Short river cruises and sunset cruises along the Phnom Penh riverfront are easy to arrange and offer an interesting view of the city. A tour cruise typically takes about 1 - 2 hours and runs up the Tonle Sap River along the central riverfront area providing a picturesque view of the Royal Palace, National Museum, parks and Phnom Penh skyline, and then across the Tonle Sap and up the Mekong River to view floating fishing villages. (Photography note: Best lighting in the early morning as the low eastern sun illuminates the front of the Royal Palace and riverfront area.) Longer cruises are also possible and can be tailored to your requirements - upriver tours to villages and paddies, dinner and party cruises, sunset cruises, trips to Silk Island and Mekong Island.
Boat trips can be arranged through your hotel or travel agent or you can deal with the operators directly. Tourist boats are clustered together on the river along Sisowath Quay just north of the Passenger Port near Wat Phnom. Boats start at around $10/hour, depending on the duration of the trip and number of passengers.