When going somewhere for a getaway, it’s worth exploring the local delights that particular location has to offer. When it comes to what to do and eat in Bintan, there is quite a long list, but let’s discuss the absolute musts to try when you travel to this beautiful Indonesian island a short ferry ride away from Singapore.
First up: the food and drinks that are native to this region and which you should try.
If you visit a seaside location and don’t eat seafood, you’re really missing out! There are plenty of seafood restaurants in Bintan and for a good reason. Freshly caught fish and other sea critters prepared in the Chinese way of cooking make for an extremely satisfying meal, perfect for filling up your stomach so you can spend the rest of the day lounging away lazily with drinks or taking naps. A particularly famous seafood restaurant in Bintan is the Kelong Seafood Restaurant, and if you come here, don’t forget to try their gonggong (sea snail) speciality dish, together with other dishes like black pepper crab and butter prawns.
Besides seafood, make sure you try food items like otak-otak (fish cake made with tapioca, spices and fish/squid, wrapped in banana leaf), kernas (sago and fish nuggets), lakse (laksa), ikan bakar (grilled fish) and nasi goreng (fried rice) on the menu during your trip. Why? Because through these foods you will really be enjoying the cuisine close to the hearts of the local Bintan people. At the same time, besides cold Bintang beers, don’t forget to also try out popular local beverages like soda gembira, es cendol, es timun selasih, and more. Just ask at the restaurant that you go to about drinks that the locals like to order!
Whether you want to be one with nature, learn more about Bintan’s culture and history, or try out adventurous activities, there’s something for everyone when visiting Bintan. To enjoy natural surroundings and see rich biodiversity in Bintan, it’s recommended that you go on a mangrove discovery tour, fireflies tour, or even go on a nice sunset cruise to admire the scenery. Interested in learning more about the local culture? Visit Tanjung Pinang, Senggarang Village, Pulau Penyengat, and Panglong Village to meet locals and visit cultural heritage spots to deepen your understanding of this region’s rich history.
There’s also some exhilaratingly fun things you can do here, such as going to Crystal Lagoon Salt Waterpark for adrenaline-pumping water activities, shopping to your heart’s content at Plaza Lagoi, golfing at Bintan’s many internationally-acclaimed golf courses, or going on a deep-sea fishing excursion to catch your own fish for your Bintan seafood meal. There’s no shortage of things for you to do here, and that’s not including all the water sports you can do at the beach such as ski scootering, fly fishing, sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, and much more!
At Club Med Bintan, we want to ensure you enjoy a wholesome holiday experience when you come to Bintan. While the amazing accommodation and all-day dining and beverages are reason enough to stay with us, we also offer an endless array of activities you can partake in to truly maximise your time on this beautiful island. From water sports facilities to tennis to aerial yoga and more, you can surely find something that tickles your fancy. We also organise excursions for you to conveniently visit some of the attractions mentioned above, too. So come stay with us to have the most convenient and relaxing holiday in Bintan ever!
