Beyond Bawah

Ten more Indonesian islands close to Singapore.

1. Batam Island

A popular daytrip for Singaporeans thanks to excellent shopping, spas, food and golf courses, Batam is busy upping its tourism ante. Only an hour’s ferry ride from Singapore, its Nongsa stretch of coast is home to upmarket stays such as Montigo Resort (hotel.qantas.com. au/montigonongsanongsa).

2. Bintan Island

About an hour by ferry from Batam Island, Bintan offers a change of pace from its more hectic sibling. The largest of the Riau islands, it’s home to beautiful beaches and cultural sites such as the stilt village Senggarang. The Lagoi area has been colonised by resorts including The Sanchaya (hotel.qantas.com. au/sanchayalagoi), a serene idyll by the palm-fringed beach.

3. Sugi Island

Just 27 kilometres south-west of Batam Island, the famed beaches and unspoiled nature of Sugi Island are easily reached by boat. It’s a go-to daytrip destination thanks to endless water sports and trekking trails – and if you want to stay, the affordable Telunas Beach Resort (telunasresorts.com) has your accommodation all sewn up.

4. Telunas Private Island

Fifteen overwater bungalows set the scene at this small and luxurious private isle (telunasresorts.com), just off Sugi Island. Each is equipped with a cute children’s loft so the youngsters can sample paradise as well. There’s no wi-fi or television – but who cares when you can enjoy a massage on your ocean-facing verandah?

5. Pulau Pangkil

A 30-minute speedboat ride from Bintan Island, this escape (pangkil.com) can be booked exclusively, making it a popular choice for Singaporeans celebrating milestone birthdays. Gather 60 of your closest friends and family for a stylish, rustic getaway, staying in bungalows made from driftwood and enjoying a restaurant, bar and pool.

6. Pulau Joyo

With only six beach bungalows and a maximum of 45 guests, it’s not difficult to find a stretch of sand to call your own at this spot (joyoresort.com) in the Riau archipelago – but there’s also an alluring swimming pool nestled in lush tropical gardens.

7. Karimun Island

Less than 40 kilometres south-west of Singapore (or 90 minutes by ferry) lies this charming island of fabled white-sand beaches, waterfalls, temples and excellent diving. The vibrant main town of Tanjung Balai has traditional stilt houses known as kelongs rising out of the water, while its restaurants are renowned for their fresh seafood.

8. Nikoi Private Island

Eight kilometres off Bintan Island, this retreat’s (nikoi.com) back-tonature credentials include ancient banyan trees, coral-filled waters teeming with tropical marine life and buildings crafted from driftwood. Five-star luxury without the bling, it also boasts toes-in-the-sand dining.

9. Cempedak Private Island

An eco-conscious castaway fantasy come to life, this secluded island (cempedak.com) covers 17 hectares of untrammelled jungle surrounded by deserted beaches. Each of the 20 bamboo villas has its own private plunge pool, with activities such as tennis, volleyball and rock climbing also on offer.

10. Anambas islands

This cluster of sparsely populated islands is famed for its natural beauty and excellent diving, making it a popular destination for Indonesians as well as a growing cohort of international visitors. The main island, Siantan, has budget-friendly accommodation such as Anambas Resort (anambasresort.com) and there are plenty of uninhabited isles to explore by day.