Hopping on a quick ferry ride to Batam for a relaxing day trip has just gotten easier thanks to recent upgrades to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
With an expanded suite of passport-free immigration lanes, bag drop-off points and 15 new self-check-in kiosks like the kind you’d find at Changi Airport, digitally savvy travellers can now clear customs within just a few minutes.
Even if you prefer the manned lanes – which will continue to operate as usual – you can expect some time savings from the newly shortened queues.
All this to say: Now is probably a good time to plan a day or weekend trip to the massage and seafood haven of Batam.
If you’ve never been, the largest city in Indonesia’s Riau Islands is generally more affordable than the usual Singaporean weekend getaway destination of Johor Bahru.
It boasts better beaches and cheaper seafood, though you’ll essentially be trading up those savings for your ferry ticket price of around $50 to $80 for a 45-minute trip whether you’re departing from Tanah Merah or the alternative Harbourfront Centre.
Read on for seven relaxing activities to enjoy for a stress-free break in Batam.
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Things to do in Batam
- Indulge in nasi padang at Restoran Sederhana
When it comes to Indonesian grub, there’s no style of eating more iconic than nasi padang, a Minangkabau banquet pairing steamed rice with a dizzying array of pre-cooked curries, stir-fries and other dishes.
Though nasi padang is available in Singapore, certain restaurants in Batam (and naturally, the rest of Indonesia) approach the feast’s presentation in a uniquely enticing way – a small plate of each and every item on the menu is brought to your table, allowing diners to soak in the sights and aroma of every dish without tasting and paying for it.
Obviously, this can be off-putting for people new to this style of cuisine. For the best of both worlds, the hygiene-conscious should head to outlets of the well-known chain Restoran Sederhana, where the dining rooms are air-conditioned and nasi padang banquet plates draped in a layer of cling wrap.
The entire meal shouldn’t run you up more than $20 per person, even with repeat orders of gulai kikil (curried beef tendon), beef rendang and ikan goreng cabe ijo (fried fish slathered in green chilli sambal).
- Chill out at Nongsa Beach
Nongsa Beach is a popular tourist attraction on the northeast corner of Batam. It offers some swimming and water sports for those with an appetite for adventure, though don’t let that distract you from its clear blue waters and pristine white sand – this is a beach for relaxing.
To avoid the crowds, you can either stay at one of the many resorts around the area or take a pompon (a traditional diesel-powered wooden boat) to the nearby Pulau Putri for some secluded serenity.
- Hit the green at Tamarin Santana Golf Club
Speaking of resorts near Nongsa Beach, you’ll be able to scratch both your beachgoing and golfing itch with a stay at Palm Springs Golf & Beach Resort. There are 27 holes, spread across three nine-hole layouts, each offering a different flavour of golfing challenge.
Golf junkies will appreciate (or silently curse) the thoughtful design of Larry Nelson and IMG as they navigate undulating green complexes and tricky hazards with an unparalleled view of the coast (assuming you’re golfing on the Palm Course). Prices, of course, are relatively affordable for a private golf course too, with 18 holes on the weekend costing less than $200.
- Shop ‘til you drop at Nagoya Hill Mall
Nagoya Hill Mall (or as it’s listed on Google Maps, Nagoya Shopping Mall) is the ultimate destination for bargain hunters looking to stock up before heading off from Batam.
The stalls within the four-level mall sell everything from kueh lapis and toiletries to keropok, phone accessories and, well, a truckload of knockoffs. Hey, we did say it’s for bargain hunting! The mall is conveniently located just a few minutes from the ferry terminal, so we’d make this our last stop unless you’re feeling snackish.
- Hike and feed sambar deer at Panbil Nature Reserve
Now that you’ve had your fill of shopping and good food, it’s time to get hiking at Panbil Nature Reserve in Batam. The 260ha natural tourism park offers a mix of light trekking and family-friendly wildlife encounters – think petting areas, bird feeding and a rare chance to interact with deer at an animal sanctuary.
Tour packages are generally accessible, starting out at less than $1 for just entry and maxing out at around $20 for a full-fledged multi-hour trekking marathon. There are also outdoor activities like paintball, motorcross and high-element obstacle courses for visitors with adrenaline coursing through their veins.
- Biking across the picturesque Barelang Bridge
Cyclists looking for a quick overseas biking tour, this one’s for you. The famed Barelang Bridge in Batam isn’t so much a single bridge as it is a collection of six bridges connecting the city’s seven islands.
If you’re willing to take the trouble to lug your ride onto the ferry (you are perfectly permitted to do so – just check for specific requirements with your ferry operator) and you’ll be duly rewarded with 50km of cycling with picturesque views of the surrounding waters.
- Relax with an affordable massage
Okay, so it’s no secret that Batam is the destination to head to when you’re looking for an affordable massage.
Most shopping malls and the surrounding massage joints in their vicinity (including the popular Spa Central at Nagoya Hill) offer clean premises and a range of treatments for a fraction of the price you’d pay in Singapore – we’re talking around $25 per hour, at the maximum.
Of course, there are also options if you’re looking to splash on a grand weekend spa-cation with the gal pals.
