Bawah Reserve view from the seaplane
Bawah Reserve is worth it if you want a true private island with Maldives-level overwater villas and almost nobody else around. It's an all-inclusive resort spread across six islands in Indonesia's Anambas Archipelago, and you get there by seaplane from Batam, a short ferry from Singapore. Meals, non-alcoholic drinks, a daily spa treatment and most activities are included. Rates generally land above $2,000 a night, plus a mandatory $1,050-per-person transfer from Singapore. Skip it if you want nightlife or a quick weekend.
Bawah Reserve at a Glance
Best for: Couples and honeymooners.
Best room for most people: An Overwater Villa. You don't have to fly to the Maldives or Bora Bora for this, and the reef is right below your deck.
Best thing to do: Kayak the lagoon reefs.
Best time to go: Outside the northeast monsoon, which usually brings rougher seas through the winter months.
Aerial view of the overwater villas at Bawah Reserve
Our Verdict
Bawah Reserve is one of the most remote places we've ever stayed. It sits in the Anambas Archipelago in the South China Sea, about 160 nautical miles northeast of Singapore. Six islands, three lagoons, 13 beaches, and only 36 suites, villas and lodges to share them. Getting there takes a full day and the bill is big. It's barefoot, too, so don't expect marble bathrooms. But the water is unreal, and the reefs are some of the healthiest we've seen.
Arriving by Seaplane
The trip starts at Bawah's own seaplane, and the view on the way in is worth half the price. You fly low over open ocean, then the islands appear, green and ringed with turquoise. The plane lands right in the lagoon, and you step off onto the dock.
There's no real lobby. Someone from the team is waiting on the jetty when you climb out.
The Villas
Bawah has three main styles of room. Overwater Villas sit on stilts above the lagoon with direct water access. Beach Suites open onto the sand. Garden and Jungle Suites are tucked into the hillside, quieter and a little more affordable. Everything was built by hand from sustainable materials.
We'd book an overwater villa. Waking up above the reef, then sliding straight into the water to snorkel before breakfast, is the reason to come all this way.
Check rates at Bawah Reserve
The Food
The food was a highlight. Menus lean on the flavors of the Anambas and wider Indonesia, plus produce grown right on the island. Meals are included, so you eat when you want and order what you want without watching a bill. Lunch runs until 5pm, so nobody rushes you out of the water.
The main restaurant overlooks the lagoon, and there are bars for sunset drinks. Just know that alcohol isn't part of the all-inclusive rate.
The Service
The staff were the other standout. They paid attention to every detail without ever being formal about it. If we asked for anything, they bent over backwards to provide is immediately and with a smile on their face. Truly a highlight.
Kayaking the reefs surrounding the six private islands that make up Bawah Reserve
Things to Do
You're here for the water. We kayaked the reefs around the islands, and that's what we'd do first if we went back. Snorkeling, paddleboarding and catamaran sailing are all included, and the lagoons are calm enough for nervous swimmers.
On land there are jungle hiking trails, a gym, yoga, cooking classes and movie nights. The spa is excellent, and a daily treatment is included in your rate. Scuba diving costs extra but is worth adding if you're certified.
Overlooking the docks from Bawah Reserve
Sustainability
The sustainability side was a huge plus for us. The resort runs on a renewable micro-grid, and the Bawah Anambas Foundation was set up in 2018 to protect the reefs and wildlife across the islands. It's a big reason the reefs look as good as they do.
Getting to Bawah Reserve
Most guests start in Singapore. A Bawah host takes you on a 30-minute ferry from Tanah Merah to Batam, then you board the seaplane for a flight of about 75 to 80 minutes. You can also fly straight into Batam's Hang Nadim Airport and meet the seaplane there.
The round-trip transfer is mandatory and billed separately. It runs $1,050 per person from Singapore or $850 from Batam, plus a fuel surcharge of around $100 per person. Weather can delay the seaplane, so plan a night in Singapore on at least one end.
What's Included (and What Isn't)
The rate covers all meals, non-alcoholic drinks, the minibar, laundry, a daily spa treatment, and most land and water activities. Alcohol, scuba diving and the seaplane transfer are extra. Count those in when you compare prices, because they add up fast.
How Much Does Bawah Reserve Cost?
Rates generally start above $2,000 a night for two, and rise for overwater villas and peak dates. Add the transfer and drinks, and a four-night stay for a couple can easily pass $12,000. That's Maldives money. You just share the island with far fewer people. Elang Private Residence is a separate buyout for groups and is priced accordingly.
The Downsides
The cost is the obvious one. The journey is the other. Between the ferry, immigration and the seaplane, it's a full travel day each way, and stormy weather can stretch it. The resort also isn't flashy. Don't come for a pool scene or a buzzy bar.
Bawah Reserve vs the Maldives: How to Choose
Choose Bawah if seclusion matters most, if you're already in Singapore or Southeast Asia, and if you want a resort with real conservation behind it. It's also on nearly the same time zone as Singapore, which makes it easy to tack onto an Asia trip.
Choose the Maldives if you want more resort choice, bigger spas and more dining options, or if you're flying in from the Middle East or Europe. For a similar barefoot feel in Indonesia with more variety, look at our guide to the best hotels in Sumba. If you're weighing overwater villas against a liveaboard, our Four Seasons Explorer Palau review is the other remote trip we still talk about.
Best Time to Visit and Book
The Anambas are best outside the northeast monsoon, which typically brings rougher seas over the winter months. Spring through early autumn usually means calmer water and better visibility for snorkeling. Check the resort's seasonal schedule before you lock in flights.
With so few rooms, Bawah books up. Reserve three to six months out, and further ahead for school holidays and Christmas. Overwater villas go first.
Is Bawah Reserve Worth It?
For us, yes. It's a lot of money and a long trip, but very few places feel this far from everything. If you want easy logistics or nightlife, spend it somewhere else. For more ideas in the region, start with our Indonesia travel guide.
FAQ
Is Bawah Reserve worth the money? Yes, if seclusion and marine life matter more to you than polished resort amenities. It's one of the most remote luxury resorts in Asia.
How do you get to Bawah Reserve? Take a 30-minute ferry from Singapore to Batam, then a 75 to 80-minute seaplane flight that lands in the resort's lagoon. The resort arranges every leg.
How much is the Bawah Reserve seaplane? The mandatory round-trip transfer is $1,050 per person from Singapore or $850 from Batam, plus a fuel surcharge of about $100 per person.
Is Bawah Reserve all-inclusive? Yes. Meals, non-alcoholic drinks, a daily spa treatment, laundry and most activities are included. Alcohol, diving and transfers cost extra.
Is Bawah Reserve good for kids? It's built for couples and adults. Check the resort's current minimum age policy before booking with children.
What is Elang Private Residence? Elang is the neighboring island within Bawah Reserve, available only as a full buyout for groups of family and friends.
When is the best time to visit Bawah Reserve? Outside the northeast monsoon, when seas are calmer. Spring through early autumn is usually best.
Is Bawah Reserve better than the Maldives? It's more secluded and has fewer guests, but the Maldives offers far more resort choice. Bawah wins if you're starting from Singapore.