April 2025
We began our last morning just like the day before, at Warung Pak Lagoi for a buffet breakfast. They had switched up the menu and I actually thought this morning’s spread was even better than the day before.
There were a few familiar favourites still on offer, but what caught my eye was the selection of kueh — from kueh dar dar to putu ayu. By this time, I decided to enjoy my meal and didn’t take as many photos!
Just as we were finishing up breakfast, we noticed a flurry of movement in the pond right outside the restaurant — it turned out to be a whole school of hungry koi, mouths wide open and wriggling near the surface. The kids were instantly hooked. They couldn’t wait to finish their breakfast and rushed out to watch (and talk to!) the fish. It was such a simple, unexpected delight — and one more reason why we loved how family-friendly and quietly interactive the resort was, even in the in-between moments.
Lovely Lagoi
Then, we headed out to Lagoi Beach — and it turned out to be nicer than we expected. The tide was low, revealing a wide stretch of firm, walkable sand. The kids wandered all the way out, completely absorbed in their mission to find seashells, stopping every few steps to shriek when they found tiny hermit crabs hiding inside.
We didn’t try any of the sea sports at Lagoi Beach, though they are available if you’re up for it. Instead, we took a short walk over to Plaza Lagoi, curious to see what was there. It turned out to be pretty empty and desolate — probably about three-quarters of the shops were closed, giving the place a bit of an abandoned feel. That said, we’d heard Mustafa Centre is set to open there in May 2025, which might breathe some life into the area. For now, there were just enough open spots to keep us entertained for a short while — a gelato shop, a couple of cafés and a surprisingly nice gift shop with some pretty pottery, kids beaded bracelets and toy sets and quirky souvenirs.
On weekends, there are also a few street food stalls scattered around, though it gets very hot with limited shade. A new, more affordable spa called Spaland is also set to open just outside the plaza, which could be a great alternative for those not visiting the resort spas. It might not be possible to walk there, so please check with your hotel about shuttle services to and from Plaza Lagoi — they’re usually happy to help arrange it.
For lunch, we decided to try out the popular Warung Yeah! for some local Indonesian fare. It’s clearly a favourite with both tourists and locals. I thought that it’s situated in Plaza Lagoi, but it’s actually in a two-storey building about 5-minute walk away. It’s not hard to find though — just look for a colourful graffiti wall!
Inside, you queue at the counter to place your order, then take a number and wait for your food at the table. If you head upstairs, there’s a nice little bonus: a sea view that makes the experience feel just a bit more special. We weren’t all that hungry, so we didn’t order much, but everything we tried was delicious.
Goodbye Bintan!
We had quite a bit of time to spare before our ferry, but thankfully, Holiday Inn Resort Bintan was kind enough to offer us a late check-out. They knew we were on the last ferry of the day, and without the room, we’d probably be stuck wandering around aimlessly with two tired kids. With the extra time, we could take things slow, freshen up, and even let YB have a proper nap — which made all the difference in keeping everyone sane and happy before the journey home.
That was why we could also squeeze in one last treat — more massages right before check-out. It was the perfect way to end the trip on a relaxed note. Technically, you only need to arrive at Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal about an hour before departure, but since it was a peak weekend crowd and the ferry was bound to be full, we decided to play it safe and left 90 minutes ahead. And we’re so glad we did. Arriving early gave us time to settle in without rushing. We even managed to shop a little and bought some keropok.
Most importantly, we joined the boarding queue early enough to be part of the first batch to board. That meant we could choose our seats and sit together as a family, which made all the difference for a smoother ride home.
Before you go…
Bintan is easy to love — and easy to plan. Most tourists end up doing the same few things (and that’s totally fine!). Here’s what we learned while booking our own trip, and how you can make the most of it—especially if you’re travelling as a family from Singapore.
Keep an eye out for roadshows and travel fairs: These often bundle together ferry tickets, resort stays and complimentary/discounted tours.
For example, we booked our Bintan family trip through Bintanholiday.com (Zoom Travel International) at a Bintan Resorts roadshow — and everything went smoothly from start to finish. The package gave us good value. Once we added up accommodation, ferry tickets and private transport, it made more sense than booking everything separately.
Our package included:
→ Complimentary Blue Lake tour (note that it’s as a group)
→ Complimentary Treasure Bay tickets (note that this is just the admission, you’d have to pay extra for activities)
→ A free box of lapis cake and free mini fan
We didn’t take up the tours because we just wanted to swim and chill at the resort— but it’s great value if you’re planning to explore.
Prepare Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): We mostly used cash for small expenses like ice cream, affordable meals at local eateries and tipping our driver.
Check in your big luggage: It’s a must for larger bags, but you can still bring cabin-size luggage onboard if you prefer to keep essentials with you. We checked in our big bags, and it was a breeze—since the ferry terminal is small and efficient, our luggage was already waiting for us by the time we passed customs. Super smooth.
Wait nearer to the boarding gate to be the first to get on the ferries: It helps to be kiasu, haha… We got standard tickets and honestly, they were fine for us, even with two young, impatient kids. What we did was to make sure that we got to the ferry terminals early to join the customs queue, and then waited at the boarding gates to ensure that we would be among the first to board. It’s free seating, so being on board first really helps to ensure that our family won’t be separated.
Or, consider upgrading to Emerald Class for the return ferry: If you feel like ending your trip on a more comfortable note, Emerald Class offers access to a separate, air-conditioned waiting lounge, priority boarding, and more spacious seating onboard. Especially helpful if you’re travelling with kids or elderly and want to avoid the boarding rush. You can upgrade both ways, but it feels more useful on the return trip.
Lagoi Loop: Most tourists stay in Lagoi (where the big resorts are), and do the same set of attractions like Safari Lagoi & Eco Farm, Mangrove cruise and/or Mangrove cruise, Kelong dinner, Treasure Bay and Plaza Lagoi (note: it’s still very empty at the moment, but Mustefa Centre is opening in May 2025). For a short getaway, this is more than enough.
Arrange private transport: There’s no public transport, and it’s really not walkable under the hot sun. Most activities and tours you book will include private transport with a driver — which makes things much easier, especially with kids.
Tipping: Tipping isn’t compulsory, but it’s appreciated, especially for drivers, hotel porters, and spa therapists. We gave a tip of S$30 to our driver, because he even took the initiative to send us to some last-minute spots and even assisted us throughout Safari Lagoi.
Do it at your own pace: Bintan is a destination where doing less often feels better, especially with kids. We opted for just the resort, kelong dinner and a fireflies tour, and still had a great time. You don’t need to do it all.
Bintan moves at a slower, sleepier pace — and honestly, that’s part of its charm. A little planning makes everything smoother, and once you’re there, it’s all about slowing down and soaking it all in.
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