Sail about an hour from Singapore to long bridges, white-sand beaches and a royal island mosque - two Riau islands that suit a short break or a longer holiday, with a map and a free trip planner on WhatsApp.
Tap a number to see the place. Distances are rough driving times from the city centre.
Chosen for first-time and returning visitors. Add the ones you like to your trip - we turn them into a plan.
Six bridges built in the 1990s link Batam with Rempang and Galang islands. The first, a cable-stayed bridge named after Tengku Fisabilillah, is the classic photo stop.
Batam's north-east coast has sandy beaches, small resorts and a view straight across the strait towards Singapore. A quiet corner for swimming, a beachfront meal and sunsets.
A seaside leisure park with swimming pools, a Ferris wheel, play areas and open waterfront space, popular with families looking for an easy day out.
A sign and promenade by the sea in Batam Centre that has become the city's welcome photo spot. Cafes and open space nearby make it an easy first stop on arrival from Singapore.
Batam's busy heart for eating and shopping: Nagoya's malls and food streets, Jodoh's shops and restaurants, and Harbour Bay next to its ferry terminal.
#06Resort coastLagoi, north BintanNorth Bintan's resort district has long white beaches, golf, spas and seafood restaurants, from big resorts to smaller hotels. Operators also offer boat trips through the mangroves.
#07BeachEast BintanA long stretch of white sand on Bintan's east coast, dotted with large boulders and lined with simple seafood cafes. Quieter and more local than the resort beaches.
#08Old townTanjung PinangBintan's main town grew around an old harbour and mixes Malay, Chinese and Bugis history. Expect waterfront streets, shophouses, coffee shops and street food. Boats to Penyengat leave from here.
#09Royal islandOff Tanjung PinangA small island that was once the seat of the Riau-Lingga sultanate. Its 1844 Royal Mosque, painted yellow and green, stands among royal tombs, ruins and the heritage of Malay literature.
Starting points we adjust to your dates, budget and hotel choice. Prices depend on the hotel and season, so we quote them for you.
👥 First visit, couples, families, weekend trips
🏨 4-star hotel in Batam
👥 Friends, couples, culture and food lovers
🏨 Hotels in Batam and in Tanjung Pinang
👥 Honeymoons, families, relaxing getaways
🏨 5-star beach resort in Lagoi
Pick the places, your dates and the kind of hotel you like. We reply on WhatsApp with a suggested plan and today's prices - no obligation.
From Singapore, ferries take about an hour from HarbourFront to Batam Centre, and about an hour from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan Resorts). Batam's airport is Hang Nadim (BTH); Tanjung Pinang has Raja Haji Fisabilillah (TNJ). Ferries from Batam's Telaga Punggur to Tanjung Pinang also take about an hour. Check passport and entry rules before travelling.
Roughly March to October is usually drier and calmer. From about December to February the northeast monsoon brings more rain and rougher seas, and ferries can be delayed or cancelled, so leave spare time in your plans. The islands are popular for short stays from Singapore and Malaysia.
The islands are home to Malay, Chinese and other communities, and most people are Muslim. Beachwear is fine at resorts and beaches, but cover shoulders and knees in towns and at mosques such as Penyengat. Halal food is easy to find, and Chinese restaurants usually mark non-halal dishes.
Ride-hailing apps and taxis work in Batam, and a car with driver suits the Barelang Bridges. On Bintan, public transport is limited outside Tanjung Pinang, so use hotel transfers or a hired car. Small boats cross to Penyengat from Tanjung Pinang harbour.
Opening hours, tickets, access and rules change (for example visitor quotas, volcano or sea conditions and closures) - we check them for your dates. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each picture; map: OpenStreetMap. Last checked 10 October 2026.