What to Do in Bintan: A Local Guide to Top Things to Do
This is one of the most common questions we receive from travelers planning a trip to Bintan: “what is there actually to do here?”
The honest answer is that Bintan is not a one-attraction island.
It is a mix of nature trips, easy outdoor activities, a couple of family-friendly parks, and some watersports, spread across an island that is bigger than most first-time visitors expect.
Based on our experience assisting travelers for tours & Activities in Bintan, most guests end up doing a combination of two to four activities during their stay,
depending on how many days they have and whether they are staying inside the Bintan Resorts area or exploring further out.
Below is a rundown of the activities we get asked about most often, along with what we usually tell guests before they book
Mangrove Tour on the Sebung River
If you only have time for one nature activity, this is usually what we recommend first. The Bintan Mangrove Tour is a slow boat ride along the Sebung River, through mangrove forest that has been left mostly untouched.
The river is calm, so it suits almost anyone, including older travelers and young children.
The ride itself takes about an hour, with a local boatman and guide on board.
More often than not, travelers end up spotting monkeys, kingfishers, and monitor lizards during the ride.
Even so, we’re upfront with our guests that this is never a guarantee, since it really comes down to the conditions on that particular day
Tours run daily between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and mornings tend to be a bit cooler and quieter.
Fireflies Tour on the Same River, After Dark
Many of our guests are surprised to learn that the same river used for the morning mangrove cruise turns into a completely different experience at night.
Once the sun goes down, fireflies gather around the mangrove trees, and the boat ride becomes a quiet, slightly magical experience rather than a sightseeing trip.
Bintan fireflies tour cruise usually starts around 7:00 PM from jetty and lasts 45 to 55 minutes.
What we usually recommend is pairing this with the daytime mangrove tour on the same day,
since both happen in the same area, the boats are similar, and it saves you from arranging a separate transfer back to the river later that evening.
From Our Team
We regularly help travelers combine Bintan mangrove and fireflies tours into one outing rather than two separate trips.
It gives you a clearer picture of the river both in daylight and after dark
Sand Dunes and Blue Lake in North Bintan
This pairing surprises a lot of people, since it does not look like what they picture when they think of an island.
The Sand Dunes area has a dry, almost desert-like landscape left behind from old mining activity, and it is a popular spot for photos, ATV rides, archery, and even eagle photography sessions for those who want something different.
A short drive away, Blue Lake Bintan has bright turquoise water that looks almost artificial in photos but is completely natural.
Both spots sit in the northern part of the island, around 35 to 45 minutes from the Bintan Resorts area, so they are almost always visited together rather than as two separate trips.
We’ve found that travelers enjoy this area more with a private trip to Blue Lake Bintan & Sand Dunes, since it gives you flexibility on how long to stay at each spot, instead of following a fixed schedule.
Snorkeling on the East Coast
For travelers who want to get in the water, the snorkeling trip on Bintan’s eastern coast, near the traditional kelong fishing platforms, is the most requested watersport activity we arrange.
A short boat ride from the jetty takes you to a spot with reasonably clear water, where clownfish and other reef fish are commonly seen, especially on calmer, sunnier days.
An instructor guide stay with the group throughout, and snorkeling gear is provided, so there is nothing extra to bring beyond swimwear and sunscreen.
Most snorkeling in Bintan also include kayaking and a short fishing session, which makes it a reasonable choice if you only want to book one water activity for the day
Bintan ATV Riding Through the Coffee Plantation
Bintan has a few ATV spots, some at Bintan Resort and some outside of it.
What we’re talking about here is the one outside the main resort, and it’s only about 15-17 minutes drive from Bintan Resort.
ATV in Bintan is a pretty physical activity, and it’s something guests ask about when they want to do something more active than just walking around and looking at things.
Starting from the Coffee Plantation area, this Bintan ATV Tour route goes through plantation trails and forest paths, covering about 8 km in 45 to 60 minutes.
For people doing this for the first time, we usually tell them that the trail is guided and pretty beginner-friendly, but it does get dusty and bumpy.
Seeing Several Areas in a Single Day
This is one of the most common questions we receive from travelers with limited time, particularly those doing a day trip from Singapore: “can I see the highlights of Bintan in one day?”
The answer is generally yes, with the right planning. This full day tour in Bintan typically covers the Bintan Resorts area, North Bintan, and South Bintan, stopping at the mangrove area, the Coffee Plantation, Blue Lake, the Sand Dunes, and the 500 Lohan Temple along the way.
A trip like this usually takes about 7 to 8 hours from start to finish.
Based on our experience arranging and handling these tours over the years, it works best for travelers who want a general feel of the island rather than an in-depth look at any single spot,
since you are moving through several locations rather than spending extended time at one place.
Safari Lagoi for Families
Safari Lagoi for Families
Safari Lagoi located at Bintan Resorts area and is consistently the easiest recommendation we give to families traveling with young children.
It is home to rescued animals, including elephants, orangutans, and various birds, and visitors can get around on foot, by bicycle, or by buggy.
Based on our experience arranging and managing guest visits to Safari Lagoi,
most families spend 90 to 120 minutes here, which makes it easy to combine with another short activity earlier or later in the same day, rather than treating it as a full-day outing on its own.
Treasure Bay Crystal Lagoon
For travelers looking for a day with plenty of activities for all ages without going out on the open sea, Treasure Bay Crystal Lagoon is the usual answer.
It is one of the larger man-made seawater lagoons in the region, located inside Bintan Resorts and only a few minutes by land transfer from the Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal.
Swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking are all available, and the calm, controlled water makes it a comfortable choice for travelers with children or anyone who prefers not to deal with waves or currents.
Some guests treat it as a couple of hours between other activities, while others stay the whole day.
