Bintan Island: Mangrove, Sand Dunes & Seafood Day Tour

Summary

From tangled mangroves to the Blue Lake, a day of Bintan’s real flavors and faces

You’ll ride through Bintan’s lush mangroves by boat, share seafood lunch at a kelong restaurant over the water, wander sand dunes by Blue Lake, explore Tanjung Uban’s markets and temples with your guide, then end on a quiet local beach. It’s all those small moments — sticky crab fingers or laughing with strangers — that make this day stick with you.

What’s the experience like?

"That’s not a crocodile, right?" I blurted as our little boat drifted under the arching branches of the Bintan mangrove. Our guide, Pak Hadi, just grinned and pointed at a kingfisher instead. The air smelled green — if that makes sense — like wet leaves and river mud. There was this quiet except for insects buzzing and our boatman humming something low under his breath. I didn’t expect to feel so far from the resorts just half an hour after leaving Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal.

We rolled on to Safari Lagoi & Eco Farm next. Honestly, I thought it’d be touristy but it felt more like a working farm than a zoo. A goat tried to eat my shoelace (Li laughed; I pretended not to mind). By noon we were hungry — you know how sea air does that? Lunch was at a kelong restaurant built on stilts over the water. The chili crab left my fingers sticky for ages but it was worth it. The view out over the straits had these fishing boats bobbing quietly, almost like they were napping.

The sand dunes and Blue Lake surprised me — I’d seen photos but in person, the colors are stranger, almost too bright against the sky. We wandered around Tanjung Uban town after that; there was this old Chinese temple with incense smoke curling up into the rafters and a fruit market where someone handed me a slice of jackfruit (sticky, sweet — I still think about that taste). Our driver stopped at the biggest supermarket in town so we could grab snacks for later; I ended up buying some weirdly flavored chips just because why not?

The last stop was a quiet beach near a fishing village. Kids were playing soccer barefoot in the sand and an older man waved as we walked by — no English needed for that kind of hello. Then we headed back towards our hotel with sunburnt noses and sandy feet. It all went by faster than I expected; funny how days can stretch out and then suddenly be over.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day tour of Northern Bintan

• 09:00am pick up at ferry or hotel
• 09:30am mangrove discovery tour
• 11:00am visit Safari Lagoi and Eco Farm
• 12:00pm seafood lunch at kelong restaurant
• 01:30pm visit Bintan Sand Dunes and Blue Lake
• 02:00pm visit Tanjung Uban town and temple
• 02:30pm explore local fruits market and supermarket
• 03:00pm visit local beach and fishing village
• 03:30pm return to ferry terminal or hotel
• 04:00pm tour ends

Top questions

What time does the Bintan Island full day tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00am with pickup from Bandar Bentan Telani ferry terminal or your hotel lobby.

Is lunch included on this Bintan Island day trip?

Yes, lunch is included at a local kelong seafood restaurant with a set menu.

Are entry fees covered for attractions like Blue Lake or Safari Lagoi?

All admission fees for Mangrove Discovery Tour, Safari Lagoi & Eco Farm, Sand Dunes & Blue Lake are included.

Is transportation provided during the tour?

Yes, full air-conditioned transportation is provided throughout the private tour.

Does this tour include visits to local markets or towns?

Yes, you’ll visit Tanjung Uban town including its fruit market and main supermarket.

Can infants join this Bintan Island tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap or in a pram/stroller during transport.

How long does the Northern Bintan full day tour last?

The tour lasts about 7 hours from 9:00am until approximately 4:00pm.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels according to provided info.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or ferry terminal in Bintan Island, private air-conditioned transport throughout each stop, guided entry to Mangrove Discovery Tour, Safari Lagoi & Eco Farm plus access to the sand dunes and Blue Lake. You’ll enjoy bottled mineral water along the way and tuck into a set seafood lunch at an overwater kelong restaurant before returning in comfort late afternoon.