Just like our smartphones, our bodies also need regular recharging, especially when work starts to feel like a never-ending loop. That’s where a holiday can come in handy, giving us the chance to reset and come back fresher to work towards our aspirations.
For some of us, this could mean taking one long break, while others may prefer multiple short trips. If you’re in the second group of people who like to take short vacations, you don’t have to settle for staycations or endure long hours to cross the causeway. Given that the sea surrounds our sunny island, there are other destinations that are just a ferry ride away where we can go for our weekend getaway.
Malaysia
Malaysia is probably one of the few countries that come to mind if you ever need to go on a short weekend getaway trip. Instead of crossing via the land borders and having to wait for hours in line, why not beat the crowd by taking a ferry?
#1 Desaru Coast
The first destination on our list of ferry getaways is the Desaru Coast. Located on the southeastern coast of Johor, near the small town of Bandar Penawar, Desaru is marketed as an integrated destination resort for all budgets.
One of the must-visit attractions in Desaru is the Adventure Waterpark. It is one of the biggest wave pools in the world and has over 20 wet and dry rides, slides, and attractions that families, young and old, can soak in for a fun-filled day. Alternatively, you can also enjoy water sports activities like a tide pool walking tour, paddleboarding, and kayaking at the sandy Desaru Beach.
If none of these activities appeal to you, then you could tee off at the Els Club, a 45-hole golfing paradise designed by the man, himself, Ernie Els. As you go through the course, enjoy the wonderful scenery of rolling valleys and the blue waters of the South China Sea.
The ferry to Desaru goes from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and is run by BatamFast Ferry every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Departure times are from 8.30 am (from Tanah Merah) and 5.30 pm (from Desaru). The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs $118 for a roundtrip per pax.
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket: $78
Surcharge: $20
Departure Fee: $20
Total: $118
ETA: 1hr30m
Read Also: Singapore-Desaru: How Much Does It Cost To Travel Via The Different Methods Including Ferry Service
#2 Tanjung Pengelih
Another way to enter Johor, Malaysia, is by the Tanjung Pengelih Ferry Terminal. Located south of Desaru, this is an alternative ferry route that you can consider to reach the Desaru Coast, which requires another 30 minutes of drive.
Some tourist attractions around Tanjung Pengelih include the Desaru ostrich farm, which reportedly has more than 100 ostriches. It can be a learning experience for the young ones, especially as there’s a guided tour to explain everything you need to know about ostriches. They could even ride one after the tour, as there is an ostrich ride facility for an additional fee.
Families could also visit the Tanjung Balau Fishermen Museum to learn about the way of life of the fishermen in the Kota Tinggi District. Otherwise, you could head over to the Kota Tinggi Waterfall for a dip in its fresh waters or to Batu Layer Beach at Kota Tinggi for a day of fun in the sea and sand.
The ferry to Tanjung Pengelih leaves Singapore from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and is run by BatamFast Ferry every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Departure times are from 8.30 am to 5.40pm (from Tanah Merah) and 7.30am to 4 pm (from Tanjung Pengelih). The journey takes around 45 minutes and costs $73 per pax for a roundtrip.
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $33
Surcharge: $20
Departure Fee: $20
Total: $73
ETA: 45m
Indonesia
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, with over 18,000 islands. Thankfully, we can reach a handful of them by ferry from Singapore.
#3 Batam
One of the nearest and most familiar to most Singaporeans is Batam. From a fishing village 30 years ago, Batam has been modernised as a free trade zone, with enchanting beaches, luxury hotels, and golf resorts attracting travellers of all ages.
With many fun activities to do in Batam, let’s begin with one of the biggest reasons for travelling to Batam. Compared to Singapore and even Johor, the cost of living in Batam might be even lower. This means you can stretch your dollar further while enjoying the best of what Batam has to offer.
For example, you could watch the latest English movies at Grand Batam Mall for around $4 or relax with a smoothing massage that starts at just $12 per hour. What’s more, you don’t have to think twice about the cost of eating seafood in Batam like you might at the local cai fan stall.
Of course, shopping at the Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall and eating are not the only activities that you can do in Batam. You could burn some rubber at the go-kart circuits at either the Marina Circuit Batam or Golden City Go-Kart. A friendly-piece of advice, you might want to bring your own helmet if you are particular about cleanliness and smell.
For a more relaxing trip, you could consider visiting places of worship like the Tua Pek Kong Temple, or attraction parks like the Vietnam Village and Terih Village. At the same time, you should not be leaving Batam without visiting some of the beaches around the island. Head to Turi Beach for some relaxing water activities like the river cruise or ride on the Banana boat or for the more experienced divers, explore the shallow reefs at Abang Island, located just off the Southern side of Batam.
There are 5 ferry terminals in Batam that we can get to from either the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal or the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore. The journey takes around 45 minutes to under an hour by any of the four ferry operators—BatamFast Ferry, Horizon Fast Ferry, Majestic Fast Fery, and Sindo Ferry and costs $73 per pax for a round trip.
Habourfront Ferry Terminal To Harbour Bay (By Horizon Fast Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Total: $73
ETA: 50 minutes
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal To Nongsapura (By BatamFast Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $41
Surcharge: $14
Departure Fee: $18
Total: $73
ETA: 50 minutes
Harbourfront Ferry Terminal to Batam Centre (By Sindo Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $40
Surcharge: $16
Departure Fee: $17
Total: $73
ETA: 1 hour
Tanah Merah to Batam Centre (By BatamFast Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $41
Surcharge: $14
Departure Fee: $18
Total: $73
ETA: 45 minutes
Tanah Merah to Sekupang (By Sindo Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $40
Surcharge: $16
Departure Fee: $17
Total: $73
ETA: 50 minutes
#4 Bintan Resorts
If the Batam experience wasn’t your cup of tea, perhaps Bintan could add a touch of class. As a part of the Riau archipelago and the largest among the 3,200 islands, its size stands around 2.5 times that of Singapore.
As a result, there’s no shortage of accommodation at Bintan Resorts, from luxury villas with private pools to affordable chalets and romantic villas with breathtaking views of the South China Sea. One of the more well-known resorts is Club Med Bintan, which offers 30 activities like entertainment shows by G.O.s., various water sports activities as part of its package, and another 32 on-demand activities like massages, cooking lessons, and use of the Laguna Golf Club.
While it’s easy to pass the time by just enjoying the many facilities of the resorts, you might want to venture outside to take in the flora and fauna that Bintan has to offer. From snorkelling in the blue waters at Trikora Beach to taking some Instagram-worthy photos at Bintan Sand Dunes to the intriguing sights of the thriving fauna found at the Bintan Mangrove, there are many activities that could keep you engaged and wanting more.
You can take a ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bintan’s Bandar Bentan Telani from any of the three operators: Bintan Resort Ferries, Majestic Fast Ferry, and Sindo Ferry. Based on the information provided by Bintan Resort Ferries, it takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes to travel each way and costs between $90 and $100 per pax for a round trip, with ferry services available each day of the week.
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $56-66
Levies and fees: $34
Total: $90-$100
ETA: 1hr10m
#5 Tanjung Pinang
Another place within Bintan that you can make a short day trip to is its capital town, Tanjung Pinang. Typically visited in groups organised by community clubs, the sleepy town of Tanjung Pinang is usually overlooked as a holiday destination.
However, Singaporeans who crave a more unique local experience would find themselves drawn in by the rustic charms of the town. For instance, you can begin your sightseeing by jostling with the locals (especially on weekends) along the bustling streets of Jalan Pasar Ikan (Fish Market Street) and Jalan Plantar II as they go about their grocery shopping. At the same time, you may want to get some of the local items, like keropok or anchovies, for yourself.
Once done, hop on their local transport (mind you, it might not be as comfortable) to visit other places of interest like the Banyan Tree Temple, Vihara Avalokitesvara Graha, or 500 Lohan Temple. The craftsmen’s work on the sculptures at these temples is something to be admired and appreciated. Lastly, if you’re famished from all the travelling, you can tuck in to the local delights at the night market at Rimba Food Centre which sells food items like otak-otak, goreng pisang, and other seafood dishes that you can eat your fill without leaving a hole in your wallet.
Ferry service to from the Tanan Merah Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Pinang is offered by two operators: Majestic Fast Fery and Sindo Ferry. With Sindo Ferry, it takes around 1hr and 45 minutes to travel each way and costs $98 per pax for a round trip.
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $60
Surcharge: $26
Terminal Fee: $10
Confirmation Fee: $2
Total: $98
ETA: 1hr45m
#6 Tanjung Balai
Probably one of the least known ferry destinations on our list is Tanjung Balai. Located at the southern end of the Great Karimum Island, it forms part of the Batam-Bintan-Karimun Free Trade Zone to be developed as an industrial and tourism region.
Unlike Batam and Bintan, Balai is relatively pristine in its condition and not overly touristy. While it may not suit those who seek to pamper themselves with the finer things in life, it does redeem itself by being one of the most affordable places to visit. Simple local food like satays, roti prata, and black mee would hardly set you back by more than $2 each, and it’s also the best place to satisfy your seafood craving for a ridiculously low price.
Like any island worth its salt, Tanjung Balai also offers clear blue waters and white sandy beaches at Pelawan Beach and Pongkar Beach, where you can either go for a swim with the vibrant marine life or build your sandcastles and relive your childhood memories.
Currently, only Sindo Ferry offers services from the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal to Tanjung Balai, which takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach and costs $98 per pax for a round trip. Departure times are from 11.40 am to 6.20pm (from Harbourfront) and 7.30am to 2 pm (from Tanjung Balai).
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $60
Surcharge: $26
Terminal Fee: $10
Confirmation Fee: $2
Total: $98
ETA: 1hr30m
Read Also: YouTrip Card Vs Regular Credit Card: How Much Can You Save When Spending Overseas?
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This article was first written on 07 April 2023 and has been updated.
Top Image Credit: Giovanni Lidya
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