11 Top Things To Do in Riau Island for a Pleasing Getaway

Traveloka Accomodation
27 Jan 2023 - 7 min read

Things to do in Riau Island - Riau Island is one of the provinces that have a diversity of cultures and tribes. Additionally, the province that stretches from the Strait of Malacca to Natuna is quite strategic. This Is due to its location bordering Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. You’ll travel a distance of 271 km from Singapore or about 3 hours and 10 minutes by ferry and plane.

Besides its strategic location, Riau Island is also full of a variety of tours that are typical of its art and culture. Some of them have beaches, temples, and the largest shopping centers. Of course, you won’t run out of destinations when visiting Riau Island.

To make it easier, here are below the things to do on Riau Island which locals also highly recommend. These destinations are also perfect for enjoying summer. Book your tickets in advance at Traveloka so that you don’t have to queue later.

Things To Do In Riau Island

1. Visit Bintan Elephant Park

Bintan Elephant Park - Things to do in Riau Island

The first recommendation is to visit Bintan Elephant Park. As the name implies, this park is filled with elephants who have been trained to interact with humans and perform simple performances. There are also seven Sumatran elephants that have been tame.

In addition to seeing elephants, the park also has tropical gardens filled with types of vegetables such as corn, kangkong, mustard greens, papaya, and beans. Do you want to see other animals besides elephants? Relax, as the park also has sun bears, estuarine crocodiles, Komodo dragons, and some rare animals protected.

The location of Bintan Elephant park is in Sebong Lagoi, Tik Sebong District, Bintan Regency, Riau Island, 29152. Meanwhile, admission is around 5$ for kids and $10 for adults.

2. Enjoy the Sunset at Bintan Island

The other thing to do in Riau Island is enjoy the sunset at Bintan Island. This island is often visited by tourists because it offers world-class golf course facilities, luxury resorts, and the beauty of beach sand. This place is suitable for those of you who want to snorkel or dive. Because it is close to the beach, you can enjoy the sunset and sunrise directly.

To get to this island, there are two routes, namely using the ferry from Singapore and Johor Bahru and using the air route to Haji Fisabilillah Airport on Bintan Island. You can book directly on Traveloka with Garuda Indonesia airlines.

In addition, on Bintan Island, there are also Senggarang and Sebung Villages which offer a blend of Indonesian and Chinese cultures. You'll find temples, infrastructure, and snacks from the cultures.

3. Come to Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall

Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall - Things to do in Riau

Want to visit a shopping mall for diving or snorkeling equipment? You can visit Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall. This place is the largest mall on Riau Island, precisely in the city of Batam. In addition, it is the most visited place due to its Harbour Bay – ferry terminal.

Nagoya Hill has a total of 4 floors that offer local brands compared to foreign brands, of course at a more affordable price. There are also spas, bakeries, shops, karaoke clubs, stalls, and hotels near the shopping mall.

The location of this mall is Nagoya HI street, Lubuk Batam City, Riau Island. The mall's operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time.

4. Visit Penyengat Island

Penyengat Island - Things to do in Riau Island

A vacation to Riau Island is incomplete if you don't visit Penyengat Island. This island is called a historical island because there are historical relics in the form of the Great Mosque of Sultan Riau. Kono mosque is made of egg white and around it, there is a meal of Raja haji Fisabilillah and Raja Ai Haji.

Some of the typical tourist attractions and attractions on Penyengat Island are Gunpowder Building, Office Palace, Engku Bilik Building, and Bukit Kursi Defense Fort. Each of these attractions operates daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.

You will travel for 3 hours and 46 minutes from Singapore by bus and ferry. For transportation, prices range from $30 to $80. Make sure you pay attention to health protocols during the holidays.

5. Visit Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple

Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple - Things to do in Riau Island

If you enjoy exploring temples, historical buildings, or art exhibitions – pay a visit to Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple. This temple is the largest temple in Riau Island, precisely in the city of Batam. Usually, this temple is often visited by tourists and local Buddhists. But now this temple is open to the public while still paying attention to the applicable religious rules.

To visit this temple, it is best to arrive before 3 pm local time. Because after 3 p.m., the temple will be used for worship and other religious activities. In addition, what is special about this temple is the environmentally friendly system.

The location of this temple is in the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Bukit Beruntung Complex, Batam City, Riau Island.

6. Snorkeling at Trikora Beach

Trikora Beach is perfect for those of you who want to exercise snorkeling and diving. Trikora Beach is a stretch of beach with long white sand. Tourists love to visit this beach because there is a seaside playground that is often crowded by locals.

In addition, this beach is also used as a livelihood center for local residents to fish, set fish traps, and search for coral reefs. It will take about 45 minutes to get to this beach from Tanjung Pinang City. From Singapore, you need to go to Bintan using a plane whose tickets you can book at Traveloka.

Around the beach, there are also clubs and resorts for you to stay. During your stay, you can also experience a vacation stay on a yacht and around Bintan.

7. Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple

Tua Pek Kong Temple - Things to do in Riau Island

For cultural and religious tours, you can visit Tua Pek Kong Temple. Tua Pek Kong Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Batam. Tourists love this temple because in addition to its quiet place it is also close to the sea. In addition, this temple becomes very crowded during the Lunar New Year.

Around the temple, there are also many famous restaurants recommended by locals. Some restaurants that you must visit after the temple are Jembatan Merah restaurant, Rezeki seafood restaurant, and My mie restaurant. You will be served Riau specialties, seafood, and Chinese food.

The location of this temple is in the Lubuk Baja area, Batam City. Make sure you wear modest clothes before entering the temple

8. Enjoy the view at Bintan Blue Lake

Bintan Blue Lake - Things to do in Riau Island

Bintan blue lake is one of the most favorite destinations because it presents a stretch of clear and blue water. What is surprising about this lake is the process of its formation from a former sand mine that is still in operation today. The water in the lake then mixes with rainwater.

You can rent an ATV to go around the lake. This place is also suitable for shooting while still paying attention to safety. Although this place is open 24 hours, you need to pay an entrance ticket of around $0.5 to $1 per person. For ATV rentals, the set price is $45.

The location of this lake is in Kijang Mt, Kijang MT District, Bintan Regency, Riau Island.

9. Diving at Trikora Beach

Trikora Beach - Things to do in Riau Island

Besides Blue Lake, you can also dive at Trikora Beach – the most popular destination to pamper your eyes with beautiful marine life. You will be presented with a view of white sand and gentle waves.

There are several places to rent diving equipment, but it's better for you to have your own equipment so you can dive freely. The location of this beach is in Malang Rapat Village, Gunung Kijang District, Bintan Island. You can rent a jeep or rental car through Traveloka for an easier trip.

9. Visit Bintan Desert

Bintan Desert - Things to do in Riau Island

Bintan also has the Bintan Desert which features a stretch of white sand like the Sahara desert. The location is in the same place as Blue Lake, so you can play in the same place. There is a wooden bridge that extends connecting two deserts and is made over a blue lake.

Make sure you wear thick clothes because the air around the desert is quite cold. Parking fees in this place range from $0.5 to $0.9 for any type of vehicle. You will be a 45-minute drive from Gatot Subroto Street.

10. Come to Mubut Island

Mubut Island - Things to do in Riau Island

Want a new atmosphere but not too crowded? Come to Mubut Island. The island is quite quiet in the middle of the year and also quite affordable. The beach here is perfect for family vacations and honeymoons.

The price range of admission is about $10 to $50 per person for children to adults. With such a price, you will get facilities in the form of huts and mats. In the vicinity, there are toilets, a room after diving, and a place of worship.

Those are the things to do in Riau Island for your trip. Have you found your dream destination? So what are you waiting for? ask your family and family to enjoy the beauty and excitement that only Riau Island has. Before the trip, you can book the entrance ticket in advance at Traveloka.

Important Information

🛍️ Best Souvenirs

Riau's Batik, Pineapple Chips

🍔 Best Foods

Catfish Curry, Mie Lendir, Gulai Belacan

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In This Article

• Things To Do In Riau Island
• 1. Visit Bintan Elephant Park
• 2. Enjoy the Sunset at Bintan Island
• 3. Come to Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall
• 4. Visit Penyengat Island
• 5. Visit Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple
• 6. Snorkeling at Trikora Beach
• 7. Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple
• 8. Enjoy the view at Bintan Blue Lake
• 9. Diving at Trikora Beach
• 9. Visit Bintan Desert
• 10. Come to Mubut Island
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