Best of Bintan (Resorts) for Different Kinds of Travellers

Only a stone’s throw away from our shores, Bintan Island is a perennial favourite destination for many Singaporeans looking for a quick and affordable holiday. It’s no Bali but Bintan is definitely an easy getaway as its only a ferry ride away for a quick break from the city. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adrenaline-filled escapade, Bintan has something to offer every type of traveller.

Best Bintan Resorts for Different Groups of Travellers

Bintan Resorts for the Golfing Enthusiast

Golf lovers in Singapore will find themselves right at home at any of the several world-class golf courses at Bintan Resorts.

Banyan Tree Bintan Golf Course 

One of the best can be found at Bintan Lagoon Resort. Designed by “The Golden Bear” Jack Nicklaus himself, the course offers majestic sculptured bunkers, as well as the strategic use of the natural landscape and some unique water hazards. Players of all standards will delight in this 6443 metre-wide course.

Ria Bintan is another top choice for golf lovers. Nominated as one of Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Courses” and ranked as both the “Best Golf Course in Asia” and “Best Golf Course in Indonesia” by Asian Golf Monthly, the course is characterised by mature woodlands and windswept beaches. The course’s inland-style offers a surprising variety that will attract any golf enthusiast. You can stay at Angsana Bintan if you plan on a few rounds of golf at Ria Bintan. The resort in 6km away, facing a white sand beach along Tanjong Said bay. Angsana Bintan resort is an Expedia VIP hotel which means Expedia+ gold members get extra perks.

Angsana Bintan Resort

Finally, the Laguna Bintan Golf Club, co-located with the Banyan Tree Bintan Resort, is an 18-hole championship course that will excite any golfer. The diverse terrain of forest land, natural wetlands, and an abandoned quarry all present a variety of interesting challenges for players.

Banyan Tree Bintan Golf Course

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Bintan for Families

For families with young children, Bintan offers some exciting options that will keep everyone entertained for days.

Visitors can tour several culturally significant sites in Bintan, such as the Sri Bintan Kampung, where they can explore the traditional Indonesian “kampung” or local village. There, you can get a glimpse into the daily lifestyles of the villagers and learn about how rubber tapping works, or how pandan leaves can be woven into usable products.

Another place worth visiting is Senggarang, where many locals believe Chinese immigrants first settled in ancient times. The village’s main attraction includes the sacred and mysterious Banyan Tree Temple, which is believed to be at least 200 years old.

Outdoor family activities from Bintan Lagoon Resort

 Children’s indoor play area at Angsana Bintan

The best news of all for parents? Most Bintan resorts, such as Club Med Bintan or the Angsana Resort have a dedicated, free area for young guests up 18 years of age, where they can have fun under supervision from the resort staff, while adults can slip away to enjoy other resort facilities.

In addition to being well-equipped with books, toys, art supplies, and so on, these “children’s clubs” in Bintan resorts also organise creative activities and fun, stimulating exercises for kids to engage in. These range from nature walks to T-shirt painting to circus workshops, ensuring that kids get to interact with others while enjoying new experiences.

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Bintan for Couples’ Romantic Getaway

Banyan Tree Bintan

Couples looking for an intimate escapade can hop on a ferry to enjoy a tiny slice of paradise. Start your romantic vacation together with a couple of hours at any of Bintan’s luxurious (and very affordable) spas, where you and your lover will be ushered into a lush, serene haven. Let your tension melt away with a traditional Indonesian massage and discover other blissful wellness treatments that will leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.

Bintan is also famous for its beautiful beaches, with soft white sand and clear azure waters, offering the perfect backdrop for romantic strolls, or hours of indulgent lounging. Enjoy a magical evening as you watch the sunset with your sweetheart while sipping on a cocktail.

Couples spa at Banyan Tree Bintan

The variety of beachfront romantic dining options available completes the idyllic island holiday experience. Great, reasonably-priced food with a gorgeous view and the sound of waves crashing on the shore will make you forget the bustle and stress of city life. For example, Nirwana Resort at the Nirwana Resort Hotel, offers alfresco dining on the beach and specialises in kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner.

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Bintan for a Short Getaway with Friends

Whether it’s a reunion with old friends or a team-bonding experience with colleagues, there’s an exhilarating array of fun group activities to try out in Bintan.

Outdoor pool at Bintan SpaVilla

Sea sports are definitely a must-try, for example. Whether it’s snorkelling in Bintan’s beautiful, crystal clear waters, an adrenaline-filled Jet Ski ride, or a traditional fishing trip on an authentic sampan, a group visit to Bintan would not be complete without an aquatic adventure.

Bintan also offers plenty of exciting land activities for groups. Strap on a helmet and race your friends in go karts, or psyche yourself up for an all-terrain vehicle ride through specially designed jungle trails. Test your tactical skills with a game of paintball, or rent a bicycle and explore Bintan’s off-road tracks.

Nirwana Bintan Resort

A full range of sporting facilities are also available at most resorts. Nirwana Resorts, for example, even has an archery range, air rifle shooting range, and a bowling alley.

If all else fails, hit the streets for some sightseeing and shopping. Wander down to Pasar Oleh-Oleh, a cluster of huts forming a market which sells Indonesian delicacies and snacks. Tanjung Pinang, the main port town in Bintan, is also worth a visit as it is the shopping capital of the region – electronics, cameras, and watches are priced very competitively here, and are often cheaper than in many other countries.

Standup paddle boarding at Nirwana Resort

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Weather in Bintan

Between March and October, during the dry season; the rest of the year tends to be wet and windy.

Events in Bintan

The Tanjung Pinang International Dragon Boat Festival also takes place in October, which features cultural performances, swimming competitions and traditional diving challenges.

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Where To Stay in Bintan

Luxury Bintan Resorts:  Club Med Bintan and Banyan Tree Bintan for a luxurious stay

Mid-Range Bintan Resorts: Nirwana Resort Hotel and Mayang Sari Beach Resort for mid-range accommodation

Budget Bintan Resorts: Nirwana Beach Club for a low-budget stay

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How To Get to Bintan from Singapore

 There is a regular ferry service operated by Bintan Resorts Ferries (BRF) that plies between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore and Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, Bintan Resorts. The trip takes about 55 minutes. Tickets may be purchased online here, or at the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal itself.

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Visa for Singaporeans for Bintan

Nationals from most Asian countries, including Singapore, are not required to apply for an entry visa to enter Indonesia. Nationals from other countries are required to apply for a visa-on-arrival, which costs US$15 per person for stays up to seven days, or US$35 for a longer stay.

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