Sebung River Mangrove Tour: Mangroves by Day, Fireflies by Night

Not far from the Lagoi resort area, the Sebung River (often spelt Sebong) winds through dense mangrove forest. A boat trip along the river is one of the easiest ways to experience Bintan’s wildlife without a long hike. The tour jetty is near Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal, and many operators offer free pick-up from hotels in Lagoi.

Daytime tour: the mangrove ecosystem

By day you head out in a motorboat with a guide who explains the plants and animals along the banks. The river passes through saltwater, brackish and freshwater zones, so the mangrove species vary too, from Rhizophora with its stilt roots to Avicennia. With a bit of luck you may see:

• long-tailed macaques and silvered leaf monkeys,
• monitor lizards basking on the banks,
• mangrove snakes coiled on branches,
• kingfishers darting low over the water.

Tours generally last about an hour and run several times a day.

Night tour: the firefly show

After dark the river takes on a completely different mood. The boat glides slowly past the mangroves, the lights are switched off and, once your eyes adjust, thousands of fireflies begin to twinkle in the trees like natural fairy lights. Night tours usually start after sunset and also last around an hour. Some operators offer combined trips starting in the late afternoon, so you can see the mangroves in daylight and the fireflies after dusk.

Tips

• Wear insect repellent and bring a light jacket, as the evening breeze on the river can feel cool.
• Do not use camera flash; it disturbs the fireflies and other guests.
• Heavy rain can lead to tours being postponed. Many operators allow rebooking, but check the policy when you book.
• Take your litter with you and never feed the wildlife.

Similar firefly trips are also run on the Kawal River on the east coast, near the Trikora area.