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13 Islands You Can Reach By Ferry Or Coach From Singapore

13 Islands You Can Reach By Ferry Or Coach From Singapore, Short Getaway Ideas For Couples Or Families, Style Degree, Singapore, sg

Itching for a short getaway from Singapore during the long weekends but have budget constraints?

Or maybe you are saving up for that big retreat at the end of the year?

Nonetheless, it is still possible to escape from Singapore to a nearby island to catch a breather using the simplest (& possibly the cheapest) mode of transportation – ferry or bus.

Get travel-inspired with these 13 islands you can easily reach by ferry or bus from Singapore for a weekend getaway!


Click to find different islands to travel to: 


By Ferry

9 Islands By Ferry From Singapore. Short Weekend Getaway Ideas From Singapore, Getaway Ideas For Couples Families, Style Degree, Singapore, SG
Save and send this handy map to your friends/family to ‘jio’ them for a weekend getaway!

1. Batam

Image source: hiveminer

What to do there:

Sightseeing & fun: Barelang Bridge, Nongsa Beach, Golfing, Massage, Water sports at SeaForest Adventur

Image source: Sea Forest Adventure

Shopping: Mega Mall Shopping Centre (connected from Batam Center), Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall, Batam City Square, Diamond City Mall

Food: A2 Food Court, Murtabak (Indonesian pancake also known as min jiang kueh in Singaporean terms), Astro Kopitiam (Bak Kut Teh, Indonesian satay)

Image source: The Smart Local

How to get there: Book tickets online and choose from a range of ferry operators that depart either from Harbourfront Centre or Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. After a 50 -70 minutes ride, you can drop off either at Batam Center, Nongsapura, Sekupang, Waterfront or Harbour Bay.

2. Sugi Island

Image source: Telunas Resorts

What to do there: Mangroves swamps, enjoy your overwater living experience built on silts, Spas, Kayaking

How to get there: Get in touch with Telunas Resort on Sugi island. They will be able to pick you up from Sekupang Ferry Terminal in Batam.

3. Bintan

Image source: Klook

What to do there:

Sightseeing & fun: Senggarang Water Village, Palong Village, Mangrove tour in Sebung River, Kelong fish village tour

Beach/resorts: Trikora Beach Club & Resort, Lagoi Bay Beach, Nirwana Gardens, Argo Beach Resort, Glamping at Canopi

Image source: Avenue One

Food: Sebung Village for seafood, Pizzeria Casa Italia Pizza (along Trikora Beach), Pisang Keju

Image source: Bintan Resorts

How to get there: Book tickets online and choose from a range of ferry operators (Bintan Resort Ferries, Majestic Fast Ferry, Sindo Ferry, Mozaic Ferry Lines) that depart from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

4. St John’s Island

Image source: little day out

What to do there: If you are obsessed with cats, you can meet them all around the island! Have a picnic by the beach, or join a guided nature tour there. Do note that the guided tour only happens the first Sunday of every month.

Note that there are no stores, eateries, or water coolers on St. John’s island, so you’ll need to bring your own food and drinks, including enough drinking water to last you the day!

Tip: Keep cold drinks or hot snacks fresh in an insulated picnic bag

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How to get there: By ferry from Marina South Pier, the journey takes around 45 minutes. You can book your tickets online via Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services.

5. Lazarus Island

Image source: Singapore Island Cruise

What to do there: Lo and behold, this beach is yours. Lazarus island is known for its tranquility and its clear blue waters. Find a comfortable spot, lay down your picnic mats and enjoy the calmness.

There are no stores, eateries or water coolers on Lazarus island, so do pack your own food and drinks, including enough drinking water to last you the day.

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How to get there: Enter Lazarus island from St John’s island via a connecting bridge.

Looking for comfortable picnic spots right in Singapore? Find some lesser-known places here.

Image source: Singapore Land Authority

6. Kusu Island

Image source: Singapore Land Authority

What to do there: Visit the Da Bo Gong Temple if you are a devotee. Picnic or swim in one of their beaches and lagoons. Kusu island is known as the tortoise island, hence be sure to spot loads of tortoise figures around the island.

Do note that Kusu island does not have retail and F&B shops on the island. Hence, do prepare your food and drinks, including plain drinking water, beforehand!

From portable lunch boxes to stylish picnic baskets, pack with our wide array of picnic essentials below.

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How to get there: By ferry from Marina South Pier, the journey takes around 2 hours. You can book your tickets online via Singapore Island Cruise & Ferry Services.

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Private Islands By Ferry

Along Bintan Island are 3 private islands (marked out in red location pin) available for a sweet escape from the city life.

Take a stroll along the shores, enjoy a relaxing spa and soak in the sun on these islands.

It is definitely the epitome of just chilling!

9 Islands By Ferry From Singapore. Short Weekend Getaway Ideas From Singapore, Getaway Ideas For Couples Families, Style Degree, Singapore, SG
Save and send this handy map to your friend/family to jio them for a weekend getaway!

7. Nikoi Island

Image source: Nikoi island’s Facebook page

How to get there: Travel by ferry to Bintan Resorts (Bandar Bentan Telani), enter the island via a 20 minutes speedboat ride. The private island is run by a sole operator, hence you can contact them directly for bookings and enquires via their website.

8. Pulau Pangkil

Image source: Pulau Pangkil private island resort

How to get there: From Singapore travel by ferry to Bintan (Bandar Bentan Telani). Land transfer to Pangkil’s private Pama jetty will be provided. View more details here.

9. Pulau Joyo

Image source: The Asia Collective

How to get there: From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, take a ferry to Tanjung Pinang. The resort staff will transport you to the island. View more details here.

By Coach

Save and send this handy map to your friends/family to ‘jio’ them for a weekend getaway!

10. Malacca

Image source: FoodAdvisor

What to do there:

Sightseeing & fun: Jonker street (night markets on Friday and Saturday nights), Mamee Jonker House, A’Farmosa Resort, hidden white sand dunes at Padang Pasir Klebang

Food: Chicken rice balls, Cendol (sold by Aunty Koh along Jalan Batang Tiga), Keblang Original Coconut Shake

How to get there: Book a bus ticket online with the available operators (e.g easybook.com, redBus, BusOnlineTicket). The journey will take approximately 3 hours.

Tip: For a hassle-free night market experience, keep cash easily accessible with a travel wallet that hangs around your neck.

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11. Tioman

Image source: Sunrise Odyssey

Love marine life? This is the place for you! With waters this clear, immerse yourself in the wonders of nature.

What to do there: Scuba-diving, Snorkelling, Water sports (e.g kayaking), Trekking

How to get there: Take a bus from Singapore to Mersing Jetty or Tanjong Gemok, the journey will take approximately 3.5 hours. Afterward, take a 1.5 hours ferry ride to Tioman island. You can check out Discovery Tours & Travels which offers transportation and accommodation booking services from Singapore to Tioman.

Tip: Pack along a day bag with compartments to separate wet and dry clothes after your water activities.

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12. Genting Highlands

Image source: Shuttershock

What to do there:

Shopping & Fun: Sky Avenue, Genting Highlands Premium Outlets, SkyCasino, Skytropolis Funland (an indoor theme park)

Sightseeing: Cable car (Awana Skyway or Genting Skyway Cable System), Chin Swee Caves Temple

How to get there: Book a bus ticket online with the available operators (e.g easybook.com, redBus, BusOnlineTicket). The journey will take 5-6 hours.

Especially for short trips, it will be efficient and useful to only pack what you need. Check out some tips to pack light here!

13. Cameron Highlands

Image source: cameronhighlands.net

What to do there:

Sightseeing: Strawberry farm, Boh Tea Plantation, Honeybee farm, Rose Village, Gunung Brinchang Trail for trekking

How to get there: Book a bus ticket online with the available operators (e.g easybook.com, redBus, BusOnlineTicket). The journey will take approximately 9 hours.


Have we got you excited and dreaming about your next getaway?

While we know travelling is every Singaporean’s favourite past time, packing for travels might be a chore.

Fret not, our extensive range of travel essentials are here to help you out on an organized travel!

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Travelling for the first time after the pandemic? Pack your own travel safety kit with our interactive post-pandemic travel checklist.

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