How to Get to the Anambas Islands 2026: Full Guide

The Anambas Islands are one of the most beautiful and least visited archipelagos in Southeast Asia. Scattered across the South China Sea between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, they are part of Indonesia’s Riau Islands province and are known for clear water, granite outcrops and near-empty beaches. That remoteness is exactly why getting there needs planning.

This guide focuses on how to get to the Anambas Islands specifically for luxury travellers and independent island-hoppers starting from Singapore or Batam in 2026 — covering the seaplane route most resort guests use, the public flight and ferry options, and the practical details that make the difference between a smooth arrival and a lost day. If you have not chosen where to stay yet, see our guide to the best luxury resorts in Anambas first.

Where Are the Anambas Islands?

The archipelago lies roughly 300 kilometres northeast of Batam and is made up of more than two hundred islands, most uninhabited. The main administrative town is Tarempa on Siantan Island, while Matak (Palmatak) and Jemaja have small airports. Much of the surrounding sea is protected as a marine conservation area. For a general overview, see the Anambas Islands Regency on Wikipedia.

Because the islands sit far from major hubs, there is no direct international flight. Every route funnels through either Singapore and Batam, or other points in the Riau Islands such as Tanjung Pinang on Bintan.

Route Comparison at a Glance

Option 1: Seaplane via Batam (Luxury Route)

This is how most guests reach Anambas’s top private-island resort. Bawah Reserve operates seaplane transfers that depart from Batam, meaning your journey typically looks like this: arrive in Singapore, take a short ferry from Tanah Merah to Batam’s Nongsa terminal, clear Indonesian immigration, and transfer to the seaplane for a flight of around 80 minutes over the South China Sea. Current details are published on Bawah Reserve’s official site.

The flight itself is a highlight, with low-altitude views over scattered reefs and islands. Seaplanes fly in daylight only and carry strict luggage limits, often around 20 kilograms per person including hand luggage, in soft-sided bags. Pack accordingly and leave anything else in storage in Singapore.

If you are weighing Bawah against a closer island, our Bawah Reserve vs Nikoi Island comparison covers the trade-offs.

What a seaplane transfer day looks like

A typical day starts with a morning ferry from Singapore, timed so that you clear immigration in Batam with time to spare. Resort staff usually meet guests at the terminal and escort them to a lounge, where luggage is weighed and safety briefings are given. The seaplane lands in a sheltered lagoon, and guests step onto a jetty or tender boat rather than a runway. On the return, the process runs in reverse, and most itineraries allow you to connect with an afternoon or evening flight out of Singapore — but only if everything runs to time. Choosing a late-evening departure, or staying another night in Singapore, is the safer approach.

Option 2: Domestic Flights to Matak or Letung

Independent travellers can fly from Batam’s Hang Nadim Airport to Matak (Palmatak) Airport or to Letung on Jemaja Island. These routes are served by small turboprop aircraft and typically operate only a few times a week, with schedules that change seasonally. Book as early as possible, double-check timetables close to departure, and expect strict checked-baggage limits.

From Matak, local boats connect to Tarempa and other inhabited islands. From Letung, Jemaja’s beaches are within easy reach, but onward boat links to the northern islands may require a charter. Arranging a local guide or homestay host to meet you is strongly recommended.

Getting around once you arrive

Inside the archipelago, the main way to move is by boat. Local pompong boats and speedboats connect villages, beaches and dive sites, and most homestays can arrange a captain for the day. Roads exist on the larger islands, with motorbike rental the usual option, but distances on the water are short and the scenery is far better. Agree on the route, price and return time before setting off, and bring a life jacket if you are unsure the boat carries enough.

Option 3: Fast Ferry to Tarempa

Fast ferries link Batam and Tanjung Pinang with Tarempa, often stopping at other Riau Islands along the way. The journey can take most of a day and is heavily affected by sea conditions — services may be cancelled during the northeast monsoon. This option suits travellers on a budget or those already exploring the Riau Islands, perhaps after a stay on Bintan.

Slow passenger ships also operate on longer routes but run infrequently and are rarely practical for a short holiday.

Which route should you choose?

If your budget allows a luxury resort stay, the seaplane is the clear winner: it is fast, scenic and fully coordinated by the resort, which also takes responsibility for timing and weather decisions. If you are travelling independently, the domestic flight saves a full day compared with the ferry, but the limited schedule means your dates may need to fit the timetable rather than the other way round. The ferry makes most sense if you are already in the Riau Islands, have flexible dates, or simply enjoy slow travel and do not mind a long day at sea. Whichever you choose, avoid booking non-refundable international flights on the same day as a transfer.

Step-by-Step: Planning Your Journey

Step 1: Pick your base first

Your accommodation decides your route. Resort guests should follow the resort’s transfer schedule; independent travellers should choose between Siantan (Tarempa) and Jemaja (Letung) before booking flights.

Step 2: Arrive in Singapore or Batam a day early

Seaplanes and small domestic flights leave early and do not wait for delayed international arrivals. An overnight in Singapore or near Nongsa removes most of the risk. Our Singapore gateway guide has ideas for a stopover, and Batam’s luxury resorts make a calm base for a pre-transfer night.

Step 3: Sort Indonesian entry

Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an electronic visa before travel. Check current requirements on the official Indonesian e-visa portal and carry proof of onward travel.

Step 4: Pack for small aircraft and boats

Use soft bags, keep within weight limits, and carry essentials — medication, sunscreen, chargers — in a small dry bag.

Step 5: Confirm the day before

Reconfirm seaplane, flight or ferry times 24 hours ahead, as weather can shift schedules.

Best Time to Travel

Transfers are most reliable between roughly March and October, when the sea is calmer. From about November to February, the northeast monsoon brings stronger winds and swell to the South China Sea, which can disrupt ferries and occasionally seaplanes. Some resorts adjust operations during this period, so check opening dates before planning a winter trip.

Sample trip structures

• Four-night luxury escape: one night in Singapore, a morning ferry and seaplane, three nights on a private island, then a seaplane and ferry back for an evening flight.
• Seven-night independent trip: one night in Batam, a domestic flight to Matak, four nights in Tarempa or a nearby island homestay, a boat to Jemaja for two nights, and a return flight from Letung.
• Combined Riau Islands route: a few nights on Bintan, a fast ferry from Tanjung Pinang to Tarempa, and a flight back to Batam to finish.

Costs and Practical Tips

The seaplane route is usually charged per person as a return transfer on top of the room rate and is a significant part of the overall budget. Domestic flights and ferries are far cheaper, but you will spend more time travelling and may need extra nights to fit around schedules.

• Carry Indonesian rupiah in cash; ATMs are scarce outside Tarempa.
• Mobile data is patchy away from the main towns.
• Travel insurance should cover remote evacuation and weather-related delays.
• Allow at least one buffer day before any international departure.

For more inspiration on remote stays, see our list of the best private-island resorts in Southeast Asia, or browse honeymoon villas in Anambas.

Final Thoughts

Reaching the Anambas Islands takes more effort than most Southeast Asian escapes, but that effort is exactly what keeps them pristine. Choose your base, match your transfer to it, and give yourself a buffer day on either side. Schedules and fees change regularly, so confirm every leg with your resort or operator before you travel.