Top 10 Things to Do in Batam, Indonesia

This small but busy island in Indonesia is a part of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore Growth Triangle’s free trade zone. This fast growing city is also the closest part of the country to its neighbor Singapore.

Batam Island is also known as the most popular weekend destination for Singaporeans and Malaysians. While most tourists come from Singapore and Malaysia, Batam Island is now gaining the interest of travelers from different countries in Asia, as well as the world.

With the island’s resorts, beaches, shopping malls, and other cultural sites, Batam offers various things to its visitors. Here’s the list of top things to do for an enjoyable holiday on the island.

1. Watersports Activities

Located in the northeast part of Batam, one of the most visited resorts in the island is the Turi Beach. It is known for its number of water activities such as windsurfing and wakeboarding. Aside from joining these exciting activities, you can also do jet skiing, parasailing, knee boarding, kayaking, and more.

If you are not brave enough to join these activities, you can still enjoy the various land activities the resort offers such as ATV rides, e-bike tours, wall climbing, trekking, and camping.

2. Reefs Adventure

Batam has some newly discovered scuba diving, and snorkeling spots and one of them is in Petong Island. Its diverse marine life, crystal clear waters, and colorful coral reefs will give you a fantastic underwater view. The island’s list of sites that are suitable for underwater reefs adventure includes Clown Fish Nemo Sanctuary, White Sand Coral Bay, and the Coral Reefs Garden.

3. GoKart Racing

GoKart racing is also one of the most enjoyed activities in Batam. One of the only two GoKart places on the island is the Golden City which is also a famous tourist spot. With professional and skilled guides, the activity is guaranteed safe for everyone. You will also be given safety and operating instructions, so be sure to follow them.

If you haven’t tried GoKarting even once in your life, make sure to give it a try while in the city, and you’ll surely have fun!

4. Paint Ball

Paint Ball is another exciting activity you can enjoy in Golden City which is played with teams. So if you are visiting with friends or families, don’t miss trying this game. It needs teamwork and strategy to win the game as each team will be given a mission to complete.

After this exciting and at the same time exhausting game, you can relax and dine at their food court where you can choose a variety of delicious food.

5. Watch The Barelang Bridge Sunset

The spectacular view of the sunset at Barelang Bridge is one of must-see while in Batam. Your visit to the city will not be complete if you haven’t gone and taken yourself a photo of this famous spot. This bridge is the most popular landmark of Batam and connects several islands in the Riau archipelago. After enjoying the breathtaking sunset view, you can also try various street foods in the area.

6. Fly In An Ultralight Aircraft

If flying in the sky is your thing, you can’t miss the fun and adrenaline pumping activity offered by the Batam Flying Club, the Ultralight Aircraft flight. Flying with this ultra-light aircraft will give you a birds-eye view of the island and let you enjoy the great scenery from above.

You can get a fantastic view of Batam’s beauty from ten thousand feet above the ground, an experience that would surely last a lifetime.

7. Visit Galang Island

This small island located 40 kilometers southeast of Batam is also a famous destination for travelers in the city. It became a well-known tourist destination due to the Vietnamese refugee camp that became an attraction, and the quiet beaches in the area. You can sight a variety of Vietnamese relics and learn about their history when you visit the refugee camp.

Galang island is connected to Batam by the Balerang bridge so you can easily reach the island by car.

8. Shopping

For shopaholics, don’t hesitate to visit the island for an amazing shopping experience.

One of the main factors why tourists are flocking Batam Island is to go shopping. The island is known as a duty-free zone (an area where foreign goods are exported and imported without the custom and tax duties), that’s why products sold here are relatively cheaper. You can spot shopping malls and boutique shops everywhere and buy authentic bags, apparels, and other goods without spending too much.

9. Get a Massage

After days of exploring the beauty of Batam Island, there’s nothing more relaxing that getting a massage while in the city. The city has numerous spa locations that offer high-quality massage services at affordable rates.

One of the famous massage places in the city is the Majesty Spa & Massage that is located in Nagoya Hill Shop, the largest shopping mall in the city. It has a beautiful and relaxing facility and offers a variety of calming massage procedures.

What makes the Majesty Spa & Massage stand out is that they offer free transportation to and from anywhere in Batam.

10. Enjoy Batam’s Night Life

Batam’s nightlife is very active and is considered as one of the best things in the city. Though the island is smaller in size than the other places in Indonesia, there are numerous spots where locals and foreign visitors dine and enjoy. One of the famous places to chill out in the city is the Hot Spot Restaurant. This traditional British restaurant is well known for serving mouthwatering pizzas and curries. They also serve various types of Western and Asian cuisines and beverages. Hot Spot is a  great place to visit after a long day in the city.

For those who love outdoor activities, you’ll never run out of exciting things to do in Batam, especially water activities. Besides being surrounded by many beaches, it is also good to know that island is among the most affordable tourist’s destinations in Southeast Asia. You will get to enjoy various activities and see the island’s attractions without the worry of breaking your bank.

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