5 Things You Didn't Know About Batam's Iconic Barelang Bridge
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
If you’ve ever searched for places to visit in Batam, chances are the Barelang Bridge showed up pretty high in the results.
But… Why would you want to see a bridge?
From its ambitious engineering story to hidden beaches and seafood spots, here are five interesting facts about the Barelang Bridge in Batam that make it worth adding to your itinerary.
1. The “Barelang Bridge” is actually SIX unique bridges
Photo source: Google Maps
You’ve probably been thinking of a single bridge this entire time, but that’s actually not the case.
What people call the Barelang Bridge is actually a network of 6 bridges linking the islands of Batam, Rempang, and Galang. In fact, the name Barelang itself is an acronym of Batam, Rempang, and Galang.
Each bridge actually has an official name drawn from the rulers of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate between the 15th and 18th centuries. The most popular bridge - and probably the one you’ve seen in photos - is Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge.
2. One of these bridges is more popular than the others
Photo source: Ministry of Tourism Indonesia
The Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge, the first and most photographed bridge in the Barelang system, features 118-metre-high pylons and sweeping stay cables that stretch across the water.
Being the longest and the highest of the six, it offers the best panoramic views of the surrounding turquoise waters and scattered smaller islands.
Because of its striking appearance, it is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Today, it has become a symbol of Batam itself. In fact, there’s a local joke that, if you haven't taken a photo at Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge, you haven't actually visited Batam.
However, don’t try taking a photo at a different bridge on the network and claim it’s Tengku Fisabilillah - you’ll get exposed immediately because…
3. Each bridge has a different design and technique
Photo source: BatamNews
You may sometimes hear locals referring to the bridge as Jembatan Habibie (Habibie Bridge) after B.J. Habibie, the third president of Indonesia. While Habibie commissioned the project, his association with it is tied to one unusual directive:
Each bridge in the system had to use a different structural design.
This wasn’t just a random whim - Habibie wanted to use this bridge as a showcase of engineering. He wanted to introduce new technologies and have a place for Indonesian engineers to actually put them into practice, including:
- Cable-stayed (Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge)
- Balanced Cantilever (Nara Singa Bridge)
- Segmental Girder (Raja Ali Haji Bridge)
The result is essentially an open-air museum of bridge engineering, stretching across the sea.
4. Barelang Bridge is your fastest gateway to Batam’s hidden beaches
Photo source: Kepri.co.id
Beyond engineering, the Barelang Bridge offers one of the most scenic drives in the Riau Islands.
Crossing the bridges is the quickest escape from the busy commercial districts of Batam. The further you drive south toward Rempang and Galang, the quieter and more natural the surroundings become.
Crossing the bridges is the quickest escape from the busy commercial districts of Batam. The further you drive south toward Rempang and Galang, the quieter and more natural the surroundings become.
Along the way, the sprawling buildings give way to rolling hills, wide ocean views, small fishing villages, and quiet coastal stretches.
Some of Batam’s lesser-known beaches are also located along this route, including Melur Beach and Viovio Beach, where you’ll find stretches of white sand and clear turquoise water.
If you’re looking for a relaxed day trip, the Barelang drive is widely considered one of the best road trips in Batam. Learn more about transportation options in Batam here.
5. Barelang Bridge is also Batam’s unofficial “seafood highway”
Photo source: Google Maps
The islands connected by the Barelang bridges are famous for kelongs - traditional wooden platforms built over the sea that function as floating seafood restaurants.
Dining at a kelong is a uniquely local experience, where the catch comes straight from the sea to your plate. You can literally point to a fish, gonggong (sea snails), or crab swimming in a net and have it served on your table minutes later.
Protip - The best kalongs are actually located at Nara Singa, the second bridge.
Bridge the gap to your next Batam adventure with Berjaya Waterfront
Photo Source : @UiHua Cheah
Whether it's the engineering story, the hidden beaches, or the seafood kelongs that draws you in, this is the side of Batam that turns a routine weekend trip into something worth remembering.
And getting there is easier than you think.
Berjaya Waterfront links you directly to Batam with comfortable, high-speed ferries; making it the perfect launchpad for your Barelang road trip.
Catch the morning ferry, book a car, and you could be eating freshly grilled gonggong by the sea before dinnertime.