wanted to let off steam – and we mean really let off steam – in a safe, enclosed space, here’s your chance. The Fragment Room is Singapore's original rage room, a place where, clad in overalls, helmet, goggles and gloves, you’re free to smash up bottles, plates, cups and even electronic gadgets to your heart’s content. Irritated by the rain that's forced you indoors? Here’s where you can vent like a pro and achieve instant gratification to the melodic tinkling sounds of breaking glass. The clue’s in the names at Scentopia and Trickeye, two of Singapore’s premier augmented reality experiences. Scentopia combines short tours exploring the history and science of Singapore’s perfume industry with an eye-popping augmented reality gallery packed with dinosaurs, huge colorful blooms and other weird and wonderful flora and fauna that appear to leap from the exhibits. Trickeye offers yet more mind-bending illusions and photo opps galore as you and your family dance with mermaids, slay dragons and swim with sharks. Cool off at Snow City, Singapore’s first indoor snow center, where the emphasis is resolutely on fun. Wrap up warm and hop on an inflatable tube for the unforgettable experience of ‘snowtubing’ down the 60-meter snow slope and test your bumper car-handling skills – on ice. Last but by no means least are Singapore’s excellent public libraries. Library@Orchard is particularly cool, a beautifully designed space with long wave-shaped bookshelves, sure to melt the heart of any discerning bibliophile. In Library@Waterfront, the Sentosa views may well prove too distracting to concentrate on reading your book, while Tampines Regional Library comes with its own auditorium as well as boasting an indoor running track and a children’s playground. Save on indoor activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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