Things to Do in Bintan
12 experiences in Bintan
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About Bintan
Bintan is the resort island Singaporeans escape to for the weekend, a 55-minute ferry ride from the city-state but a world away in pace. The island's northern coast is where the action is: a stretch of white-sand beach lined with international resorts, dive operators, and golf courses that make it Indonesia's answer to a quick tropical fix without the logistics of flying to Bali. This isn't a backpacker destination — Bintan runs on package deals, resort day rates, and pre-booked transfers, and it's built almost entirely around that Singaporean weekend crowd.
What sets Bintan apart is the contrast between its manicured resort belt and the rougher, more genuine Indonesian island just beyond it. Drive twenty minutes inland or south and you hit Tanjung Pinang, a working port town with a wet market, mosques, and a Riau-Malay culture that has nothing to do with infinity pools. Bintan rewards people who split their time: two or three days flopped on a resort sunbed, then a day trip out to see the mangrove villages, the old Dutch colonial remnants, or the offshore islands where local fishermen still run the show.
Come here for an easy, low-effort beach break — honeymooners, young families, and couples wanting a long weekend of snorkeling, spa treatments, and seafood without dealing with visas or long-haul flights. It's less good for solo backpackers chasing nightlife or budget travel, since the resort zone is pricey and public transport barely exists. But for a short, restorative trip that still delivers real Indonesian texture if you go looking for it, Bintan does the job better than almost anywhere else this close to Singapore.
Good to Know
- Bring Singapore dollars or Indonesian rupiah in cash — many local vendors and taxis outside resorts don't take cards
- A visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry applies for most nationalities for short stays, but check current rules before booking flights or ferries
- Buy a local SIM (Telkomsel or XL) at the ferry terminal on arrival — resort wifi is often slow and data is cheap
- Tipping isn't mandatory but 10,000-20,000 IDR for drivers and spa staff is appreciated and increasingly expected at resorts
- Dress modestly if visiting Tanjung Pinang or local villages — swimwear is fine at the beach and resort pools only
- Bargain with unmetered taxis and boat operators before getting in — agree the fare upfront every time
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and your own snorkel gear if you're picky — resort rental gear is basic
- Book Singapore-Bintan ferries in advance for weekend travel, as sailings sell out especially around holidays
