Sindo Ferry from Batam Center to Singapore HarbourFront Centre Review

With my return Sindo Ferry ticket bought on Klook, I also had to choose a fixed return departure time instead of getting an open ticket. I booked an evening 5.20pm journey back to Singapore in the hopes of getting some sunset photos.

Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal

Heading to Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal, I used the linkbridge from Mega Mall Batam Centre as it was raining and Grab could not enter Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal itself, being only able to drop off outside by the road. As such, I booked my journey to Mega Mall Batam Centre for a sheltered drop-off.

The façade of Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal seen from the linkbridge.

The entrance to departure is just beside the access from the Mega Mall Batam Centre linkbridge.

If you do not have a ticket yet, head down to the ground floor for the ticket counter.

As I already had my ticket issued from HarbourFront the day before, there was no need for me to do anything here, and I can proceed straight to departures.

Boarding passes are scanned at the gantry before entering the departures area.

The departures area was already opened for my 5.20pm ferry 50 minutes before departure. Looks like I will be getting an older ferry back to Singapore with the Queen Star 1.

Immigration follows after the QR code scanning. Interestingly, there were new Immigration Lane Autogate (ILA) installed at Batam Center, but I wasn’t sure if Singapore passports could use it. After all, these were not available on arrival at Batam Center. Nevertheless, there were no queues at the manual counter, so I simply headed there for regular immigration instead, with a stamp for exit on my immigration sticker.

Once done, the escalator leads down to the waiting area. The waiting area is simple with seats in the waiting hall. 3 boarding gates are in front, which seems to be separated by ferry company and destination. Departures to Singapore is in this first hall, while departures to Malaysia is in the left hall.

Duty free shops are also available.

Charging stations with both Indonesian 2-pin plugs and Batam/Bintan/Singapore 3-pin plugs are also available.

Toilets and prayer rooms are also available at the corner of the Malaysia departure hall.

Boarding was opened 15 minutes before departure.

Sindo Ferry Queen Star 1

My Sindo Ferry to Batam Center was departing from Berth C.

Sindo Ferry Queen Star 1 will be operating for my ferry trip from Batam Center to Singapore HarbourFront Centre.

Heading down to the floating pontoon. Boarding passes are collected by the Sindo Ferry staff just before boarding.

The interior of the Queen Star 1 ferry.

The legroom on board Queen Star 1 is very tight. Lifejackets are found under every seat which further hampers legroom.

Luggage racks are available in the middle of the ferry just by the entrance. Passengers have the option to check in 20kg of bags for free at the departure area before security screening at least 45 minutes prior to departure time, and the bags will be brought up the ferry by the ground staff to be placed in these luggage racks.

There is also a refreshment counter in the middle of the ferry, but it was not actively in use. Free mineral water is provided for passengers to pick up at the refreshment counter. Pop Mie instant noodles are also available for sale at S$2 per cup.

Toilets are also available towards the aft of the ferry. The toilet is spacious with western-style sitting toilets.

My 5.20pm Sindo Ferry to Batam Center departed from Batam Center at 5.14pm – 6 minutes early. Unfortunately, the Queen Star 1 has blue-tinted windows which did not offer good scenery out of the window.

The Queen Star 1 is a double-decker ferry, and there is a set of stairs at the aft of the ferry to head up to the upper deck.

The upper deck has more seats in a 3+3 configuration, but it was very warm. The poor positioning of the sole air-conditioning units in front blowing straight to the back is probably the main cause of this, with no cold air reaching past the first few rows of seats.

Passing by Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam.

Turning left and straight to Singapore.

A hatch at the end of the upper deck leads to the open deck. While there is a sign saying that it is a restricted area, many passengers could access the deck as a smoking area with no issues.

The weather wasn’t ideal for a sunset as while it had just rained, the sky looks like it had more in store.

Sailing past Batu Ampar.

The Singapore skyline from a distance.

Getting closer in half an hour.

Approaching St. John’s Island, Lazarus Island, and Kusu Island.

Sailing past St. John’s Island.

Sailing past Sisters’ Islands.

The ferry slowed down as it approached the harbour.

Passing by Reflections at Keppel Bay.

There was a bit of waiting outside Singapore Cruise Centre HarbourFront Passenger Terminal with many ferries ahead.

Singapore Cruise Centre HarbourFront Passenger Terminal

My Sindo Ferry arrived at Singapore HarbourFront Centre at 7.32pm, making this a journey of 1 hour and 18 minutes. Singapore time (GMT+8) is 1 hour ahead of Western Indonesia time (GMT+7).

Disembarking from the ferry. This was a very quick affair with no crowds.

Heading up to the terminal from the floating pontoon.

Looking back at Queen Star 1.

Immigration and customs clearance follows in the terminal building.

While there were multiple ferry arrivals, there were many Enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS) lanes available which most passengers can use by default (ie. Singaporeans and Indonesians, among 58 other nationalities). I took about 15 seconds to clear immigration.

There is also a duty free shop after immigration and before customs. Arriving passengers can enjoy duty-free concession for liquors when arriving from Indonesia if 18 years old or above, have spent 48 hours or more outside Singapore immediately before arrival, the liquor is for your own consumption, and the liquor is not prohibited from import into Singapore. More information here.

Customs follows after the duty-free shop, with a 100% scan for everyone.

The arrival hall of Singapore Cruise Centre HarbourFront Passenger Terminal.

Conclusion

The seat and legroom on board Queen Star 1 was tight, and while this was acceptable on a relatively empty ferry, I don’t think it will be very pleasant if this was a fully booked trip. Even though Queen Star 1 is only 11 years old, she looks and feels quite dated already. Her sister ship, Queen Star 2, has also recently caught fire, and has been out of service ever since. Compared to Queen Star 8, this feels like a class below, even though the ticket price is the same. The Sindo Ferry fleet is interchangeable and you will not know which ferry will be operating on your serivce if you are pre-booking your ticket.