How To Spend A Weekend in Bintan Indonesia Without Having To Fly

Thinking of heading out for the weekend from Singapore without booking a flight? Yes you can!

A 60 minute ferry ride from Singapore's Tanah Merah ferry terminal will bring you to an island called Bintan in Indonesia.

The key to having a good break is planning and booking your hotel as well as the ferry ride early - this is essential especially if you are talking about long weekends when you will certainly compete for seats. Likewise, early booking meant discounted room rates in hotels. 

I took an opportunity to be with family and take a respite from the hustle and bustle of work life (if you call that a life, haha) last Holy Week. Not wanting to be burdened with long planning and chaotic airports, my family and I decided to go someplace nearby. 

Bintan Island is part of the Riau archipelago of Indonesia and is accessible via Singapore via the Tanah Merah Ferry terminal. It took us about an hour to reach Bintan. Since you will be crossing to another country, it is necessary to have your passports ready.

First, we had to book our ferry rides via the Bintan Resort Ferries online ticketing (check out the website at booking.brf.com.sg). When booking, you have the option to go via economy or emerald class - emerald is like business class where you will be able to get priority boarding and disembarkation, among other privileges.  

We chose to go economy for the four of us as it will definitely save us a few bucks. You can also choose to add insurance at SGD8 per pax one way which I did. A confirmation email will be sent to you for your booking. Like travelling elsewhere, it is necessary to be at the terminal 1 1/2 hours before your departure time. This is important because you have to collect your tickets (much like checking in) and complete formalities of going through immigration and baggage check before boarding. You can also have the option to check in your luggage should you wish.



Passing through Singapore's immigration is always a breeze and in no time we were able to board our ferry. As a caution, be wary of your boarding time as there are different ferries that dock and leave. Although this is very much pretty organized, so you will not go wrong.

Singapore's Tanah Merah boarding gate

After an hour, docking at Bintan terminal will lead you straight to immigration as well. Lanes are separated for those who require visa on arrival. It is a very small terminal so finding your way to get transport to your hotel or resort should not be a problem. In fact, there is only one company that arranges for either your bus or taxi transportation.

If you are booked in the Lagoi area, you can just take a bus to go there. Bus fares range from $10-$15 and in 10 minutes you will soon be basking in the sun.

Bus and Taxi operating company after Bintan, Indonesia immigration exit

Our chosen beach resort was, however, an hour's drive from the terminal and we, as expected of my son, got so bored and tired. But, the excitement was there. To be honest, my too early booking is "apparently" still not too early as all the resorts in the prime area were fully booked and we had no choice but to choose the next best available. In the end, it was not all a bad choice as the resort was fairly new so the rooms were clean. However, there were not much facilities that abound and activities that we can enjoy more. In all fairness, if you are the type who would be looking for relaxation, peace and quiet, chill - then this could be a good choice (imagine not having Wifi!).

View from the Dining/Restaurant of our hotel in Bintan, Indonesia

Pool side view from the Dining Area in Bintan, Indonesia

We decided on our second day to explore the Lagoi area (see map above) where the primary hotel and resorts were. The Lagoi area or what is also known as Bintan resorts houses the most popular and prime beaches in the island. This is also close to the terminal - roughly 10 minutes of bus or taxi ride. Singapore dollars are also most acceptable. Our taxi drivers also told us that when you go and reach the check point area to go the capital, Tanjung Pinang, you may also be able to use and pay using your Indonesia Rupiahs. We had to rent a taxi or a van to bring us to the place and that had cost us an extra SGD60 back and forth. This arrangement is only drop off and pick-up so we decided to make most of the time in Nirwana Gardens but also allowed us to explore the other resorts and facilities in the area. But since we are not staying guests at any of the resort in Lagoi, we also had to pay SGD10 each. This payment allows you to swim in the beach, take the free shuttle wherever you want to go. Towels and use of the shower/changing area is also included - hmmm, not much of value you can say.

Nevertheless, we had a good time. My son and husband tried out rifle shooting and we had fun at the beach. Not to mention the sumptuous lunch of gado-gado for starters and lemon chicken, local noodles, sambal kangkong and steaming fried rice for mains.

Gado-gado is an Indonesian salad of slightly boiled vegetables with boiled eggs, fried tofu cubes and topped with crunchy shrimp crackers. Instead of drizzling the salad with the sauce, you can just dip each piece while eating.

Gado Gado (Indonesian salad)

Sambal Kangkong

Walk-way from Kelong Seafood restaurant where we had lunch - Nirwana beach gardens in Bintan, Indonesia

My son also particularly liked a selection of pork and chicken satay. Satay is dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meat served with a peanut sauce perhaps much like yakitori or barbecue. It has become or considered Indonesia's national dish but this particularly fave can also be found in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and maybe even Philippines.

At 4:00 in the afternoon, we called it a day and I guess the one-hour trip back to our hotel took faster than normal (or is it because I fell asleep during the trip?).  Back in our hotel, we decided to take a nap which is a good thing because it rained so hard and we had to stay indoors. Sleep is your ally as most of what is available on TV is all local show and we couldn't watch anything. If you are into reading, then this is also the best time to catch up. But the heavy rain didn't last as long so before having dinner, we decided to take a dip into the warm swimming pool.

Our last day was spent mostly in the surrounding area and we decided to just take a stroll within the facilities and have some good breakfast. This time arrangement going back to the ferry terminal was easy as shuttle was provided for free. 

We didn't explore much what the island ha to offer but should you decide to take a try with your friends or family, you can try biking, the mangrove tour, city tour, island tour or snorkeling. Around Lagoi, you can also do and try zip line, ATV drive, banana boat, water skiing and so many more. Maybe the reason for us not to try all is because we plan to go back soon!

The next time you plan, do not forget:

1. Book your ferry tickets early on - only one company provides this, so log on to www.brf.com.sg. Departure is available from Mondays to Sundays starting from 0910 AM and last ferry to depart Singapore is at 2000 hours (8PM).

2. To save on hotel rates, you can try agoda.com or booking.com

3. Shuttle service is also available if you are booking through Bintan resorts

4. Have enough Singapore dollars and Indonesia rupiahs available - although major credit cards are also accepted.

5. For all other information related to visiting Bintan including visa on arrival, visit www.bintan-resorts.com.

Planning for your next weekend getaway should be part of the experience - go and have fun! 

Stay safe! Do not forget to leave some comments below. Till the next!