The Ultimate Batam Getaway Guide
City life can get extremely exhausting, especially with the same routines and long days at work. If you are in desperate need of a vacation, it’s time you pack your bags and head to the island of Batam. Nestled in the Riau Islands in Indonesia, and just a 45-minute ferry ride away from Singapore, Batam City offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
With lavish resorts overlooking the beaches, a host of watersports for the adventure lover, and warm hospitality, this charming city beckons travellers to unwind and rejuvenate themselves. Whether you seek a peaceful retreat, exciting adventures, or delightful cultural experiences, Batam has something to offer everyone. Imagine yourself jet-skiing on the waves, shopping through malls and markets, or relaxing at luxurious spas. Batam is the ideal destination for all this and more, a perfect slice of paradise.
Explore all of Batam
The vibrant city blends natural beauty and cultural diversity with contemporary comforts. For Singaporeans, it is the easiest getaway and the best way to relax whilst enjoying beautiful views, great food and a home away from home.
Whether on a long weekend or even a mini-week-long vacation, there are so many things to do in Batam regardless of how long your trip is.
We've compiled a list of must-do's, across beaches, restaurants, and attractions. So, make sure to tick these off when you're in Batam.
Enjoy the Beaches of Batam
Batam's beaches provide the perfect setting for relaxation as well as being a great place to enjoy some water sports.
Nongsa Beach
At Nongsa Beach, in the northeastern part of Batam Island, you can enjoy the natural beauty, engage in water sports, explore the marina, or simply unwind and take in a beautiful sunset.
The Tamarin Santana Golf Club
Located on Nongsa Beach, Tamarin Santana Golf is perfect for you if you're a golf enthusiast. This golf course offers scenic views of the surrounding landscapes and challenges players of all skill levels.
The Marina
Nongsa Point Marina is also on Nongsa Beach, which is in the northern part of Batam and is a vibrant marina that offers boat charters, yacht rentals, and sailing excursions. Take a stroll along the marina, admire the beautiful boats, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. This is a great place to explore if you're interested in boating or yachting.
Turi Beach
Right by Nongsa Beach, facing the Singapore Strait is another hot favourite: Turi Beach with its swimming pools, spa services, and various dining options. But the crowd pleaser is the longest jetty in Turi Beach Resort, 220 metres long, stretching out into the South China Sea. Be sure to grab a bite at Taming Sari Café, known for its Indonesian delights or at Warung Lobster, a cosy and rustic restaurant in Batam that serves all kinds of lobster preparations, from grilled to steamed and stir-fried.
Melayu and Viovio
Situated in the eastern part of Batam, Melayu Beach is for those who prefer empty beaches with powdery white sands. A 30-minute ride by car, this beach tends to be less crowded, allowing visitors to enjoy a more peaceful and secluded beach experience. Viovio Beach, located in Jembatan 5 Galang on the Galang Island of Batam, is an easy hour away and offers the charms of an untouched and quiet beach.
Melur Beach
40 kilometres away from the main city of Batam, travellers can take spend an entire day at Melur Beach, even make it a quick overnight trip. You can dive into its clear waters for a refreshing swim. Adventure lovers can snorkel here too.
The Batam resort life
The resorts in Batam are the real deal. Travellers from Singapore love spending their getaways in these beautiful spots, surrounded by great views. Instagrammable and extremely popular among tourists, here are some of the most trendy resorts in Batam:
Montigo Resorts
Located in Nongsa Beach, Montigo Resorts is a hot favourite with private luxury villas, a relaxing spa, and great dining options. It boasts of some stunning large villas, their Three-Bedroom Hilltop Villa comes with a luxurious living area, a private terrace, and breathtaking hilltop panoramas while the Three-Bedroom Beachfront Villa is situated right on the beachfront with immediate beach access. This resort is ideal for larger groups of friends and families.
Turi Beach Resort
Another Nongsa Beach property, Turi Beach Resort is the perfect tropical vibe with beautiful rooms and recreational activities like water sports and a relaxing spa. The rooms here are tastefully decorated with a Balinese touch, featuring elements of traditional Balinese architecture and design. This adds to the overall charm and ambience of the rooms. They also have Sea View Chalets and a luxurious Executive Suite.
Batam Beach View Resort
On Nongsa Beach and a real treat with beautiful views of the South China Sea, Batam Beach View Resort is the perfect getaway. From a host of different kinds of rooms to choose from including Jacuzzi Suites, Ocean View Rooms and Pool Access Rooms, this resort is perfect for relaxation and a great time.
Nongsa Point Marina and Resort
A waterfront resort on Nongsa and perfect for those who love yachting, golfing and sailing, the resort features a range of waterfront accommodation options, including luxurious villas and chalets with stunning views of the marina or the sea. You can enjoy the tranquil ambience and beautiful surroundings right from your own rooms. Guests can also indulge in a variety of water sports and recreational activities, including jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing
Batam for the Foodies
The best part of going to an island like Batam City is the great seafood, both fresh and affordable.
Seafood galore
You can hit the seafood restaurants, located along the coastal areas, such as Barelang Seafood Center or Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant. Feast on delicacies like chilli crabs, grilled prawns, steamed fish, buttered lobster, and more.
The local fare
The traditional markets of Batam also offer some great food options. Pasar Buah Segar Nagoya and Pasar Penuin will give you an authentic food experience. As you wander through the bustling markets, you will discover a variety of fresh produce, spices, herbs, and local ingredients.
Street food classics
Don’t forget the street stalls! Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), satay (grilled skewered meat), gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce), and martabak (stuffed pancake) are available in every little nook and corner.
Batam Tourist Attractions
Batam is the ultimate go-to destination for fun-filled adventures! Brace yourself for a whirlwind of excitement as we unveil some of the hottest sightseeing spots in this vibrant city.
Barelang Bridge
The famous Barelang Bridge in Batam is made up of six bridges that are connected, providing stunning views of the surrounding waters. It's a great experience to ride a bicycle across the bridges that is a long 50km ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple
One of the biggest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple is renowned for its stunning architecture and tranquil atmosphere. But that’s not all, the temple has an intriguing relationship with Chinese Buddhism. It pays tribute to the Budhha Maitreya, or the laughing Buddha. This temple is renowned for its artfully blending Buddhist traditions with Chinese architectural elements. You will see intricate Chinese-style ornamentations and also find devotees who partake in Buddhist ceremonies and practises. And there are gardens, complex statuary, and elaborate decorations all around.
Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall
One of Batam's biggest commercial centres, Nagoya Hill features a variety of restaurants, retail shops, entertainment venues, and a movie theatre. This bustling marketplace is renowned for its wide array of shops selling the delectable delicacy known as kueh lapis, a traditional Indonesian cake. You can choose from classic flavours to innovative variations here. It's a well-liked place for shoppers and a bustling hub for both residents and tourists.
Batam City Square (BCS Mall)
Another must-visit shopping area in Batam is BCS Mall, which is renowned for its large assortment of clothing, gadgets, and regional goods. The mall is a bustling location for shopping and entertainment since it has a variety of restaurants, a food court and a karaoke bar. And if you get too tired with all that shopping, just book a relaxing massage to rejuvenate yourself.
Vihara Budhi Bhakti
Significant religious and cultural landmarks may be found in Batam in this Chinese temple. Touted to be the oldest Chinese temple in the city, Vihara Budhi is also known as Tua Pek Kong temple by the locals. Its iconic red facade, sacred halls magnificent statues, colourful decorations, and detailed architecture make it the perfect spot for those seeking to explore the city's historical tapestry.
All this walking and exploring deserves some downtime; the best way to energise yourself is a good massage and Batam boasts some of the best. Book a massage, take some rest and hit the streets again to explore more of this city.
Reaching Batam City
Getting to Batam from Singapore is convenient and straightforward. The most common and popular mode of transportation is by ferry which runs over the Singapore Strait and is easy to plan. Several ferry operators, such as BatamFast, Sindo Ferry, and Majestic Fast Ferry, offer regular services from various ferry terminals in Singapore, including Harbourfront Centre, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and Marina South Pier.
The ferry ride typically takes around 45 minutes to reach Batam's main ferry terminals, such as Batam Centre or Sekupang and is very frequent with scheduled departures. It's advisable to book your ferry tickets in advance, either online or at the ferry terminals, to secure your preferred departure time. Upon arrival in Batam, you will go through immigration and customs procedures before you can start exploring this captivating island. It's best to book in advance so that you can enjoy your trip with no last-minute hassle.
Commonly Asked Questions
How far is Batam City from Singapore?
Batam City is an island on the Riau Islands in Indonesia and is a 45-minute to an hour-long ferry ride from Singapore.
What is the easiest way to get to Batam City?
A ferry from Singapore is the best way to get to Batam. Take the scenic ride along the coast with a quick ride.
What is the weather in Batam?
The weather in Batam is generally warm and tropical throughout the year. The city has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season in Batam typically occurs from November to March while the dry season is from April to October.
What mode of transport can be used in Batam?
You can choose to take local taxis. Ensure they have a meter or negotiate on a price beforehand. You can also use Grab, a transport app, to book a car or motorcycle taxi.
What is the currency used in Batam?
The currency used in Batam is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). It's recommended to have some local currency for cash transactions, although major hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres in Batam also accept credit cards.
What are the popular attractions in Batam?
Batam offers a variety of attractions for visitors. Some popular ones include the Barelang Bridge, Nongsa Beach, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Buddhist Temple, and Batam Miniature Park. The city is also known for its golf courses, spas, and shopping centres.