Kuching Mangrove Tour: Irrawaddy Dolphins & Proboscis Monkeys

Spot rare dolphins and long-nosed monkeys in Sarawak's mangrove waterways

A guided mangrove tour from Kuching where you travel by boat through tidal waterways and estuaries to search for Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, macaques, silver-leaf monkeys, saltwater crocodiles and birdlife, ending with a sunset cruise over the river. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours with a live guide in English, Hindi, Chinese, Malay and one additional language. Pickup from your hotel is included. Fireflies can be seen on the evening session, subject to weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mangrove wildlife and sunset cruise

• Journey toward mangrove forest
• Spot mudskippers, birds, crocodiles, macaques
• Look for Irrawaddy dolphin
• Observe proboscis monkeys and wildlife
• View Mount Santubong silhouette
• Enjoy scenic sunset cruise

The experience

You're free for an afternoon or evening in Kuching and want to see wildlife without arranging your own transport. This tour handles the logistics: a driver picks you up from your hotel, and you board a boat at the mangrove forest to begin a slow glide through tidal waterways. The boat moves quietly enough that you can spot mudskippers in the shallows, macaques moving through the trees, and the occasional saltwater crocodile basking on the banks. The guide scans the open water toward the South China Sea for Irrawaddy dolphins (the snubfin variety, smaller and rarer than ocean dolphins), and watches the mangrove fringes where proboscis monkeys with their distinctive long noses often appear.

The route threads through estuaries where silver-leaf monkeys swing overhead and wading birds work the margins. You'll see the ecosystem as it actually functions: not a zoo, but a working mangrove forest where the wildlife is wild and sightings depend on the time of day and the season. As the afternoon fades, the boat heads toward Mount Santubong and the river opens up for a sunset cruise. If you're on the evening session, fireflies emerge over the water as darkness falls, though weather can affect visibility. You'll have bottled water on board, a life jacket for safety, and air-conditioned transport to and from your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• guided boat tour through mangrove waterways and estuaries.
• bottled water.
• life jacket.
• sunset or firefly cruise depending on the session you choose.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 16:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi and Malay

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by AJ Borneo Tours & Travels

Is this one for you?This is a shared boat tour with a live guide, so you travel with other visitors rather than as a private group. Choose it if you want wildlife spotting without the cost of a private charter, or if you prefer a guide who knows where to find the dolphins and monkeys rather than navigating the waterways yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Hindi, Chinese, Malay and Bangla.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife can I actually expect to see on this mangrove tour?

Irrawaddy dolphins, proboscis monkeys, macaques, silver-leaf monkeys, saltwater crocodiles, mudskippers and various bird species are all present in the mangrove ecosystem. Sightings depend on the time of day and season, so the guide will position the boat to maximize your chances, but wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.

How long does the tour take from pickup to drop-off?

The tour runs 4 to 5 hours total, including hotel pickup and the boat journey through the mangrove waterways and the sunset or firefly cruise.

What's included in the tour price?

Pickup from your hotel, the guided boat tour, bottled water, a life jacket and air-conditioned transport are all included. Meals and additional beverages are not.

Can I see fireflies on this tour?

Fireflies appear on the evening session, but visibility depends on weather conditions. The guide will take you out if conditions allow, but sightings are not guaranteed.