Territory capital · Indonesia
Natuna IslandsKepulauan Natuna
Go only if you want a remote island with almost no tourist setup: 4–5 nights on Bunguran, cash in hand, and a booked flight from Batam.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Feb–Apr (driest)
- avoid Oct–Dec (wettest, often overcast for days)
- Airports
- NTX · LMU
- Nights
- 4–5
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Natuna is 272 islands in the South China Sea, about halfway between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, and the regency capital is Ranai on Bunguran (Great Natuna). There is no resort strip and no public transport: you fly in from Batam, rent a scooter or car in Ranai, and spend your days on beaches, mangrove boardwalks and boats to small islands. Four to five nights is enough for Bunguran; add nights only if you are diving or heading to Serasan or Subi. Bring rupiah, because exchange rates on the islands are poor.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Natuna Islands, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyLow crime and a welcoming local scene; the real risks are sea conditions, patchy medical care and long distances on unlit roads.
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckNTX Ranai Airport (Bandara Ranai), Bunguran (Formerly Raden Sadjad Airport; daily Wings Air flights from Batam, morning departure (check schedule).).
- Getting aroundThere is no public transport on Bunguran.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a warungRp10,000–25,000 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice mealRp25,000–60,000 (≈ US$2–4)
- Budget bedSimple guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp100,000 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedSimple guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp200,000 (≈ US$13)
- High-end bedSimple guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp350,000 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp350,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid Rp700,000 (≈ US$45) · High Rp1,500,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NTX Ranai Airport (Bandara Ranai), Bunguran (Formerly Raden Sadjad Airport; daily Wings Air flights from Batam, morning departure (check schedule).) · LMU Letung Airport, Jemaja Island (Daily flights from Batam (check).)
Weather and climate
Natuna Islands: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C82°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Feb
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
10 rd
Mar
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
11 rd
Apr
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
10 rd
May
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
11 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
10 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Oct
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
18 rd
Nov
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
17 rd
Dec
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
18 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
There is no public transport on Bunguran. Rent a scooter or motorcycle or a car in Ranai; a share car covers about an hour's run. Small boats from Lampa Strait port reach Sabang Mawang, Kumbik and Sedanau for roughly Rp15,000–20,000 and take about 30 min. Boats to Genting or Setai run 20–90 min and are chartered from local fishermen, so agree the price before boarding.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pering Mangrove Ecotourism
goDoor to door: Half a day
Scooter or car from Ranai, about 2.5 km from Pering pierScooter or car from Ranai, about 1.6 mi from Pering pier
One-kilometre wooden boardwalk; open weekday afternoons and all day at weekends.
Sebuton Mekar Jaya Mangrove Park
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Car or scooter southwest of Ranai, at least 70 km; entrance 1.2 km from the river pierCar or scooter southwest of Ranai, at least 43 mi; entrance 0.7 mi from the river pier
Call ahead for the crab and freshwater clam restaurant; 900 m of boardwalk and a small boat up the stream.
Sedanau Island
goDoor to door: Half to full day
Boat or road-and-boat from Ranai, about 45 min
Stilt settlement over the water; simple guesthouses if you want to sleep there.
Genting and Setai islands
goDoor to door: Full day
Chartered fishing boat from Lampa Strait port, 30–90 min
Snorkelling, diving and spear fishing; bring your own gear or rent in Ranai first.
Serasan Islands
overnightDoor to door: 1–2 days
Pioneer ferry or long boat ride south
Only with spare days and confirmed sea conditions; basic guesthouses.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ranai (Bunguran)
Regency capital and the only real base: guesthouses from about Rp50,000, mid-range hotels Rp200,000–300,000, banks, immigration office, airport 2–3 km away.Regency capital and the only real base: guesthouses from about Rp50,000, mid-range hotels Rp200,000–300,000, banks, immigration office, airport 1.2–1.9 mi away.
Penagi / Old Town
Coastal strip about 4 km from the airport; food stalls and a Confucian temple next to a surau.Coastal strip about 2.5 mi from the airport; food stalls and a Confucian temple next to a surau.
Sedanau (West Bunguran)
About 45 min southwest of Ranai; stilt houses over the water, simple guesthouses, weak mobile data.
Sabang Mawang and Kumbik
Small islands reached by boat from Lampa Strait port, about 30 min; homestays from about Rp50,000, no English spoken.
Serasan and Subi
Southern island groups with pioneer ferries and basic guesthouses; only for travellers with time and patience.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp350,000–600,000 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp600,000–1,200,000 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double1 × 4 nights × Rp300,000 | Rp1,200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × Rp700,000 | Rp5,600,000 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × Rp100,000 | Rp200,000 |
| Boat to Sabang Mawang or Sedanau, one way2 × Rp20,000 | Rp40,000 |
| Local SIM with data, one week2 × Rp100,000 | Rp200,000 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp1,086,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,041,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp8,326,000≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights from Batam excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at a warung | Rp10,000–25,000 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Noodle or rice meal | Rp25,000–60,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Kernas tuna-and-sago meatballs with sambal | Rp20,000–40,000 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottle of water | Rp5,000–10,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| Scooter rental, one day | Rp80,000–150,000 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Boat charter, half day | Rp400,000–500,000 (≈ US$25–35) |
| Guesthouse double room | Rp50,000–300,000 (≈ US$4–19) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bring rupiah from Batam or Jakarta: bank exchange rates on the islands are poor, and cards are rarely accepted outside hotels.
- Mobile data is patchy: some districts have no coverage at all, so download maps and confirm bookings before you arrive.
- The PELNI ferry from Jakarta takes about 3 days with very basic comfort; flying from Batam is the practical route.
- Boats are small and weather-dependent; October to December seas and rain can cancel plans.
- Diving and snorkelling gear is rented in Ranai, not on the outer islands; check condition before you pay.
- Visa extensions for non-ASEAN passports are handled at the Ranai immigration office, weekdays only.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Natuna IslandsKepulauan Natuna
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, yaTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies in Natuna. Most embassies are in Jakarta; the nearest consulates-general are in Batam and Medan (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lampa Strait port → Sabang Mawang or Sedanau: Rp15,000–20,000 (≈ US$1–2), about 30 min
- Boat charter to Setai or Genting: Rp400,000–500,000 (≈ US$25–35) per boat, 20–90 min
- Ranai Airport → Ranai town: short taxi or share car ride, a few km
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-af)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (te-ri-ma ka-sih)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Bisa bayar pakai kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bi-sa ba-yar pa-kai kar-tu)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (di ma-na toi-let)
- Saya mau sewa motor — I want to rent a scooter (sa-ya mau se-wa mo-tor)
Cash is king: banks in Ranai open weekdays only, so withdraw before weekends and island trips.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Natuna Islands. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–Apr (driest) · avoid Oct–Dec (wettest, often overcast for days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NTX: Wings Air from Batam, taxi or share car into Ranai, guesthouse fallback.
- Walking and riding clusters: Ranai town, Penagi old town, Pering and Sepempang coast, Sedanau.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs for Pering and Sebuton mangrove parks and the Ranai immigration office.
- Boat-charter fixtures with agreed prices so island-hopping days can go green.