Ever wondered where you could spend some time on a beautiful island with pristine white sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters, close to the hustle and bustle of busy Singapore, but a world away from city life? The answer, Bintan Island.
It’s just a 15 minute journey from Singapore’s Changi International Airport, or a relaxing 45 minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.
- Mangrove forestbrongaeh / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
It might be easy to get to, but you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from it. Once you’ve spent time exploring this jewel in the Indonesian Archipelago, which has a host of exotic wildlife amongst the Mangrove forests and in the Sebung River, you won’t want to go home.
The traditional way of life is still very much apparent here and the islanders still derive much of their income from the Mangroves. Throughout the Asian Mangroves there is a yield of 47,000 tonnes of fish and, 160 kilos of shrimp caught every year.
- Asian MangrovesTony Rodd / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
To see more of the island, take a tour through the Mangroves and spot the Silver Leaf and Macaque Monkeys, the Monitor Lizards and the island’s snakes, all in their natural habitat. Or, visit the wildlife on the Sebung River, like the majestic Kingfisher and the Purple Heron, which live by the river and hunt for tasty snacks of crab, prawns, snails and clams, as well as Mudskippers and Coral fish, all who call the riverbed home.
- Bintan IslandAimee Monteiro / Foter / CC BY
You’ll be spoilt for choice for resorts on the island, like the Bintan Lagoon Resort, which is the perfect location for anyone who wants to combine a beach holiday with plenty of sporting activity and the Angsana Bitan, which is ideal for families.
However, if you are looking for attentive service, luxury accommodation and fine dining, theres on place that instantly springs to mind, the new Sanchaya Resort Bintan. With everything you need for a relaxing holiday break in one of the most sought after destinations in the world The Sanchaya resort Bintan has been designed especially with the discerning traveller in mind. This exclusive beachfront estate provides an all-round luxury experience, from the magnificent sea views and the lush green landscaped gardens to the attentive service and the first class wining and dining. Guests staying at the Sanchaya resort Bintan can moor their own boats and yachts to arrive and depart from the island discreetly.
- Bintan Island Mangrovessachman75 / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
There are nineteen exclusive holiday villas and nine suites in the Great House. The décor is sumptuous and reflects the culture and history of South East Asia. The furnishings are comfortable and the facilities are practical, including all the latest mod-cons like a Bang & Olufsen sound system, Apple and cable TV, iPads and WiFi.
The island’s tropical temperature averages a very warm, 26ºC, which means you can spend your time relaxing on the beach, or, lying on the deck of a boat, whilst watching the dolphins and the turtles bask in the clear waters of the South China Sea.
The Sanchaya Resort Bintan opens in April 2014 and has already been highlighted by Conde Nast magazine, as a resort ‘to watch’
