8 reasons to visit Batam in 2026

A 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore, the island of Batam in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province is making a comeback with luxurious resorts, new waterfront developments, wellness retreats, and a growing independent dining scene. 

Gone are the days when a trip to Batam meant something quick: seafood lunch, massage then some shopping before taking the ferry back to the Lion City. That’s all changing, especially with recent  improvements to ferry infrastructure. In July 2026, Singapore opened a ferry terminal next to HarbourFront Centre replacing old facilities with self-service check-in kiosks, automated baggage handling, and a bigger waiting area. The terminal serves routes to Batam Centre, Harbour Bay and Sekupang, while travelers heading to the resorts of Nongsa can take a ferry from Tanah Merah to Nongsapura.  

From villas with their private pools that look over the Singapore Strait to specialty coffee and strong wellness concepts here are eight reasons to look at Batam again. 

For spacious villas with private pools

When Montigo Resorts opened in the leafy area of Nongsa in 2012, it helped establish Batam as a weekend resort destination for Singapore’s residents. Almost 15 years later, the property has refreshed its accommodation and introduced new villa configurations while retaining the character of its whitewashed buildings cascading down a hillside overlooking the Singapore Strait.  

Accommodation ranges from studios to five-bedroom villas, all with private pools that vary in size. Particularly appealing to familes and groups of friends are the private compounds comprising three villas – almost a resort within a resort – where guests can enjoy their own space while sharing a communal dining room and swimming pool. Although the villas do not have kitchens, catering can be arranged, with staff setting up alfresco dinners beneath strings of light. 

Dining options include the recently refreshed Warung Montigo, which focuses on Indonesian flavours from across the archipelago, and Pantai restaurant, which serves Chinese cuisine and seafood in a dining room that gleams with its gold walls. Hinotori, the resort’s Japanese izakaya, is another option. 

Beyond the villas, guests can play tennis and padel, book spa treatments in airconditioned treatment huts, or simply spend the afternoon by the communal pool.

For more information, visit nongsa.montigoresorts.com.

Batam’s next waterfront destination 

One of Batam’s most ambitious hospitality developments is preparing to welcome its first guests in December 2026. Conceived as a self-contained waterfront destination, Opus Bay will combine accommodation, shopping, dining and recreational facilities, with its own ferry terminal providing access from Singapore. 

The first phase includes Balmoral Tower, a 35-storey property with 493 rooms, which its developer describes as Batam’s largest hotel by room count. Accommodation ranges from studios to two-bedroom suites, with private balconies, kitchenettes, washer-dryers and an AI-powered digital concierge. More facilities will follow next year.

For more information, visit opus-bay.com.

For a more considered spa escape 

While Batam’s reputation for affordable massages is well established, Sidjih Wellness Village at Batam View Beach Resort takes the experience further. Soft-opened in February 2026, the dedicated wellness complex in a garden setting features seven spa villas equipped with hot tubs, oversized baths and rain showers. 

Beyond traditional spa treatments, guests can participate in yoga, sound healing, fitness sessions and cooking classes incorporating ingredients from the resort’s organic farm. Multi-day retreat programmes encourage visitors to approach wellness as more than an afternoon indulgence.

For more information, visit batamview.com.

For a convenient city stay 

Soft-opened in April 2026, the 168-room Grand Swiss-Belhotel Harbour Bay brings a new upscale accommodation option to Batam’s waterfront commercial district. Its centrepiece is a lush indoor garden atrium, complemented by a swimming pool, spa and several dining venues.  

Located within Harbour Bay Downtown, the hotel is a short walk from the ferry terminal, Bayfront Mall and a lively waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and cafés. It’s a convenient base for visitors who prefer shopping and exploring the city to a secluded resort

For more information, visit swiss-belhotel.com.

For traditional Malay flavours 

Opened in April 2026, Melawa Paragon Hill celebrates the culinary heritage of the Riau Islands through traditional Malay dishes and communal dining.

One of its highlights is makan berhidang, a style of dining in which several dishes are presented together for sharing, often beneath traditional food covers.

For more information, visit instagram.com/melawa_batam.

For a sporty brunch 

The padel phenomenon has reached Batam, bringing with it a new kind of social venue. Located in Taman Baloi, Baseline House at TAO Padel combines a contemporary café with views of the adjoining courts.

Visitors can pair a game with brunch or simply settle in for coffee while watching the action. The concept reflects a growing appetite for lifestyle-oriented spaces that bring dining, recreation and socialising together.

For more information, visit baselinehouse.com.

For sourdough pizza 

Batam’s independent dining scene is finding its feet, with smaller operators introducing more specialised concepts. Garam & Madu, which began as a pre-order business before opening for dine-in service in 2026, is one example.

The restaurant specialises in sourdough Neapolitan-style pizza alongside pasta dishes, with limited seating and a reservation-based format.

For more information, visit instagram.com/garamdanmadu_id.

For a taste of Indonesia’s specialty coffee scene 

Batam may not be the first place that comes to mind for specialty coffee, but Sreg Coffee Roasters is making a case for looking beyond the island’s familiar café chains. Located in Baloi Permai, the independent roastery showcases beans from across Indonesia, with an emphasis on careful roasting and precision brewing.

Its credentials extend beyond the café. In 2022, Sreg barista Andika Pratama won the Indonesia AeroPress Championship, earning a place at the world competition in Canada.

For more information, visit instagram.com/sregcoffee.