Traveling between Singapore and Bintan Island is so easy now, and we’re excited! Start daydreaming about your next beach trip with our guide to family-friendly Bintan hotels

Have you missed beach holidays on Bintan Island as much as we have? Well, the good news keeps rolling in this year, as traveling to and from the idyllic island destination is quarantine-free! If you’re debating a flight-free trip to the beach, keep reading to know more!

Jump to:
SG-Bintan Travel Bubble
How to Get to Bintan from Singapore
Where to Stay in Bintan
What to Do on Bintan Island
Where to Eat on Bintan Island
Weather on Bintan Island

SG-Bintan Island Travel Bubble

From 25 February 2022, Singaporeans and permanent residents will enjoy quarantine-free travel between Singapore and Bintan/Batam. Travellers who intend to visit Bintan can enter via the Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal and Batam via the Nongsapura International Ferry Terminal. Those who require a vaccinated travel pass can begin applying from 10am on 22 February 2022. The designated ferry services will be operated by both Batam Fast and Bintan Resort Ferries.

Where in Bintan can Singaporeans currently visit?

Singaporeans, residents and those on long-term passes are currently only allowed to visit Lagoi in Bintan (and Nongsa in Batam). You aren’t allowed to visit any other place in Bintan at the moment, and you must enter via the Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal. To qualify for entry you must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test 72 hours before departure. You will also need to take another PCR test on arrival in Bintan.

What documents will you need to travel to Bintan?

• A negative pre-departure ART or PCR test within 24 hours of the ferry ride to Bintan.
• A physical or digital vaccination certificate, which you can obtain online in under 5 five minutes on Notarise. The certificate must be in English and must be verified on the official website of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health or on e-HAC International Indonesia.
• If you’re not a Singapore citizen (or don’t have a passport with visa waiver/on-arrival visa arrangements), then you can visit the Indonesian embassy to file the necessary visa paperwork.
• Health insurance (with Covid coverage) with a minimum coverage value of $30,000 – your policy must include the financing of COVID-19 handling and medical evacuation towards a referral hospital.
• Booking confirmations and payment details of your hotel packages in Bintan.
• Upon arriving in Bintan, you must download and use the PeduliLindungi app (Indonesia’s version of TraceTogether) during your activities.

What if I test positive while travelling?

If you test positive on your on-arrival PCR test or during your holiday, you will be isolated or treated in an area that is separate from your travel bubble IF you are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Those with moderate to severe symptoms will be quarantined or treated at a hospital or must undergo medical evacuation to a “referral hospital in accordance with the procedure set by the related referral hospital,” according to the Indonesian tourism ministry. You will also have to pay your own treatment costs.

How to Get to Bintan from Singapore

Bintan can be reached by ferry boat in just under an hour. You catch the ferry from the terminal in Tanah Merah (not too far from Changi). Due to the pandemic, the number of daily trips has been cut drastically. Currently, the schedule only lists once-weekly ferry trips – 11:10am (SG time) on Wednesdays from the Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Bintan, and at 2:10pm (Bintan time) from the Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal to Singapore. Click here for an updated schedule.

Ferry fares to Bintan range between $40 to $58 (one-way) or $50 to $94 (round-trip), while adults will pay between $45 and $67 for a one-way trip and between $50 and $108 for a roundtrip. Note that you can also upgrade to Emerald Class, which will get you a larger, more comfortable seat, complimentary refreshments, priority baggage handling, and – best of all – expedited immigration clearance so you can basically walk right off the boat upon arrival without having to queue up. There is also an exclusive executive lounge on both ends with drinks, Wi-Fi and reading materials. The Emerald Class Lounge also offers the only baby changing table at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Click here for updated ferry fares.

As Bintan is a popular babymoon destination, it’s worth noting that you’ll need a doctor’s note if you travel while pregnant, just as you would for flying. They generally recommend against visiting past eight months due to limited medical facilities on the island. Bintan is visa-free for most nationalities (click here for the exact list). Put the money saved toward cocktails, we say!.

Read more: Easy Island Breaks from Singapore – no flights required!

Where to Stay in Bintan

One of the things we loved most about Bintan pre-Covid was its huge range of accommodation; there’s everything from rustic beach bungalows to luxe pool villas and modern apartments (perfect for families!). On average you can expect to pay about $100-$200 per night for most accommodation; the most basic digs can cost as little as $50, while the high-end resorts could be anywhere from $350-$500 depending on the day. We round up some of the best hotels and resorts to stay in while you’re visiting Bintan Island.