Bintan Island

Situated less than an hour off the southern coast of Singapore, Bintan presents a tropical island getaway for the throngs of day and weekend-trippers from the mainland. The pristine, white-sanded beaches are the main draw here, along with a lineup of quaint seaside villages and an impressive list of hotels and resorts offering watersport activities.  Bintan Island is the largest of 3,200 islands making up Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago and the third largest province in the country. With a population of less than quarter of a million, the island has an interesting, eclectic mix of different cultures and ethnicities, including Malay, Bugis, Chinese and native tribes.

How to reach

By Sea

Boats and ferries are the best ways to reach Bintan. Tanjung Pinang, Lobam and Bandar BentamTelani/ Lagoi are the three ports of the island. There are ferries between Singapore and Tanjung Pinang and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. You will also get regular ferries from Karimun Island, Sumatra, Karimun Island and other parts of Indonesia.

Best Time to Visit

Nov-March :

This is primarily known as the northeast monsoon season, which lasts for about 5 odd months. These are basically winter conditions which include the landscape being windy and wet. Rainfall usually takes place between levels of 2500-3500mm. Travelling does become a bit tedious during this time, however the temperatures become much more pleasant and cooler.

April to October

This is usually the best season to visit the island of Bintan because of its nice and dry weather conditions. During this time, the average temperature usually stays around 26 °C.

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts around the coast normally prove popular with holidaymakers, there’s plenty in the way of accommodation in the main town centre too, with many industrial workers choosing Tanjung Pinang as the place to stay for its convenience.  The hotels serve as great bases and retreats from where to explore the rich highlights of Indonesia's Riau Archipelago. Business and leisure travellers are well catered for and prices here a normally much cheaper than in Singapore, although prices do tend to fluctuate in high season and during public holidays. 

Bintan Resorts  are: Bintan Lagoon Resort, Lagoi Bay Villas, Angsana Bintan, Banyan Tree Bintan, The Canopi, The Sanchaya,  Swiss-Bel Hotel, Ria Golf Lodge, Nirwana Gardens, and more.

Attractions

Head to the isolated and very tranquil Trikora Beach on the east coast, or for more in the way of amenities, try one of the many beaches around Sebung Village or the main built-up areas of Tanjung Pinang and Tanjung Uban. Aside from the beaches, be sure to check out the elephant centre, Masjid Raya Sultan Mosque on Penyengat Island and the famous Banyan Tree Temple on the nearby Senggarang Island.

What to do in

Activities : snorkeling, jet-skiing, canoeing, wind surfing, golfing, fishing, sailing, diving, island hopping and shopping. Sun seekers may take a leisurely stroll along then white sandy beaches and enjoy sun bathing in the warm sunshine

The main clubs are Ria Bintan Golf Club, Laguna Bintan Golf Club and Bintan Lagoon Golf Club and range from 9-18 holes. For the adrenalin junkies, Bintan Island also has a Go-Karting track (at Bintan Usahatama), paintballing (at Nirwana Beach Club), spas, scuba diving trips, mountain biking routes and island trekking.