A green jewel in the South China Sea, Bintan is peaceful and laid-back after the frenetic pace of life in the cities of south-east Asia and further afield. The dazzling beaches, the culture, the cuisine, and the smiling faces of the locals have all contributed to making this one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia.
It has lagoons that teem with sea life and a jungle-clad interior where the flora and fauna are just as abundant. And all that great outdoors - as little as 60 minutes by ferry from Singapore and less than three hours from Malaysia - is ideal for a socially distanced vacation.
Bintan also enjoys award-winning accommodation, spas and golf courses, as well as unique sights, tastes and cultural experiences - and is such an important destination for our international travellers that one of the island’s hotels was selected as the first place in Indonesia to receive an InDOnesia CARE certificate.
The InDOnesia CARE programme demonstrates that tourist facilities meet cleanliness, health, and safety standards, as well as complying with environmental sustainability requirements, known as CHSE protocols. The Indonesian government is also vigorously stepping up its vaccination programme to support the nation’s tourism sector.
Bintan, part of the Riau Islands, has been recognised as a traveller-safe “green zone” by Indonesia’s government and tourist facilities are taking every precaution to guarantee that every visitor remains healthy and happy while they stay with us.
In addition, Bintan has one of the highest vaccination rates in Indonesia with about 86.19% of the population receiving the first dose and 64.85% fully vaccinated.
Do:
With so many beaches, a wide range of water sports can be enjoyed across the island. Resorts and beaches rent out surfboards, snorkelling equipment, kayaks, and windsurfers, while operators also offer parasailing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and banana boat journeys offshore. Alternatively, lay back on your sun lounger and let those everyday worries wash away.
Lagoi Bay is recommended for its location, particularly for families and groups, while Pantai Senggiling is a glorious stretch of beach that is somewhat off the beaten path - but well worth the journey for anyone seeking solitude.
White Sand Island is a 15-minute boat journey from Trikora beach and, as the name suggests, is an immaculate isle fringed by fine, glistening sand. There is plenty of space to spread out on the beach, which is perfect for families, while children will also be thrilled at the prospect of spotting turtles in what is a sanctuary for the marine creatures.
Staying with the ocean theme, Treasure Bay Bintan is a vast, 338-hectare water park and the first man-made sea-water lagoon in south-east Asia. The park has countless water recreation options focused on its 6.3-hectare lagoon, including kayaks, paddleboards, and solar boat cruises, while plans are afoot for further developments in the future.
For something a little more adventurous, take a boat journey through Bintan Mangrove Forest, home to hundreds of plants and animals, including macaques, silver leaf monkeys and kingfishers with plumage that flashes as they dart through the air. Some operators also offer night safaris through these twisting waterways, with fireflies often accompanying the boat.
Telaga Biru is a stunning, crystal-blue lake that occupies what was once a mine in the heart of the secluded Pasir Busung desert, while anyone looking to explore Bintan’s religious heritage should visit the 500 Lohan Temple, a Buddhist place of worship that is 10 km from central Tanjung Pinang and features an impressive 500 life-size statues of Lohan, also known as Arhat, the term given to souls who have attained nirvana.
Spas:
No holiday in paradise would be complete without a little socially distanced pampering, so be sure to visit one of our rejuvenating spas. Spas are required to follow the most up-to-date hygiene protocols for their visitors.
The Aroma River Spa is on the east coast of Bintan, with guests able to enjoy a selection of treatments in private pavilions perched on stilts above a meandering river. The spa is famous for its signature Traditional Riau Body Massage, a 75-minute treatment that uses traditional local techniques, as well as the 105-minute De-Stress River Package, which includes a deep scrub to deliver complete relaxation.
The Angsana Bintan Hotel has its own award-winning spa overlooking the South China Sea. Masseuses apply a blend of traditional Asian techniques with European influences. Treatments can be customised but do try those that use locally derived ingredients.
The Anindya Spa is a truly Indonesian experience that melds culture and tradition to promote the healing power of massage. Treatments use local ingredients infused with properties that have been applied for generations, such as the Savitri Herbal Pouch massage, which involves a hot compress of herbs that releases healing properties.
Eat:
A sprawling archipelago, Indonesia has countless regional specialities. Bintan has its own mouth-watering local dishes, and no visit would be complete without sampling them.
Try “otak-otak,” grilled fresh fish cake that is wrapped in banana leaf and seasoned with tapioca and spices. Another local favourite is “gonggong,” a variety of sea snail that is boiled and served with a sauce of pineapple, garlic, or chili.
The Plaza Lagoi shopping complex has a wide selection of restaurants serving everything from Indonesian staples, such as “nasi goreng” and “tahu goreng,” to regional and international cuisine, or stop off at one of the many “kelong” - wooden houses on stilts over the ocean - that have been repurposed into seafood restaurants and where the meal is pulled up from the waters just beneath a diner’s feet.
The experience at Nelayan is five star from start to finish. Part of the Bintan Lagoon Resort, the restaurant looks out across the ocean and is an unforgettable way to end a day on this slice of South China Sea paradise.
Stay:
Bintan has accommodation options to meet every taste and budget, from boutique hotels and high-end resorts to cosy hostels and homestays, with all operators required to comply with the most recent guidelines on health and safety.
Here are a couple of the most inspirational properties for visitors.
The Banyan Tree Bintan resort is the island’s all-villa property operated by the internationally renowned Banyan Tree Group. Its luxuriously appointed pool villas are dotted between lush vegetation and look out across the South China Sea. The resort has its own private beach, a championship golf course and an award-winning spa.
The Anmon Resort has created a “glamping” - or glamorous camping - experience, with 100 teepees close to the Treasure Bay waterfront resort. This is a long way from roughing it in the outback, with each tent enjoying a sophisticated Mediterranean-style interior, a private bathroom and enclosed patio. Each tent has a 24-hour digital concierge service, while The Compass Rose restaurant caters to campers’ needs.
InDOnesia CARE:
To ensure the comfort of visitors, the Indonesian government has moved quickly to launch the InDOnesia CARE initiative, which introduces comprehensive protocols to ensure cleanliness, health and safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Health and tourism officials have collaborated to draw up thorough guidelines for all sectors of the travel industry, from hotels through restaurants and bars, scuba diving operators, homestays, spas, golf courses, rafting tours and any other area that a visitor may encounter.
Employees in the tourism sector are required to have their temperature checked regularly and anyone suspected of being ill must seek medical attention and isolate immediately. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory in all sectors of the industry, while operators must also carry out regular and frequent disinfectant procedures.
Tourist facilities are also to be regularly aired, guests and staff are expected to follow social distancing guidelines and managers are required to instruct employees on preventive measures.
Facilities are also required to obtain a certificate of CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environment Sustainability) to demonstrate to visitors that they meet the necessary standards and are vigilant in the campaign against the virus.
To prevent the coronavirus spreading, the Indonesian government has introduced new regulations for anyone planning to visit the region. The situation remains fluid and requirements for travellers can change.
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