Bintan & Batam Islands

Singapores backyard escape. Just 45 minutes by ferry, these Riau Islands offer beach resorts, golf courses, and a taste of Indonesia without the flight. Bintan has beaches; Batam has seafood and shopping.

Bintan & Batam Travel Guide

Bintan and Batam are the gateway islands of the Riau Archipelago, just a short ferry ride from Singapore. These twin destinations offer a unique blend of beach resorts, golf courses, cultural heritage, and duty-free shopping.

Bintan Island

North Bintan features international-standard beach resorts with pristine white sand, mangrove tours, and championship golf courses. South Bintan offers the cultural town of Tanjung Pinang, centuries-old Chinese temples, and the historic Penyengat Island with its yellow mosque.

Batam Island

Batam is an industrial free-trade zone known for affordable shopping, seafood restaurants, and spa retreats. Nagoya Hill Mall, the waterfront promenade at Mega Mall, and the Barelang Bridge offer popular day-trip activities for visitors from Singapore.

Getting There

Multiple daily ferries run from Singapore's Tanah Merah terminal to Bintan (1 hour) and HarbourFront to Batam (45 minutes). Indonesian visa-free entry applies for most nationalities. Weekend packages from Singapore are popular.

Good to know

  • Best time to visit: Year-round. Best weather: March-October. Weekend getaways popular year-round from Singapore.
  • Getting there: Multiple daily ferries from Singapore: Tanah Merah to Bintan (1 hr), HarbourFront to Batam (45 min). Indonesian visa-free for most nationalities.

Plan the journey

Compare the live route, departure harbor, operator, journey time and fare for your intended date. Island transport changes with seasons, sea conditions and port instructions, so confirm current availability before arranging transfers or accommodation around a sailing.

For a scheduled crossing, use fast boat search. Travelers who need a private route, flexible stops or a whole vessel can also compare charter packages, while fishing trips are listed separately by location and technique.

Search fast boats to Bintan & Batam Islands, compare private charters, or browse more destinations.