Bintan Fireflies: Is It Worth the Night Boat Ride?

Bintan Fireflies Tour runs along the same Sebung River as the daytime mangrove tour, just starting later in the evening.

Instead of monkeys and birds, the main draw at night is watching fireflies glow among the mangrove trees.

The boat ride itself usually lasts around 45 minutes, a bit shorter than the daytime mangrove tour. This is because the boat doesn’t go as far into the river once night falls.

Life jackets are provided, a standard practice across the different operators running the tour.

Whether the trip feels worth it largely comes down to how many fireflies actually show up that night. Some evenings the trees along the river are dotted with dozens of them, while other nights only a handful appear.

Afternoon rain that clears up before sunset tends to bring out more fireflies once it gets dark. A calm, dry evening following a bit of rain earlier in the day is generally considered a good sign.

For guests staying on the east side of Bintan, the ride to the jetty can take around an hour. Leaving a little earlier than planned helps.

Stopping for dinner at a nearby seafood restaurant, or trying some local food along the way, makes the extra travel time worthwhile.

Some visitors prefer to pair the fireflies cruise with something earlier in the day rather than treating it as a standalone trip.

A popular combination is the daytime mangrove ride followed by fireflies once night falls, covered together on the Bintan Mangrove & Fireflies Tour page.

Others start at Blue Lake Bintan and the sand dunes in the afternoon before heading to the river for fireflies after dark, an option outlined on the Blue Lake Bintan & Fireflies Tour page.

A number of operators offer this tour, and the experience can vary a fair bit depending on what a guest picks.

Boats also differ, some use standard engines, while others run low-emission boats.

Low-emission boats tend to be quieter and produce less exhaust, said to be gentler on the surrounding ecosystem.

Details on the Bintan Fireflies Tour, including the low-emission boat option and private return transfer, can be found on the Bintan Fireflies Tour.