BAWAH RESERVE

INDONESIA

THE PERSONALITIES

Divers. Escapists. Wildlife lovers. Eco Tourists. 

MOMENTS

Turquoise horizons. Sunrise yoga on the sand. Coral gardens beneath your fins. Barefoot picnics on hidden beaches. Still lagoons and open skies. Forest trails that end in sea breeze. Thriving wild ecosystems.

BEST VISITING MONTHS

The best time to visit Bawah Reserve is during the dry season, which typically occurs from May to September. This period offers more stable weather conditions, with lower chances of rainfall and more consistent sunshine. These months provide ideal conditions for enjoying outdoor activities, diving, and exploring the pristine natural beauty of the region.

COST

WHY STAY

Bawah Reserve is a sanctuary adrift in the middle of the Anambas Sea—six private islands, thirteen beaches, and three turquoise lagoons where time slows and nature takes the lead. Once uninhabited, now carefully restored, it’s a marine conservation area alive with coral, jungle, and clear horizons. Wooden walkways stretch over glassy water; birds call from the canopy; and every view opens to something untouched.

Each of Bawah’s 36 villas and suites feels like a quiet story of place. Built with bamboo, driftwood, and reclaimed teak, they dissolve into their surroundings—tented garden suites hidden among palms, overwater bungalows that float above coral reefs, and treehouse lodges wrapped in sea breeze. Design here is deliberate but gentle: soft linens, copper bathtubs, open verandahs, and the hush of waves for company. For those seeking full seclusion, Elang Private Residence offers an island within an island—private butlers, bespoke dining, and the freedom to feel completely untethered.

Wellness flows naturally through life on Bawah. Kayu Spa, named after the Indonesian word for “wood,” is set within a Javanese Joglo—its peaked roof echoing the sacred mountains of Java. Here, healing feels elemental: oils pressed from local plants, scrubs made from island botanicals, and treatments that follow the rhythm of the tides. Between sea swims and forest walks, this is a place to pause, breathe, and return to yourself.

WHY WANDER

Days at Bawah unfold with the rhythm of nature. You might start with a sunrise paddle across the lagoon, dive among coral gardens alive with parrotfish and rays, or hike through rainforest trails scented with wild orchids. The reserve’s clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and diving—protected by barrier reefs and home to thriving marine life. Above water, catamarans glide across turquoise lagoons while kayaks slip quietly into hidden coves.

Bawah invites curiosity. Join a permaculture tour through organic gardens, learn the art of batik or the craft of Jamu herbal tonics, and end the evening stargazing on the beach where no light competes with the sky. For adventurers, wild swims, castaway picnics, and reef restoration projects connect you directly to the living landscape—each experience part discovery, part renewal.

This is not a place to rush through. It’s an island rhythm of balance—between play and stillness, sea and forest, solitude and connection. Whether you come to wander barefoot along the shore or dive into conservation efforts below it, Bawah reminds you what it feels like to belong to the wild.

INDULGE IN

Indonesian and Mediterranean flavors meet under the palms—grilled fish caught that morning, herbs from the island gardens, wood-fired pizzas, and coconut prawns served by the sea. Dine barefoot on the sand or under a canopy of stars. Here, every meal celebrates simplicity, seasonality, and the taste of the tropics.

GETTING THERE

Accessible only by seaplane, the journey to Bawah Reserve sets the tone for an intimate and secluded retreat, ensuring that guests embark on a truly exclusive experience.The journey to Bawah begins in Singapore where guests will take a short domestic flight to either Batam or Singapore Batam Airport (Hang Nadim International Airport). Upon arriving in Batam or Singapore Batam Airport, you'll be met by Bawah Reserve staff who will assist you with boarding a seaplane for a scenic flight to Bawah Reserve offering stunning aerial views of the islands.

WILD INITIATIVES

Every element of the resort reflects a deep respect for the islands’ delicate ecosystems. Energy-efficient design, solar power, and water conservation systems reduce environmental impact, while strict waste management and recycling practices ensure the islands stay pristine. The architecture itself is built with locally sourced and reclaimed materials, blending sustainability with beauty.

Bawah’s marine conservation programs are central to its ethos. Guests can witness and even participate in coral reef restoration, reef health monitoring, and underwater clean-up dives. The surrounding lagoons are protected zones where fish, turtles, and rays flourish, creating a living laboratory for conservation and education. On land, permaculture gardens provide fresh produce for the resort while demonstrating ecological stewardship.

Community engagement is woven into the experience. The resort partners with local schools, artisans, and fishermen, supporting livelihoods while sharing knowledge about environmental protection. Through workshops, guided tours, and volunteer opportunities, guests gain a deeper understanding of regenerative tourism in action. At Bawah Reserve, luxury and sustainability coexist seamlessly—each stay leaving the islands as vibrant, thriving, and untouched as the moment you arrived.

*Images property of Bawah Reserve