The two-hour cruise is a relaxing trip immersed in nature. — Photos: Penang River Cruise
It was swelteringly hot the evening we went on the Penang River Cruise in Seberang Perai. But as soon as we left the pier and entered the mangrove swamps, the air began to cool. The noise and hustle of the city faded away as the boat glided along the river, past mangrove trees, low-hanging branches, and rustling leaves.
It’s a new discovery to encounter the river so up and close on the cruise. Three rivers – Sungai Juru, Sungai Kerian and Sungai Perai – run through the Penang mainland, past industrial areas, parks and highways. But rivers are not generally used for recreation by locals. Plagued with a reputation for being dirty, Sg Juru has long been regarded as a wasteland of rubbish and contaminants.
During the 15km river cruise, that seems to be a thing of the past. The river has been cleared of litter and debris, and our boat glided easily all the way to the open sea.
Sg Juru has undergone a remarkable transformation through ongoing rehabilitation efforts by the Seberang Perai City Council, Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), NGO WonderWorks, Auto City and other stakeholders. Today, the river supports thriving biodiversity and has achieved Class III water quality – an inspiring example of environmental recovery.
The initiative was in line with the recognition that rivers have the potential to be developed as a tourism product in Seberang Perai.
“Penang is famous for its heritage, culture, and cuisine. With the introduction of the Penang River Cruise, we are adding another dimension to our attractions – our natural beauty,” said Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace) Wong Hon Wai during the cruise launch recently.
“This cruise is like a living documentary of Penang’s biodiversity and cultural landscape, and it highlights the unique charm of our state.”
The river cruise aims to raise awareness on sustainability.
Making of an ecotourism product
“River cruises are a globally recognised tourism product, from the Mekong in South-East Asia to the Yangtze in China and the Nile in Egypt. Today, Penang joins this tradition with our very own Penang River Cruise, adding a distinctive chapter to the global map of river tourism,” said Wong.
Efforts to transform the river into an ecotourism destination began with researchers and experts identifying and evaluating natural habitat biodiversity along Sg Juru and its riverbanks, and the Bukit Juru Forest reserve.
Researchers also recommended the rejuvenation of degraded habitats.
Within two to three years of the river rejuvenation project, a Green Lung was created within Seberang Perai’s industrial, commercial and residential area.
What has also been remarkable is the community collaboration and resolve to clean up Sg Juru. One of the key players in this river cruise project is Auto City, the company managing Auto-City, a one-stop centre for automobile, F&B, recreation, banking, and tourism.
Since the mid-2010s, Auto City’s management has adopted the Modern Nature concept which harmonises modern development and nature. They have consistently initiated green practices in Auto City.
Embarking on the Penang River Cruise project is a continuation of their Modern Nature approach.
The river cruise project involved local fishing villages and factories in its vicinity. Factory employees participated in the river cleaning up project, helping to haul rubbish from the water together with other volunteers on boats rented from fishermen.
In fact, one of the aims of the river cruise project is to open up income-generating opportunities for local villagers.
Close to nature
Auto-City founder and general manager Gary Teoh said the river ecosystem features six distinct habitats studied by resear-chers covering birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, aquatic life, and coastal plants such as mangroves and nipah palms.
“These elements combine education, conservation awareness, and entertainment to mesmerise visitors. The hands-on activities, from crab catching to casting fishing nets, make the experience truly memorable,” he said.
True to its purpose of inculcating a love for nature and raising awareness of the importance of sustainability, the team behind Penang River Cruise has also developed a portfolio of educational materials. Notice boards, posters and pamphlets help to educate passengers on the natural richness they will encounter on the cruise.
At the pier, passengers waiting to board can read about the animals they may encounter along the river. We heard children squeal excitedly because they had seen a school of otters at the opposite bank.
During the cruise, the guide, Rizal, pointed out sightings of animals and birds. We saw silvered leaf monkeys, monitor lizards and birds such as storks and kingfishers.
Rizal taught us to identify the kingfisher’s call. Although we only had a fleeting glimpse of the orange and blue bird, we could hear it.
Rizal was engaging and kept up a lively chatter throughout the trip, pointing out in great detail all the things we saw along the river. As we passed the fishing villages, he explained the types of boats that were moored there, and what the markings on the boat mean.
At the mangrove swamps, Rizal enlightened us on the types of plants and trees, as well as on the animals and insects we saw. The river is also home to mangrove snakes, pit vipers, and even the rare dog-faced water snake. All in, the cruise was like a nature discovery tour.
Passengers get to try their hands at catching clams during the river cruise.
To break the monotony of the cruise, passengers can take part in river activities such as setting a trap to catch clams and fishing.
Before we knew it, we had exited the river and entered the Straits of Penang where Penang Bridge came into view. By the end of the two-hour cruise, visitors have been introduced to ecology, conservation, and sustainable practices in a fun and engaging way.
Being able to support this river sustainability project was also meaningful.
“In an age dominated by digital screens, this river trip offers a refreshing chance to reconnect with nature while learning about sustainability in a fun way,” summed up Wong.
Travel notes
Place: The cruise starts from the River Park Jetty, Auto-City in Juru, Penang.
Open: Daily from 10am to 7pm.
Schedule: 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm; last admission is at 4pm
Ticket info: www.autocity.com.my/
