Rangsang

Rangsang is an island in the Riau province of Indonesia, between Sumatra and Singapore. It was home to 51,000 people in 2010.

Understand

Rangsang is the "ran" of the Meranti Islands (Merbau, Rangsang and Tebing Tinggi). Sparsely populated, it consists largely of peatlands and coastal mangroves, with some coffee and pulpwood plantations. The main town is 1 Tanjung Samak at the southeast tip of the island.

Get in

Dumai Express operates a daily service from Batam via Karimun and Selatpanjang to Dumai and back, stopping at Tanjung Samak and 1 Repan. As of 2022, the ferry departs Batam Sekupang at 07:00, arriving in Tg Samak around 10:00 on the way in and around 15:00 on the way back. The one-way fare from Batam to Samak is Rp180,000.

Get around

The road network on Rangsang is rudimentary, with few paved roads. Most locals get around by motorbike.

See and do

• 1 Confluence 1°N 103°E. Degree confluence 1°N 103°E is on Rangsang Island, around 22 km by road north of Tg Repan. Unfortunately, it is squarely within the grounds of a large pulpwood plantation owned by PT. Sumatera Riang Lestari, who have been repeatedly accused of clearcutting forest and violating various environmental regulations, and thus firmly refuses permission to visit. (updated Oct 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Wisma Regita (Tg Samak), ☏ +628127039566. Basic accommodation near the ferry pier. (updated Aug 2022)