Batam
Industrial island with hidden surprises
From KNO
45 min
Airlines
Lion · Batik Air · Wings Air
IATA Code
BTH
About Batam
Batam is a rapidly growing industrial and free-trade city, just 45 minutes by sea from Singapore. Behind its industrial image, Batam hides secluded beaches, extraordinary fresh seafood, and the iconic Barelang Bridge. From KNO under an hour.
What to Explore
Highlights in Batam
Highlight 1
Barelang Bridge
Barelang Bridge is Batam's most iconic infrastructure project — a series of six bridges connecting six different islands: Batam, Tonton, Nipah, Setoko, Rempang, and Galang. Built during B.J. Habibie's era as Head of BPPT and Chairman of the Batam Authority, the bridge became a symbol of Batam's ambition as Indonesia's leading industrial and technology zone. The first and most monumental bridge, Jembatan Fisabilillah, spans 642 meters with an elegant cable-stayed design — its soaring white pylons are the most recognizable photo backdrop from Batam. Along the route to the subsequent bridges, you pass tropical forests, fish ponds, and wide-open sea views. The full six-bridge journey is typically done by rented vehicle and can be combined with a visit to Pantai Melur or Pantai Galang at the end of the route.
Highlight 2
Melur Beach
Hidden at the southern tip of Galang Island — beyond the main Barelang Bridge route — Melur Beach is one of the cleanest and most tranquil beaches in all of the Riau Islands. Its sand is fine and white, the water clear and greenish, and the atmosphere far from mass tourism crowds. Because of its somewhat remote location, the beach can only be reached by private or rented vehicle via the Barelang Bridge route — about 1.5 hours from central Batam. That very remoteness is what makes it special: you can enjoy an almost empty stretch of sand, swim in calm waters, and listen to the sound of waves without interruption. Facilities here are very basic, so bring your own food and arrive early for the best experience. Combine this visit with a Barelang Bridge tour for a satisfying full-day outing.
Practical Info
Best Time
Year-round
Currency
IDR (Rp)
Language
Indonesian
Airlines
Lion · Batik Air · Wings Air
Travel Tip
Head to Harbour Bay for shopping and fresh seafood — prices are far more affordable than Singapore just across the water.
Ready to fly to Batam?
45 min from Kualanamu — direct and simple.