Bintan and Batam are two islands in the Riau Archipelago, sitting just across the strait from Singapore. They serve as weekend getaways for Singaporeans seeking beaches, resorts, and Indonesian flavor without international flights. While they lack the pristine nature of eastern Indonesia, their accessibility and infrastructure make them ideal for short breaks, families, and first-time Indonesia visitors.
Bintan Island
Bintan Resorts — The northern part is a designated tourism zone with international beach resorts (Club Med, Banyan Tree, The Sanchaya), golf courses, and watersports.
Trikora Beach — The less developed east coast offers quieter beaches, local seafood restaurants, and budget resorts. More authentic.
Batam Island
- Fresh Seafood — Waterfront restaurants in Nagoya and Golden Prawn. Live tanks, choose your fish, they grill it.
- Golf Courses — Multiple courses including Tering Bay and Palm Springs.
- Shopping — Nagoya Hill Mall, BCS Mall for duty-free electronics.
Getting There - The Ferry Connection
From Singapore: Multiple ferry operators run hourly from HarbourFront and Tanah Merah to Batam Centre, Sekupang, and Waterfront City (Batam), and to Bintan Resorts and Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan). Journey time 45-70 minutes. Operators: Batam Fast, Horizon Fast Ferry, Majestic Fast Ferry.
Within Indonesia: Ferries connect Batam to Johor Bahru (Malaysia), Tanjung Pinang (Bintan), and Karimun.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round (26-32°C). Monsoon (November-March) brings more rain but doesn't disrupt travel. Singapore long weekends see huge crowds — book ahead. Weekdays quieter and cheaper.
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.
