Our Fabulous Mekong River Sunset Cruise in Phnom Penh

Created by Colleen | Updated : 3 October 2024 |

Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that turn out to be the most charming, and that was certainly true of our Mekong River sunset cruise. We spent nearly a month in Cambodia, and during our time in Phnom Penh, we were keen to explore as much as possible!

We love a boat trip, and we love a sunset, and this little cruise offered both. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a budget-friendly activity or something a little different for an evening out.  

Phnom Penh is a city bursting with history, and hustle, and bustle, and noise but this cruise offers a peaceful escape. It’s the ideal way to take in the views of the nation’s capital, sip on something cool, and watch the orange Cambodian sun set.

sunset over the modern skyscrapers of Phnom Penh from the Mekong River sunset cruise

Why Take a Sunset River Cruise?

We booked the cruise because the idea of cruising the Mekong felt just a little bit exotic and a little bit special. For the price, we didn’t expect much, but we knew we’d see a sunset and get to cruise along the Mekong River; it was an easy choice.

The cruise offers the chance to see Phnom Penh from the water. As the sun sets, the city lights up, and the river comes alive with little boats, while the water reflects the colours of the setting sun. You’ll pass fishing boats, ferries, and witness riverside life in all its forms. It’s a glorious moment.

If you’re a keen photographer, don’t forget your camera! You’ll want to capture a few stunning shots of Phnom Penh’s skyline.

There are plenty of sunset cruises to choose from in Phnom Penh. We always knew we wanted to do this so booked the trip with the best reviews; ours had over three hundred 5-star ratings, so I’m guessing a lot of folks felt like us!

If I were booking now, those reviews would go a long way in convincing me this was the right cruise! And with only a negligible difference in price between all the cruises, go with the one that has the most love.

colleen and gerry in the tuk tuk in phnom penh on the way to the cruise

What’s Included in Mekong River Cruise?

The cruise sails along the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and the Four Faces Rivers, passing close to Diamond Island and local fishing villages. There was a local guide on board who spoke excellent English, moving from deck to deck, sharing stories of the history of the area and life on the river.

This Mekong Cruise promises:

  • One-way hotel pick-up
  • Unlimited beer and soft drinks
  • Fresh fruit platter
  • English-speaking guide

We were collected from our hotel in a tuk-tuk, but it’s a one-way service. This wasn’t an issue for us, as we enjoyed a stroll along the waterfront after the cruise and called a tuk-tuk via Grab to take us back. If you’re there at the weekend, you can visit the Phnom Penh Night Market, which takes place along the waterfront.

Wine and spirits aren’t included. We didn’t try to order any, so I’m not sure if they were available for an extra charge, but we were perfectly happy with our beer and coke.

The guide was charming, very entertaining, and made sure everyone had a drink and their fruit platter. The service was first class.

The cruise description mentions that you’ll gain an authentic experience by observing the housing and lifestyle of locals along the riverbank. I’m not entirely sure what that means in practice, but we did sail near the banks, watched the kids playing football on the banks and families fishing, and waved to passing boats; many of which looked like a family home as well as a fishing boat!

watching the small boats pass us on our cruise on the mekong, this boat had a family onboard including a small child

What to Expect from your Sunset Cruise

The sunset cruise lasts around two hours and moves at a gentle pace along the Mekong. The actual cruising time is around 1 hour 30 minutes, but there’s a bit of waiting before departure. We arrived in good time and waited on board for other passengers.

My tip; wear flat shoes. We had to walk down some steps, cross a grassy area, and navigate a few boards/planks to reach the boat. It wasn’t difficult, but it would have been tricky in heels. Once on board, if you plan to head up to the higher decks, flat shoes are also a good idea for navigating the stairs.

The boat itself is simple but clean, tidy, and comfortable, with the cruise and crew well-organised. The drinks really do flow freely, and the guide was great for adding a little local flavour with stories and insights into life on the Mekong River.

Don’t expect anything fancy—the tables and chairs are basic, and the boat is no-frills. But for us, that was part of the charm. Expect a laid-back, easygoing, and lovely evening in the company of nice people.

And the views? They really are spectacular. Our sunset was incredible, with the sky turning from pink to orange—glorious!

Cruising the Mekong on a sunset during our stay in Phnom Penh - Gerry enjoying the view as we pass an enormous Carlsberg sign

How Long is This Mekong Cruise?

The Mekong Cruise lasts a comfortable two hours, with 1.5 hours of cruising.  We were collected from our hotel with plenty of time to spare. It never felt rushed, and it was just the right amount of time to take in the views.

It also leaves you with time to do other things in the evening. If you go on the weekend, you’ll be close to the Phnom Penh Night Market, which will be just starting to get interesting!

How Much Is the Cruise?

We thought this cruise was excellent value. For $17, you get a ride from your hotel, unlimited drinks, fresh fruit, great guides, and amazing views.

Things are often great value in Asia, but this cruise is ideal for anyone; especially budget travellers and families.

the mekong river cruise ships lined up at the river bank waiting for guests to arrive

Alternative Private Cruise

If you’d like something a bit more romantic or private, there’s an option to upgrade to a two-hour private sunset cruise. It offers the same package, but it’s just you on the boat. This choice is perfect for couples or small groups looking for a quieter evening on the river.

Any Negatives About This Cruise?

If I had to mention anything, I’d be nit-picking. I suppose access onto the boat is a little tricky, but honestly, it’s fine. The chairs aren’t padded, but who cares? There are seats for everyone, and the views are the main attraction. They did stop Hotel California just before the guitar solo kicked in, which was a bit of a disappointment!

For us, there were no real issues. However, one thing to note is that the cruise isn’t accessible for wheelchair users. The crew are very helpful and assist those who may be a little unsteady, and they do an excellent job at that, but there is no proper wheelchair access.

amazing orange sunset, dipping behind the skyscrapers of Phnom Penh

When To Go? Is A Phnom Penh Cruise weather dependant?

Cambodia has both a dry and a rainy season. We visited in January and February, enjoying sunshine and humidity every day, but not a drop of rain.

The best time to visit Phnom Penh is between November and April, with December to March being the optimal months. This is when the weather is most reliable, and the sunsets are truly spectacular.

However, the cruise runs year-round. So even during the rainy season, you can still enjoy a trip along the river, but be prepared for choppier waters, the possibility of rain, and last-minute cancellations. If you don’t mind the daily downpour, we were reliably informed that April through October tends to be quieter with fewer tourists.

We were also told that 75% of Cambodia’s rainfall occurs between May and October. One of our guides mentioned that it doesn’t rain all day; it’s more of a huge, windy, torrential downpour, and then it clears. He also added that the rain brings welcome relief from the hot temperatures.

the royal palace lit up at night and reflected in the mekong river after sunset

Have We Convinced You A Mekong River Sunset Cruise Is Worth It?

I was once told that my job as a blogger is to talk to my readers in the same way that I’d talk to a friend—and offer the same advice. If we had friends visiting Phnom Penh, we would definitely tell them not to miss this cruise.

Phnom Penh is a fantastic city, and we loved our time there. But away from the modern bustle, traditional life still thrives in places like Silk Island and among those who live and work on the mighty Mekong River.

This sunset cruise lets you sit back, relax, enjoy a stunning sunset, and watch traditional life float by. You’ll pass small villages, local fishermen, and see how the river is a lifeline for so many Cambodians. As the sun sets, the modern skyline lights up, and the Royal Palace reflects on the water. It’s a beautiful thing.

This simple sunset cruise is the perfect antidote to the city’s chaos. Whether you’re a budget traveller, looking for a romantic evening, or just like us, wanting to watch a great sunset, we highly recommend this cruise. It’s affordable, charming, and a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the mighty Mekong.

the might mekon river at the start of our cruise before sunset

Travelling Though Cambodia?

We spent a month travelling through Cambodia and if you enjoyed this post you may also like :

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Whenever you travel, you should have great travel and medical insurance.  None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover you.

I’ve ended up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan and Ireland. Every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.

TrueTraveller : We have this policy and are very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions.

Globelink: We have used and recommended Globelink for years and not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.

Genki : This is an EU based company offering long term policies for nomads and travellers. Their monthly rates are very competitive for longer trips too.

Safety Wing : Many of my travelling buddies from the USA recommended Safety Wing; we’ve not used them personally but know folks who have.

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Colleen in Salamanca on the Via de la Plata

Hey I’m Colleen. I’m married to Gerry, we’ve three fabulous kids and been living in France for almost two decades. I fell in love with Spain in the 1980s and I’ve walked 1000s of miles along the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re exploring and walking the world and I can’t wait to share what we’ve learned!

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