• Get around
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Jalan Pemuda, one of the sleepy streets of Tanjung Batu, the main town on Kundur.

Kundur is a small island in the Riau Islands province of Indonesia's Sumatra island. It is part of the Karimun group of islands and is located south of Karimun Island.

Although larger that its northern neighbour, Kundur is much less developed and more laid back. Tanjung Batu, the main town, has a busy waterfront and a couple of streets lined with shops.

Unfortunately, it has started to follow Karimun Island in becoming a destination for Malaysian and Singaporean males looking for cheap sex.

For those who prefer less risque activities, Kundur is also popular for cycling trips.

[edit] Get in

The arch at the gate of Tanjung Batu's ferry terminal entrance leading visitors into town.

For visa requirements to visit Kundur, please see the main Indonesia page.

Kundur's port of Tanjung Batu is NOT designated as a visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry point. Those requiring visas should get one beforehand. For visa-free nationalities, there does not seem to be a problem entering or leaving Indonesia via Tanjung Batu.

As Kundur does not have an airport, all visitors arrive by ferry. Most connections are with neighbouring islands and the Sumatra "mainland". There is also an international boat link with Singapore.

[edit] From Singapore

As of late Dec. 2007 no direct ferries to/from Singapore. You must go via Karimun or Batam.

Indo Falcon runs daily ferries between Singapore's HarbourFront ferry terminal and Tanjung Batu, increasing to two trips per day during weekends. Ferries leave Singapore at 1005 during weekdays, or 0810 and 1405 during weekends. From Tanjung Batu, ferries depart at 1500 during weekdays, or 1000 and 1700 during weekends. Tickets cost S$40 return excluding Indonesian port tax. One way ticket from Tanjung Batu to Singapore is Rp 120.000 (port tax included). Journey is about two and a half hours.

[edit] From other Riau Islands

To/from Batam via Karimun Island: Several companies operate ferries between Tanjung Batu and Sekupang, the main domestic port on Batam, stopping at Tanjung Balai on Karimun on enroute.

• The Miko Natalia 3 (Tel: +62-779-21922 in Tanjung Batu; +62-777-21207/31895 in Tanjung Balai; +62-778-321980 in Sekupang, Batam) links Tanjung Batu with Tanjung Balai, the main town on Karimun Island several times daily. Between Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Balai, tickets cost Rp. 46,000 one-way before port taxes. Journey time is over one hour, longer if stops are made at islands along the way.
• The Marina Batam also operates this route.

To/from Karimun Island only:

• The Ocean Indoma operates ferries between Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Balai twice a day.

To/From Tanjung Pinang, Bintan

• One daily speedboat operated by SB Giam Mas (Tel: +62-779-431589 in Tanjung Batu) departs daily from Tanjung Batu at 0745 for Tanjung Pinang, the main town on Bintan. The boat returns to Tanjung Batu on the same day, departing Tanjung Pinang at 1200. The boat has scheduled stops at Galang Island and Moro on Sugibawah Island, while unscheduled stops may be made at various little settlements along the way. Journey time is about two and a half hours each way. The fare from Tanjung Batu to Tanjung Pinang and vice-versa is Rp 130.000 before port taxes. On the other hand, Tanjung Batu to Galang/Rempang costs Rp 95.000, Moro to Galang/Rempang costs Rp 50.000. From Tanjung Pinang to Moro is Rp 95.000, Galang/Rempang is Rp 45.000.

[edit] From Sumatra

Boats link Tanjung Batu with various Sumatra mailand ports, such as Tembilahan in Riau province, and Kuala Tungkal in Jambi.

[edit] Get around

Angkuts (minivans) link Tanjung Batu with various towns on Kundur Island such as Sawang, Selat Belia and Prayun. Most of these vans leave from the market in Tanjung Batu.

There are also many ojeks (motorcycle taxis) waiting at various intersections in Tanjung Batu.

Tanjung Batu itself is small enough to be covered on foot.

[edit] See

Sketch map of Tanjung Batu

[edit] Tanjung Batu

One would not describe Tanjung Batu, the main town on Kundur, as pretty or charming, unlike Tanjung Balai on Karimun which somehow has more atmosphere. Nevertheless, the town is very quiet and relaxed, except for the many ojek (motorcyle taxis) drivers who will constantly yell out to you and ask whether you want a ride (or, if you are a man, a woman!). The main commercial streets are Jalan Merdeka where the market is, and the shop-lined Jalan Jend Sudirman. The waterfront is also interesting with many boats loading and unloading goods. Just relax and enjoy the feeling of being in a timeless tropical port.

Most buildings here have an additional "bird house" on their roofs, housing thousands of swallows. The owners will harvest "birds nest" - a protein-rich gelatine-like substance formed from the saliva of the swallows - which is in high demand by the Chinese who consume them as a health supplement. See the some bird's nest building at Tanjung Batu

Cetiya Sasana Kitri

Vihara Dharma Shanti

• Cetiya Sasana Kitri (福朝廟) - at Jalan Usman Harun, unique red calabash in front of the temple differentiate it from others.

• Vihara Dharma Shanti Kundur (泰安廟) - have a stroll and enjoy the breeze in the late evening. Spacious, with tables and chairs. The door is painted with guardian deities, probably one of the great spot in the town.

• Masjid Raya Nurussalam

[edit] Sawang

[edit] Urung

• Vihara Maitri Segara

Hop over to Pulau Belat.

[edit] Do

Fishing, relax and karaoke at Hotel Gembira and Restaurant Gembira. In Tanjung Batu the best Hotel is Hotel Gembira now got facility Amazone Game Visit the wet market in the morning. Hive of actvity, where many fresh items are sold. Can see chicken slaughtered, and plucked clean. Fishes prepared fresh. Also,at the side of Vihara Dharmma Shanti,there has a Warnet called Polaris Computerindo for kids who love to play computer games like DOTA Allstars or Counter Strike.

[edit] Buy

You can do shopping in Mini Market Gembira at Jl. Jend. Sudirman Komplek Gembira No. 18. Tel: +62-779-22235.

[edit] Eat

• Ah Kun's Saho Seafood Restaurant (三好海鲜煮炒), Jalan Usman Harun No. 16. Tel: +62-779-21289. Recommended by the locals.

• Ah Kun's brother restaurant is at Jalan Usman Harun No. 21. The ikan bakar (Rp 10.000) and ayam panggang can be sold out as early as 1730 WIB.

• Restaurant Gembira Seafood, Jalan Usman Harun No. 18H Tel:+62-779-21426. There the Seafood Very Fress and the Price also Cheap. There also can Karaoke and Relaxing.

• At Jalan Jenderal Sudirman (Jalan Besar) in front of Masjid Raya, there is a coffee shop and it sells the most delicious chicken rice in Tanjung Batu. The owner are Sugianto and Bue Hue(Ame).

[edit] Drink

For bottled drinking water get the local produced AVIGA spring water from PT. Citra Alam Sumber Wita costs Rp 2.000 for a 1500 ml bottle.

Heineken beer costs Rp 15.000 at Ah Kun's Saho Seafood Restaurant (三好海鲜煮炒) and Rp 17.000 at Hotel Gembira restaurant, respectively. The Restaurant Gembira the Place more Relaxing.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Get out

• Catch a ferry to Tembilahan or Kuala Tungkal in Jambi on the Sumatra mainland.
• Or if you need a bit more hustle and bustle, head to Tanjung Balai on Karimun.

See Get in section for ferry details.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Telephone numbers

The country code for Indonesia is 62. The area code for Tanjung Batu is 779.