Blue Lake Bintan: Visitor Guide, Getting There & Tips 2026
Blue Lake Bintan (locally called Danau Biru) is a former bauxite mining site in northern Bintan that has transformed into a striking turquoise lake, sitting right next to a stretch of golden sand dunes known as the Busung Desert.
The combination is unlike anything else on the island, and it’s one of the stops that consistently surprises our guests the most.
We’ve been including Blue Lake in Bintan our tours since 2023, and it remains one of the most photographed attractions on the island, not because we market it that way, but because the scenery genuinely catches people off guard. Many travelers arrive expecting a modest lake.
What they find instead is a landscape that looks more like the Middle East than a tropical island in Indonesia.
This guide covers everything you realistically need to know before visiting.
What Exactly Is Blue Lake Bintan?
Blue Lake Bintan is a former bauxite mining pit in Busung Village, northern Bintan. After mining operations ended, rainwater gradually filled the excavated land.
The minerals left behind by bauxite deposits are what give the water its distinctive blue-green colour, it’s not artificially coloured, and the exact shade can vary slightly depending on the weather, cloud cover, and time of day.
What makes it particularly photogenic is the contrast with the Busung Sand Dunes right beside the lake.
The dunes formed from mining residue and wind erosion over time, creating a landscape that surprises most visitors who expect only tropical forest and beaches on Bintan Island.
Both features are within walking distance of each other, so most visitors explore them together in a single stop.
Where Is Blue Lake Bintan?
Blue Lake is located at Jalan Raya Busung, Busung Village, Tanjung Uban, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia, in the northern part of Bintan Island.
Distance from key arrival points ( by Car ):
- Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal : approx. 35–40 minutes
- Tanjung Uban Port (from Batam): approx. 15–20 minutes
- Bintan Resort area hotels: approx. 35–40 minutes
- Trikora area / Tanjungpinang city: approx. 1 hour or more
How to Get to Blue Lake Bintan
Getting to Blue Lake Bintan depends on your departure point. Most visitors travel from Singapore via ferry, from Batam, or directly from their hotel in the Bintan Resorts area.
Travel time and transportation options vary depending on where you start your journey.
From Singapore
If you’re visiting Bintan directly from Singapore, the standard route is:
- Take the Bintan Resort ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore.
- Arrive at Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal, Bintan : approximately 70 minutes.
- Clear immigration and customs.
- Continue to Blue Lake Bintan by your preferred transport : approximately 35–40 minutes.
We recommend booking ferry tickets in advance, especially for weekends and public holidays. If your main goal is visiting Blue Lake on the same day, choose a departure that arrives before early afternoon.
Taking a 17:00 ferry from Singapore, for example, means you’ll likely arrive at Blue Lake after dark, when the attraction is effectively closed
From Our Team
If this is your first time visiting Bintan from Singapore, we recommend reading our How to Get to Bintan from Singapore guide. It covers ferry options, travel requirements, and useful tips before you travel.
If you’re planning to visit Bintan for just one day, take a look at our Day Trip to Bintan from Singapore guide.
It focuses specifically on day trips, including sample itineraries, travel times, and what you can realistically see and do in a single day.
From Batam
Batam to Blue Lake Bintan is a popular day trip route, particularly among Singapore and Malaysia travelers who are already staying in Batam and want to explore Bintan.
- Depart from Telaga Punggur Port, Batam.
- Take a speedboat to Tanjung Uban Port : approximately 15–17 minutes.
- Travel from Tanjung Uban Port to Blue Lake Bintan : approximately 15–20 minutes by car.
This is one of the most convenient routes to Blue Lake Bintan.
The short boat crossing and close proximity of Tanjung Uban Port to the site means you can be at the lake within about 35 minutes of leaving Batam
From Our Team
We also regularly assist travelers day trips from Batam to Bintan.
If this is your first time traveling from Batam to Bintan, we recommend reading our Getting to Bintan from Batam guide. It explains the ferry route, travel process, and useful tips to help make your trip smoother
From Bintan Resort Hotels
If you’re staying in the Bintan Resort area, Blue Lake is approximately 35–40 minutes away by car, depending on your hotel location.
Guests staying further east around Trikora or Tanjungpinang city, should allow around an hour or more.
The Easiest Option: Private Tour
Based on our experience, the most practical way is Blue Lake Bintan & Sand Dunes private tour.
Everything is arranged in advance, transport, an English-speaking driver-guide, entrance tickets, and mineral water during the journey.
Pickup is available between 08:00 to 16:00 depending on your location. Unlike standard transport hire, your driver-guide stays with you during the visit.
If you want help arranging an ATV ride or finding the best viewpoints, they’re right there. You also have full flexibility over timing, no rush, no fixed group schedule.
Many guests we assist also use the trip to combine Blue Lake with other northern Bintan attractions, which a private tour makes straightforward to organise.
Best Time to Visit Blue Lake Bintan
Timing makes a noticeable difference, particularly if photography is one of your reasons for visiting.
Based on our experience bringing guests here regularly, the best window is between 09:00 to 11:30 in the morning.
The sunlight enhances the lake’s turquoise colour without harsh glare, and the temperature is more comfortable for walking around the dunes.
Late afternoon, roughly 15:30 to 17:00 is another option. The softer light can produce good photos, though the appearance of the water may vary depending on cloud conditions.
We generally avoid visiting between 11:00 to 13:00 whenever possible. The sand dunes become extremely hot underfoot, and overhead sunlight tends to wash out the lake’s colour in photos.
Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes at Blue Lake and the Sand Dunes area
Things to Do at Blue Lake Bintan & Sand Dunes
While most visitors come for the scenery, there are several activities you can enjoy around Blue Lake Bintan and the nearby Busung Sand Dunes.
Photography at the Lake
The elevated edge of the lake is the most popular viewpoint, you can look down over the water and capture the contrast between the turquoise lake and the surrounding landscape.
The floating raft is another well-known photo spot, though it gets busy during weekends and public holidays.
Local photographers are available for hire on-site. They use professional cameras and know the best positions around both the lake and the dunes.
After the session, photos are typically shared with you directly on the day.
This is a popular option for couples, families, and groups who want better results than smartphone photos.
Explore the Sand Dunes
The sand dunes are right next to the lake and worth exploring while you’re here.
They’re not vast, but the landscape feels genuinely different from what most travelers expect to find on a tropical island, and that contrast is part of what makes the location memorable.
Wear comfortable flat footwear. The sand gets very hot by mid-morning, so arriving earlier makes the walk more enjoyable
ATV Ride
Local operators offer ATV rides around the sand dune area.
These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, bookings are not typically taken in advance.
Prices generally range from IDR 350,000 to IDR 450,000 per ATV, with sessions lasting around 40 minutes.
Cash in Indonesian Rupiah is required, card payments are not usually available.
From Our Team
If this is your first time riding an ATV, we recommend speaking with the operator before starting and asking about the available safety equipment and riding instructions.
Based on our experience assisting travelers on the spot, most beginners enjoy the activity without any issues, but it’s always a good idea to start at a comfortable pace and follow the guide’s instructions.
During weekends, public holidays, and peak travel seasons, the Sand Dunes area can be busier as more visitors come to explore the site. Since ATV rides take place around the dunes, taking a little extra care can help make the experience more enjoyable, especially for first-time riders.
Eagle Photo Session
Trained eagles are available for photos with local handlers on-site. The fee is typically around IDR 50,000 per person, paid directly to the handler.
This tends to be popular with families and visitors looking for a memorable souvenir photo.
What to Bring & What to Wear
This is one of the most common questions we receive from first-time visitors. The site is relatively exposed, there’s not much shade ,so a little preparation makes a real difference.
Sunscreen
The combination of direct sun, sand reflection, and water reflection means UV exposure is higher than it feels. Apply before arriving.
Hat & Sunglasses
Shade is limited around the lake and dunes, particularly during late morning.
Comfortable Footwear
Sports shoes, trainers, or flat sandals work well. High heels or wedges are not suitable, they sink into sand and make walking on uneven surfaces uncomfortable.
Camera
The open landscape is well-suited to wide-angle photos and self-portraits.
Drinking water
Small stalls sell drinks and coconuts on-site, but bringing your own is advisable, especially if you’re travelling with children.
Cash in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
All on-site activities , ATV, eagle photos, refreshments, and local stalls are cash only. Bring enough before you arrive.
Light, breathable clothing
Cotton or linen fabrics are most comfortable in Bintan’s tropical heat and humidity.
Comfortable flat footwear
Sports shoes, trainers, or flat sandals work well. High heels or wedges are not suitable, they sink into sand and make walking on uneven surfaces uncomfortable.
Accessibility Information
Blue Lake Bintan and the Busung Sand Dunes are not suitable for wheelchairs. The terrain is sandy and uneven, with sloped paths that can be difficult for visitors with mobility challenges.
Suggested Itineraries
Blue Lake is rarely the only stop on a Bintan itinerary.
Based on what we regularly arrange for guests, here are the most popular combinations:
ATV + Blue Lake & Sand Dunes
A good option for travelers who want an active experience. The ATV ride is typically done alongside the dune visit. Commonly available as an ATV Adventure & Blue Lake Tour.
Blue Lake + Mangrove Tour
Ideal for a relaxed nature day. Many guests start with a mangrove boat tour before heading to Blue Lake in the late morning. Available as a Bintan Mangrove, Sand Dunes & Blue Lake Bintan Tour.
Blue Lake + Sand Dunes + Fireflies
One of the most popular full-day options. The trip starts at Blue Lake in the afternoon and continues to a firefly river tour after sunset. Available as a Blue Lake, Sand Dunes & Fireflies Tour.
Full-Day Bintan Tour
Blue Lake is frequently included as one stop within a broader full-day itinerary covering beaches, local attractions, and cultural sites. Suitable for travelers who want to see as much of Bintan as possible in a single day. Available as a Bintan Full Day Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, genuinely. It's one of the more unusual natural attractions in northern Bintan, and the combination of the lake and sand dunes makes it feel unlike anywhere else on the island.
We've taken many guests who arrived with fairly low expectations and left genuinely surprised. That said, it's a nature spot, not a resort — manage expectations accordingly, and you'll likely enjoy it.
No, swimming is not permitted. The water comes from a former mining site and, while it looks beautiful, it's not considered safe for swimming. Visitors can stand at the edge, walk on the floating raft, and take photos, but site operators do not allow swimming.
Approximately 35–40 minutes by road from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal. The route passes through semi-rural areas and is straightforward with navigation, though local drivers tend to know faster routes.
Generally yes. Children usually enjoy the sand dunes and the eagle photo session. A few practical notes: the sand gets very hot by late morning, so visiting early and bringing water is important.
The walking surface near the lake is uneven in places, so it's worth keeping an eye on young children near the water's edge.
Yes, basic toilet facilities and a small number of refreshment stalls are available. It's not an elaborately developed tourist site, so there's no café or restaurant, but the basics are covered. We'd still recommend bringing your own water as a backup.
They're two separate but adjacent features at the same location. The Blue Lake (Danau Biru) is the former mining pit now filled with turquoise water. The Sand Dunes (sometimes called Gurun Pasir) are the sandy terrain surrounding it, formed from mining residue and wind erosion. Most visitors experience both in the same visit, they're within walking distance of each other.
Most visitors spend around 60 to 90 minutes at Blue Lake and the Sand Dunes combined. This gives you enough time to walk the area, take photos, and explore the dunes before continuing to the next stop.
Take the BRF ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to BBT Ferry Terminal in Bintan (approximately 70 minutes), then arrange transport from the terminal.
The most practical option for a day trip is a private tour that includes pickup from BBT, as it removes the need to arrange separate transport and allows you to include multiple stops without worrying about timing
Written by Sigit Supriadi
Founder & Travel Specialist, Bintan Travel Guide (BTG)
Sigit is based in Tanjungpinang, Bintan Island
Has been arranging tours and travel itineraries for visitors to Bintan since 2023,
including Bintan tours, private transfers, and hotel stays.
He works hands-on with travelers daily, and is frequently mentioned by name in guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business Profile for his local knowledge and on-the-ground assistance.
The guidance in this article comes directly from that experience
Written by Sigit Supriadi
Founder & Travel Specialist, Bintan Travel Guide (BTG)
Sigit is based in Tanjungpinang, Bintan Island
Has been arranging tours and travel itineraries for visitors to Bintan since 2023,
including Bintan tours, private transfers, and hotel stays.
He works hands-on with travelers daily, and is frequently mentioned by name in guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business Profile for his local knowledge and on-the-ground assistance.
The guidance in this article comes directly from that experience
