About 20km south of Singapore, Batam is one of the fastest growing parts of the Riau Islands and the easiest to reach from Singapore. Though in Indonesian waters, in recent years Batam has become popular with day trippers and weekend visitors, who flock to the island for its golf, duty free shopping, beaches and delicious seafood restaurants.

More than 600,000 tourist visit Batam each year, more than any other place in Indonesia except for Bali. Ferries ply every 30 minutes during daylight hours between the World trade centre in Singapore and either Sekupang or Batu Ampur on the north coast of Batam.