Bintan Island, region of Singapore

Located just 45 kilometres south-east of Singapore and twice its size, northern Bintan is easily accessible via a 45-minute ride on a high speed catamaran from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. To get to the southern part of Bintan, ferries also depart from the World Trade Centre and take 90 minutes each way. Despite Bintan's proximity, you will need your passport and, where necessary, a visa.

In the northern sector of Bintan Island is Bintan Resorts, a 23,000 hectare development which is being jointly undertaken by the Singaporean and Indonesian governments. It has 18 kilometres of pristine white beaches and azure waters, rich with marine life and offers the ideal retreat for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Accommodation options include hotels, condominiums, luxury villas and chalets. It is possible to rent cars and there are transfers from the ferry terminal and between the various hotel resorts.

Bintan Resorts has a dedicated sea-sports centre offering a variety of activities underwater and on the water including hosting a major annual windsurfing event. Choose from motorised and non-motorised watersports including jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or just unwinding on the beach.

Diving at Bintan is a comfortable experience for newcomers and aficionados alike with waters gentle enough for novices and enough undiscovered surprises to content old-time divers. The best diving is from April to October and Bintan's marine population includes more than 100,000 species with snails, clams, oysters, squid, nudibranchs and sea shells. There are also regular dolphin sightings.

On land, Bintan has several excellent golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Ian Baker-Finch, and it is worth taking a sightseeing trip to the southern part of the island. You can take a public bus between northern and southern Bintan, or travel by charter taxi or speed boat arranged through your hotel. The trip will take approximately 90 minutes.

In the south, a must see is a visit to Bintan's capital, Tanjung Pinang, a quaint old town characterised by rows of wooden houses on stilts linked by a maze of walkways.

A ten-minute ride on a motorised sampan will take you to historical Pulau Penyengat, originally the home of the Melaka Sultanate. This tiny island is distinguished from afar by a glittering dome belonging to its 170-year-old mosque which houses a rare handwritten Koran. Near the mosque are the royal tombs of past sultans.

Also in the south is the rustic fishing village of Senggarang, which was the previous capital, before being razed by fire. Once the home of the Bugis, today it has a strong Chinese population with a Chinese village.

Senggarang is renowned for its Land, Sea and Earth Temples, more than 100 years old, to which many Singaporean Chinese come to worship during festivals. There is also the 300-year-old Kwan Yin Temple, which is the oldest in the Riau group, situated near the mouth of the Snake River (Sungai Ular).

There are so many leisure facilities being developed within Bintan Resorts that visitors won't need to go far in order to experience something new. A stroll through Bintan's nature trails enjoying the lush tropical flora and fauna might even provide a glimpse of the shy mouse-deer. As well as a wildlife sanctuary, there is also an agro-tech park (where visitors can pick their own fruit and vegetables), a marina centre and excellent retail facilities.

For a unique dining experience, enjoy spectacular views as you sample Indonesian seafood cuisine at Panorama Kelong Restaurant which seats up to 100 diners in a traditional stilt structure stretching 200 metres into the sea. It offers outdoor and air-conditioned dining areas and bar facilities.

Planned future leisure developments include a health spa, an amusement park with old-fashioned merry-go-rounds as well as more sophisticated roller coasters and other attractions, and entertainment complexes which will incorporate amusement arcades, cinemas and pubs.

The resorts employ more than 2,000 locals from the nearby town of Tanjung Uban and many are resettling in new homes in the form of cluster housing and dormitory accommodation at Bintan Resorts. Many new facilities have also been provided for the locals including a mosque and a park complete with barbeque and sporting facilities.

Hotels Bintan Island | Last Minute Hotels Bintan Island

Banyan Tree Bintan  Banyan Tree Bintan is located at Tanjong Said on a secluded bay on the north-western tip of Bintan Island Seaview Jacuzzi Villa, perched on a hill slope amidst lush tropical surroundings, this Jacuzzi villa affords splendid views of the ocean through shady age-old trees. Built on stilts to preserve as much of the natural vegetation as possible, you'll live in the canopy and experience the supreme in peacefulness. You might even spot the occasional monkey on your verandah or hear frogs frolicking in the night. Dine in the cooling shade of imposing giants of tropical trees at the Treetops with an inspiring view of the sea and the rock edge swimming pool close by. Buffet breakfasts, snacks, salads and sandwiches are served throughout the day. The Banyan Tree Hotel is combining ambience and atmosphere with the finest facilities. Being provided a wide range of facilities, such as massage, golf, tennis courts, swimming pool, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and fishing.

Bintan Lagoon Resort  Sprawling over 300 hectares of landscaped gardens, Bintan Lagoon Resort is fringed by one of the region’s best beaches, a range of world-class facilities and attentive Indonesian-style hospitality. Take your time to appreciate the beauty of nature amidst the luxurious comforts of an integrated golf and beach resort. Take in the fresh sea breeze at the break of dawn from your private balcony, a feature found in every one of the 401 elegantly appointed and comfortable guestrooms at the Bintan Lagoon Resort. Click here for last minute offers Click here for more information and Booking Details »