We rose early for Pulau Tunjuk, one of Batam city’s surrounding islands, because we needed to catch the high tide at about 9am for an hour-long boat ride. We dropped off from our car at Kerambah, were there was a cluster of kelongs that’s rather unexposed to tourists.

The village folk went about their daily lives as freshly-bathed children with faces covered in white powder hid behind their parents. We walked on a long deck as wide as four to five planks before reaching a boat service (300,000 Rp, ~S$30). The boatman wound the motor which gave off a few loud bangs before we set sail.

Sitting at the tip in front gave the best view of the distant strips of land and cotton-like clouds. The wind currents changed subtly between warm and cool and the waves caught the sunlight like crystals.

Pulau Tunjuk is a kampung detached from urbanisation with thatched-roof houses, uncaged chickens pecking on coconuts husks, and a few meowing cats that followed us. Near the jetty is the only snack bar and toilet, and there were a couple of hammocks made from fishing nets where we rested to the sound of lapping waves.

I filled my pockets with seashells and popped seagrapes as we walked down the beach under the shade of coconut trees. The tip of the island ended in a bend where we made a 360° video as a boatman sailed by on a sampan in the distance.

Address: Pulau Tunjuk, Subangmas, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia
Getting there: Boat ride from Kerambah
Fees: 300,000 Rp, ~S$30 for boat

Keramba Dan Rumah Makan Seafood Pak Ucu

Address: Rempang Cate Kec. Galang Kota Batam
Telephone: 0852 7253 5455 or 0812 7546 7141