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Overview
Bintan Island is a large Indonesian island in the Riau Archipelago, roughly 45 kilometres south of mainland Singapore. Despite sitting in Indonesian territorial waters, it has long been treated as a weekend extension of Singapore, thanks to fast ferry connections and a well-developed resort strip on its northern coast.
The island's character splits fairly cleanly into two zones. The Bintan Resorts area in the north — developed through a bilateral Indonesia–Singapore economic cooperation agreement — hosts international resort hotels, golf courses, spas, and water-sports facilities aimed squarely at international visitors. Further south and inland, the town of Tanjung Pinang serves as the island's administrative and commercial hub, offering a more everyday Indonesian experience: floating villages, a Chinese temple complex, local markets, and ferry links to other Riau islands.
Bintan is not a destination that demands a packed itinerary. Most visitors come for beach relaxation, watersports, and a slower pace. It rewards travelers who are happy to read by a pool and explore at leisure as much as those looking for active pursuits.
Before You Go
Visas
Bintan is Indonesian territory. Entry requirements depend entirely on your nationality and passport. Do not rely on assumptions based on your status in Singapore. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official Indonesian immigration authority's website for current, accurate rules before booking.
What to bring
- Strong reef-safe sunscreen; UV exposure is intense close to the equator
- Modest clothing for visits to temples, mosques, or the town of Tanjung Pinang
- Indonesian rupiah for local markets and independent restaurants outside the resort zone; not everywhere accepts cards
- A power adapter if needed — Indonesia uses Type C and F sockets at 230V
- Any prescription medications you require, as pharmacy options outside the resort area are limited
Health
Consult your doctor or a travel clinic before travel. Check current guidance on routine vaccinations and any destination-specific health recommendations. Mosquito repellent is advisable, particularly in the evenings and in areas with standing water away from the resort zone.
Getting There
By ferry from Singapore
The primary route is by high-speed passenger ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Bandar Bentan Telani (for the Bintan Resorts area) or to Tanjung Pinang's Sri Bintan Pura terminal. Journey times are typically around 55 minutes to just over one hour, though this varies by operator and conditions.
Several operators run this route. Schedules, booking, and pricing change seasonally — always book in advance during Singaporean public holidays and long weekends, when ferries fill quickly. Verify current schedules and fares directly with operators or through Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal's official listings.
Arriving at the island
Both ferry terminals have immigration and customs facilities. Complete your arrival card (paper or digital — confirm the current format before travel) before reaching the counter. Processing is usually straightforward during off-peak periods but can be slow when boats arrive simultaneously during busy weekends.
No commercial flights
Bintan does not have a commercial passenger airport in regular use. The ferry is the standard mode of arrival for the overwhelming majority of visitors.
Getting Around
Within the Bintan Resorts area
Within the northern resort enclave, most visitors rely on resort shuttle services, taxis, and golf buggies. The resort zone is spread out and not easily walkable between properties. Many resorts offer scheduled shuttles to a central area with shops and restaurants.
Reaching Tanjung Pinang
To visit Tanjung Pinang from the resort area, the most practical option is a taxi or arranged transfer. The drive takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic and exact origin. Agree on a fare before departure, or ask your resort to arrange a trusted driver. Verify locally whether app-based ride services are available and functional in the area.
Local transport in Tanjung Pinang
Within Tanjung Pinang, local angkot (shared minibuses) and ojek (motorcycle taxis) operate alongside conventional taxis. Becak (bicycle rickshaws) can be found for short distances in older parts of town. Hiring a car and driver for a day is a practical option for exploring multiple points independently — your resort or guesthouse can usually help arrange this.
Where to Stay
Resort zone (northern Bintan)
The Bintan Resorts area concentrates the island's international accommodation. A range of well-known resort brands operates here, offering beachfront rooms, villas, overwater or beach-edge bungalows, pools, and full-service spas. This is the right choice for travelers who want a seamless, resort-anchored stay.
Tanjung Pinang
The town has guesthouses and mid-range hotels catering primarily to domestic Indonesian travelers and budget-conscious visitors. Standards vary widely; read recent reviews carefully. Staying in town is better suited to travelers interested in exploring the island's local culture rather than beach resort facilities.
Booking tips
- Book well ahead for Singaporean public holidays, school holidays, and long weekends — resort inventory sells out
- Many resorts offer ferry-and-room packages; compare these against booking each element separately
- Confirm your resort's check-in time relative to your ferry arrival, as some properties are a distance from the terminal
Things to See & Do
Beaches and water sports
The resort coastline offers calm, generally clear water suited to swimming. Watersports available at various resorts and beach operators typically include kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing, and snorkelling. Equipment hire and lessons are usually arranged through your resort or beach operators on site. Verify current offerings and conditions locally.
Golf
Bintan has a number of golf courses developed as part of the resort zone. These are among the island's established draws for Singaporean weekend visitors. Book tee times in advance, particularly on weekends.
Tanjung Pinang and cultural sights
- Senggarang village: A Chinese-Malay village accessible by sampan from Tanjung Pinang's waterfront, notable for its old temple buildings with tree roots growing through them — a widely photographed sight
- Penyengat Island (Pulau Penyengat): A small island a short boat ride from Tanjung Pinang, historically significant as the seat of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate. The yellow Sultan Riau Grand Mosque (Masjid Raya Sultan Riau) and remnants of the royal palace are the main draws. Dress modestly to enter the mosque
- Pasar (local markets): Tanjung Pinang's markets offer local produce, street food, and everyday goods — more of an atmospheric wander than a shopping destination
Spa and wellness
Many resorts have full-service spas offering treatments that blend regional and international therapies. This is one of the more popular activities for visitors seeking a rest-focused trip.
Food & Drink
Resort dining
All major resorts have multiple restaurants serving a range of cuisines — Western, Indonesian, Japanese, and seafood-focused menus are common. Quality and price reflect the international resort context. Confirm whether meals are included in your room rate.
Local food in Tanjung Pinang
The town offers a more authentic taste of Riau Malay and Peranakan-Chinese cooking. Look for seafood-based dishes, nasi padang stalls, and grilled fish sold by weight at waterfront restaurants. Gonggong (a local sea snail, boiled and served with dipping sauce) is a regional specialty worth trying.
Alcohol
Bintan is a predominantly Muslim-majority area outside the resort zone. Alcohol is available in resort bars and some restaurants in the resort enclave but is not widely sold in local towns. Be respectful of the local context when consuming alcohol.
Drinking water
Do not drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered water, which is freely available at resorts. This applies to brushing teeth if you are staying in local guesthouses.
Practical Information
Money
The Indonesian rupiah is the official currency. ATMs are available in Tanjung Pinang; access within the resort zone is more limited. Credit cards are accepted at resort hotels and their restaurants, but carry rupiah cash for any excursion outside the resort enclave.
Connectivity
Resort hotels generally offer Wi-Fi. For mobile data, purchasing an Indonesian SIM card on arrival (at either ferry terminal or in Tanjung Pinang) is usually the most cost-effective option. Verify network coverage for your intended activities, especially if travelling to more remote parts of the island.
Emergency contacts
For medical emergencies in the resort zone, contact your resort's front desk — most have arrangements with local clinics or can arrange evacuation to Singapore for serious cases. For broader emergencies in Indonesia, the national emergency numbers are widely published but verify current numbers locally on arrival. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
Time difference
Bintan operates on UTC+7, one hour behind Singapore Standard Time (UTC+8). Keep this in mind when coordinating ferry times.
Safety
Bintan is generally considered low-risk for visitors. Standard travel precautions apply: keep valuables secure, be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas of Tanjung Pinang, and avoid displaying expensive items conspicuously.
Water safety: ocean conditions can change. Heed any flags or warnings posted by resort beach staff. Jellyfish can be present seasonally — ask locally before swimming in unfamiliar spots.
Rip currents and strong swells can occasionally affect parts of the coastline, particularly on the southern and eastern shores away from the sheltered resort beach. Swim only in areas with visible supervision or where conditions are clearly safe.
Travel insurance covering medical evacuation to Singapore is strongly recommended. Medical facilities on the island are limited; serious conditions are typically transferred to Singapore for treatment.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Bintan's local population is predominantly Malay and Muslim, with a significant Chinese-Indonesian community, particularly in Tanjung Pinang. The cultural atmosphere outside the resort zone is noticeably different from the international enclave in the north.
When visiting mosques, temples, or local towns, dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees as a baseline. Remove shoes before entering places of worship. During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public outside the resort area during daylight hours should be done discreetly as a matter of respect.
Greeting with a smile and a simple selamat pagi/siang/sore (good morning/afternoon/evening) in Indonesian is appreciated by locals and goes a long way in markets and local restaurants. Bargaining is normal at local markets but should be friendly and good-humoured rather than aggressive.
