Batam Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Batam and How to Get There
If you’re longing for a break from the bustling city, a vacation to scenic Batam might just be what you need. The largest city in the Riau Islands, Batam is perfect for those seeking a short getaway - and it’s only a 45-minute ferry ride away.
From exhilarating water sport activities to scenic beaches, here are some of our top things to do in Batam!
How to Go to Batam
Batam is only a 45 to 60-minute ferry trip away.
With multiple departure times, as well as embarkation and disembarkation points, you get to choose what suits your needs and wants best. Here are the different ferry options available:
Ferry | Embarkation Point | Disembarkation Point | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Harbourfront Centre | Batam Center Ferry Terminal | $76 (two way) | |
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal | Batam Center Ferry Terminal | $76 (two way) | |
Harbourfront Centre | Batam Center Ferry Terminal OR | $83.60 (two-way) | |
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal | Nongsapura Ferry Terminal OR Batam Center Ferry Terminal | $83.60 (two-way) | |
Harbourfront Centre OR Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal | Batam Center Ferry Terminal | $76 (two-way) |
Getting Around Batam
By Car
An ideal option if you’re travelling in a group of family or friends and are looking to hit several attractions over your trip.
If you want to save yourself the hassle of navigating a foreign country, get a Private Car Charter for the day! Your driver will find the shortest route to all the destinations you wish to visit - plus the trip will be comfy.
If you prefer to drive around yourself, car rentals are available in Batam as well.
By Taxi
Taxis are available almost everywhere in Batam, making it a super accessible and convenient form of transportation
Do note that there are two types of taxicabs in Batam - “Official” taxis and “Black” taxis.
Official taxis operate with a taxi license and have taximeters, while Black taxis are pretty much informal car shares where the price is set and can be negotiated once you’ve discussed the route with your driver.
If you’re planning to take a taxi around Batam, we recommend sticking to the official taxis!
By Ride Shares
Both Gojek and Grab are available in Batam - simply book your transport via their respective apps!
By Public Transport
TransBatam is a public bus system operated and owned by the government, and is probably one of the cheapest ways you can get around the island - each trip will cost you 4,000rp (less than S$0.40)!
However, do note that TransBatam does not cover all districts in Batam, and the time between buses can range between 15-30 minutes,
Best Things to Do in Batam
1. Get your fill of water sport activities
With its long coastlines and beautiful beaches, Batam is famous for being a watersports destination where you can indulge in all kinds of water activities such as banana boat rides, paragliding, cable-skiing and more. There's also Batam Wakepark where you can learn to wakeboard at Batam's one and only clockwise cable system!
2. Explore the Southern Riau waters on a scuba dive
Whether you’re an experienced diver or a beginner who’s just gotten their dive license, the waters surrounding Batam make for an underrated diving trip, filled with shallow reefs. Check out Abang Island, a beautiful dive spot with coral reefs and many different species of colourful fish that's located just off the Southern side of Batam.
3. Hit up the Go-Kart circuit
One of Batam’s first and biggest go-kart circuits, Marina Circuit Go-Kart has a challenging track that makes for an exciting and exhilarating race. Do note that they’ve moved away from their original location to Queen Garden Waterboom in Bengkong!
Not too far away is Golden City Go-Kart, which has been operating for several years and boasts a wide easy track - they even have two-seater go-karts, which are good for families with young kids.
Marina Circuit Batam
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm; Daily
Address: Jalan Bengkong laut, Sadai, Bengkong Laut, jalang, Kepulauan Riau 39432, Indonesia
Golden City Go-Kart
Opening Hours: 8am - 5pm; Daily
Address: 526R+W44, Jl. Bengkong Laut, Tj. Buntung, Kec. Bengkong, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Take a 1 Day Batam City and Heritage tour if you’d like to see more of what Batam has to offer - Go-Karting included!
4. Shop til you drop at Batam’s best shopping malls
Image credit: Grand Batam Mall website
Beyond watersports and other outdoorsy activities, Batam is also a great place to shop!
You can find anything from clothes to electronics, cosmetics and souvenirs at Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall, the largest shopping complex in Batam! There are also several shops selling all kinds of kueh lapis that are really popular amongst both locals and tourists, so don’t be surprised to find it crowded with people!
Address: Nagoya Hill Lower Ground level, Lubuk Baja Kota, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm; Daily
Spanning an area of 80,000 square meters (just about the same as The Shoppes at MBS), the relatively new Grand Batam Mall is said to be the most modern and luxurious shopping mall on the island! You’ll find everything from brand name clothes, electronics cosmetics and more within its 5 floors.
Address: Jl. Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
Opening Hours: 10am - 10pm; Daily
5. Get a relaxing massage at Spa Central Batam
It’s not an island vacation without at least one trip to the spa 😉
Relax and rejuvenate at any one of the luxurious spas around the island that offer all kinds of treatments - from foot reflexology at Reborn Nagoya Hill to a hot stone massage at Absolute Spa, Hail and Nails.
Spa Central Batam also offers a wide range of spa packages and treatments, ranging from efficient 60-minute Aromatherapy massages to whole-day spa sessions. They even provide two-way transfers from your hotel and back!
6. Soak in the sun at Nongsa Beach
With its picturesque white sands and gentle waves, Nongsa Beach is perfect for couples and families looking for a relaxing afternoon out. It’s also one of the best places to catch the sunset at!
You’ll find several award-winning luxury hotels and resorts lining the beach - just the thing if you’re looking for a stay by the sea. For the perfect luxury beach resort experience, we love the award-winning Montigo Resorts Nongsa for its majestic views.
7. Visit Barelang Bridge
One of Batam’s most iconic architectural icons, the Barelang Bridge is a chain of 6 bridges and connecting roads spanning several islands in Riau.
Its name is actually derived from the three main islands it connects: Batam, Rempang, and Galang - and it spans about 50km across from the first bridge to last!
Visit the Barelang Bridge on the first stop of your 1 Day Batam Premium City Tour, which includes other iconic experiences such as the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple, Cheng-Ho Cruise Replica and Statue, as well as pitstop to try Batam’s famous layered cake!
8. Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple
Spanning an area of 45000 square meters, the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple is the biggest temple in Southeast Asia. The monastery pays homage to the Buddha Maitreya - also portrayed as the Laughing Buddha in Chinese communities - and you can find many statues of the Buddha Maitreya all through the grounds!
Address: 42HM+QVG, Komplek Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Bukit Beruntung, Sungai Panas, Kec. Batam Kota, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29432, Indonesia
9. Cheng-Ho Cruise Replica and Statue
Docked at Tanjung Buntung, the Cheng-Ho Cruise Replica is a miniature replica of the original Chinese treasure ship captained by Admiral Cheng-Ho during his legendary seven expeditionary voyages.
Catch a photo moment at the Cheng-Ho Cruise Replica during your Batam Premium City Tour!
10. Tua Pek Kong Temple
Distinguished by its iconic red facade, the Tua Pek Kong Temple (also known as the Vihara Budhi Bhakti) has an exterior and interior strongly influenced by Chinese architecture - making it rather different from most other monasteries in Batam.
It’s also the oldest Chinese temple in Batam, with many colourful murals and statues on its grounds!
Address: 42Q6+X8R, Jl. Pembangunan, Lubuk Baja Kota, Lubuk Baja, Batam City, Riau Islands 29432, Indonesia.
What to eat in Batam
11. Fresh-caught seafood at a Kelong restaurant
If you’re in Batam, a seafood meal is a must. Depending on the restaurant you dine at, you can choose to have the seafood stir-fried, steamed or cooked to your liking.
One of our favourites is Harbour Bay Seafood Restaurant for their butter crabs and spicy fried calamari - it’s also located just a walk away from Harbour Bay Mall and Harbour Bay Citywalk, so you can get some shopping done right after your meal!
For a seafood meal with a view, Barelang Seafood Restaurant overlooks the iconic Barelong Bridge, alongside super-fresh fish and lobster. Worth that trip out of the city center.
Also close by the Barelang Bridge, Kopak Jaya 007 Kelong Seafood Restaurant has a unique old-school atmosphere along with an Indonesian-Chinese style seafood menu. You’ll get to choose your seafood from the nets on the kelong - we love the lobsters and steamed fish!
Some resorts - like the Batam View Beach Resort - even have their own in-house kelong restaurant where you can enjoy a fresh seafood dinner. Whatever you choose, you're in for a delicious treat!
12. Bring back some Kueh Lapis
Kueh Lapis, or layered cake, is both a favourite local tea-time snack and a food souvenir perfect for your family back home. You can find Kueh Lapis in many different varieties, from pandan to mocha, prunes and more - but we always love a slice of the OG flavour!
We love Lamoist at Batam City Square Mall, which sells everything from the original kueh lapis to their fragrant pandan lapis and beautiful checkers lapis!
13. Sip on some of Batam’s best coffee
For a taste of Batam’s best coffee, head to 70 Fahrenheit Koffie Batam for a free coffee tasting session with their knowledgeable staff - you’ll also get to learn more about the process that goes into each cup of brew!
14. Hit all the famous food spots on a City Tour
If you’re looking to get the best of both worlds, the Batam Premium City tour not only gets you to the best of Batam’s sightseeing spots and activities, it also includes stopovers at 70 Fahrenheit Koffie Batam and a bakery selling the famous Indonesian Kueh Lapis - as well as a sumptuous seafood lunch at Barelang!
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