Looking for the perfect short getaway from Singapore to enjoy quality time with your family this June school holiday? Look no further! We have curated a list of fantastic destinations that will cater to every family member’s interests and provide a much-needed escape from the bustling city life. Whether you seek relaxation on pristine beaches, thrilling adventures in nature, or cultural exploration in charming towns, these destinations offer something for everyone. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable family adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime. So pack your bags, buckle up, and get ready for an amazing getaway with your loved ones!
BATAM
One of the nearest and most familiar to most Singaporeans is Batam. From a fishing village 30 years ago, Batam has been modernised as a free trade zone, with enchanting beaches, luxury hotels, and golf resorts attracting travellers of all ages.
With many fun activities to do in Batam, let’s begin with one of the biggest reasons for travelling to Batam. Compared to Singapore and even Johor, the cost of living in Batam might be even lower. This means you can stretch your dollar further while enjoying the best of what Batam has to offer.
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For example, you could watch the latest English movies at Grand Batam Mall for under $10 or relax with a smoothing massage that starts at just $20 per hour. What’s more, you don’t have to think twice about the cost of eating seafood in Batam like you might at the local cai fan stall.
Of course, shopping at the Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall and eating are not the only activities that you can do in Batam. You could burn some rubber at the go-kart circuits at either the Marina Circuit Batam or Golden City Go-Kart. A friendly-piece of advice, you might want to bring your own helmet if you are particular about cleanliness and smell.
For a more relaxing trip, you could consider visiting places of worship like the Tua Pek Kong Temple, or attraction parks like the Vietnam Village and Terih Village. At the same time, you should not be leaving Batam without visiting some of the beaches around the island. Head to Turi Beach for some relaxing water activities like the river cruise or ride on the Banana boat or for the more experienced divers, explore the shallow reefs at Abang Island, located just off the Southern side of Batam.
There are 5 ferry terminals in Batam that we can get to from either the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal or the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore. The journey takes around 45 minutes to under an hour by any of the four ferry operators—BatamFast Ferry, Horizon Fast Ferry, Majestic Fast Fery, and Sindo Ferry and costs $73 per pax for a round trip.
Habourfront Ferry Terminal To Harbour Bay (By Horizon Fast Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Total: $73
ETA: 50 minutes
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal To Nongsapura (By BatamFast Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $41
Surcharge: $14
Departure Fee: $18
Total: $73
ETA: 50 minutes
Harbourfront Ferry Terminal to Batam Centre (By Sindo Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $40
Surcharge: $16
Departure Fee: $17
Total: $73
ETA: 1 hour
Tanah Merah to Batam Centre (By BatamFast Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $41
Surcharge: $14
Departure Fee: $18
Total: $73
ETA: 45 minutes
Tanah Merah to Sekupang (By Sindo Ferry)
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $40
Surcharge: $16
Departure Fee: $17
Total: $73
ETA: 50 minutes
BINTAN RESORTS
If the Batam experience wasn’t your cup of tea, perhaps Bintan could add a touch of class. As a part of the Riau archipelago and the largest among the 3,200 islands, its size stands around 2.5 times that of Singapore.
As a result, there’s no shortage of accommodation at Bintan Resorts, from luxury villas with private pools to affordable chalets and romantic villas with breathtaking views of the South China Sea. One of the more well-known resorts is Club Med Bintan, which offers 30 activities like entertainment shows by G.O.s., various water sports activities as part of its package, and another 32 on-demand activities like massages, cooking lessons, and use of the Laguna Golf Club.
While it’s easy to pass the time by just enjoying the many facilities of the resorts, you might want to venture outside to take in the flora and fauna that Bintan has to offer. From snorkelling in the blue waters at Trikora Beach to taking some Instagram-worthy photos at Bintan Sand Dunes to the intriguing sights of the thriving fauna found at the Bintan Mangrove, there are many activities that could keep you engaged and wanting more.
You can take a ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bintan’s Bandar Bentan Telani from any of the three operators: Bintan Resort Ferries, Majestic Fast Ferry, and Sindo Ferry. Based on the information provided by Bintan Resort Ferries, it takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes to travel each way and costs between $90 and $100 per pax for a round trip, with ferry services available each day of the week.
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket Per Pax: $56-66
Levies and fees: $34
Total: $90-$100
ETA: 1hr10m
DESARU COAST
The first destination on our list of ferry getaways is the Desaru Coast. Located on the southeastern coast of Johor, near the small town of Bandar Penawar, Desaru is marketed as an integrated destination resort for all budgets.
One of the must-visit attractions in Desaru is the Adventure Waterpark. It is one of the biggest wave pools in the world and has over 20 wet and dry rides, slides, and attractions that families, young and old, can soak in for a fun-filled day. Alternatively, you can also enjoy water sports activities like a tide pool walking tour, paddleboarding, and kayaking at the sandy Desaru Beach
If none of these activities appeal to you, then you could tee off at the Els Club, a 45-hole golfing paradise designed by the man, himself, Ernie Els. As you go through the course, enjoy the wonderful scenery of rolling valleys and the blue waters of the South China Sea.
The ferry to Desaru goes from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and is run by BatamFast Ferry every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Departure times are from 8.30 am (from Tanah Merah) and 5.30 pm (from Desaru). The journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and costs $118 for a roundtrip per pax.
Cost Breakdown Per Pax
Round Trip Ticket: $78
Surcharge: $20
Departure Fee: $20
Total: $118
ETA: 1hr30m
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