If you’re thinking of sneaking off for a final quick weekend getaway before the year comes to a close, it might be time to revisit Batam. A brand new ferry route operating between Singapore’s Harbourfront Terminal and the resort island in Indonesia has just launched on November 28, 2025, with boats landing directly at Gold Coast Bengkong International Ferry Terminal instead of the more common arrival point of Batam Center.
Prior to this, passengers would have to take a 20-minute cab ride from Batam Center if they wanted to visit Gold Coast Bengkong. Hopefully, this new route will help spread out the crowds and result in shorter immigration checkpoint queues during peak travel periods on weekends and public holidays.
The ferry service is operated jointly by Sindo Ferry and Batamfast, with round-trips at $76 inclusive of taxes and surcharges. Each leg of the journey is a speedy one-hour ride – 10 minutes shorter than the route from Harbourfront to Batam Centre – so you could even squeeze in a day trip and take an evening ferry back in time to rest up for your next work day.
Have yet to explore Gold Coast Bengkong? Places worth checking out right by the ferry terminal include Bluefire Beach Club, the premium new Seaside Padel Club, and Domoo Bakery for freshly baked shokupan and doughnuts. Venture slightly further and you’ll get to race your pals at Golden City Go-Kart, enjoy wakeboarding at Batam WakePark, and lounge about sipping brews by the beach at Next Level Koffie & Beachfront Bar.