Lesser-known attractions in Batam
Batam is the ideal vacation to spend your weekends on a whim – fast, accessible and incredibly budget-savvy. Saturated with upscaled resorts, shopping malls and plenty of water activities like kayaking and snorkeling; just when you thought that was it, we’re here to prove you wrong.
From a newly built cafe cum pool club, an Islamic mosque with a modern twist to a mini waterfall that’s almost entirely unheard of, here are 10 reasons to get out of your Batam resorts for.
Travel necessities
But first, here is a list of essentials to get before heading to Batam.
1. Staying connected
Rather than making the trip to collect your 4G SIM Card for your vacation at Batam, pre-book yours on Klook with free delivery included for just $11.50!
Prebook your 4g sim card (sg/my delivery) for just $11.50 on klook
Traveling with your squadmates? A 4G Portable WiFi might be more practical! The handy travel essential connects up to 5 devices at a time, granting unlimited data. Opt to have it delivered straight to your residence or pick it up at the uCloudlink Office in People’s Park Centre for only $3.90.
Save 45% off when you book your 4g wifi (sg delivery) for indonesia on klook
Save 45% off when you book your 4g wifi (sg pick up) for indonesia on klook
2. Getting to Batam from Singapore
Batam is a popular weekend destination so we definitely don’t recommend buying your ferry tickets on the spot. Pre-book your Majestic Fast Ferry tickets at a discounted price of $35.80 with no extra hidden charges! This includes a luxurious interior with comfortable seats to kick back and relax in! Whichever is nearer for you, you can choose to depart from either Tanah Merah Terminal Departure or Harbourfront Terminal Departure.
Save 30% off your majestic fast round trip ferry tickets (tanah merah terminal departure) on klook
Save 30% off your majestic fast round trip ferry tickets (harbourfront terminal departure) on klook
3. Traveling around Batam
Locals travel largely via motorbikes and we definitely do not suggest that for travellers unfamiliar with the roads.
Pre-book a Private Car Charter instead to travel around in comfort! With a capacity of up to 6 pax, you can fit the entire squad instead. Let your hired driver tackle the roads while you pamper yourself with Batan’s scenic views along the way.
Prebook your batam private car charter on klook
1. Cafe-hop in the wild at Chemistree Cafe
Photo credits: @chemistreecafe on Instagram
Blown into a 2-storey building, Chemistree Cafe takes on a rugged interior design, furnished with seemingly DIY ceiling art and remnants of the wild that will remind you of your Girl Brigade or Boy Scouts days back in secondary school.
Photo credits: @chemistreecafe on Instagram
Aside from its rustic vibes, you’ll be surprised to find the taste of home here. Chemistree Cafe’s unrivaled comfort food isn’t like the usual suspects you’ll find on a typical cafe menu. Go ahead and chow down its signature Black Tuna Breakfast or jio your kakis for some Pecan Pie fresh from the oven.
Photo credits: @chemistreecafe on Instagram
The wooden concept cafe has also some of the most vintage tea sets stashed away, adding a taitai touch to your afternoon tea session.
Address: Jl. Raja H. Fisabilillah No.12B, Tlk. Tering, Kec. Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 10 am to 10 pm (Monday to Thursday), 8 am to 11 pm (Friday to Sunday)
2. An all-in-one pilgrimage at Jabal Arafah Mosque
Photo credits: @enstienbas on Instagram
A timeless crossover between the old and new, Jabal Arafah Mosque isn’t just a sanctuary for Islamic studies, but a sleek contemporary site of worship aimed to give a major boost to the island’s tourism industry.
Photo credits: @alfisorlando98 on Instagram
That’s not all; ever since its new facelift, the mosque is now home to a garden, library, cafe, and not to be missed, a stunning 360-degree reveal of the island’s hustle and bustle.
Address: Jl. Imam Bonjol, Lubuk Baja Kota, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 24 hours
3. Chill at Batam’s pool club: SENSE Coffee & Pool
Photo credits: @sense.coffeeandpool on Instagram
Photo credits: @sense.coffeeandpool on Instagram
10/10 recommended for all #otps who are broke yet lusting for the Crazy Rich Asian lifestyle, SENSE Coffee & Pool is the perfect romantic date location for every bae-cation – a sprawling indoor pool with an option of a Floating Breakfast experience at a steal.
Photo credits: @sense.coffeeandpool on Instagram
But if you’re only looking for a lunch catch-up with the squad sans the swimsuits, juxtaposed to the fancy pool is a cozy indoor cafe. Spawning over 2 floors, you can enjoy brunch with a poolside view.
Photo credits: @sense.coffeeandpool on Instagram
To give you a rough sense of how value-for-money this mini resort is, their coffee menu costs just under SGD$3 on average. If you’re hankering for something sweeter, the Dragon (Acai) Bowl sets you back a mere SGD$3.35!
Address: Jalan. Centre Park No.3, Taman Baloi, Kec. Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 11 am to 9 pm (Friday & Saturday) and 9 am to 8 pm (Sunday)
4. Discover an abandoned ship at Pulau Tunjuk
Photo credits: @asadsaputra on Instagram
Looking straight out of a canvas painting, the abandoned shipwreck at Pulau Tunjuk transforms the island into a set of a pirate movie, drawing avid Instagrammers and aspiring photographers to the urban haven.
The lone island is still relatively undiscovered (aka no photobombers!) so make sure to drop a visit and get snapping with your cameras!
Address: Pulau Tunjuk, Subangmas, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 24 hours
5. Bingsu splurge at Half & Half Cafe
Photo credits: @halfandhalfmilk on Instagram
Away from Batam’s unforgiving heat, reward yourself with a full-on authentic binge-su at Half & Half Cafe. Not only is their Bingsu a god-sent from the humidity, but their no-frills menu is also chock full of natural goodness; replacing processed sweetener with pure matcha or green tea powder for added antioxidant benefits.
Photo credits: @halfandhalfmilk on Instagram
Should you fall head over heels with Half & Half just like we did, you will be thrilled to learn that the hole-in-the-wall hideout is always on the chase to refresh their menu – whipping out novel flavors like Black Sesame, Green Tea, and their quench-thirsting tropical spin-off: Mixed-fruits Bingsu.
Address: (Morning Bakery Greenland) Teluk Tering, Batam Kota, Tlk. Tering, Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am to 9 pm
6. Soak in the greenery at Taman Wisata Habibie 1000 Tangga
Photo credits: @joshua.kevin96 on Instagram
Ditch the city lines at home and head to Taman Wisata Habibie 1000 Tangga for a change of view. This serene retreat is peppered with quirky picturesque spots fitting for an Instagram makeover.
Better known for their treetop views, it takes about 100 steps to reach the peak even though Taman Wisata Habibie 1000 Tangga literally translates to ‘1 thousand steps’. On clear days, travelers can even catch Singapore’s skyscrapers in the distance.
Address: Tanjung Pinggir, Sekupang, Batam City, Riau Islands
Entrance Fee: ~ Rp 5,000 (SGD$0.48) and an additional fee of Rp 2,000 ($0.19) for photo-taking in the treehouse)
7. A quiet refuge at Pa Auk Tawya Vipassana Dhura Hermitage
Photo credits: @leonardo_td on Instagram
Pa Auk Tawya Vipassana Dhura Hermitage is nestled in the middle of a lush green oasis, an ideal location for plenty of photo ops and a moment of tranquility all city dwellers crave for.
Leading to the Buddhist Monastery is a sloping ascent of 208 steps every traveler has to conquer. Nevertheless, the climb is definitely worth breaking a sweat for! Should lady luck be on your side, you may even chance upon a Buddhist tradition or even join in a meditation session.
Address: Rempang Island, Rempang Cate, Batam, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29482, Indonesia
Opening Hours: Daily; 6 am to 8 pm, 10.30 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 6 pm
8. Colored beer at Batam Fresh Beer
Photo credits: @dingysleepy on Instagram
Punctuate your itinerary with an unusual tasting at Batam Fresh Beer! The microbrewery is unlike your good old fashion beer. Whipping out several unique concoctions including a green-colored beer called Seaweed, this in-house flavor has proven to be a crowd-drawer.
Photo credits: @diaryofjun on Instagram
Hopping on the bandwagon, Batam Fresh Beer also offers a menu nothing run-off-the-mill. This includes a fusion of snake and crocodile meat dishes, infused with distinctive and savory taste profiles. As bizarre as it seems, make sure to bait your friends over and challenge them to these alternative delicacies.
Address: Jl. Engku Putri No.1, Tlk. Tering, Kec. Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 12 pm to 2 am (Monday to Saturday), 12 pm to 2 am on Sunday
9. Check out the silver Bidadari Waterfalls
Photo credits: @this_is_bima on Instagram
Tired of pools and pristine beaches? Venture into Batam’s wilderness and slip into Bidadari Waterfall for a dip.
On most days, this hidden spot is vacant, beckoning those with an adventurous streak to make the trek through the rainforest. The locals claim that the waterfall experience is much more thrilling during a downpour! While it may hold true, raise your guard and be careful of slippery terrains.
Address: Tiban Lama, Sekupang, Batam City, Riau Islands 29424, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 24 hours
10. Chasing sunsets at Barelang Bridge
Photo credits: toffeespin on Flickr
Batam’s iconic landmark, Barelang Bridge, is one highly raved vantage point that overlooks the straits of the island. If chasing sunset glows is part of your itinerary, we suggest taking in the dramatic golden hues in your Private Car Charter and leaving the driving to your personal chauffeur.
Address: Bridge 1 Barelang (P. Batam – P. Watch), Batam, Riau Islands 29 441, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Unlock up to $100 worth of travel savings!
Before cruising to Batam, remember to leverage on our year-end-sale promotion! Save $30 with ‘EXPLORE30’, at minimum spending of $300 and save $70 ‘EXPLORE70’ at minimum spending of $550.
Exclusively for new Klook users, cart out with ‘EXPLORENEW’ to score 12% off of your first purchase of Klook activities in Batam. For the uninitiated, kickstart your getaway with a First Timer’s Guide To Batam, Indonesia.