A quick, perfect weekend getaway

If it's just a 1.5 hours ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore, it sounds just like the perfect plan to spend a weekend here. Bintan is a tranquil haven nestled in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia and is lined up with really pristine beaches, which makes it an ideal destination for a rejuvenating weekend getaway.

Bintan's allure lies not only in its stunning but also in the diverse range of activities it offers. From relaxing on the sun-kissed beaches of Trikora or Lagoi Bay to exploring the rich history of Bintan's temples and villages, there's something for every type of traveler.

Travel Options

Ferry or flight?

If you're feeling adventurous, air travel is an option as well. Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport is located in central Bintan, with flights connecting to major cities in the region. I would recommend this option if you plan to check out the Southern region of Bintan or plan to fly out to another country after your stay here.

If you're heading back to Singapore via ferry, however, do note that it takes around an hour to travel via car from central Bintan to the ferry terminal. Do also check out this article on Bintan travel requirements to understand regulatory requirements when travelling in and out of Bintan.

To get over to Bintan, a popular choice to go for is via ferry. There are a few platforms to purchase a ferry ticket, but the more popular ones to go for are Bintan Resorts Ferries or Lagos Bintan Resorts Ferry. Ferries depart from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and can be conveniently booked online directly through the website or Klook (which I've listed above for convenient access).

I went with Lagoi Bintan Resorts Ferry, and purchased my ticket through Klook (Don't forget to select the round trip option) The Klook listing even displays the ferry schedule and other relevant information to note. Go for Emerald class if you have a higher budget, which features extra spacious seats and a complimentary snack bar on board.

Travelling from Singapore

If you're a little more sane and opted for the ferry, you can easily get there via car or bus. Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal's address is 50 Tanah Merah Ferry Rd, Singapore 498833, which can easily be found on Google Maps as well. If you're travelling via public transport, you can take the MRT to Bedok (Exit B) or Tanah Merah station (Exit B), then take bus number 35 to get to the terminal. It is highly recommended arrive 90mins before departure to collect your tickets and clear immigration.

Once you're at the ferry terminal, simply look for the ticket counter to exchange your tickets. The process was relatively simple as I only had to show the reservation confirmation on my phone to get the tickets. Go through immigration and chill in the holding area before boarding your ferry. The holding area houses a cafeteria and a souvenir shop, though I'd highly recommend eating before heading to the ferry terminal. You'll know it's time to board when an attendant calls for it (there's also a digital display showing your ferry number).

You'll arrive at Bandar Bentan Telani (the main ferry terminal of Bintan if you're coming from Singapore) after around 1.5 hours, and once you clear immigration, prepared to be bombarded by the locals asking you if you need a taxi, which can get quite pricey, hence I would suggest booking private transport beforehand! Luckily, the hotel which I made the reservation with (Hotel Cassia) provided complimentary 2-way shuttle transport. In that case, follow the instructions given by hotel to get on the complimentary shuttle. Prior to travel, I had to provide Hotel Cassia my ferry details, which they relied on prior to my boarding as verification. We were grouped with other tourists heading in the same direction - The only downside is the waiting time, since the operator had to account for everyone travelling before driving off.

Day 1 - Settling in

I arrived at around 3PM which was just in time for check in - The process was relatively smooth and I was lying in my villa's sofa in no time. The first thing I noticed was that getting around wasn't as easy as I had hoped. There aren't on-demand ride-hailing apps like Grab or GoJek there - You have to hire a private driver, which can be really costly if you plan to get around many places. Here's a ballpark price from a brochure I snapped at Hotel Cassia's lobby:

This would be reasonable though, if you're travelling in a group of at least 4. If you're more of an independent traveller, there are options to rent scooters / motorbikes too, though it costs SGD30 onwards per day to rent.

Mangrove Pontoon Firefly tour

The Bintan Mangrove Pontoon Night Tour brings you through Sebung River of Bintan to experience nature. The hour long experience allows you to learn from knowledgeable guides about Bintan's rich mangrove ecosystem. Read more about my experience here.

Kelong Mangrove Restaurant

After we got dropped off, it was time for dinner. Since Bintan is known for its floating kelong restaurants, we settled for Kelong Mangrove Restaurant, which is accessible via a quick 5-minute boat ride.

Day 2 - Unwind at the resort

Day 2 started with a treat to the hotel's breakfast buffet platter. A morning dance class happening right by the hotel pool was ongoing as well, although I didn't sign up for that.

Because the trip was meant to be a chill and relaxed one, I spent most of it in the hotel and the beach, which was right beside the hotel. I loved about the beach was extremely vast:

After dozing off on the sun bed for a good hour, it was time to take a walk and embrace the beach! (Sun beds are free, although there's no shade) It might not look like it, but the sun was scorching. The breeze was just as strong too, so it was still windy under the afternoon sun which helped take one's mind off the weather. I wouldn't say there's much to do on the beach except to walk up and down the shoreline and admire the landscape.

It will be wise to put on sunscreen - And I did, but only on my face, not my body. Here's the aftermath -

Treetops @ Banyan Tree

Dinner took us to Treetops - An authentic Indonesian Restaurant situated a quick 5mins drive from Hotel Cassia, located in Banyan Tree Bintan.

It's best to make a reservation online in advance, and you get to choose whether you want to sit indoors or outdoors. Indoor seating is air-conditioned, but we opted for the outdoor option to soak in the alfresco atmosphere. The patio was well-lit with lush trees towering over the entire dining area, giving it a nice, cozy touch.

I ordered their Beef Rendang dish and - Unfortunately, it was too spicy for me because I spent most of the time drinking water and wiping my perspiration off. I can't handle spice that well, so I'm sure it'll be fine if you can take spice.

We also got the Nasi Goreng which came with a few sides that went really well with the fried rice. If you're in for starters, try their Lumpia Udang (Prawn sping rolls) - Easily one of the best spring rolls I tasted in my life. The sweet chilli that comes with it hits just the right spot.

End of trip

I find Bintan a good option to consider if you're looking for a quick weekend getaway. During this trip, crowd levels weren't too high, which made it a lot more conducive for unwinding and going on a digital detox. Lie on a sun bed, sip on a cocktail and read a book - An ideal trip for a modern travel enthusiast; nothing could get better with a location just a stone's throw away from Singapore.