Dolphin Watching Mangrove Cruise (Morning)

5.0(6 reviews)

Spot rare Irrawaddy dolphins on the estuary

Venture out from Kuching on a peaceful morning cruise through the estuaries of the Santubong and Salak Rivers — one of the finest places in all of Sarawak to encounter the rare and elusive Irrawaddy dolphin. Unlike their ocean-going cousins, these unusual-looking dolphins inhabit rivers, estuaries, and shallow coastal waters, making this stretch of Borneo coastline one of the most special places in the region to spot them in the wild.

Your day begins with a comfortable hotel pickup between 7:45 – 8:00 AM, followed by a scenic 45-minute coach transfer to the Boat Club, where you'll board your boat and set off towards the river mouth. Glide through the mangroves, keep your eyes peeled, and let your English-speaking guide share their knowledge of the extraordinary ecosystem around you.

What to expect:

  • Cruise through the Santubong & Salak River estuary
  • Watch for Irrawaddy dolphins in their natural habitat
  • Explore lush mangrove scenery on a relaxed morning on the water
  • Return to the Boat Club around 11.00 am, then transfer back to your hotel

Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed — these are wild animals in their natural environment. This tour may not operate during the wet season (November – February) due to sea conditions. Sun exposure can be intense; please come prepared.

Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation is available for this tour up to 24 hours before your scheduled pickup time.

What's included

Included

  • Return land transfer from hotel in Kuching (seat-in-coach)
  • Boat cruise on the Santubong & Salak River estuary
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Entrance fee
  • Packed meal
  • Drinks

Not included

  • Personal expenses
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Any items not mentioned

What to bring

  • Sunscreen
  • Mosquito Repellent

What to expect

Hotel Pickup

Hotel Pickup

Your guide collects you from your hotel in Kuching between 7:45 – 8:00 AM for a comfortable coach transfer to the Boat Club.

Transfer to Boat Club

Transfer to Boat Club

Approx. 45-minute scenic drive to the Santubong River Boat Club.

Board the Boat & Set Off

Board the Boat & Set Off

Board your boat and begin cruising towards the mouth of the Santubong and Salak Rivers, guided by your English-speaking guide.

Dolphin & Mangrove Cruise

Dolphin & Mangrove Cruise

Cruise through the estuary in search of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin while taking in the lush mangrove scenery. Your guide will point out wildlife and share insights about the local ecosystem.

Salt Water Crocodile

Salt Water Crocodile

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), often known informally as the "saltie," is the largest living reptile and the most massive riparian predator on Earth. Renowned for its extreme size, prehistoric lineage, and apex predator status, it possesses the strongest recorded bite force of any animal in the world

Proboscis Monkey

Proboscis Monkey

The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), also known as the long-nosed monkey or locally as the bekantan, is an endangered primate endemic exclusively to the island of Borneo. Famous for the male's pendulous, fleshy nose and pot-bellied appearance, it is one of Asia's largest monkey species and an iconic symbol of Bornean wildlife.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris, also known in Malay as Pekaka Bakau)

Return to Boat Club

Return to Boat Club

Head back to the Boat Club around noon, where a packed meal is provided before your return journey.

Transfer Back to Hotel

Transfer Back to Hotel

Coach transfer back to your hotel in Kuching.

Activity location

Private pickup is available to bring you to the activity location.

Try to arrive 15 minutes early.

Santubong

Santubong, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Frequently asked questions

Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed — these are wild animals in their natural environment. However, the Santubong & Salak estuary is one of the best places in Sarawak to spot Irrawaddy dolphins, and sightings are common.

A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required for this tour to proceed.
Solo traveller welcome to join with the group.

Cancellation and refund terms are confirmed at the time of booking. Please review these before completing your reservation.

Children aged 3–12 are welcome at the child rate. Please contact us to discuss suitability for children under 3 or guests with specific needs before booking.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 6 reviews

Markus Schmitt

via Google
October 11, 2026

(Translated by Google) We did the dolphin-watching tour in the morning and the Santubong Wetland Wildlife Cruise in the afternoon and were thrilled: excellent organization, punctual hotel pick-up, clean shuttle vehicles, and a fantastic guide and captain. Thanks to their expertise, we saw dolphins, crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, kingfishers, and fireflies. The food was also delicious. A highly recommended experience. Thank you! (Original) Wir haben vormittags die Dolphin-Watching- Tour und nachmittags die Santubong Wetland Wildlife Cruise-Tour gemacht und waren begeistert: Tolle Organisation, pünktliche Abholung am Hotel, saubere Shuttle-Fahrzeuge und einen tollen Guide sowie super Kapitän. Dank ihrer Erfahrung konnten wir Delphine, Krokodile, Nasenaffen , Eisvögel und Glühwürmchen sehen. Auch die Verpflegung war sehr lecker. Eine sehr empfehlenswerte Erfahrung. Danke dafür.

BOBIE GOH

via Google
October 11, 2026

The customer service is very responsive. The boat man and tour guide are very experience. We had a wonderful and enjoyable trip.

Response from the operator · October 11, 2026

Hi Mr. Bobie, thank you for sharing your experience with us! We pride ourselves on responsive service and experienced guides, so it’s wonderful to know we hit the mark for you. We’ll proudly share your compliments with our boatman and tour guide. Safe travels, and we look forward to your next trip with us!

Kelly Tan

via Google
August 12, 2026

We had a very good dolphin watching experience and managed to see a crocodile. Thanks our tour guide Mr Hanafi for his good guide and professional guide.

Marie Arpin

via Google
August 1, 2026

(Translated by Google) A truly exceptional outing! The mangrove landscapes are magnificent. We saw lots of crocodiles up close, long-nosed monkeys, and many dolphins. It was a feast for the eyes! Our guide, Foo, was fantastic; he gave us tons of information about the animals and life in the mangroves. The food was also very good. We absolutely loved this trip and highly recommend it! (Original) Vraiment une sortie exceptionnelle ! Les paysages de mangroves sont magnifiques. Nous avons vu plein de crocodiles de très près, des singes à longs nez, et beaucoup de dauphins. On en a pris plein les yeux! Le guide Foo était vraiment super, il nous a donné plein d'informations sur les animaux et la vie sur la mangrove. La nourriture était également très bonne. On a vraiment adoré cette sortie et on conseille !

Ana O.

via Google
July 30, 2026

We had a great time with the river cruise. We were picked up at our hotel on time and then driven to the Jetty in Santubong. The boat was safely driven, the guide was friendly and informative, a good lunch was provided, and most importantly, we got to see dolphins and crocodiles! And a hint of monkey, as apparently the monkeys like to hide in the mornings. Go for it, you won't regret it!

Florence Bouchet

via Google
July 13, 2026

(Translated by Google) A fantastic boat trip this morning with our guide Foo and his captain! We saw pink dolphins (rare in these parts), three crocodiles, and pods of round-headed dolphins swimming incredibly close to the boat! A real treat. Foo's explanations, always accompanied by photos, were perfect. The boat's captain had a keen eye and could see everything in the mangroves! Impressive! A great time for the whole family! I highly recommend it. The children loved it! As a bonus, a small snack was provided on the boat, and sandwiches for lunch! (Original) Une superbe sortie en bateau ce matin avec notre guide Foo et son capitaine ! Nous avons vu des dauphins roses ( rare dans les parages) , 3 crocodiles et des dauphins à tête rondes en bande et super proche du bateau! Un régal. Les explications de Foo , tjs agrémentées de photos étaient parfaites . Le capitaine du bateau avait un œil de lynx et voyait tout dans la mangrove! Impressionnant! Un bon moment en famille! Je recommande vraiment. Les enfants ont adorés ! En prime , un petit en-cas sur le bateau et sandwich pour le déjeuné !

Response from the operator · July 14, 2026

Wow, what an incredible day out on the water! Thank you for this wonderful feedback. Our team strives to deliver educational, fun, and seamless tours, so it is fantastic to hear that Foo’s photo-explanations and the Captain’s sharp eyes in the mangroves impressed you. Spotting rare pink dolphins so close to the boat is a real treat indeed! We are delighted that the lunch and snacks kept the children happy and fueled for the journey. Thank you for your recommendation, and we look forward to your next visit!

Your timeTue, Nov 10, 10:28 AM
Activity locationTue, Nov 10, 6:28 PM

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RM 185.00 / adult
1
Child
RM 130.00 / child
0

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