Marina Bay
The Merlion, the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands on a waterfront walk 3 km from the cruise centre.
At a glance
Marina Bay is the newest face of Singapore: a bay ringed by the Merlion, the Esplanade and the three towers of Marina Bay Sands.
Marina Bay is the body of water at the mouth of the Singapore River, surrounded by land reclaimed over the last decades of the 20th century. A continuous promenade runs around it, linking the Merlion Park and the colonial Fullerton district with the Esplanade arts centre, the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands, the hotel designed by Moshe Safdie whose three towers are joined at the top by the SkyPark.
The Merlion, 8.6 m tall, has stood since 2002 on a promontory in front of the Fullerton Hotel. From there the walk crosses to the Esplanade and continues over the 280 m stainless steel Helix Bridge to the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum and the shops of Marina Bay Sands; Gardens by the Bay lies just behind.
For cruise passengers the bay is close: Marina Bay Cruise Centre is about 3 km away by road and Marina South Pier MRT station is a short walk from the terminal. The loop around the water is flat and takes two to three hours with stops, and can be combined with the observation deck or Gardens by the Bay to fill a day in port.
Official websiteGetting there from the port
4 optionsYour day in port
Example: call from 08:00 to 18:00, all aboard at 17:30.
- 08:30Ashore and MRTWalk to Marina South Pier station and ride two stops to Raffles Place.
- 09:00Merlion ParkPhotos with the Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands skyline before the heat.
- 09:45Esplanade and Helix BridgeWalk along the waterfront past the Esplanade and cross the Helix Bridge.
- 10:45Marina Bay SandsArtScience Museum or the SkyPark Observation Deck, then lunch in the air-conditioned mall.
- 13:30Gardens by the BayCross the footbridge to the Supertree Grove and visit the Flower Dome or Cloud Forest.
- 16:00Back to the shipTaxi from the gardens to Marina Bay Cruise Centre (about 10 minutes), to be on board by 16:30.
What to see
- 1Merlion ParkThe half-lion, half-fish statue that symbolises Singapore, made in 1972 and moved to its current promontory in 2002.
- 2EsplanadeThe arts centre with two spiky domes on the bay, with free outdoor performances and a terrace over the water.
- 3Helix BridgeA 280 m pedestrian bridge of stainless steel in the shape of a DNA strand, opened in 2010, with viewing pods over the bay.
- 4Marina Bay SandsThe three towers joined by the SkyPark, with an observation deck at the top and a mall with over 170 brands.
- 5ArtScience MuseumThe lotus-shaped museum on the waterfront, with exhibitions on art, science and technology.
- 6SpectraA free 15-minute light and water show in front of Marina Bay Sands, on selected evenings of the week.
Tips for cruise passengers
- Go early or lateThe promenade has little shade; walk it in the morning and use the air-conditioned malls and museums in the middle of the day.
- Pay by cardMRT and buses accept contactless Visa and Mastercard; an admin fee applies to foreign cards. Fares start at S$1.28.
- Check the evening showsSpectra and the Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay take place in the evening, so they are only possible on late or overnight calls.
- Combine with the gardensGardens by the Bay is connected to Marina Bay Sands by a footbridge, so both fit in one walk.
- Check the SkyParkTickets for the observation deck are sold by Marina Bay Sands; check prices and opening hours on its website before you go, and choose a clear moment, as views close in when it rains.
Accessibility & families
The promenade, the Helix Bridge and the malls are flat and step-free, and the MRT stations have lifts, so the walk suits wheelchairs and strollers. Shade is scarce, so plan water and breaks for children.
In pictures
