How we spent an idyllic weekend at Nongsa, Batam, eating, playing and sightseeing
When life hits us hard, sometimes what we need is a breather away from the fast-paced city — an escape away from reality, where we can soak in the gentle ocean breeze and find solace in tranquillity.
While the likes of Bali, Bintan or Phuket — with their glistening, clear-blue waters and sandy beaches — may be top-of-mind, there’s an idyllic oasis close by to Singapore that’s equally as picturesque. Located just a convenient 30-min ferry ride away from Singapore is Nongsa, Batam.
And the best part? Some resorts in Nongsa, Batam, come with so many activities you don’t even have to leave the premises, as we did during a recent weekend trip we took to Montigo Resorts in Nongsa.
Here’s our round-up of six things to do, if you’re looking to make a trip of it!
Where is Nongsa?
You might have heard of Batam, but if Nongsa doesn’t ring a bell, it’s a popular sub-district of Batam City reputed for its flourishing beach tourism.
Surrounded by lush beaches and gorgeous villas overlooking the seafront, Nongsa is a postcard-worthy paradise with scenic views at every turn.
And it’s not just the scenery that draws tourists there — it’s also home to a myriad of heart-pumping activities, including water sports, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tours, hiking and golfing — the list goes on.
While there are several resorts in the Nongsa district, we stayed at the five-star Montigo Resorts Nongsa, which tends to be a crowd favourite among visitors to this part of Batam.
Backed by a 13-year legacy, it calls itself the “Santorini of the east”, thanks to its white-toned villas and Mediterranean influences, set against the beautiful backdrop of the turquoise blue sky.
Each room at Montigo Resorts Nongsa features an expansive sky terrace, which boasts an unobstructed vista of the South China Sea.
With so much promise, and at such proximity, we jumped at the chance to take a quick weekend jaunt over.
Getting to Montigo Resorts in Nongsa
First up, book your ferry tickets via trusted ferry providers or online travel-agent websites. We booked ours through BatamFast.
Ferries to Batam depart from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal — there are several ferry terminals in Singapore, so make sure you have the right one down.
The check-in process is typically relatively quick and hassle-free, but do expect long queues during peak travel periods such as the school holidays. We suggest reaching the terminal at least an hour before departure — you don’t want to miss your ferry.
The entire ferry ride takes approximately 30 minutes — just enough time for a quick snooze — and before you know it, you’ll be at Nongsapura Ferry Terminal in Batam.
Immigration at Nongsapura Ferry Terminal was quick — we were out of the terminal within five minutes.
Once done, we boarded a bus — a complimentary pick-up service, courtesy of the resort — outside the ferry terminal, which whisked us straight to Montigo Resorts Nongsa, an uphill drive of about 10 minutes.
Guests heading over from Batam Centre can also get to the resort via Grab in just 30 minutes, too, and it costs less than S$10.
Our 2D1N itinerary: 6 things we did in Nongsa, Batam
From the moment we arrived at Montigo Resorts Nongsa, the resort staff greeted us with bright smiles, resounding “hellos” and welcome drinks.
We stayed in a deluxe one-bedroom villa that comes with a king-sized canopy bed, a private pool and a bathroom complete with a bathtub.
1. Lunch at Pantai
Our first stop was Pantai, one of the five restaurants at Montigo Resorts. We got there using the resort’s 24-hour buggy service, which can be easily called upon using the resort’s concierge service via Whatsapp.
Pantai is an open-air restaurant, designed to resemble a tropical-themed hideaway with its rustic brown hues and plentiful greenery. It’s retrofitted in rattan and wooden fixtures, with abundant sunlight streaming in from above, making for a fantastic spot for photos if you’re into the sun-kissed, island-girl look.
Chinese cuisine takes centrestage at Pantai.
There, you can enjoy decadent dishes, such as the deep-fried prawns in salted egg sauce (from 235,000 rupiah or S$19.03) that melt in your mouth and nourishing seafood paradise soup with prawn, fish maw, squid and crab meat (from 170,000 rupiah).
The wok-fried mud crab with black pepper sauce (seasonal price) is also a signature here. It’s imbued with a fragrant, smoky aroma, elevated by the spicy and rich black pepper sauce. And on the inside, the meat is succulent and tender, brimming with fresh brininess.
2. Engage in water sports
The outdoor activities were easily the highlight of our trip. Montigo Resorts in Nongsa offers a slew of thrilling water sports, ranging from parasailing to banana boats and jet skiing.
Note that all water sports require you to reserve a time slot in advance. Their availability is also dependent on the tide levels, and all water sports, regardless of the weather conditions, will only run till 5pm.
Although we wanted to try parasailing, the ski boat was under maintenance. So, we opted for the next best (and exciting!) activity instead: Jet-skiing (from 1,125,000 rupiah for 30 minutes).
If it’s your first time jet-skiing, fret not. There will be an instructor with you at every step of the way, guiding you through the know-hows of operating the boat and leading the way on the water.
You can either enjoy the ride solo or with a partner — I much preferred the company of my co-worker, and together, we had an exhilarating time taking turns speeding through the sea.
The entire activity lasts 30 minutes, but you can also opt for an hour-long session at 2,500,000 rupiah.
3. Enjoy the sunset
If you haven’t had many opportunities to sit back and watch the sunset in Singapore, you best make time for the ones at Nongsa, Batam.
The panoramic view from our room is unparalleled, as you get a breathtaking view of the sun making its gradual descent, casting a warm, golden-hued glow on the entire villa (at least from our vantage point).
Coupled with the soothing surrounding ambience, the sunset we enjoyed that evening was a surreal sight, and we were happy to just spend a good amount of time quietly admiring the sky above.
4. Dinner at Tiigo Nongsa
Once the sun goes down, that’s when all the festivities begin.
Dinner was a lively, fun-filled affair at Tiigo Nongsa. Nestled by the poolside, it offers a vibrant al fresco dining experience, accompanied by a spectacular view of the twinkling night sky.
Besides good food, upbeat music also blares in the background, blasting pop hits that you can sing your heart out to.
There’s also a bar where you can watch bartenders skilfully whipping up concoctions.
Here, barbecue dishes take the limelight, with delicious, smoke-tinged dishes heading the menu.
Seafood lovers shouldn’t miss the Tiigo seafood platter (175,000 rupiah), which boasts fresh seafood such as fried calamari rings, prawns and fish. It’s also served with three dips that bring out the flavours of the proteins well: Cheese, yoghurt, and sweet chilli.
We quite like the wood-fired pizzas, which come in a whopping 16 flavours, as well — we’re not kidding when we say you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Our favourite was the rendang pizza (185,000 rupiah) with moreish beef rendang cubes on a chewy pizza base. It’s also topped with gooey mozzarella cheese, which adds to the indulgence of the entire dish.
Other timeless classics would be the Hawaiian (185,000 rupiah), margherita (165,000 rupiah or S$13.36) and pepperoni (185,000 rupiah).
5. Breakfast at Tadd’s
For our final morning, we had breakfast at Tadd’s, another restaurant at the resort. Here, you’ll be treated to scrumptious breakfast buffet spreads — it’s pastries galore, with croissants, danishes, omelettes, and many more to savour.
Breakfast is only served from 7am to 10am, so head down early to enjoy the full spread of breakfast items.
6. Lunch at Warung Montigo
We couldn’t leave without trying the food at Warung Montigo, a restaurant that pays homage to the vibrant food scene in Indonesia. It features an eclectic menu boasting traditional Indonesian dishes — a must-visit, especially if you only have time for a limited number of restaurants at the resort.
Some standouts at Warung Montigo are the asam pedas melayu (222,000 rupiah), where fish comes simmered in a piquant, spicy-tangy tamarind curry, and the bakar iga madu (235,000 rupiah), with barbecued beef ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender.
We recommend ordering a couple of the dishes on Warung Montigo’s menu to share, so you get a taste of Indonesia’s best.
Our final thoughts
If you’re craving an island getaway but don’t have the time or budget to head to the likes of Bali, Santorini or the Maldives, then Nongsa in Batam is a good alternative to get the greatest bang for your buck within the least amount of time.
Given its proximity, it is the perfect neighbouring location for a quick weekend getaway — the ferry ride there costs significantly less than a flight ticket, too.
Despite our short stay at Montigo Resorts in Nongsa, we had a great time, exploring the restaurants and sights here. The food was great, and the views were breathtaking, too.
It’s a refreshing retreat from urban life, and it’s where we’d likely return to if we ever find ourselves needing a brief getaway away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore.
This writer was invited by Montigo Resorts. All opinions expressed are our own.
For other travel-related eats, read our guides about Bangkok’s best cafes to visit, and Penang food spots you can’t miss out on. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here.
You can also book a ride to get around Nongsa, Batam.
