12 Best Things To Do In Bintan Island, Indonesia - Updated 2024

Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 4 min read

When it comes to having a vacation in Indonesia, a lot of international travelers will suddenly think about Bali, Lombok, or Raja Ampat. While you are recommended to visit those amazing places, Indonesia also has other exotic destinations that are not as well-known to global tourists. Visit Bintan Island, a heavenly destination in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia. The exotic island features plenty of activities to do for everyone, whether you are a leisure seeker or an adventure seeker. From admiring the perfect sand dunes to searching for fireflies, you’ll be having a fun time. If your idea of fun is hitting and beach and finding Nemo, then keep reading to learn about the best things to do in Bintan Island, Indonesia.

1. Set out on a safari adventure

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Hey, is that the weekend we smell? Slow lorises are the only venomous primate. The venom is usually located in their...

Posted by Bintan Resorts on Thursday, January 17, 2019

Take your kids on a fun and educational tour at Safari Lagoi and Eco Farm. This fully guided tour allows you to meet and greet rescued endangered animals like different types of primates, Komodo dragons, sun bears, elephants, and crocodiles. You will get to learn more about each of these animals including their natural habitat, their behavior, and the stories on how and why they were rescued—and, of course, why it’s so important to protect the environment.

The two-hour tour also includes a trip to the eco-farm where you and your kids get to learn about locally grown produce like rice, peanuts, papayas, and dragon fruits. The tour ends with a tasty sample of farm-grown fresh fruits, teas, and salads!

Safari Lagoi and Eco Farm

Address: Teluk Sebong, Bintan, Riau Islands 29152, Indonesia

Website: Safari Lagoi and Eco Farm

Opening hours: 8am - 4pm (daily)

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2. Wallow in the sands of Busung Desert

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

An obsolete sand mining site situated in the west Bintan, _____________ is a highly raved instagrammable place, can you...

Posted by Bintan Resorts on Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Can you imagine seeing a “desert” in the middle of a tropical island? The Busung Desert is such a magical place right out of a storybook! The dunes are located on the western bay of Bintan Island and feature dreamy Sahara-like views with varying hues of light browns, yellows, and even some touches of red here and there, depending, of course, on how the sunlight touches the sand. Pick a spot and capture a memorable photo in this picturesque landscape!

Busung Desert

Address: Busung, Seri Kuala Lobam, Kabupaten Bintan, Kepulauan Riau 29152, Indonesia

Website: Busung Desert

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3. Visit the picture-perfect Bintan Sand Dunes and Blue Lakes (from USD 45.0)

Nobody leaves Bintan Island without visiting one of its most popular tourist attractions, Bintan Sand Dunes and Blue Lakes. Admire the picture-perfect sand dunes that are often mistaken for being naturally made. Rather, the sand dunes are the results of mining excavations. Once you are satisfied with the sand dunes, you’ll move to a nearby place where you will find a lake where the water is incredibly blue. Other stops include a fruit store and Tanjung Uban Town to shop for souvenirs. You will also enjoy a delicious seafood lunch to keep you energized.

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Lagoi Private Bintan Sand Dunes and Blue Lakes Tour

Duration: 4 to 5 hours

40 reviews

4. Beat the heat and hit the beach of Trikora

perahuku taliku trikora by canophotoshoot 4 copy
Source: Photo by Flickr user thennyfeliciano used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Bintan Island has plenty of attractions and one of those that is also very popular with tourists is the one and only Trikora Beach. The heat can be unbearable, but you can easily beat it by having fun in the cool, clear waters of Trikora. Take a leisurely walk on the white-sand beach. Marvel at the picturesque boulders that are scattered throughout.

Trikora Beach

Address: Trikora, Kawal, Gn. Kijang, Kabupaten Bintan, Riau

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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5. View the thousand faces of the Lohan statues at Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva


Even though you may not be a Buddhist, you can still enjoy a visit to the Buddist temple called Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, one of the most charming buildings on the island. Situated within a quick drive from Tanjung Pinang, the temple is known for its Lohan statues that have a thousand faces and expressions. Take a look at each statue closely; you will see that each statue is unique and completely different from the other.

Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

Address: Batu IX, East Tanjungpinang, Tanjung Pinang, Riau

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 5:45pm; Sun: 24 hours

Price: 5,000 IDR (0.35 USD)

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6. Chow down on delicious local snacks at "Akau Potong Lembu", a night food bazaar at Tanjung Pinang


Visiting a new place without tasting authentic local cuisine won’t make the trip as meaningful as it should be. That is why you need to find your way to the night food bazaar at Tanjung Pinang called Akau Potong Lembu. Indulge in a variety of delicious snacks sold by hawkers in their food carts. Since many of the hawkers are of Chinese descent, you can also enjoy tasty Chinese dishes such as Bak Kut Teh. Must-try dishes include Ice Cendol, fish head curry, and grilled satay.

Akau Potong Lembu

Address: Jalan Potong Lembu, Tanjung Pinang, Pulau Bintan, Riau

Opening hours: 5pm - 12am (daily)

Price: Free

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7. Find nemo on a snorkeling adventure (from USD 49.0)

Appreciate the beauty of nature more when you take part in this exciting snorkeling adventure at Kelong. From Trikora Beach, you will take a boat ride to Kelong and once you get there, you can snorkel as long as you want in the clear waters and have fun. Discover the rich marine life found in the many coral reefs, such as the beautiful clownfish made famous in the movie Finding Nemo. Also, enjoy the peace of mind and the serenity you get from snorkeling in the calm waters of Kelong.

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Bintan Private Guided Trikora Beach Snorkeling Trip

Duration: 1 day

26 reviews

8. Search for the fireflies in the mangrove forest (from USD 28.0)

Another fun activity the whole family can enjoy that Bintan Island also offers is viewing the pretty fireflies at night found in the middle of a mangrove forest. You will cruise along the Sebong River to get to the forest. While searching for the fireflies, do also look around and enjoy the forest itself as well as appreciate the tranquil atmosphere.

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Bintan Fireflies Discovery Tour

Duration: 2 hours

1 review

9. Have a visit to history by exploring Panglong Village

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Delve into the world of sea gypsies by seeing Panglong Village, which can be found to the north of Trikora Beach. Gain insights into how the Orang Laut, who have existed for hundreds of years, live their daily lives. Admire the unique stilt houses. Only at this village can you see preserved charcoal kilns that are rarely found in other places. You can also buy some fantastic local produce, such as dried seafood, fresh fish that was caught that day, and fish crackers.

Panglong Village

Address: Bintan, Riau

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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10. Try the jetovator and soar above the waters of Crystal Lagoon at Treasure Bay Bintan


If you are fond of thrilling activities, you would not want to miss this one. Revel in soaring above the crystal-clear waters of Crystal Lagoon by trying the jetovator. Marvel at the heights you’ll reach on this ride. There are more exciting water activities you can also try, such as kayaking and paddle-boarding. The place is very safe and all ages will have loads of fun here.

Crystal Lagoon

Address: Kawasan Pariwisata, Jl. Raja H. No.KM 01, Sebong Lagoi, Tlk. Sebong, Kabupaten Bintan, Riau

Website: Crystal Lagoon

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 9am - 6pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

Price: From 120,000 IDR (8 USD)

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11. Explore the jungle and hike Mount Bintan

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

What do you think of hiking up one of Bintan’s most precious treasures? Welcome to Mount Bintan, one of the very few original jungles on the island. As you make your way to the top of the mountain, you will come across various tropical birds and even monkeys if you are lucky. You can also learn about several tropical fruits that grow in the jungle, such as mangosteen and durians. On your way down, you can enjoy immediate refreshment as you plunge into a small pool called Princess’ Pool and waterfall.

Mount Bintan

Address: Bintan, Riau

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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12. Shop for local and handmade wares at Jalan Plantar II in Tanjung Pinang

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Bintan Island has several traditional markets and one of the best is located on the street of Jalan Plantar II. When shopping for souvenirs, it is best to visit a traditional market instead of a shopping mall. Interact with the locals, immerse yourself in their culture, and hunt for the things you like, such as handmade wares, ceramics, handicrafts, and other trinkets to bring home as gifts.

Jalan Plantar II

Address: Jalan Plantar II, Bintan, Riau

Price: Free

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Enjoy the ultimate adventure in Bintan Island

A vacation in Bintan Island is something you will never forget for the rest of your life. When you are able to do the things mentioned above, then Bintan Island will also leave a lasting impression in your heart. Start preparing your itinerary, book a ticket, as the ultimate adventure in Bintan Island awaits.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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