Sitting just across the border from Singapore lies the tranquil Indonesian island of Bintan, a hidden gem that offers the perfect weekend escape for weary urban dwellers. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and lush tropical landscapes, Bintan beckons with its promise of relaxation, adventure, and a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. With a quick ferry ride, you can embark on a 2-day, 1-night getaway that will leave you refreshed, rejuvenated, and craving for more of this island paradise.
In this article, we present a meticulously crafted itinerary that captures the essence of Bintan in just two days. Whether you’re a busy millennial seeking a tonic to recharge or a travel enthusiast looking for a short escape, our itinerary will take you through the best places to stay, eat, and explore in Bintan.
Day 1:
8:00 AM: Depart from Singapore
- Take a ferry from Singapore to Bintan. The journey will take approximately one hour. We recommend taking Bintan Resort Ferries. It will take you from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, north of Bintan Island (Lagoi area). Enjoy a reliable and comfortable ferry service for your getaway at Bintan Resorts.
- If you are feeling indulgent, you can opt to upgrade to Emerald Class and sail in luxury and exclusiveness. Enjoy the perks of comfortable and spacious seats, lounge access at both terminals, and additional services. It also allows you to skip the queue during immigration clearance on arrival in Bintan, so you can enjoy your getaway right away!
Book your ferries ticket here from SGD$78!
9:00 AM: Arrive in Bintan
- Upon arrival at the Bintan ferry terminal, proceed with immigration and customs clearance.
9:30 AM: Check-in at the Resort
- Head to your chosen resort and check-in. Bintan offers a variety of resorts catering to different budgets and preferences. Some popular options include Bintan Lagoon Resort, Nirwana Gardens, and Angsana Bintan.
- Nirwana Gardens is a beachfront resort complex that consists of several resorts, including Nirwana Resort Hotel, Mayang Sari Beach Resort, and Banyu Biru Villa. With a wide range of accommodation options, from rooms to private villas, Nirwana Gardens offers access to pristine beaches, swimming pools, water sports, restaurants, and an 18-hole golf course.
- Angsana Bintan is a contemporary beachfront resort with stylish rooms and villas. Guests can enjoy access to a pristine beach, swimming pools, water sports activities, a spa, and multiple dining outlets. The resort also offers a variety of recreational activities, including bike tours and beach volleyball.
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10:30 AM: Beach Activities
- Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Bintan. Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters or simply relax on the sandy shores. Many resorts offer water sports activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and jet skiing. You can also sunbathe or take a leisurely stroll along the coastline.
1:00 PM: Lunch
- Have lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants or at your resort. Sample local Indonesian cuisine, fresh seafood, or international dishes.
- Bintan is renowned for its abundant seafood. Head to the local seafood restaurants and beachfront eateries to savor an array of dishes made with freshly caught fish, prawns, crabs, and shellfish. From grilled seafood to seafood stir-fries and chili crabs, you can indulge in flavourful and mouthwatering seafood delicacies.
- If you’re craving international flavours, Bintan offers a range of international cuisines to cater to different tastes. You can find restaurants serving Western dishes, including burgers, pasta, pizzas, and steaks. Additionally, there are establishments offering Asian cuisines like Chinese, Thai, Indian, Japanese, and Korean, providing a diverse dining experience.
2:30 PM: Spa and Wellness
- Bintan is known for its spa and wellness centers. Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment or massage to rejuvenate your body and mind. Many resorts have their own spa facilities, offering a range of treatments and therapies.
There are multiple options available:
Traditional healing therapies, such as Javanese or Balinese massages, which mix deep tissue massage methods with aromatherapy to relieve stress and promote relaxation, are a great way to experience the therapeutic qualities of traditional Indonesian medicine. Natural herbs, oils, and procedures that have been handed down through multiple generations are frequently used in traditional healing practices.
4:30 PM: Explore the Island
- Take a tour or rent a bike to explore the island’s natural beauty. Visit places like Trikora Beach, Senggarang Village, or the Mangrove Discovery Tour. You can also go on a mangrove tour or explore the local fishing villages.
- Senggarang Village is a lovely historical settlement with a significant cultural legacy. It is renowned for its well-preserved traditional buildings, old temples, and vivid Chinese cultural influence, so entering there is like traveling back in time.
- When strolling around Senggarang Village, you’ll see the traditional homes’ distinctive design known as “Rumah Melayu.” These wooden homes have elaborate carvings and vibrant decorations, and they are elevated on stilts. The residences’ architectural influences, which combine Chinese and Malay styles, produce a unique and visually captivating ambiance.
There are multiple immaculate beaches on Trikora Beach, each with a special beauty. The coconut trees and casuarina pines that line the soft sandy shoreline provide a postcard-perfect setting that is guaranteed to charm beachgoers. Visitors are invited to have a relaxing dip in the South China Sea’s pristine waters or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the sunshine.
7:00 PM: Dinner
- Enjoy a delicious dinner at a beachside restaurant or at your resort. Bintan offers a variety of dining options, including seafood, international cuisine, and traditional Indonesian dishes.
Day 2:
8:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at the hotel.
Try some of the traditional Indonesian breakfast to embrace the local flavors. One well-liked option is Bubur Ayam, a hearty rice porridge topped with diced chicken, fried shallots, and scallions as well as soy sauce, chili sauce, and crispy fritters made of fried dough called “cakwe”.
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Go snorkeling or diving in the clear waters around Bintan. Explore the underwater world and enjoy the marine life.
Explore the island’s surrounding coral reefs and abundant marine life. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned diver, Bintan has a variety of possibilities for those who enjoy the underwater world.
Casual snorkelers will find it easy that many snorkeling locations can be reached immediately from the beach. On Bintan’s northern coast, Lagoi Bay provides crystal-clear seas and stunning coral reefs filled with tropical species. You can either bring your own snorkeling gear or rent it from beachfront vendors to explore the underwater environment at your own pace.
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1:00 PM: Have lunch at a local restaurant. Can have the option of ordering dishes and sharing them with a group of people or ordering individual portions.
Other famous local dishes that are a must-try:
Nasi Goreng
Rice flavoured with eggs, veggies, spices, and small pieces of meat—usually chicken or fish. In most cases, there will be shallots, garlic, shrimp paste, some chili, and tamarind. You can choose what kind of meat (or no meat), the level of spiciness, or how you like your egg added (mixed with the dish or sunny-side-up on top).
Variations of Nasi Goreng:
- Nasi goreng ayam – Chicken fried rice
- Nasi goreng ikan asin – Salted fish fried rice
- Nasi goreng cumi – Squid fried rice
Gado Gado
An Indonesian salad of steamed vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, tofu, tempeh, and lontong (rice cake), served with a peanut sauce dressing. It is a popular dish in Indonesia and can be found in many restaurants and street food stalls.
Typically include potatoes, long beans, bean sprouts, spinach, chayote, bitter gourd, corn, and cabbage. The tofu and tempeh are usually fried, and the lontong is steamed. The peanut sauce is made with peanuts, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and tamarind.
The peanut sauce is the one that truly elevates the salad. It combines the flavour of the ingredients harmoniously.
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Visit the Bintan Mangrove Eco Park. Take a boat tour through the mangroves and learn about the ecosystem. Enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of the mangrove forests.
Travel along the Sebung River through Bintan’s dense mangroves as you embark on a wilderness adventure. A flourishing ecosystem of animals and plants is spontaneously created by the trees’ dense foliage and networked roots. On the Mangrove Discovery Tour, you can sail through the mangrove jungle while observing the colourful kingfishers, agile leaps of macaques and silver leaf monkeys, and macaques.
Numerous varieties of flora and fauna can be found in Sebung River. The mangrove forest protects Bintan’s beaches by holding the soil firmly to the water’s surface and preventing soil erosion. Watch for curled-up mangrove snakes on the trees that make up the natural canopy above the meandering river. The neighborhood is also home to monitor lizards. In the Sebung River, you can find fish, mudskippers, mussels, and other marine life. Explore the mounds in search of the mysterious mud lobsters that live there. Learn to recognise the various types of mangroves and how the river sustains the community’s residents.
6:00 PM: Have a delicious seafood dinner at a local restaurant. (Kelong Seafood Restaurant)
If you are the type of person who likes to eat dinner while watching the sunset at the same time, then this place can be your consideration. This restaurant is located within Bintan Resorts. Although they are serving mainly seafood, you can still find non-seafood dishes over here.
Some of the signature dishes of this place are gonggong, black pepper crab, and butter stir-fried shrimp. Kelong Seafood is also known for blending Chinese and Indonesian culinary styles. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. daily.
7:30 PM: Depart from your hotel and transfer to the ferry terminal.
8:00 PM: Catch your ferry back to Singapore (around 1 hour).
Note: The timings provided are rough estimates and can be adjusted based on your preferences and the specific activities you choose to engage in. It’s important to check the ferry schedules and make reservations in advance to ensure a smooth trip.
Book your ferries ticket here from SGD$78!
