The short answer
Lagoi Bay and Bintan Resorts: what visitors should know first
This is where most Singapore-ferry visitors stay: easy, clean and well organised, but pricey. Choose it for comfort and simple logistics, not for local culture, and book a package that includes the ferry.
History and context
The story behind Lagoi Bay and Bintan Resorts
Bintan Resorts was established in 1990 as a joint venture between the Indonesian and Singaporean governments, covering about 18,000 hectares in Sebong Lagoi. It had 410,454 visitors in 2009, and the whole island reached one million visitors for the first time in 2018, per Wikipedia.
Useful facts
Lagoi Bay and Bintan Resorts facts at a glance
- Location
- Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, north Bintan
- Experience type
- Gated beach-resort enclave
- Size
- About 18,000 hectares
- Established
- 1990, Indonesia-Singapore joint venture
- Getting there
- About 1 hour by ferry from Tanah Merah, Singapore
Why it matters
Why Lagoi Bay and Bintan Resorts is worth your time
Bintan Resorts is the reason many Singaporean and Indian families know the island. It covers about 18,000 hectares in the north, was established in 1990 as a joint venture between the Indonesian and Singaporean governments, and is operated by PT Bintan Resort Cakrawala.
It offers a short, easy beach holiday: one-hour ferry, resort hotels, golf courses and watersports. The trade-off is cost and sameness. The area is gated and apart from local life, so combine it with a day in Tanjung Pinang or Penyengat if you want the island's culture.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Beach resorts
Clusters at Nirwana Gardens, Lagoi Bay and the east coast with pools and watersports.
- 02
Golf
Laguna Bintan and Ria Bintan Golf Club are the two named courses on Wikipedia.
- 03
Easy ferry access
Direct ferries from Singapore's Tanah Merah terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Most visitors arrive by ferry from Singapore's Tanah Merah terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani, about an hour away, and are met by a hotel shuttle. Plan to stay put: choose one resort cluster, such as Nirwana Gardens, Lagoi Bay or the eastern resorts, and use it as a base.
A Wikivoyage entry, dated to 2022, says prices are quoted in rupiah and are close to Singapore levels, and that food and drink carry added tax and service charges. Hotel restaurants tend to serve Western and Indonesian menus, so vegetarian guests should message the hotel before they travel. A budget food court called Pujasera Lagoi is listed.
Take one day trip out: Trikora Beach, Penyengat, or Treasure Bay. Do not expect a lively evening scene; the Plaza Lagoi mall was nearly empty in the 2022 report we read.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Book a package with ferry transfers
- Message the hotel about vegetarian or Jain meals
- Carry some rupiah and small Singapore dollars
- Plan one day out of the enclave
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Sebong Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, north coast of Bintan
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 nights
- Best time
- February or July to August are the drier months
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Resorts are flat and most hotels offer shuttles to and from the ferry terminal, according to a travel guide. Distances between areas are large, and ride-hailing is unreliable, so rely on hotel transfers.
- Tickets and access
- The area is gated and visitors pay entry at the gate. Check the ferry package with your hotel. Wikivoyage, which is dated, lists Treasure Bay entry separately.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Lagoi Bay and Bintan Resorts
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Resorts are flat and most hotels offer shuttles to and from the ferry terminal, according to a travel guide. Distances between areas are large, and ride-hailing is unreliable, so rely on hotel transfers.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How do I reach Lagoi from Singapore?
By ferry from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani, about an hour, per Wikivoyage; check schedules and your hotel package.
Is Lagoi expensive?
Yes, Wikivoyage says prices are close to Singapore levels. Hotel meals add tax and service.
Is there Indian food?
We could not confirm any named Indian restaurant. Ask your resort in advance, and see the Food section of this guide.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
