If you consider yourself to be an avid diver, then you should make your way to the Anambas Islands. Found 150 miles off the coast of Batam Island, this place offers unrivaled beauty that is pristine and captivating, promising a world like no other above and below its crystal clear waters. Of all the islands you can visit here, Bawah Island is where you should be headed for the best diving experience ever.
A Diver’s Paradise
Bawah Island consists of four islands—Elang, Murbah, Lidi, and Sanggah. If you arrive during low-tide, you may not even realize that these are separate islands, as stretches of white sand connect the different places. The entire lagoon, as it is called, is a beautiful spot to dive. Home to a myriad of vibrant and colorful tropical fishes and other sea creatures along with its stunning reefs, Bawah Island is voted as one of Asia’s best tropical islands. It is so good, in fact, that it even beats out the Similan Islands and Koh Cang of Thailand, Langkawi of Malaysia, and Halong Bay of Vietnam. It was also called the Maldives of Anambas just because of the beauty of the place.
How To Reach the Bawah Island
If you want to visit this beautiful island, you’ll need much free time, since it is quite far out in the South China Sea (150 miles away from Batam Island).
Traveling by Air
If you want to reach the island by plane, you’ll have to head to the capital of the Riau Islands—Tanjung Pinang. From the Riau Islands, you then can fly to Matak Airport of the Anamabas Islands. Keep in mind Xpress Air airplane flies between the two airports and only twice a week on Mondays and Saturdays. However, upon landing at Matak Airport, there are still a few things to do. You’ll need to catch a boat ride to Tarempa, the capital of the Anambas Islands. To do so, head toward the main harbor and look for the boat that will bring you to the Bawah Islands.
Traveling by Sea
If you prefer traveling to the Bawah Islands by sea, the boat “The Seven Star Island” is there to give you a ride. It will take you from Tanjung Pinang in the Riau Islands, straight to Tarempa and back. However, the boat trip will take some time. If you’re in a rush, a plane ride or a seaplane should be your go-to option. As previously mentioned, a seaplane is also available that will take you from Batam Island straight to Bawah Islands and is much faster than the Seven Star Island Ferry. If the weather conditions are right, you can arrive in just over an hour!
We won’t blame you if that all sounds a little too much work just to visit an island. However, because of how beautiful Bawah Island is, we genuinely believe that it will be worth all your effort. With world-class beauty over and under the sea, it is a place that should be on everyone’s to-do, or rather, to-go list.
Holiday Inn is a world-renowned hotel chain, and we pride ourselves on providing the best
accommodation at the most affordable rate. If you’re looking for a hotel near the beach in
Batam, book a suite at Holiday Inn today!
