Spanning vastly 4114 hectare, the tropical Merbok Mangrove Forest holds a rich collection of nature species as well as home to many exquisite flora and fauna.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Friday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Saturday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Sunday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
What to expect?
What to expect?
Your river cruise journey will start from Semeling Jetty. This jetty hosts as a complex with an auditorium, tourist information centre, Mangrove Forest Reserve Museum and souvenir shop. The 36km journey throughout the river cruise will usually take 2 and a half hours.
From Semeling Jetty, there will be a few stops usually including Pantai Merdeka and Tanjung Dawai where you can go for more sightseeing tours. Along the river cruise, you can see more than mangroves. Keep your eyes open to spot chances of witnessing various wildlife species such as eagles, lizards, kingfishers and little herons bird. Use your binoculars!
Alternatively, another way to enjoy this river cruise is by taking a different day tour where you start from Bujang Valley Museum, visit Semeling archeological site, cruise along the mangrove river, involve in mangrove replanting project, have lunch and end your tour at one of Kedah’s peak, Gunung Jerai by driving.
From Semeling Jetty, there will be a few stops usually including Pantai Merdeka and Tanjung Dawai where you can go for more sightseeing tours. Along the river cruise, you can see more than mangroves. Keep your eyes open to spot chances of witnessing various wildlife species such as eagles, lizards, kingfishers and little herons bird. Use your binoculars!
Alternatively, another way to enjoy this river cruise is by taking a different day tour where you start from Bujang Valley Museum, visit Semeling archeological site, cruise along the mangrove river, involve in mangrove replanting project, have lunch and end your tour at one of Kedah’s peak, Gunung Jerai by driving.
What to bring?
What to bring?
- Comfortable shoes
- Long sleeve t-shirt
- Insect repellant
- Waterproof bag to store belongings
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Shades
- Water and light snacks
- Camera with zoom lenses
- Binoculars
- Spare clothes
- Towel
What are the facilities provided?
What are the facilities provided?
- Life jackets for river cruise passengers
Who should I travel with?
Who should I travel with?
Solo , Couple , Friends , Family , Group
Safety tips
Safety tips
- Always keep your lifejackets on. If you don’t get one, insist your tour operator for it.
- If you are bringing your kids, please keep an eye on them.
- While cruising on the boat, try not to make any rough movements.
- You are not allowed to jump off the boat as it could be dangerous.
Insiders’ tips
Insiders’ tips
- Merbok River is currently under evaluation as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve area due to its captivating ecosystem value. Be a responsible traveller and avoiding littering the area!
- If you are staying in Alor Setar and want to do this river cruise, it is best for you to rent a car. The journey to get here from Alor Setar will take around an hour.
- River cruise is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan your trip appropriately to avoid disappointment!
- There are 4 departures in the morning and afternoon to get on the river cruise. Morning departures are at 10am and 10.15am, while afternoon departures are at 3pm and 3.15pm.
- Best time to go on the river cruise is during the afternoon trip. You might end your tour with a beautiful sunset view.
- The cost to go on Merbok Mangrove River Cruise per pax is cheaper for locals, at RM30 per adult and RM18 per child/senior citizen. For non-locals, it is priced at RM50 per adult and RM30 per child/elderly. If you bring along your student ID, you get to pay at a fraction of its price!
- Located 12km away from the jetty, you can make your own trip to visit Bujang Valley Museum. It displays an impressive range of artifacts for you to explore.
- There are good restaurants located nearby if you wish to enjoy dinner. Have seafood dishes or steamboat for dinner at D’Acah Steamboat & Grill located 4km away from the jetty. Alternatively, try local delicacies at Restoran Pinang Merah in Bandar Laguna Merbok which is open from breakfast to dinner.
- If you wish to spend a night in a houseboat, you can do it here too. Common facilities include bedrooms, bathrooms, tv, karaoke set, cooking facilities and BBQ area. From RM180 per pax, it will be even more exciting to spend some time with your loved ones peacefully under the stars!
What to expect?
What to expect?
Your river cruise journey will start from Semeling Jetty. This jetty hosts as a complex with an auditorium, tourist information centre, Mangrove Forest Reserve Museum and souvenir shop. The 36km journey throughout the river cruise will usually take 2 and a half hours.
From Semeling Jetty, there will be a few stops usually including Pantai Merdeka and Tanjung Dawai where you can go for more sightseeing tours. Along the river cruise, you can see more than mangroves. Keep your eyes open to spot chances of witnessing various wildlife species such as eagles, lizards, kingfishers and little herons bird. Use your binoculars!
Alternatively, another way to enjoy this river cruise is by taking a different day tour where you start from Bujang Valley Museum, visit Semeling archeological site, cruise along the mangrove river, involve in mangrove replanting project, have lunch and end your tour at one of Kedah’s peak, Gunung Jerai by driving.
From Semeling Jetty, there will be a few stops usually including Pantai Merdeka and Tanjung Dawai where you can go for more sightseeing tours. Along the river cruise, you can see more than mangroves. Keep your eyes open to spot chances of witnessing various wildlife species such as eagles, lizards, kingfishers and little herons bird. Use your binoculars!
Alternatively, another way to enjoy this river cruise is by taking a different day tour where you start from Bujang Valley Museum, visit Semeling archeological site, cruise along the mangrove river, involve in mangrove replanting project, have lunch and end your tour at one of Kedah’s peak, Gunung Jerai by driving.
What to bring?
What to bring?
- Comfortable shoes
- Long sleeve t-shirt
- Insect repellant
- Waterproof bag to store belongings
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Shades
- Water and light snacks
- Camera with zoom lenses
- Binoculars
- Spare clothes
- Towel
What are the facilities provided?
What are the facilities provided?
- Life jackets for river cruise passengers
Who should I travel with?
Who should I travel with?
Solo , Couple , Friends , Family , Group
Safety tips
Safety tips
- Always keep your lifejackets on. If you don’t get one, insist your tour operator for it.
- If you are bringing your kids, please keep an eye on them.
- While cruising on the boat, try not to make any rough movements.
- You are not allowed to jump off the boat as it could be dangerous.
Insiders’ tips
Insiders’ tips
- Merbok River is currently under evaluation as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve area due to its captivating ecosystem value. Be a responsible traveller and avoiding littering the area!
- If you are staying in Alor Setar and want to do this river cruise, it is best for you to rent a car. The journey to get here from Alor Setar will take around an hour.
- River cruise is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Plan your trip appropriately to avoid disappointment!
- There are 4 departures in the morning and afternoon to get on the river cruise. Morning departures are at 10am and 10.15am, while afternoon departures are at 3pm and 3.15pm.
- Best time to go on the river cruise is during the afternoon trip. You might end your tour with a beautiful sunset view.
- The cost to go on Merbok Mangrove River Cruise per pax is cheaper for locals, at RM30 per adult and RM18 per child/senior citizen. For non-locals, it is priced at RM50 per adult and RM30 per child/elderly. If you bring along your student ID, you get to pay at a fraction of its price!
- Located 12km away from the jetty, you can make your own trip to visit Bujang Valley Museum. It displays an impressive range of artifacts for you to explore.
- There are good restaurants located nearby if you wish to enjoy dinner. Have seafood dishes or steamboat for dinner at D’Acah Steamboat & Grill located 4km away from the jetty. Alternatively, try local delicacies at Restoran Pinang Merah in Bandar Laguna Merbok which is open from breakfast to dinner.
- If you wish to spend a night in a houseboat, you can do it here too. Common facilities include bedrooms, bathrooms, tv, karaoke set, cooking facilities and BBQ area. From RM180 per pax, it will be even more exciting to spend some time with your loved ones peacefully under the stars!
Spanning vastly 4114 hectare, the tropical Merbok Mangrove Forest holds a rich collection of nature species as well as home to many exquisite flora and fauna.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Friday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Saturday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
| Sunday | 09:00 am to 05:00 pm |
