Navin Kumar Perianen
The Johor to Batam ferry from Puteri Harbour does not land at Batam Centre or Harbour Bay. It sails to Gold Coast Ferry Terminal in Bengkong, on Batam’s northeast coast. The route opened on 1 November, and travel guides link the terminal to beach clubs and seafood restaurants.
Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru Sigit Suryantoro Widiyanto welcomed the launch. He said the route gives Johor residents an extra travel option, according to Kontan. The remarks came as Johor drew more than 1.5 million Indonesian visits.
Overall, here is what surrounds the terminal, how it differs from the older ports and when the boats sail.
Why Bengkong, and what is nearby
The Gold Coast terminal sits in Bengkong, on the northeast coast of Batam. Travel guides treat it as the doorstep to the island’s beach strip. A Singapore travel site says the ferry brings you to the doorstep of the Blue Fire Beach Club.
Guides also describe beach clubs and seafood restaurants along the nearby coast. Hotels and villas for beach stays are listed in the same area. As a result, the stop suits families and groups looking for a beach break, not a shopping trip.
Sigit also said that eight of the 11 passenger ferry links between the two countries run through Johor Bahru. Puteri Harbour is not the only Johor departure point for Bengkong. The terminal’s own schedule lists Dolphin Fast Ferry departures from Bengkong to Stulang Laut in Johor Bahru. However, ferry listings show Pasir Gudang boats going to Batam Centre and Harbour Bay instead.
Instead, Opus Bay Batam offers a different kind of stay. The resort opens in December with its own ferry terminal on the west coast.
How it differs from Batam Centre and Harbour Bay
By contrast, Batam Centre is closer to the city centre, the same travel site says. A hotel guide updated in October says the terminal links by bridge to Mega Mall Batam Centre. That makes the port convenient for shopping.
Harbour Bay sits on a downtown waterfront, about 10 minutes from Nagoya, the hotel guide says. A Marriott hotel is a four-minute walk from the terminal. As a result, hotels and shops are close by.
Read more: Puteri Harbour to Batam ferry opens as Johor draws 1.5m visitors
Read more: Opus Bay Batam to open in December with own ferry terminal
Read more: Batam-Penang flights take off as Batik Air’s direct route is live
Therefore, Batam Centre suits travellers who want malls and city streets first. Likewise, Harbour Bay suits a weekend without a car. Both ports put the city within easy reach.
Gold Coast trades that convenience for the beach. However, one booking site says the drive to Batam Centre or the airport typically takes around 30 minutes. Traffic can change that, so malls and city sights need a taxi, Grab or Gojek ride.
Times, fares and tickets
BFerry’s schedule lists three daily sailings from Puteri Harbour, at 8.30am, 12pm and 6.30pm Malaysia time. From Bengkong, it lists departures at 8am, 2pm and 4pm Batam time, which is one hour behind. Check the operator’s schedule before you plan the day.
The operator lists a one-way adult fare of RM135 and RM95 for a child. An open return costs RM195 for an adult and RM140 for a child, valid for three months. Fares include tax, sailing insurance and 20kg of checked baggage.
Meanwhile, the operator advises checking in at least 90 minutes before departure. Bring an original passport valid for six months. Book through the operator’s online booking page.
Moreover, the haze can affect Batam trips. Check the latest haze advice before you go. In short, the Johor to Batam ferry is a route to Batam’s beach coast, not to its city centre. Confirm the latest times with the operator before you buy.
Sashidaran Gunathevan
Yalinie Mathan
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