Bintan Island

Bintan Island, in the Riau Archipelago of the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, is a short 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore. More than three times larger in area than Singapore, Bintan Island has only 200,000 inhabitants. This statistic explains why the island is currently being developed as a second-home getaway for Singaporeans in search of space and tranquility, as well as a beach resort for foreign visitors. The north side of the island is home to the upscale resorts, swanky restaurants and luxury spas, while the south side consists primarily of traditional Indonesian towns and craft villages. In the southwest, Tanjung Pinang, the capital and chief port, is a delightful spot to see prime examples of old-fashioned stilt houses built over the water, plus historic temples and mosques.