Image

Blog

Discover our Berjaya Waterfront Johor Bahru blog – your gateway to captivating destinations, travel tips and remarkable adventures. Discover the best places to travel!

One Day Wonders: The Best Spots to Visit on a One Day Trip  in  Batam
Photo Source: freepik.com/lifeforstock

One Day Wonders: The Best Spots to Visit on a One Day Trip in Batam

Did you know that there’s a beautiful island you can reach with just a two and a half-hour ferry from Malaysia? Yes, that’s Batam Island in Indonesia. This highly accessible island is perfect for a short day trip, as it has plenty to offer visitors. 


If you’re short on time or want to incorporate Batam into a longer travel plan, a day trip is highly recommended. Batam Island is part of the Riau Archipelago in Indonesia. It has a relatively more laid-back vibe than many other Indonesian cities and island destinations, making it ideal if you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind. 


Here, we’ve listed some of the places you should visit on your one-day trip to Batam. You can choose and combine at least 2 or 3. Remember to allocate some time on your trip to rest, have meals, and travel from one attraction to the next as well. Alternatively, you may contact local tour agencies for one-day tours of Batam.

1. Barelang Bridge

Barelang Bridge is a series of 6 bridges in the south of Batam Island that connect it to some of the other islands in the Riau Archipelago. Located about 45 minutes from Batam City, these bridges offer stunning views and are popular spots for photography. 


You’ll be able to see views of the Batam coast, surrounded by the sea, as well as enjoy various snacks being sold nearby. The view from Barelang Bridge is very clear and you can even see the distant horizon.

2. Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple

Enjoy Batam’s largest Buddhist temple, complete with some of the most beautiful statues made of stone, wood, and even gold. If you practice Buddhism, this temple is a great place to pray too. The main prayer hall features several large statues of Buddha covered in gold, and the gardens around the temple are home to multiple other stone statues and carvings, both of Buddha and other Chinese gods. 


There’s a vegetarian canteen on site that serves up lunch, and you’re free to enjoy a buffet-style meal much like a ‘chap fan’ stall. Additionally, you’ll also find a cafe here called ‘Fortunate Coffee’ serving both coffee and fruit tea, as well as ala carte vegetarian dishes at affordable prices.


Image

Photo Source: facebook.com/FortunateCoffee.OrchardBtm

3. Spend Some Time at The Beach

Being an island, Batam has several beaches that are open to the public. These beaches are free to visit, but sometimes require a very small fee of less than RM 1 to enter. Apart from lounging around and having a picnic, you can also spend time swimming, playing with the sand and more. 


Oftentimes, the beaches in Batam offer water sports activities like water skis, kayaking, banana boats and more. Be sure to pack some sunscreen if you’d like to spend time at these beaches. Some of the most popular beaches in Batam include Nongsa Beach and Melayu Beach.


Image

Photo Source: freepik.com/jcomp

4. Sign Up for a Relaxing Spa

Batam is home to several spas and they do offer short packages of a few hours. You can go in for a massage and enjoy a treatment of two. These include scrubs and wraps, aromatherapy, hot herbal compresses, reflexology, facials and more. 


Spas also feature jacuzzis, milk baths and pools to refresh yourself. Some include meals as part of the package. Head on over to some of Batam’s most popular spas including Tempat Senang Spa, Delta Spa and Health Club, Eska Wellness Massage and Salon, Batam Central Spa and others.

5. Hunt for Bargains at Batam’s Malls

Batam Island has several shopping centres where you can hunt for great bargains. Whether you’re looking for clothing, toys, souvenirs, local snacks and food, Batam’s shopping malls have everything you need and more.


In addition to great bargains, some of these modern, air-conditioned shopping spots have entertainment centres for kids. If you have children with you, you can ensure that they also enjoy the trip by bringing them to enjoy the small rides and play areas here. 


Some of the malls you can check out include Mega Mall Batam Centre, Grand Batam Shopping Centre, BCS Mall, and Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall.


Photo Source: Tribun Batam/Argianto Da Nugroho

Photo Source: Tribun Batam/Argianto Da Nugroho

6. Pura Agung Amerta Buana

Many may not know this, but Batam is a very multicultural place. Among the communities that live here are Balinese Hindus, and they have built several temples in traditional Balinese fashion. One of the most popular Hindu temples here is Pura Agung Amerta Buana. 


You’ll be able to enjoy majestic Balinese carvings throughout the temple, which is set amidst a neatly pruned garden. Some of the most photographed parts of the temple are its doorways and arches, which are built with Balinese architectural aesthetics.


Photo Source: freepik.com/EyeEm

Photo Source: freepik.com/EyeEm

7. Go Shopping for Kueh Lapis

Malaysians are no strangers to the delicious kuih lapis, also known in Indonesia as Lapis Legit. This is the version baked with many layers and features lots of eggs and a hint of cinnamon. Kueh Lapis is one of Batam’s more popular souvenirs. 


There are a few shops selling Kueh Lapis on the island, such as Lamoist Bakery in Batam City Square Mall and Batam Layer Cakes in Tanjung Buntung. Apart from the original version, you can also find other flavours such as pandan, peanut, Nutella, chocolate and more. There are also original versions with prunes or raisins between the layers.

Batam One Day Trips: A Summary

Careful planning is the best way to fully experience Batam and all it has to offer. As Malaysians, the island can seem very familiar, with lots of multiculturalism in its attractions and food. Nevertheless, there are many spots where you can experience authentic Batam hospitality.


The best part has to be the fact that it’s very easy to travel here. One place you can get a ferry to Batam is at Berjaya Waterfronts Ferry Terminal in Stulang Laut, Johor Bahru. There are up to 9 trips daily, and you can choose to buy a return ticket with a flexible return date; any day within three months of your arrival to Batam. 

Image
Your one-stop destination for duty-free shopping, entertainment, and culinary delights.

CONTACT INFO

Berjaya Waterfront Sdn. Bhd. 199001000517 (192075-U)

No. 88 Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.