Blue Lake Bintan: One of Bintan's Best Photo Spots
Blue Lake Bintan, known locally as Danau Biru, is a former bauxite mining pit filled with turquoise-coloured rainwater.
It’s often called Bintan Desert because of the sand dunes right beside it.
The site is located in Busung Village, Tanjung Uban, in northern Bintan.
It takes about 35 minutes from the Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal, and 35–40 minutes from most Bintan Resort hotels.
Grab Car does not operate in this area.
The turquoise colour comes from minerals left in the soil after mining stopped, and can shift slightly depending on the light and time of day.
Swimming isn’t allowed, and the site is set up mainly for photos and walking the dunes.
Most visitors spend around 45–90 minutes there.
The sand gets hot once the sun is up, so an earlier visit, or arriving after 3 PM, tends to be more comfortable, flat, comfortable footwear is recommended.
The elevated edge of the lake is the most popular viewpoint, along with a slow boat ride nearby.
Local photographers are usually on hand and typically share photos the same day.
ATV rides around the Sand Dunes typically cost IDR 350,000–450,000, with each session running about 30–40 minutes.
Prices can vary slightly depending on the local operator running it, and payment is cash IDR only.
Eagle photo sessions cost around IDR 50,000 per person, also cash IDR only, since both activities are run by local operators at the site.
Bintan Travel Guide (BTG), the Bintan Travel Specialist, offers a private tour to Blue Lake Bintan and the Sand Dunes, with pick-up time arranged around each guest’s schedule rather than a fixed departure.
Because the tour is private, the pace isn’t shared with other groups, giving guests more flexibility to spend time at each stop.
Details are available on the Private Tour to Sand Dunes & Blue Lake Bintan page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blue Lake Bintan, known locally as Danau Biru, is a former bauxite mining pit filled with turquoise-coloured rainwater. It's often called Bintan Desert because of the sand dunes right beside it, and it's considered one of the island's best photo spots.
It takes about 35 minutes from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal, and around 35–40 minutes from most Bintan Resort hotels. Grab does not operate in this area, so private transport is needed to get there.
Besides photos at the lake and sand dunes, ATV rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis, running about 30–40 minutes with cash-only payment. Photos with trained eagles and their handlers are another popular on-site activity.
Yes, the site suits a short visit of around one to two hours, with photo spots, ATV rides, and eagle photo sessions that work well for families. Swimming isn't allowed at the lake, so activities are centered around photos and walking the dunes.
Yes, it's commonly paired with other stops such as ATV adventures, mangrove tours, or sand dunes exploration as part of half-day combination tours.
Yes, it's known as one of Bintan's best photo spots. The elevated edge of the lake is the most popular viewpoint, and a floating raft nearby is another well-known spot. Local photographers are usually on hand and typically share photos with visitors the same day.
Written by
Sigit Supriadi
Founder & Travel Specialist, Bintan Travel Guide (BTG)
With over 13 years in hospitality across Bintan, from luxury resorts to private villas and islands, and now running Bintan Travel Guide (BTG) since 2023.
I share practical travel information and local insights to help travelers plan with confidence. Every guide reflects local knowledge and up-to-date information on Bintan’s destinations, attractions, and travel logistics