Overview
Waterfront City is a purpose-built tourist development on Batam Island, Indonesia, located just south of Singapore across the Singapore Strait. It was conceived in the 1990s as a major resort destination but never fully materialized, leaving failed developments and construction ruins visible from the ferry terminal.
Beach · Day Trips · Island · Nightlife · Transit Hub
Before you go
Accommodation
Two main hotels: Harris Waterfront from S$81/night and Holiday Inn Resort from S$120/night. Both offer free ferry terminal shuttles.
Money
Prices in Waterfront City are quoted in both Singapore dollars (S$) and Indonesian rupiah (Rp). Taxis to Nagoya cost around S$20 or Rp 75,000.
Transport
Sindo Ferry connects Waterfront City to Singapore's HarbourFront terminal via Sekupang in about 50 minutes. Weekend services (3 trips) outnumber weekday services (1 trip).
Water
Swimming is explicitly forbidden at the Harris beach. The bay water is murky with views of oil industry installations.