Bintan Island

A resort island across the water from Singapore, with all-inclusive hotels lining the Lagoi resort area on the north coast, plus the desert-like Blue Lake and mangroves — a top choice for a weekend island escape.

Bintan Island is the largest island in Indonesia's Riau Islands Province, covering about 1,170 sq km. It faces Singapore across the Singapore Strait, just 45 km away as the crow flies. The island has two main areas. On the north coast, Bintan Resorts (centred on Lagoi) is a gated resort zone developed jointly with Singapore, home to upscale hotels and all-inclusive resorts such as Banyan Tree, Club Med, Nirwana, Pullman and Treasure Bay; it's safe and well equipped, but prices are in Singapore dollars and close to Singapore levels. In the southwest, Tanjungpinang, the capital of Riau Islands Province, has an old Chinese quarter, seafood stalls and relics of the Malay sultanate, with low prices; from here, small boats cross to Penyengat Island. The east coast around Trikora Beach offers budget sea-view guesthouses and kelong (stilted offshore fishing platforms). Getting there: Bintan Resort Ferries run from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani terminal on the north coast in about 55–60 minutes, with shuttle buses to the resorts; for Tanjungpinang, take a Majestic or Sindo ferry (about 2 hours) to Sri Bintan Pura terminal. There is no public transport on the island, so you'll rely on hotel shuttles, chartered cars or Grab/Gojek (coverage in the northern resort area is limited). The climate is hot and humid year-round (26–32°C); Mar–Oct brings plenty of sunshine and calm seas, while the northeast monsoon from November to February brings big waves on the east coast and suspends some water activities. Plan 2–3 days: lounging at a north-coast resort plus a mangrove boat tour and Crystal Lagoon, or a day trip to Tanjungpinang and Penyengat Island for history and culture. Tips: Indonesia offers Chinese citizens a visa on arrival/electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA, about IDR 500,000, valid for a 30-day stay — check official information before you travel); Singapore dollars are widely used in the northern resort area, while the rupiah is used elsewhere on the island; mangroves and beaches have plenty of mosquitoes, so bring insect repellent; ferries are often full on weekends and Singapore holidays, so book ahead.

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