The Anambas Islands — a remote Riau archipelago in the South China Sea — reward intrepid travellers with some of Southeast Asia's most pristine reefs, deserted beaches, and off-grid luxury.
# Best Luxury Resorts in Anambas Islands, Indonesia 2026
The Anambas Islands lie in the South China Sea between the Malay Peninsula and Borneo — a scattered archipelago of 255 islands, islets, and rocks in Indonesia's Riau Islands Province. Geographically closer to Singapore and Malaysia than to Jakarta, the Anambas remained largely unknown to international travellers until marine scientists began documenting its extraordinary underwater ecosystems. CNN Travel and Lonely Planet have both highlighted Anambas as one of Asia's last great undiscovered diving frontiers — a chain of pristine granite islands ringed by reefs of exceptional health and diversity.
Why Choose Anambas for Luxury Travel
Pristine Reef Systems: Unlike the more accessible dive destinations of Indonesia and Malaysia, Anambas reefs have experienced minimal tourist diving pressure. Coral cover is exceptional, fish biomass is high, and encounters with large pelagics — including whale sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays — are documented regularly. WWF Indonesia has identified the Anambas as a priority marine conservation area within the Coral Triangle.
Dramatic Granite Scenery: Like Belitung to the south, Anambas features huge granite boulders rising from turquoise water — creating spectacular above and below waterline landscapes that lend themselves to photography.
True Remoteness: The Anambas receives a tiny fraction of the visitors that reach Raja Ampat or Komodo. For travellers who genuinely want to escape tourist infrastructure, the archipelago delivers a frontier experience with minimal other visitors in sight.
Strategic Location: Singapore is approximately 280 kilometres to the northwest — making Anambas surprisingly accessible for travellers transiting through Singapore, who can reach the archipelago via ferry to Batam or Bintan followed by further connections.
Accommodation on the Anambas Islands
The Anambas accommodation scene is in its early stages — this is frontier territory for luxury tourism, and the options reflect that reality.
1. Anambas Archipelago Liveaboard Expeditions
The most comprehensive and comfortable way to experience the Anambas diving is aboard a private or shared liveaboard vessel operating multi-day expeditions through the archipelago. Operators including Archipelago Fleet run 5–10 night itineraries from Tarempa (the main town on Siantan Island) or from Batam.
Highlights:
- Access to remote dive sites impossible to reach from shore
- 3–5 dives per day across the full archipelago
- Experienced naturalist dive guides with Anambas-specific knowledge
- Catered meals aboard with fresh local fish
- Snorkelling, kayaking, and beach exploration on deserted islands
- Whale shark and manta ray search itineraries
Best For: Serious divers; underwater photographers; adventurous couples seeking genuine exploration.
2. Anambas Island Resort (Pulau Bawah)
Pulau Bawah Reserve — often listed separately but geographically within the broader Anambas Island group to the south — is the most acclaimed luxury eco-resort in the region. An extraordinary six-lagoon private island sanctuary accessible only by seaplane from Singapore.
Highlights:
- Six pristine lagoons on a private island reserve
- 35 overwater and beach bungalows and villas
- Complete conservation model: no-take marine reserve, solar power, desalination
- All-inclusive rate covering diving, snorkelling, kayaking, and island excursions
- Voted among the world's best eco-resorts by Condé Nast Traveller
- Seaplane transfer from Batam (30 minutes) or charter from Singapore
Best For: Honeymooners; sustainability-focused ultra-luxury travellers; bucket-list seekers.
3. Guesthouses in Tarempa (Siantan Island)
For independent travellers who want to base themselves on the main island and arrange day trips and diving from there, Tarempa has a small selection of clean, simple guesthouses. Facilities are basic but sufficient for adventurous travellers prioritising diving over resort amenities.
Best For: Budget-conscious adventure travellers; those combining Anambas with a Batam or Bintan trip.
Top Dive Sites in the Anambas Islands
| Site | Type | Key Species |
|---|---|---|
| Pulau Bawah Lagoons | Shallow reef | Pristine coral, turtles, reef fish |
| Pulau Jemaja Walls | Deep wall | Reef sharks, barracuda, large grouper |
| Pulau Matak South | Pinnacle | Whale sharks (seasonal), mantas |
| Pulau Ayam Reef | Coral garden | Exceptional hard coral cover, nudibranch |
| Selat Lampa Drift | Drift dive | Pelagic schooling fish, strong currents |
According to Coral Triangle Initiative documentation, the Anambas Islands sit within the heart of the Coral Triangle — the global centre of marine biodiversity — and contain reef systems among the least disturbed by human activity in the entire region.
Beyond Diving: Anambas Island Experiences
Deserted Island Hopping: The archipelago contains dozens of uninhabited islands with pristine beaches reachable by speedboat from Tarempa. A day charter with a local captain allows complete freedom to explore empty beaches and snorkel off deserted shores.
Traditional Fishing Villages: Several small fishing communities on outer islands maintain traditional Malay fishing lifestyles largely unchanged by tourism. Village visits, particularly on Pulau Siantan and Pulau Jemaja, offer rare authentic cultural encounters.
Freshwater Waterfalls: Several islands in the Anambas have interior waterfalls fed by tropical rainfall — a refreshing contrast to the surrounding saltwater. The waterfall on Pulau Siantan near Tarempa is the most accessible.
Birdwatching: The islands' forest interiors support significant populations of tropical forest birds rarely observed in more visited destinations. BirdLife International has documented multiple endemic and near-endemic species within the Riau Archipelago.
When to Visit the Anambas Islands
Best Season (March–October): The northeast monsoon ends around February, leaving calm South China Sea conditions from March through October. April–August offers the finest diving visibility.
Avoid (November–February): The northeast monsoon brings strong winds and rough seas — liveaboard operations are frequently suspended and island access becomes challenging.
BMKG Indonesia provides South China Sea marine weather forecasts covering the Anambas and surrounding waters.
How to Get to the Anambas Islands
Route 1 — via Batam/Tanjung Pinang:
- Fly from Singapore, Jakarta, or Kuala Lumpur to Batam (Hang Nadim Airport)
- Ferry from Batam to Tanjung Pinang (30 minutes)
- Ferry from Tanjung Pinang to Tarempa, Anambas (8–12 hours, overnight options available)
Route 2 — via Seaplane (Pulau Bawah only):
- Charter seaplane from Batam directly to Pulau Bawah Reserve (30 minutes)
- This is the exclusive transfer option for Pulau Bawah Reserve guests
Route 3 — Liveaboard departure from Batam:
- Most liveaboard operators collect guests in Batam before sailing to the Anambas overnight
Practical Tips
- Permits: Indonesian citizens and most foreigners can visit the Anambas without special permits, but verify current entry requirements as regulations for remote Riau Islands areas can change.
- Cash: Very limited ATM access in Tarempa. Bring sufficient Rupiah from Batam or Singapore.
- Language: English is rarely spoken outside liveaboard operations and Pulau Bawah Resort. Basic Bahasa Indonesia is helpful.
- Medical: Medical facilities are basic. Comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation cover (to Singapore or Batam) is essential.
*More remote Indonesia island guides:* Best luxury resorts Raja Ampat 2026 | Best luxury resorts Belitung Island 2026 | Best luxury dive resorts Banda Islands 2026
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