Tanjung Pinang was once capital of all Riau, the islands had their own rupiah, and Batam grew from a quiet island into a special authority zone. A short history of the Riau Islands from 1957 to today.
Tanjungpinang's municipal tropical fruit garden is free to enter. Whatever is in season may be picked and eaten on the spot, making it a good stop for families and school groups.
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.
Beyond the beaches and resorts, Bintan has durian orchards at the foot of Gunung Bintan, its own Sari Intan snake fruit, a small grape garden and a free fruit park in Tanjungpinang. Here is where to go, when, and what to expect.
Two 18-hole courses by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch on Bintan's north coast, now linked to the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, which opened in August 2026.
This 18-hole Greg Norman design sits beside the Banyan Tree, Angsana and Cassia resorts in Lagoi. Reworked in 2016, it offers varied terrain and a striking par-3 over a rocky shoreline.
Ria Bintan combines tropical forest and sea views across 27 holes designed by Gary Player. It regularly features among Asia's best-ranked courses.
Bintan offers 81 holes designed by Gary Player, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch, about an hour by ferry from Singapore. Here are the open courses, the best season and practical tips.
Jong and rowing races, spinning tops, Gurindam Dua Belas recitals and Malay arts bring Pulau Penyengat to life during the festival. Dates vary, so watch for official announcements.
Since 2009, Tour de Bintan has brought amateur cyclists from many countries to the island's coastal roads. Check the official website for current dates.
On the Sungai Carang near Tanjung Pinang lie wall remains, ruins and tombs of Johor-Riau dignitaries. A quiet site for history lovers who don't mind a little adventure.
This Riau scholar and poet wrote the Gurindam Dua Belas and shaped the Malay language that became Bahasa Indonesia. His tomb can be visited on Pulau Penyengat.
Bintan was a refuge for the sultan of Malacca, a centre of the Johor-Riau realm and part of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate. Here is the island's long journey to today's Riau Islands province.
Gunung Bintan, in the middle of the island, is a protected forest area with a trail climbing through tropical rainforest. The ascent takes around two hours and suits reasonably fit beginners.
Motorboats wind through the mangrove forest of the Sebung River near Lagoi, home to monkeys, monitor lizards and mangrove snakes. After dark, thousands of fireflies steal the show.
Bintan’s north coast is known for white sand facing the South China Sea. Besides the resort beaches, there is the public beach at Lagoi Bay and Pantai Sakera, a favourite with local families.
The Trikora beaches on Bintan’s east coast combine pale sand, granite boulders, kelong fishing platforms out at sea and fishing villages – far more local and low-key than the resort zone in the north.
On Bintan’s north coast, Lagoi Bay offers a public beach of around 3.5 km and lively evenings around Plaza Lagoi, while Treasure Bay is known for its Crystal Lagoon, the largest crystalline lagoon in Southeast Asia.
A former sand-mining site in the village of Busung has turned into a desert-like landscape dotted with turquoise lakes. It makes for striking photos and is most comfortable to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
This small island across the water from Tanjung Pinang holds the legacy of the Riau-Lingga Sultanate: a striking yellow mosque, royal tombs and palace ruins. A pompong boat gets you there in about 15 minutes.