Blue Lake Bintan: One of Bintan's Best Photo Spots
Blue Lake Bintan, known locally as Danau Biru, is a former bauxite mining pit that has filled with turquoise-coloured rainwater. It is often called Bintan Desert because of the sand dunes right beside it.
The turquoise colour comes from minerals left behind in the soil after mining stopped. Rainwater gradually filled the pit, and the shade of blue can shift slightly depending on the light and time of day.
The Sand Dunes sit just next to the lake, close enough to explore both in a single visit.
Blue Lake Bintan is located in Busung Village, Tanjung Uban, in the northern part of Bintan Island.
It takes about 35 minutes to reach from Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) Ferry Terminal, and around 35–40 minutes from most Bintan Resort hotels.
The site is fairly compact, and most visitors spend around one to two hours there. It suits a short scenic stop rather than a full day out.
Swimming is not allowed at Blue Lake. The site is set up mainly for photos and for walking around the dunes.
The sand can get quite hot once the sun is fully up, so an earlier visit, or arriving after 3 PM, tends to be more comfortable.
The elevated edge of the lake is the most popular viewpoint, offering a clear view over the water and the surrounding landscape. A floating raft nearby is another well-known photo spot.
Local photographers are usually on hand with proper cameras, and photos are typically shared with visitors on the same day.
Comfortable, flat footwear is recommended for walking the dunes, especially once the sand warms up later in the morning.
ATV rides around the dunes are also available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session runs for about 30 – 40 minutes, with payment in cash IDR only.
Photos with trained eagles and their handlers are another popular activity on-site, especially among families and groups.
Grab Car services does not operate in this area.
For a more personalized visit to Blue Lake Bintan and the Sand Dunes, with flexible departure times and private transport arranged around your schedule, details are available on the Private Trip 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.
