Top Sarawak Water Tours

This river cruise explores the tranquil waterways where the Santubong and Salak rivers meet, offering an immersive experience in Sarawak’s mangrove landscapes. Departing from the Sarawak Boat Club, the journey heads toward the Santubong River mouth, where Irrawaddy dolphins may occasionally be seen. Along the way, the boat weaves through mangrove-lined channels, providing chances to spot birds and other wildlife. As evening nears at the Salak estuary, guests look out for the distinctive proboscis monkey, sometimes visible in small groups resting in riverside trees. After sunset, the river comes alive with the gentle glow of fireflies lighting up the mangroves. With the aid of a torch, keen eyes may also catch the reflective gaze of crocodiles along the banks before the cruise returns under the night sky.

This river excursion journeys along the Santubong River and through the Salak River delta, where both waterways meet the South China Sea. The route offers an up-close look at an extensive mangrove ecosystem shaped by tidal movements and rich sediment deposits. Often overlooked, these mangrove swamps support a remarkable range of life, from crocodiles, water monitor lizards, otters and mudskippers to crabs, prawns, shellfish and monkeys. The forest is dominated by black and red mangroves, locally known as bakau or bako’, valued for their use in construction and charcoal production. The ever-changing tides nourish the mangroves, creating a balanced environment where plant and animal life depend on one another to thrive. The area is also home to the Irrawaddy dolphin, an uncommon freshwater marine mammal found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries. Santubong remains one of the best places in Sarawak to spot them, especially near fishing boats bringing in their catch.

Begin your adventure with a hotel pick-up then proceed to Semadang River in the Padawan area, a journey of about one and a half hours by road. Along the way, you’ll enjoy scenic countryside views of rolling terrain adorned by small-scale pepper farms. Upon arrival, you will receive instructions on kayaking techniques, life jacket and helmet usage, and a safety briefing. Your kayaking journey will lead you down a serene and scenic waterway, taking you to the Aruang Piin Trusan Mini Waterfall and Sibudak riverbank. Here, you’ll make a brief stop for a refreshing dip, hand-feed wild fish, and even try some body rafting. We will then proceed to the lunch site, which marks the end of the kayaking route. Convenient shower facilities are available on-site, allowing you to freshen up before departing the base camp enroute to Kuching.

Venture deep into the heart of Borneo with the Niah Caving Exploration at Niah National Park. Trek through lush rainforest to reach the awe-inspiring Great Cave, where history and nature collide. Inside, discover ancient cave paintings, prehistoric artifacts, and one of Southeast Asia’s oldest human remains—dating back over 40,000 years. Marvel at massive limestone chambers, observe swiftlets and bats in their natural habitat, and witness traditional bird’s nest harvesting. Whether you're drawn by adventure or history, Niah offers a captivating journey into the past, hidden within Borneo’s wild beauty.

This island is part of the Talang-Satang National Park and a turtle nesting ground. relax on the white sandy beach or snorkel over the coral and marine life found in the shallow waters surrounding the island. There is a change to spot the elusive and rare Irrawaddy dolphin as we cruise to Satang Island. The Turtle Hatchery on Satang Island provides an introduction to the conservation work being done to help these highly endangered sea creatures. Boat Journey to Satang Island takes 1 hour , we cross open water high seas before reaching this prestige island.

Sarawak’s oldest national park, Bako National Park is home to wildlife including wild boar, monitor lizards, proboscis monkeys, and silvered leaf monkeys. Discover it without the planning stress on this small-group tour that includes boat rides to and from the park, a visit to the Bako National Park Sea Stack, a rock formation shaped like a rearing cobra, and hotel pickup and drop-off from central Kuching hotels.

Go deep into the heart of Borneo on the kind of old-school adventure that’s almost impossible to put together independently, in an intimate group of maximum eight with a guide. Get up close with semi-wild orangutans at the Semenggoh Nature Reserve; tour a vibrant local market in Serian; then spend two nights in an authentic longhouse (meals included) discovering Batang Ai National Park and local traditions.