Cruising in Putrajaya

Lake cruise with a scenic view of Putrajaya in the background

View Photos (1) Image © 2008 Audrey Lim

If you are visiting Kuala Lumpur and want something different other than the usual eating and sightseeing, why not combine it and have your meals at a restaurant with an ever-changing view? If you do not have that much time but want a unique sightseeing experience nonetheless, you can fast track it as well. Where could you go for an interesting and different sightseeing experience? There is no other than with Cruise Tasik Putrajaya.

Cruise Tasik Putrajaya (CTP) was the brainchild of Perbadanan Putrajaya, the city’s authority and administrator. The concept of a sightseeing/dining cruise at Putrajaya became a reality when it was officially launched on August 30^th 2003 by the former Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad. Due to the natural wetlands and a beautiful 650 hectare man-made lake which spans across the city’s landscape, the idea of a cruise along its waters was simply brilliant and a nice opportunity for tourists to admire the modern city and appreciate the unique landmarks of Putrajaya.

There are various tours offered such as the perahu rides, air-conditioned dinner cruises, love boat rides, cocktail cruises, tea cruises, lakeside dinners, party/karaoke cruises, and private boat charters for functions and events.

Some of the wonderful sights that you will see along the cruise includes the Putra Mosque, Darul Ehsan Palace, Ministry of Finance, Ser Wawasan Bridge, Millennium Monument, Palace of Justice, Ser Saujana Bridge, Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Seri Gemilang Bridge, Perdana Putra (Prime Minister’s office) and Putra Bridge.

The dining cruise is exceptionally unique where you will board a luxury boat for an elegant meal while enjoying the sights of Putrajaya. This cruise type is perfect for a corporate or social function as it can hold up to 60 people in a sit-down dinner concept. There is various times where you can charter the boat. The following is a quick look of the available times, dining options, and other criteria:

• Lunch Cruise
  French & Western Selection, Italian and Mediterranean set menu. Free flow of soft drinks or juices onboard.
  12:30pm to 2:30pm • Minimum 30 persons, up to 60 persons
• Tea Cruise
  Snacks and free flow of coffee or teh tarik.
  4:30pm to 6:00pm • Minimum 30 persons, up to 60 persons
• Sunset Cocktail Cruise
  Free flow of beverages onboard and canapés.
  6:30pm to 7:30pm • Minimum 30 persons, up to 70 persons
• Vegetarian Cruise
  Available for lunch or dinner cruises with Indian vegetarian gourmet menu. Free flow of soft drinks or juices onboard.
  2-hour cruise • Minimum 30 persons, up to 60 persons
• Dinner Cruise
  French & Western Selection, Italian and Mediterranean set menu. Free flow of soft drinks or juices onboard.
  8:00pm to 10:00pm • Minimum 30 persons, up to 60 persons

If you have limited time but would still like to view the futuristic city of Putrajaya on a boat, you can opt for the traditional cruise ride. There is a fleet of boats for this purpose. Called the “Dondang Sayang”, you are in for a nostalgic and romantic boat ride.

The open-air gondola-like ride is manned by a single boatman and comes in two traditional designs, namely the Payang and Kolek, which can accommodate four to six people respectively. These perahu are actual replicas of the traditional fishing boats used in the East Coast of Malaysia. Payang’s design has a straight bow and stern while Kolek has a curved bow and stern. Both these boats are made for high seas. Only local material is used in the construction of these boats, of which the hull is made of the best local hardwood that is specially selected and seasoned. The wood is called Chengal Mas. Accompanying your boat ride is some Dondang Sayang music.

The details of the traditional cruise are as follows:

• Boat Ride Duration: 25 minutes
• Boat Schedule:  Anytime based on boat availability
• Boat Capacity:  4 to 6 persons
• Rates: 
  Adult – RM 20.00 per person
  Child – RM 12.00 per person (2 to 12 years old)
• Family Package:  
  2 Adults, 2 Children – RM54.00
  2 Adults, 3 Children – RM56.00
  2 Adults, 4 Children – RM58.00
• Operating Hours:
  Daily - 10:00am to 7:00pm
  Last boat - 7:00 pm
• Love Boat Charter:  Available by private charter for weddings, romantic cruises and drop-off at lakeside restaurants

Passenger Cruise

For something a little more luxurious and comfortable, you can go for the passenger cruise instead. The “Belimbing” is a fully air-conditioned 65’ cruise boat that was built for the very purpose of bringing visitors on a sightseeing cruise around the Putrajaya lake. The name “Belimbing” was derived from the famous leatherback turtles.

The boat is unique with plush interior and fine trimmings while offering unobstructed view via the wraparound glass window which spans from the passenger’s armrest level up to the ceiling. A leisurely cruise, it will bring you to some of the more stunning landmarks of Putrajaya. Onboard is a local cruise guide to give you commentary about the scenic sights while you enjoy the view and refreshments served. 

• Cruise Duration: 45 minutes 
• Cruise Schedule: Hourly 
• Boarding time: 10 minutes before the hour 
• Boat Capacity: 76 passengers
• Rates: 
  Adult – RM 30.00 per person
  Child – RM 20.00 per person (2 to 12 years old)
• Family Package:
  2 Adults, 2 Children – RM84.00
  2 Adults, 3 Children – RM88.00
  2 Adults, 4 Children – RM92.00 
• Operating Hours:
  Mondays to Fridays - 10:00am to 6:00pm
  First cruise - 1:00 pm
  Last cruise - 6:00 pm 
  
  Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays - 10:00am to 7:00pm
  First cruise - 11:00am
  Last cruise - 7:00pm   
• Private Cruise Charter: Available anytime by reservation

Other Cruises

Apart from the abovementioned cruises, there are also other cruises and activities that are planned by CTP. They are:

• Lakeside Dinner
  International buffet dinner with free flow of soft drinks or juices. Includes a Sunset or Night cruise.7:00pm to 10:00pm • Minimum 50 persons, up to 120 persons.
• Party/Karaoke Cruises
  Free flow of soft drinks or juices onboard.
  Up to 3 hours (before midnight) • Maximum 30 persons. 
• Wedding Cruise Charter
  Up to 2 hours • Maximum 70 persons standing or 36 persons sitting. 
• Boat Charter for Sightseeing and Cruise Drop-off
  Drop off at selected venues with jetty.
  45 minutes cruise • Minimum 50 persons, maximum 150 persons. 
• Conferences and Signing Ceremonies Onboard
  Exclusive use of the Diners’ Lounge and Cruise Boat
  Use of microphone and 40-inch plasma screen onboard.
  Up to 3 hours • Minimum 30 persons, maximum 50 persons.
  Available with tea/beverage package. 

Getting There  

Cruise Tasik Putrajaya is located next to the Putra Mosque and Selera Putra Food Court under the Putra Bridge.

By rail:

• 25 minutes on KLIA Transit from KL Sentral to Putrajaya ERL station  
• 15 minutes on KLIA Transit from KLIA to Putrajaya ERL station

By bus:

• 30 minutes by Rapid KL bus or Metrobus from Kota Raya bus stop (KL)

By taxi or car

• 30 minutes from KL City

Contact Information

Should you wish to charter a boat for a private function or merely visit the scenic spots of Putrajaya, you may contact for more details:

Credit: Thanks to Cruise Tasik Putrajaya for the permission to use content from their website for the purpose of writing this article. 

Published on 1/21/08