Nature & Beaches

Gunung Bintan Durian: Harvest Season and the Durian Feast in Bintan Buyu

by ugin ·

Every mid-year, the orchards at the foot of Gunung Bintan draw durian lovers from Batam, Tanjungpinang and even Malaysia. Here are the varieties, the best time to go and the Kenduri Durian festival.

A durian cut open
Foto: Kembangraps, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Gunung Bintan, the island's highest hill, is more than a hiking spot. Its slopes and the surrounding villages, above all Bintan Buyu, form Bintan's durian heartland, with more orchards around Toapaya and elsewhere. In season, people from Batam, Tanjungpinang and the Lagoi resorts head here to eat durian straight from the orchard.

What to expect

  • Eat durian on the spot, in the orchard or at a grower's stall.
  • Buy fruit to take away; many growers sell along Jalan Lintas Barat.
  • Talk varieties with the farmers, some of whom have been selling from their own trees for decades.

Varieties to look for

Durian daun is the name you will hear most: it is promoted as Bintan's signature durian and a culinary icon of the regency. Other varieties on sale include tembaga, mentega, susu, kucing tidur, es krim, jantung and telur. Gunung Bintan durian is known for its strong aroma and its mix of sweetness and gentle bitterness.

When to go

The main harvest usually falls around the middle of the year. In June 2026 orchards at Gunung Bintan, Toapaya and Bintan Buyu were reported to be in full harvest, and in July 2022 sales along Jalan Lintas Barat were at their peak. Timing moves from year to year, so follow local news before you go. Weekends are busiest.

Kenduri and Festival Durian Bintan

The regency government holds this durian feast at the Bekapur football field in Bintan Buyu. The 26 July 2026 edition was part of the Bintan Trekking 2026 series: participants climbed Gunung Bintan, then sat down on mats for a communal Malay-style durian meal. Around 650 people took part, including visitors from Malaysia and the Netherlands. No date has been announced yet for the next edition.

Tips

  • Prices vary a lot by season, size and variety, and durian daun is much pricier. Settle the price before the fruit is opened.
  • Go early, as the best fruit often sells out by the afternoon.
  • Bring cash and wet wipes.
  • Durian is banned in many hotels and vehicles, so enjoy it at the orchard.