Getting to Indonesia by Boat

The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country of the world, covering over 17,508 islands in South East Asia. So it is only natural for the country to have developed waterways, which have been significant throughout history. There are various ports, which make getting to Indonesia by boat easier.

Sumatra and Malaysia-Singapore have hi speed ferries running between them. Routes are either Medan–Penang or Dumai–Malacca. Services between Mandalo (Sulawesi) and Philippines are also available. Many cruise lines help in getting to Indonesia by boat.

Between Dumai (Sumatra) and Malaka (Malacca) ferry connections are provided. Ferries also ply from southern Malaysia (Johor Bahru) to the Riau Islands. Speedboats run from east-coast Kalimantan to Sabah in Malaysia.

Most ferry connections are between Singapore and Malaysia. Ports in Sumatra (Riau and its provinces), Malaysia and Singapore connect to Indonesia. Ferries are also available between Malaysia’s Sabah and East Kalimantan on Borneo. These ports connect to Indonesian islands of Jakarta and others.

The major connections from Singapore are through:

Ferries to and from the Bantam ports (Sekupang, Batu Ampar, Nongsa, Marina Teluk Senimba and Batam Centre)

Ferries to and from Bintan ports (Bandar Bintan Telani Lagoi, Bandar Sri Udana Lobam and Tanjung Pinang)

Daily ferries to and from Tanjung Balai in Karimun Island.

Regular ferries to and from Tanjung Batu in Kundur Island.

From Peninsular Malaysia:

Daily ferries from Penang to Belawan, the port for Medan, Sumatra.

Daily ferries from Port Klang near Kuala Lumpur to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra and Tanjung Balai Asahan in North Sumatra.

Daily ferries between Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan and Dumai in Riau province, Sumatra.

Daily ferries from Malacca to Dumai and Pekanbaru in Riau province, Sumatra.

Frequent ferries from Kukup, Johor to Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island in the Riau Islands.

Frequent ferries between the Johor Bahru with Batam and Bintan in the Riau Islands.

Regular ferries between Tanjung Belungkor in Johor with Batam. From Sabah, Malaysia

Daily ferries link Tawau with Nunukan and Tarakan, both in East Kalimantan province on Borneo.

For the airsick, waterways provide an excellent means of getting to Indonesia by boat.

Accommodation in Indonesia
Accommodation in Bali	Accommodation in Jakarta
Accommodation in Lombok	Accommodation in Sumba Island
Accommodation in Parapat	Accommodation in Pasuruan