Bintan is the largest island in the Riau Archipelago, about 1,170 square kilometres, in Indonesia's Riau Islands province. It lies south of Singapore, and ferries from Singapore's Tanah Merah terminal reach it in roughly an hour or two depending on the terminal. The island is divided between the Bintan Regency and the separately governed city of Tanjung Pinang, which is its capital and largest town.
Two very different Bintans share the same map. In the north, Bintan Resorts at Lagoi is a gated enclave of about 18,000 hectares, set up in 1990 as an Indonesia-Singapore joint venture, with beach hotels, golf courses and a ferry terminal of its own. In the south-west, Tanjung Pinang is an ordinary Indonesian port city, and a few minutes off its waterfront lies Penyengat Island, once the seat of the Riau rulers and now home to a mosque, royal tombs and a fort hill.
For an Indian family the practical choice is whether to treat Bintan as a resort stay or as a cultural stopover. Resort stays are easy and comfortable, but prices are closer to Singapore than to the rest of Indonesia, and the area is cut off from local life. A night or two in Tanjung Pinang gives a more Indonesian picture, with temples at Senggarang and the royal island, though facilities are simpler.
The weather is wet and humid all year. The airport station records around 3,000 mm of rain a year, with February and August the driest months and November the wettest, so plan flexible days. Indian passport holders are generally eligible for visa on arrival, but rules change, so check the official Indonesian immigration source before you book.
Food needs planning. We could not confirm any restaurant on Bintan that is fully vegetarian, Jain or Indian, so none is tagged in this guide. Resort kitchens can often adapt dishes if you write in advance, and this guide explains how to manage.
Before you plan
Bintan at a glance
- Best months
- February and August are the driest…February and August are the driest months on the airport record, but rain falls in every month; November is the wettest
- Ideal trip length
- 2 to 3 nights at a resort2 to 3 nights at a resort, or 2 nights in Tanjung Pinang plus a night or two at Lagoi
- Airport
- Raja Haji Fisabilillah AirportRaja Haji Fisabilillah Airport (TNJ) at Tanjung Pinang has domestic flights only; most Indian visitors fly to Singapore and take the ferry
- Railway station
- NoneNone. There is no railway on Bintan
- Getting around
- Hotel shuttlesHotel shuttles, taxis arranged through your lodging, or a hired car with driver; public transport is limited
- Daily budget
- Resort areas are priced near…Resort areas are priced near Singapore levels; Tanjung Pinang is much cheaper. Check current rupiah and Singapore dollar prices
- Senior comfort
- Resort areas are flat and easyResort areas are flat and easy; Penyengat and Senggarang involve small boats and uneven jetties. Local medical capacity is uncertain, so carry insurance
- Language
- IndonesianIndonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); English is common at resorts and limited in Tanjung Pinang
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Bintan: February, August. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Bintan itinerary
One good day
1 day in Bintan
Take a morning boat to Penyengat Island and see the Sultan Riau Grand Mosque, the royal tombs and Bukit Kursi. Return to Tanjung Pinang for lunch and, if time allows, the city museum. Check the last ferry or flight before you plan this as a day trip.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Bintan
Spend the morning on Penyengat, then a boat to the Senggarang temples in the afternoon, or the city museum if you prefer an indoor stop.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Bintan
Take the ferry to Tanjung Pinang, check in, and visit Penyengat in the afternoon if boats are running.
Day-by-day plan →
