An Indonesian gem surrounded by crystal blue waters and soft sandy beaches, Bintan Island is a destination like no other. Accessible, laid back, and gorgeous all year round, it ticks all the boxes.
The Club Med Bintan Island Resort provides an incredibly holistic wellness experience to all holiday goers. Our luxurious, award-winning resort offers a wide variety of activities, gourmet experiences, and unique, one-of-a-kind adventures.
The coastline spans a whopping 105 kilometres and the island sits close to the Equator. That means that the tropical climate is dominant throughout the entire year.
Bintan Island features two distinctive seasons, the northeast monsoon, which lasts from November to March, and the southwest monsoon from June to October. The constant average temperature is 26°C and the best time to visit is during the dry season.
Even though Bintan is large compared to other islands in the Riau Archipelago, it’s sparsely populated. In 2020, the population was about 371,270 with the majority of citizens belonging to the Malays, Bugis, Chinese, and Orang Laut ethnicities.
The majority of the population is Muslim and family is at the centre of island life. When you’re out and about in Bintan, make sure to dress appropriately and avoid public displays of affection. Also, only wear your swimsuit when at the resort or at the beach.
It’s also not common to raise your voice in public places or cross your legs. You should also avoid pointing to another person or object with the index finger.
When greeting a local, avoid the handshake and instead put your hands together on your chest, in sembah. To politely greet a man, you can use the word Pak, and the word Ibu to greet a woman.
People in Bintan love celebrating both social and religious holidays and in August, there’s a big celebration for Independence Day. In fact, there’s a carnival, lots of dancing and music.
There’s also the celebration in October when thousands of coloured boats and yachts leave the Tanjung Pinang port for a short voyage to the neighbouring islands. Also in October is Youth Oath Day, during which thousands of lanterns are released into the air.
Island life largely influences the cuisine of Bintan Island, which is why the locals have a fish-rich diet. Otak-otak is the signature food of Bintan, and it’s a grilled fresh fish cake that’s wrapped in a banana leaf.
There’s also an abundance of seafood dishes to try as well as rice prepared in many different ways with a wide variety of spices. Sampling the different foods is one of the best ways to get to know the island and its culture.
Also known as the Thousand Face Temple, the 500 Lohan Temple is one of the most interesting places to visit in Bintan by a mile. Only a 20-minute drive from Tanjung Pinang, the Buddhist Temple is host to many lifesize stone statues, each with their own unique features and expressions.
Tanjung Pinang
If you’re up for a bit of shopping and getting to know Bintan a bit better, Tanjung Pinang, its capital, is the place to be. It features lots of different shops, where you can find local handicrafts and even priceless antiques. It’s also the place to find the best restaurants that serve traditional Indonesian food.
Trikora Beach
White sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of Trikora Beach are just two of the reasons the spot is so popular. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind while remaining somewhat isolated. Near the beach, there’s a fishing village with many mobile kelong or stilt houses, as well as a boat-building workshop.
Once the epicentre of the Malay Riau-Lingga empire, Penyengat Island is full of historical monuments and relics from the past. Back in the 19th century, it was also the cultural capital of Malay with many scholars and writers setting up base there. Now, tourists can see a magnificent stone fortress, as well as royal graves, palaces, and citadels, dotted all over the island.
Kijang Blue Lake
One of the most picturesque spots in the entire island, Kijang Blue Lake is a sparkling lagoon, encircled by white and red-hued sand dunes. The man-made sanctuary is located near the eastern coast of the island and it’s only a 35-minute drive from Trikora Beach.
Busung Desert
As the majority of the island is covered in a lush, tropical rainforest, finding a desert is a somewhat bizarre but magical discovery. Just off the Jalan Raya Busung, the Busung Desert was formerly the home of a mine. However, once removing sand was forbidden, the quarry transformed into a dazzling landscape.
If you want to explore and experience one of the most exotic and exhilarating destinations in Indonesia, get down to Bintan Island as soon as possible. The cool sea breeze, magnificent coastal beauty, and our luxury Club Med resort invite you to join.
For a closer look at the spacious and all-inclusive resort, take a 360° tour of Club Med Bintan.
