Private jet charter and flights to Bintan Island
Bintan is one of Indonesia’s Riau Islands – an expansive archipelago that reaches from the southern tip Malay Peninsula to the island of Borneo. About an hour away from Singapore by sea or a short hop by air, the island is a popular weekend spot for city slickers seeking some sea, sand and sophisticated resorts. But the island is more than its north-coast resorts. There are plenty of cultural and nature experiences beyond its golden shores. Experience it all, charter a private jet today.
It’s the island’s north coast that attracts most of the visitors and Bintan Resorts, which stretches along the shore, is where all the action happens. This is where you’ll find high-end beachfront hotels like the ultra-luxe Bintan Lagoon Resort and Banyan Tree Bintan, a wellbeing haven at one end of the sweeping Lagoi Bay. There are plenty of high-octane watersports on offer but if you prefer a more sedate pace you can tee off at one of the region’s four championship golf courses. And there’s always the option to just relax on the beach or by the pool.
Just to the south west of Bintan Resorts is the Sebung River, a winding waterway that is lined by dense regenerated mangrove forests. A boat ride along the river, spotting monkeys, kingfishers, otters and tree snakes is one of the most popular and highly recommended excursions on the island. You can also get involved with repairing this incredible ecosystem by replanting mangrove trees at a local nursery.
One of the newest attractions on the island is Treasure Bay Bintan, an extensive and continually-expanding theme park and resort. One of the highlights of the park is the 15-acre Crystal Lagoon – the first and largest man-made sea water lagoon in Southeast Asia. It’s a great spot for families as there are plenty of water-based facilities like slip and slides, an inflatable obstacle course, water bicycles and a cable wakeboarding course.
The organised resort vibe of the island’s northern coast might not be for everyone. Luckily over on the east coast of the island you can find a beach retreat that’s a little more laid-back and a little less developed. The Trikora coast consists of a string of four connected beaches of wonderfully white sand backed by a small number of low-key hotels and resorts. If you’re just visiting for the day, you can rent one of the thatch-roofed huts that are set in front of the palm trees, and wander between the large boulders that are scattered across the sand. Between April and September – the region’s dry season – the water is beautifully clear and a great place to snorkel.
If you’re seeking a bit of culture with your beach time, head to Panglong Village which is located in the northeast corner of the island. This sleepy settlement is home to a traditional maritime community, the Orang Laut or ‘people of the sea’. You can see their stilted houses where fish are dried on the deck, and spot fishermen returning from sea with their catch of the day. Down on the south east coast is Kawal, another of the island’s fishing villages where floating platforms, also known as kelongs, line the shore.
The Riau Islands’ provincial capital is the bustling Tanjung Pinang, a city on the west coast of Bintan Island. Having been under the power of various nations, and as a centre of Malay trade, the city and its surroundings have layers of history and authentic Indonesian culture to uncover. In the capital itself, one of the must-visit spots to catch a glimpse of day-to-day life is the Bintan Centre Traditional Market where locally-grown produce and freshly caught fruits of the sea are bartered for. There are also plenty of places to grab some street food if you’re feeling adventurous.
Just 15 minutes across the water from the capital is Penyengat Island which was a seat of power in the last years of the Johor-Riau Sultanate. Today, you can see the strikingly vibrant 18th-Century Grand Mosque of the Riau Sultanate, explore the ruins of palaces and forts and discover the final resting places of important historical figures. Along the coast from the busy capital is the laid-back Senggarang Village, a Chinese village where stilted fishermen’s houses are set out over the water and a temple is hidden in the vertical routes of a centuries-old banyan tree.
The island is served by the small Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport. A second larger airport, which will be able to accommodate wide bodied aeroplanes is currently under construction and is set to open in 2020. Simply contact one of our team and we will arrange everything you need to charter a private jet to Bintan Island.
