Traveling to Batam, Indonesia
Batam is a island city in Indonesia, just across the strait from Singapore. It is a more industrial city, but makes for a cultural escape if you are in Singapore and want to get away for a few hours (think about how cool it is to travel to a whole new country just for a few hours!). Here’s a list of a few things to do in Batam if you want to check out the island for a few hours. There is a ferry leaving from Singapore’s Harborfront Tunnel goes at least hourly and takes < 45 minutes, so the commute is very manageable.
Visit the main Buddhist Temple: The Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple is a stunning architectural feat. Very simple to walk to from the ferry exit, enter the temple for a peaceful visit and appreciate one of the main religions of the island!
Go shopping: While shopping in Singapore can end up being a bit pricey due to inflated goods taxes, that is not the case in Batam! There are a bunch of shopping malls to choose from, such as Nagoya Hill and Mega Mall Batam Centre. So if you are looking for goods to bring back to Singapore or your home destination, this is not a bad place to do so!
Relax on Nongsa Beach: This is a small, relaxed beach that does not attract a lot of tourists, so you are likely to get a private/serene experience! There are options to go boating here too, if you are looking to get some physical activity in here as well.
Visit Batam Cable Ski Park: If you are looking for some more adventure sports, you’re in luck! This water sports park offers activities like jet skiing & snorkeling, something that the Indonesian waters are famous for!
So if you are spending some time in Singapore, and are looking to kill a few hours, Batam is a great option! It allows you to explore the ferry & island, while also crossing off another country off of your list during your time in Southeast Asia!
