Singapore River Cruise & Light Shows: Spectra & Garden Rhapsody

Two Light Shows & the River in One Evening

You board a spacious 40-minute river cruise from Marina Bay, stop at Merlion Park for photos, then watch the Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, and finish with the Spectra fountain and laser show at Marina Bay Sands. A professional guide handles all transfers and timing, and you can choose to end at Lau Pa Sat food market instead of returning to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Evening river cruise and light shows

• Merlion Park photo stop
• 40-minute Singapore River cruise
• Garden Rhapsody light show
• Spectra Light and Water Show
• Optional Lau Pa Sat drop-off

The Experience

The fountains at Marina Bay Sands shoot water thirty feet into the air, and the lasers hit them so the whole thing looks like it's dancing. That's the Spectra Light and Water Show, and it's the second light display you'll see on this Singapore River cruise tour — but the first thing that catches you is the river itself. You board a high-roofed vessel at Marina Bay, and for forty minutes the boat moves slowly past Clarke Quay while the skyline rises on both sides. It's longer than the standard cruise, which means you're not rushed, and the high roof means you're not ducking under anything.

After the river, the guide takes you to Merlion Park while the light is still low enough to photograph the statue without the glare washing it out. Fifteen minutes there, just enough to get the shot and move on. Then it's a short walk to Gardens by the Bay, where the Supertrees — these enormous vertical gardens that look like they're from another planet — light up at 7:45pm for the Garden Rhapsody show. The trees pulse with color and the music syncs to the lights, and you're standing on the ground watching it happen, not on a boat. After that comes the Spectra show at Marina Bay Sands, which runs for fifteen minutes and is basically the fountains doing what I just described, but bigger and louder. The whole sequence takes you from water level to garden level to waterfront, and you don't have to figure out the timing or the transfers yourself — the guide handles it.

One thing to know: this is not a night river cruise where you stay on the boat the whole time. You're on the boat for forty minutes, then you're walking and standing for the rest of the evening, which is why the tour asks for moderate fitness. The guide is licensed and professional, you get a free water bottle, and if you don't want to head back to your hotel at the end, you can ask to be dropped at Lau Pa Sat, the old food market, where you can eat street food and arrange your own way back. The whole thing runs from around 6:45pm to 9:30pm, so it's an evening commitment, not a half-day thing.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off (or drop-off at Lau Pa Sat if you prefer), a 40-minute Singapore River cruise on a high-roofed vessel with views of Marina Bay and Clarke Quay, a 15-minute photo stop at Merlion Park, a 30-minute viewing of the Garden Rhapsody light show at the Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, a 15-minute Spectra Light and Water Show at Marina Bay Sands, a professional licensed guide throughout, a complimentary water bottle, and all transfers between stops.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TRIVISTA TOURS PTE. LTD.

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see both of Singapore's major light shows and the river in one evening without arranging separate bookings and timing — the guide coordinates all the transfers and you move through each stop in sequence.

Traveler reviews

4.74★★★★★★★★★★

123 verified traveler reviews

5 ★99

4 ★18

3 ★5

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Is this a night river cruise where I stay on the boat the whole time?

No. The boat ride is 40 minutes. The rest of the tour involves walking to Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay, and Marina Bay Sands to view the light shows from land.

What time does the tour start and finish?

It starts around 6:45pm and finishes around 9:30pm.

Are the light shows included?

Yes. Both the Garden Rhapsody show at Gardens by the Bay and the Spectra Light and Water Show at Marina Bay Sands are included.

What's included in the price?

The 40-minute river cruise (free upgrade from the standard length), Merlion Park photo stop, both light shows, professional guide, water bottle, and all transfers between stops.

Can I be dropped off somewhere other than my hotel?

Yes. You can ask to be dropped at Lau Pa Sat, a historic food market, instead of returning to your hotel. You'll arrange your own transport back from there.

How much walking is involved?

Moderate. You walk between the boat and Merlion Park, then to Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands. The tour requires at least moderate fitness and is not recommended for people with walking challenges.

Is the river cruise included or an add-on?

It's included. You get a free upgrade to the premium 40-minute cruise, which is 10 minutes longer than the standard option.

Do I need to book the light shows separately?

No. Both light shows are included in the tour price.