By Blaise Jaeger · Updated October 24, 2026

Why Visit the Anambas Islands?

The Anambas Islands are what many travelers imagine when they think of Indonesia, and almost none of them ever get there: granite boulders, empty white beaches, turquoise lagoons and villages built on stilts over the water, scattered across the South China Sea between Singapore and Borneo. There are no crowds, no beach clubs and very few hotels. Getting there takes planning, which is exactly why it still feels like this.

I went twice, in November and December 2018, on personal trips. This guide covers what I saw, where I stayed, and how to get there. For the rest of the country, see my Indonesia travel guide.

The Anambas Islands at a Glance

• Where: in the South China Sea, about 280 km (150 nautical miles) northeast of Batam, in the Riau Islands province of Indonesia.
• Size: 255 islands, most of them uninhabited, with around 50,000 people.
• Main islands: Siantan, with the capital Tarempa; Jemaja, with the town of Letung; Matak, the oil and gas base, with an airport.
• Airport: Letung, on Jemaja, with small planes from Batam and Tanjung Pinang; Matak airport has no commercial flights today.
• By sea: fast ferries from Batam and Tanjung Pinang to Letung and Tarempa, about 7 to 9 hours.
• Best time: March to October, before the northeast monsoon brings rougher seas.
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah. Bring enough cash for boats and guesthouses.

My Two Trips to the Anambas

My first trip, in November 2018, started in Tarempa, the little capital on Siantan. The next morning I visited the Temburun waterfall and the harbor, then moved to the Anambas Dive Resort, built on stilts over the reef east of Siantan, where I spent the night. The following day was a long boat day south, from island to island, with a climb to a viewpoint above a turquoise lagoon. I ended the trip on Jemaja, the island of the other airport, and flew back to Batam from Letung.

A month later, in December 2018, I came back, landing on Matak again and crossing to the east coast by boat. That evening, the sun set behind the granite boulders off Berhala. The next day, as we were heading back, my driver asked me if I wanted to come to a wedding in his village. I said yes, and ended up on the stage with the bride and groom, in their gold wedding clothes.

Best Things to Do in the Anambas Islands

Tarempa, a town on stilts

Tarempa, on Siantan, is the capital of the archipelago and its main port. Much of the town is built on stilts over the bay, with wooden walkways, fishing boats and a green mountain rising right behind the houses. Walk along the waterfront in the morning, when the fish market is busiest, and climb the hill behind town for the view over the bay.

The Temburun waterfall

On the east side of Siantan, the Temburun waterfall drops in several stages over wide granite slabs, with a view down to the sea. Come in the morning, when it is cooler and quieter, and bring sandals for the rocks.

Island hopping and the lagoons

The real reason to come is the sea: dozens of islands with white sand spits, shallow lagoons in every shade of turquoise and granite boulders. Hire a boat with a driver in Tarempa or through your hotel, and spend a day going from island to island. On the island south of Siantan where we stopped, a short, steep path through the forest led to a viewpoint over the lagoon below.

Jemaja

Jemaja, in the west of the archipelago, is the second main island, with the town of Letung and its small airport. It is quieter still than Siantan, with long, empty beaches lined with forest.

Sunset on the east coast

On the east side of the archipelago, around Berhala, the coast is a line of palm-lined coves and huge granite boulders in the water. Ask your boat driver to stay out until sunset.

Diving and Snorkeling in the Anambas

I did not dive in the Anambas, but even from the deck of the Anambas Dive Resort the reef was right there, a few meters under the bungalows, in very clear water. The archipelago is known for its coral gardens, and Pulau Bawah, in the south, is a protected reserve with lagoons for snorkeling and diving. There are also two wrecks, the Seven Skies and the Igara, that attract divers. Diving here is organized through the few resorts, so plan it before you go.

For the best dive sites across the country, see my guide to the best diving in Indonesia.

Where to Stay in the Anambas Islands

Accommodation is limited and simple, apart from one luxury resort, and very little of it is on the big booking sites. Book directly, and check that the place is still open before you go.

Anambas Dive Resort

Wooden bungalows on stilts over the reef, east of Siantan, with the sea under your terrace and a restaurant over the water. I stayed there in November 2018.

Sakura Hotel, Tarempa

In Tarempa, I stayed at the Sakura Hotel, a simple, practical base in town for a night before or after the islands.

Pulau Bawah

For a luxury stay, Bawah Reserve, on Pulau Bawah in the south of the archipelago, is an all-inclusive eco-resort reached by seaplane. I have not stayed there.

How to Get to the Anambas Islands

By plane

Flights to the Anambas have become harder than when I went. In 2018, Xpress Air flew Dornier 328 turboprops from Batam to Matak, which I took on both trips, and Wings Air flew between Batam and Letung, on Jemaja, which I took back to Batam. Today, Matak airport no longer has commercial flights: it is used by the oil and gas company that runs it, and the local government is asking for regular flights to return. The only air access is Letung, with Wings Air from Batam, cut to once a week in 2025 and often cancelled, and Susi Air from Tanjung Pinang on Mondays and Thursdays. Check the current schedule before you book anything else, and keep a spare day on the way back.

By ferry

The ferry is now the most reliable way in. Fast ferries leave Tanjung Pinang (Bintan) and Batam early in the morning, around 7:00 AM, several days a week, calling at Letung and then Tarempa, and return the following days. The crossing takes most of the day, about 7 to 9 hours depending on the sea. Batam and Bintan are themselves a short ferry ride from Singapore, which makes Singapore the natural gateway.

Getting around

There are almost no roads between the islands, so everything happens by boat. Speedboats with a driver can be hired in Tarempa, Letung or through your hotel for transfers and island-hopping days. Agree on the price and the program the day before.

Best Time to Visit the Anambas Islands

The best period is March to October, with calmer seas and better weather for island hopping. From November to March, the northeast monsoon brings more rain and rougher seas, and small boats and ferries can be cancelled. I went in November and December and was lucky with the sea, but leave a spare day in your plans if you travel at that time of year.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Anambas Islands

Where are the Anambas Islands?

The Anambas Islands are in the South China Sea, about 280 km northeast of Batam, in the Riau Islands province of Indonesia, between Singapore and Borneo.

How do you get to the Anambas Islands?

By fast ferry from Batam or Tanjung Pinang to Letung and Tarempa, in about 7 to 9 hours, or by small plane to Letung on Jemaja, with few and irregular flights. Singapore is the easiest gateway, via a short ferry to Batam or Bintan.

What is the best time to visit the Anambas Islands?

March to October, when the sea is calmer. From November to March, the northeast monsoon brings rain and rougher seas, and boats can be cancelled.

Where should I stay in the Anambas?

The Anambas Dive Resort, on stilts over the reef east of Siantan, is where I stayed. In Tarempa, the Sakura Hotel is a practical base, and Bawah Reserve is the luxury option.

Can you dive in the Anambas Islands?

Yes. The archipelago has coral gardens, the protected reserve of Pulau Bawah and wrecks such as the Seven Skies. Diving is organized through the resorts, so book it in advance.

Are the Anambas Islands worth the trip?

Yes, if you like empty beaches and remote islands and accept simple logistics. They are one of the most beautiful and least visited parts of Indonesia.