Sindo Ferry from Singapore HarbourFront Centre to Batam Center Review
Sindo Ferry is 1 of 4 ferry operators from Singapore to Batam. Fares are now the same at S$76 for a return ticket across all operators, with no more fare competition ever since travel had resumed, so choosing the operator is down to the ferry terminal of choice, and departure timing. For this trip, I chose Sindo Ferry as it offered the normal fare on Klook, plus I had a promo code to redeem.
Singapore Cruise Centre HarbourFront Passenger Terminal
Singapore Cruise Centre HarbourFront Passenger Terminal is located adjacent to HarbourFront Centre shopping mall, which is connected to HarbourFront MRT Station.
Ferry ticket counters are located at Levels 2 and 3 of Singapore Cruise Centre HarbourFront Passenger Terminal. The Batam Fast counter is on Level 2, and all others are on Level 3.
The Sindo Ferry ticket counter is at HarbourFront Centre #03-43.
I had pre-booked my Sindo Ferry return ticket on Klook. Tickets are the same price as buying from the counter, with advance booking without the risk of getting a fully booked ferry especially for the journey back to Singapore. I also had some promo codes to clear from my account before expiry.
After my booking had been confirmed by Klook, a separate email from Sindo Ferry arrived 7 minutes later with instructions to pick up my actual tickets from their counter at HarbourFront Centre.
Ticket collection is simple with just presenting my passport. The boarding pass will only be issued at the Sindo Ferry counter at least 60 minutes before departure.
I received both boarding passes for my onward and return trips. Unfortunately, the boarding passes are only issued on thermal paper. While my return trip was just the next day, thermal paper will not be ideal for those with open tickets valid for a much longer period as the heat print will fade.
Sindo Ferry also charges S$3 per person for any cancellation or amendment of departure time, and S$5 per person for loss of boarding pass.
Heading back down to Level 2 for departure.
The departure gate opens 45 minutes before departure. This includes security screening and immigration clearance.
It was quite a busy period around noon with ferries to Batam Center, Harbour Bay, and Tanjung Balai.
Passengers waited around the entrance of the ferry departure area for the next departure timing to be flashed.
Security screening and Singapore immigration clearance follows.
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.
Duty free shops are also available.
Boarding gates are displayed on the screen in the departure hall. Boarding was called 15 minutes before departure.
My Sindo Ferry to Batam Center was departing from Berth 1.
Sindo Ferry Queen Star 8
Sindo Ferry Queen Star 8 will be operating for my ferry trip from Singapore HarbourFront Centre to Batam Center.
Heading down to the floating pontoon. Boarding passes are collected by the Sindo Ferry staff just before boarding.
The Queen Star 8 boarding deck is around the same height as the floating pontoon, and no additional gangway is needed for boarding.
The interior of the Queen Star 8 ferry.
The good legroom on board Queen Star 8. Lifejackets are found under every seat.
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 in front of the refreshment counter.
Pop Mie instant noodles are also available for sale at S$2 per cup.
The mineral water cup fits well in the drinks holder located in the armrests of all seats.
Toilets are also available towards the aft of the ferry.
The toilet is spacious with western-style sitting toilets.
Interestingly, a cold shower is also available, probably for the ship crew who may stay on board.
A safety video was played upon departure.
My 12pm Sindo Ferry to Batam Center departed from Singapore HarbourFront Centre at 11.55am – 5 minutes early.
The passenger load was very light during this weekday noon departure, which helped with the early boarding and departure.
The first leg out of HarourFront Centre was slow due to the harbour speed limits.
I headed for a bit of exploration during this slow cruising speed. The Queen Star 8 is a double-decker ferry, and there is a set of stairs in the middle of the ferry just after the entrance to head up to the upper deck.
The upper deck was a bit more popular with passengers, with seats mainly in a 3+4 configuration.
The ferry sped up after exiting the harbour limits, on the left turn around Sentosa.
Heading along the southern coast of Sentosa.
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.
Sailing past Sentosa Cove.
The Red Ensign of Singapore is flown at the stern of the ship.
Passing by the Singapore CBD skyline while sailing.
Sailing past St. John’s Island, Lazarus Island, and Kusu Island.
The ferry further sped up after the Southern Islands as it crosses to Indonesia.
It was a rather uneventful journey throughout.
The first sights of Batam.
Turning right towards Batam Center.
Passing by some land reclamation at Bengkong.
Passing by Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam.
The ferry slowed down on approach to Batam Center.
Many ferries are docked outside Batam Center.
Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal
My Sindo Ferry arrived at Batam Center at 12.08pm, making this a journey of 1 hour and 13 minutes. Western Indonesia time (GMT+7) is 1 hour behind Singapore time (GMT+8).
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 8.
Immigration and customs clearance follows in the terminal building.
There was a queue for immigration as there were multiple ferry arrivals, and passengers from other ships were already in the queue. In total, I took 17 minutes to clear immigration and customs.
The Electronic Customs Decleration (e-CD) (BC 2.2) is not required at Batam Center.
After customs screening, the exit leads out to the ground floor of Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal.
I headed up 1 floor for the linkbridge to Mega Mall Batam Centre.
Signs point towards the shopping mall (Mega Mall Batam Centre) in the terminal.
Heading out to the linkbridge connecting to Mega Mall Batam Centre. This is a much more convenient exit from Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal as it leads directly to the mall to grab lunch.
Also, only taxis are allowed to pick up from Batam Center Point International Ferry Terminal, and Grab or any other online ride-hailing apps are not allowed in to Batam Center. They can be called from Mega Mall Batam Centre instead.
Here, I grabbed a quick lunch before getting a Grab from the Grab pick-up point at Mega Mall Batam Centre.
Conclusion
Sindo Ferry operates a good and basic ferry service between Singapore and Batam, though there’s not much to compare between operators since it’s just on a commuting route, and no other services on board to mention about. The seat and legroom on board Queen Star 8 was comfortable, though the fleet is interchangeable and you will not know which ferry will be operating on your serivce if you are pre-booking your ticket.