Batam Island holds a special place in many travellers’ hearts. This island is part of Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province. It serves as a shopping haven, a gastronomical playground, and home to heaps of activities for an exquisite island getaway.
You can easily access Batam from neighbouring countries Malaysia and Singapore on flights under two hours and an hour respectively. If you're travelling from Jakarta, then in less than two hours you'll arrive at Hang Nadim International Airport. Get ready to recharge your overall well-being with some fresh seafood and crystal-clear water with our comprehensive guide to the best weekend getaway things to do in Batam!
Batam Guide: Best Weekend Getaway Things To Do
Sightsee Batam’s Beauty
Every inch of Indonesia beholds surreal charm. Do you wonder what Batam has in store?
Hike at Panbil Nature Reserve
Nature enthusiasts are urged to hike in the Panbil Nature Reserve. Experience the forest while learning about endemic floras and faunas in Batam. Moreover, interacting with and feeding wild deer is indeed possible here.
Relax at Nongsa Beach
It only takes a 25-minute drive from the airport until you get to say hello to the pristine beach usually painted with stunning sunsets and superb accommodation options of Nongsa Beach. An idyllic serene getaway and for photography, the Nongsa Coast features a blue seafront and cycling tracks surrounded by lush green forests. Hit the golf course, for example, at Palm Springs Golf Course. This is a favourite due to its variation combinations, such as a 9-hole course, an 18-hole course, and a 27-hole course.
Enjoy yourself in some fun-filled and exciting water sports activities such as water skiing, parasailing, and canoeing whilst you’re here. Or, head to Putri Island, an unparalleled little island situated five to 10 minutes away on a boat ride known for its immaculate, aesthetic appeal.
Have a Wet Adventure
What’s an island getaway without any fun in the ocean? Try the following activities with your loved ones:
Family-friendly watersports
Add scuba diving and snorkelling your to do list. The best spots for scuba diving and snorkelling are Abang Island, Hantu Island, Labun Island, and Petong Island.
Jetpacking, otherwise known as flyboarding, gets you flying like a seagull passing by the ocean. Or your favourite superhero. The jetpacking instructor will train and accompany you until the session ends. One place to try this watersport is Turi Beach Resort, Nongsa.
Slide in Sea Forest Adventure
Designed to be Batam’s new family leisure and educational entertainment destination, this recreational area offers four kinds of adventures for you to enjoy with your loved ones: Aqua Adventure Track, Land Adventure Track, Sea Adventure Track, and a Camping Ground. It only takes 15 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the ferry.
Challenge Yourself Outdoors
Don't stay indoors as much as you can in Batam. There are a couple of activities you can do for some waves of laughter!
Drive Go-kart
Batam offers thrilling go-kart tracks. One is in Batam Kota, called Batam Go-Kart, and the second is in the Bengkong area, called Golden City Go-Kart. The price in each place will differ, but it is still quite affordable.
Explore in Mangrove Pandang Tak Jemu
This ecotourism spot is beloved for camping barbecues, outbound, and so on. At the end of the mangrove bridge, a small sand island formed by the seawater can be found, which resembles a tiny oasis amidst the mangrove forest. Visit in the evening to gaze at the sunset.
Catch Batam’s Seafood Galore and More
Batam’s rendition of seafood is in its own league. But there’s more to seafood on this island…
Yong Kee Seafood
Try the popular Batam Fish Soup here. It’s identic to Batam’s cuisine due to its freshness.
Barelang Seafood
This famous seafood hotspot has gained recognition for tourists visiting the island. Get the Sweet and Sour Fish, Steamed Shell, and Stir-fried Baby Kailan with Mushroom. But, of course, you’re free to explore and choose on your own from the many live seafoods they have captured to guarantee the freshness of your seafood.
Rezeki Seafood
A must-try exotic dish at Rezeki Seafood is boiled Gonggong. The gong gong snail has a chewy texture but to eat it, you must pick out the snail inside with a toothpick.
Mie Tarempa Sungai Panas
Batam's special noodles with toppings of either meat, chicken or seafood make up Mie Tarempa.
Kueh Lapis
Kueh Lapis, or layered cake, is a local tea-time snack and a food souvenir. The original flavour of Kueh Lapis is sweet, buttery, and moist but these days, you can indulge in many different varieties, from pandan to mocha, prunes, and more.
Honourary seafood restaurants in Batam are the legendary Sei Enam Seafood, Wey Wey Seafood at the Harbour Bay area, and Restoran Golden Prawn 933.
Discover Batam’s Legacy
Take a couple of hours of your Batam escapade to get familiar with the island's culture.
Barelang Bridge
Barelang stands for Batam, Rempang, and Galang. These three islands are connected by a total of six bridges, the most prominent one being the first bridge, standing proud and tall with its magnificent structure.
Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya
The Vihara is the largest monastery in Batam and functions as a place for Buddhist prayers and rituals. Many statues in different sizes are found here, including the Buddha statue as the focal point and small ones illustrating the Chinese zodiac. The area is also home to an established facility for kindergarten to university, as well as a vegetarian restaurant and souvenir shop.
Shop til’ You Drop in Batam
Batam is dubbed as a shopping paradise in Indonesia because this island offers relatively cheap goods. Despite the prices, the items found here are mostly imported from abroad.
Nagoya Hill Mall
Nagoya Hill Mall is one the most iconic shopping destinations in Batam with a total of 8,9 acres offering fairly complete retail goods.
Mega Mall Batam Center
Need to do last-minute shopping? Head to Mega Mall Batam Center. Its location is across the Batam Ferry Terminal and has its own connecting bridge between the two places.
Sunset Drinks in Batam
Don’t go to sleep just yet as soon as the sun does. Let the moonshine guide your path while grooving to uplifting tunes and a drink (or three) in your hand! As the night thickens, check out more of Batam's bars, clubs, and pubs for fire beats at the island's best nightlife spots.
Altitude Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Try coming at dusk to witness the sunset while listening to live music. Treat yourself to some good wines and delicious snacks at this rooftop bar & lounge. Its feel-good ambience is located at Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay.
Blue Fire Beach Club
Relax to the soft music soothing your heart - or party the night away! Blue Fire Beach Club features pink sand imported from China whenever you’re not soaking in the pool while enjoying the beach around.
Staying in Batam
This bustling holiday destination wedged between Riau and Singapore is known to please sightseers, beach dwellers, and shopaholics. Batam offers various accommodations with ranging facilities and amenities catering to family, friends, and even corporate gatherings.
Hotels perfect for business and leisure travellers are:
Hotels perfect for families are:
Hotels perfect for leisure seekers are: