(visited June 2011)
Viewpoint outlook of role of the western most beach on the due north coast of Bintan. Buildings belong to Mayong Sari resort, role of the Nirwana Gardens complex.
Bintan's major wages is that it tin last reached from Singapore past times ferry inwards roughly 45 minutes. The northern beach expanse is real attractive alongside white sand in addition to surprisingly clear water. But it is to a greater extent than or less a Singaporean enclave of midrange hotels/golf courses etc - at that spot are no create out Indo-style accommodation or associated activities.
These tin last flora on the eastward coast - but the beaches hither are markedly inferior to the north.
This modified Google public ikon shows Bintan's location unopen to Singapore in addition to side past times side Batam. Ferry access is from both Singapore in addition to Johor Bahru inwards Malaysia. Bintan's 2 major piers are Bandar Bentan Telani for the northern International Resorts zone in addition to at Tanjung Pinang, the isle capital. Note I receive got called this Tanjung Bintan on the map - it is equally good difficult to right it I'm afraid.
I pinched this map from Wikipedia - the northern Singaporean dominated Bintan International Resorts expanse (locally called Lagoi) is clearly defined. Image expands past times clicking.
Lady Tezza in addition to I decided to experience both the northern tourist zone (at Nirwana Beach Club) in addition to the to a greater extent than traditional eastward coast Trikora Beach expanse (at Agro Cabana).
We entered from Singapore via Bandar Bentan Telani pier simply a few km southward of Nirwana in addition to left the isle for Johor Bahru inwards Malaysia via the Tanjung Pinang (once in i lawsuit again miss-named Tanjung Bintan on the map) pier a skillful hr from Agro. Van transit from Nirwana to Agro was almost ninety minutes - Bintan is a pretty large isle at 2400 sq.km.
The landscape is largely rolling hills covered past times rainforest or palm-oil plantations. Population density is depression - alone almost 200000 people alive on the isle - in addition to it appears one-half of them inwards Tanjung Pinang which is a bustling petty metropolis in addition to port. The northern Lagoi expanse seems largely devoid of local villages in addition to industry. The occasional farming hamlet is flora along interior roads, line-fishing villages are scattered roughly the other coastlines in addition to at that spot is a chip of modern manufacture - an oil/gas terminal on the upper westward coast etc.
NIRWANA BEACH CLUB
This house is also referred to equally Beach Club Cabanas, Nirwana Cabanas, Nirwana Garden Cabanas, Nirwana Beach Club on diverse sites.
Beach Club is role of the greater 300+ ha Nirwana Gardens complex which also includes Nirwana Resort Hotel, Banyu Biru Villas border of ikon at right, Mayong Sari resort on the beach below the N of Nirwana Beach Club in addition to the flash Indra Maya Villas/Nirwana Villas on the hillside (lower)/adjacent the coast (upper) to Mayong Sari's left. H5N1 regular shuttle van connects all places in addition to it is a pleasant stroll from H5N1 to B. I've place-marked some other locations referred to below.
Most of the Lagoi resorts are fairly expensive for budget travellers similar yer humble servant, but Beach Club was offering a pretty reasonable create out on i of the major booking sites. Since all the other facilities of the Nirwana Gardens complex are opened upward to Beach Club guests, nosotros went for it. It doesn't wound that Nirwana Gardens is alone 10 minutes from the arrivals pier on the complex's costless bus. The northern International Resorts expanse is almost 25km across thus some of the to a greater extent than eastern properties would last a fair drive.
Beach Club itself is a pretty prissy house - the chalets are comfortable in addition to good equipped, the beach itself is real attractive, the beach-club has a hit of water-sports, the beachside eating theatre is nicely positioned in addition to the staff friendly in addition to difficult working. However at that spot is i caveat - food/drinks pricing is at 4 star international resort levels - $Sing7 for a loving cup of tea in i lawsuit the 21% taxes were included (all prices are inwards Singaporean currency), $9 for a beer, $17 for a gild sanga etc. Fortunately breakfast (usually an okay buffet except when at that spot are non many guests) was included inwards the room toll - in addition to at that spot was a food-hall at the Resort Centre complex high on the colina almost 10 minutes walk away (or hold back for the half-hourly shuttle), which had less expensive grub but silent roughly twice the toll of nutrient halls inwards Singapore in addition to non equally skillful character wise.
Beach Club has a twosome of dozen chalets almost 100m inwards from the sand. Many are located roughly this prissy pond, others on the hillside behind - ours was inwards a clearing to right of image. The chalets are duplex trend - the partition wall is sparse but vibrations from the side past times side house seemed okay until a bunch of Singaporean high schoolhouse kids moved inwards - complaint it was the loud oral cavity instructor who was the offender, the kids were pretty good.
The chalets are spacious, receive got aircon, a frig but no jug. The queen sized bed was okay. Rooms were serviced daily past times an efficient staff. Mozzies seemed to last non a work - this house apparently sprays the surrounding gardens in addition to pond.
Some interesting wild-life inwards the Nirwana Gardens expanse - enough of these monitors, birds, cute squirelly things.
Speaking of wild-life, at that spot is a small-scale zoo betwixt Beach Club in addition to Nirwana Resort Hotel - some crocs, raptors in addition to vultures, a cobra, 2 pythons including i monster in addition to some deer. The Outdoor Activities expanse southward of the Resort Centre had elephants - either for a demonstrate or for rides.
THE BEACHES
This depression tide shot alongside lots of moisture sand does non demonstrate Beach Club's rather prissy white sand beach to best wages (you tin regard the far goal of this beach at high tide inwards the opening shot) but it does essay at that spot is lots of sand into the H2O at most tide levels. This is shot from a sunbathing platform inwards forepart of the Beach Activities Centre (paddle boards, kayaks, catamarans, jet-skis [not used the duration of our mid-week remain which didn't interruption my heart] fifty-fifty surf boards)- the eating theatre is slightly behind photographic tv set camera to left in addition to has a prissy outlook. Some sun-lounges nether the trees to left.
Less than 10 minutes walk from the indicate of the final shot gets yous to the far goal (from this perspective) of Nirwana Resort Hotel's/Banyu Villas' arguably fifty-fifty nicer beach - which continues for almost 500m behind camera.
I took dip at depression tide alongside my swimming goggles - I didn't receive got to cash inwards one's chips equally good far out to notice swimmable H2O in addition to at that spot were small-scale patches of coral in addition to stone here, goose egg specially attractive - but a fish or 3 hanging roughly which were keeping some snorkellers entertained.
These signs reinforced some comments I'd read on Trip Advisor - nonetheless the beaches (and water) were pristine inwards our mid-June visit. But the prevailing winds at that fourth dimension are south-easterlies, blowing off the shore at this northern coast - in addition to also blowing whatever gunk from the hundreds of ships moored off Singapore away from Bintan. Between Nov in addition to March the winds opposite - this is in all probability the fourth dimension to hold your eyes open. There were similar signs re jellyfish - nosotros saw none - most places' jellyfish to me seem to last to a greater extent than a moisture season/just subsequently moisture flavor problem, possibly Nov into April/May here
Part of Nirwana Resort Hotel's fabulous puddle - opened upward to Beach Club guests in addition to less than 10 minutes walk from our chalet. To left of photographic tv set camera is a serial of smaller passages in addition to pools - I swam a loop of the sum complex in addition to estimated the sum distance at 250m. To right of photographic tv set camera is i of those horizon walls looking out over the beach in addition to ocean. Quite a lot of sunlounges roughly the perimeter.
Because 95% of my travelling involves backpacker joints, I'm a sucker for pools similar this.
This is role of the Outdoor Activities Area inwards the southward of the complex, shot from the Resort Centre. Activities include Equus caballus riding, archery, shooting, tabular array tennis, the afore-mentioned elephants. The tower inwards background is the receive got off platform for the trapeze high-wire flight play a joke on that people were riding downward to a landing expanse out of shot to right.
The Resort Centre had the Makan Makan nutrient hall, ten-pin bowling, a small-scale supermarket, a few memorabilia/clothing/gift type stores in addition to an upstairs sports bar alongside terrace views over the activities expanse in addition to distant due north beach to the bay - the bar offered an all yous tin drinkable $S30. deal. Crikey.
The due north beach was goose egg to larn excited almost - yellowish sand in addition to given to the depression tide blues of exposed sand/rock flats.
Nirwana Gardens also has a jogging rail eastward of the principal complex in addition to offers snorkelling in addition to dive trips. I noticed a map showing a golf game course of study non equally good far eastward of the resort - Bintan has cash inwards one's chips a major golf game destination for Singaporeans.
Nirwana complex has a skillful network of roads joining diverse areas, in addition to most are paralleled past times walking paths similar this which dive off into the rainforest for a pleasant stroll. This rail was alone a few meters from the route in addition to heads upward the colina from our chalet to the Resort Centre. The roads themselves are generally bordered past times rainforest for an okay walk - non busy - mainly the one-half hourly shuttle coach addition golf game buggy-driving service people/high rollers from the villas. There are electrical bicycle/moped thingies for hire.
There must last a dozen places to swallow throughout the complex - i that gains considerable praise on user-reviews is Kelong seafood eating theatre inwards the south-west of the complex, less than fifteen minutes walk from our chalet (the shuttle coach includes this on its route of course). Your tucker would last pretty fresh - the expanse betwixt the pavilions has alive fish pens.
GETTING THERE All the International Resort Zone places utilization the Bandar Bentan Telani pier which is alone 10 minutes from the Nirwana Gardens properties. The resorts post costless buses to run across the ferries. This pier gets 2 ferry arrivals from Tanah Merah pier inwards Singapore, simply southward of the airport.
The novel airdrome should last opened upward past times at nowadays - this is situated a lot closer the International Resort Zone in addition to volition allow access from major Indonesian locations. Apparently the onetime Batam airdrome has been closed for some fourth dimension - people flight inwards from other Indo locations used Batam airport.
International Resorts' ferry almost to dock at Tanah Merah.
BINTAN AGRO CABANA/aka CABANA BEACH RESORT
For the 2nd one-half of out Bintan remain nosotros decided to caput out of the special resort zone for the Trikora Beach expanse on the eastward coast. There are 4 sections of this beach in addition to I'm non certain which i Agro Cabana is on - some of the reports tell beach #1, the nicest of the four, but the beaches are numbered from the due north in addition to Agro is a fair means downward the coast. Google Earth is a chip inconclusive hither - the resolution is non abrupt in addition to it's kinda difficult to determine where i beach ends in addition to a novel i starts. Similarly the route touches the coast in addition to follows it for a patch in addition to thus wanders inland for a chip - making it difficult to determine if yous receive got passed a headland or other coastal division. I receive got also gained the impression that each Trikora beach may last a greater expanse which includes a issue of changes inwards direction in addition to small-scale obstructions. There were no motorcycles or bicycles for hire at Agro Cabana thus I had to restrain myself to a wander due north for almost 2km in addition to a trip on Agro's costless shuttle to a sis holding almost 10km south.
Although Singapore owned, Agro Cabana was to a greater extent than my thought of an Indonesian resort. Chalets were cheaper in i lawsuit again than Nirwana Beach Club in addition to the nutrient prices were at typical Indonesian budget resort levels.
High tide shot of Agro Cabana - that's the over-water (at high tide at least) eating theatre at left. On top are rooms, specially work solid unit of measurement suites - some had pretty prissy seafront balconies. At right behind the palms is a row of chalets of diverse sizes. To left of the eating theatre is a draw of motel type rooms. Out of shot to right of photographic tv set camera are a twosome of small-scale villas perched high on the rocks of a small-scale headland.
When nosotros arrived on a Wed nosotros were i of 2 couples staying at the resort. But Fri nighttime saw an influx of what appeared to last Indonesian in addition to Singaporean guests lifting the house to possibly 80%. Even the karaoke got cranked up. Crikey! Actually it wasn't equally good bad. Noise wise at to the lowest degree - the singers were equally bad equally me.
This house gets the depression tide blues - inwards the higher upward shot H2O is lapping the retaining wall - at depression tide at that spot is bare sand inwards the vicinity of the photographic tv set camera - fifty-fifty farther out inwards forepart of the restaurant.
The expanse instantly due north of the eating theatre at depression tide. I estimated the tide went out a skillful 150m here. The guys were pretty conscientious picking upward weed/flotsam etc. Structure inwards background is small-scale floating line-fishing platform which tin last towed out to sea. Horizon was dotted alongside dozens of bigger versions.
Interestingly invitee reports from the sis resorts downward the coast said they jumped the costless shuttle upward to Cabana for a amend beach. Okay I checked the beaches at those joints in addition to they are pretty ordinary. But thus to is Agro Cabana's.
Some of the same expanse close high tide. I suppose if yous arrived roughly at this fourth dimension this would hold back pretty okay. Water clarity was non pristine, non cloudy.
Cabana guests had access to this puddle inwards an associated villa holding across the road. Looks sweetness but needed a skillful cook clean midweek.
This is Chez Tezza at Agro Cabana. Chalets are duplex alongside skillful sound-proofing between. The room was spacious, had a tranquillity aircon, TV, jug, fridge, large comfy king-size bed. Spacious forepart patio alongside sea views.
White sand out forepart is non role of the beach - at that spot is a retaining wall behind photographic tv set camera alongside the less white beach/water (depending on the tide) below.
Agro Cabana's airy eating theatre is pretty skillful - okay nutrient at typical Indo non-flash resort prices. 30k rupiah gild sangas ($us3.50), 40k sweetness in addition to sour fish alongside rice, 35k large Bintang beer. No extra taxes on top of these bill of fare prices.
The expanse betwixt our chalet in addition to the sea retaining wall was a prissy house to pass fourth dimension inwards the sun. The grounds at Agro cabana were nicely landscaped in addition to carefully tended.
These guests were snorkelling roughly thus I grabbed my mask inwards the promise of finding something interesting - alas, no skillful coral in addition to few fish. Agro is non a snorkelling location although the resort offers a boat trip (I intend it leaves from the sis Agro Beach Resort farther south) to an offshore isle which according to user-reviews has real skillful snorkelling, clear H2O in addition to a white sand beach. It was a chip expensive - retrieve I'm a budget traveller.
AROUND AGRO CABANA
A few minutes due north of Cabana is a small-scale hamlet - simply a few houses in addition to real small-scale stores - at that spot didn't seem to last a eating theatre aimed at attracting Cabana guests. Above is the hamlet pier - I thought at that spot may last houses on it but when I checked the structures contained line-fishing equipment etc. This is shot from inside the grounds of Cabana.
This rather prissy looking resort was some other 10 minutes walk due north of the hamlet - Prima Bintan Resort. Looked flashpacker criterion - seemed deserted on a midweek day. Note typical depression tide blues.
Cabana is i of 3 Agro properties - Agro Beach Resort in addition to Yasin Bungalows are almost 10/8km southward past times road. Agro runs a costless shuttle several times a solar daytime betwixt properties.
Lots of people are looking for an overwater bungalow - Yasin Bungalows tin practise this. Standard seems to get-go at backpacker grade (the house gets best Indo budget accomm. on i of the backpacker booking sites) in addition to cash inwards one's chips into lower midrange. I'm kicking myself I didn't notice this house inwards my research. Note the beach is real ordinary here, in addition to is in i lawsuit again non-existent at high tide. No pool, but the 2 at Agro Beach Resort is a twenty infinitesimal walk downward the route - or grab the shuttle. This is an ikon I pinched from the website - mine didn't demonstrate the overwater seat to advantage. The higher upward website has access to the other 2 Agro properties.
Agro Beach Resort is considerably bigger than the other two. This is the inner puddle betwixt the 2 hotel-wings (the beach-side i out of frame right) - at that spot are also garden cabanas in addition to a few rooms on i of the piers. This also is a website shot - complaint the lens used makes this puddle in addition to the beachside i hold back considerably longer than they actually are. Once in i lawsuit again the beach hither is pretty ordinary.
GETTING THERE
The nearest pier to the Agro properties is i hr away inwards the capital, Tanjung Pinang. Ferries brand it from Tanah Merah inwards Singapore (1 hr plus) in addition to Johor Bahru inwards Malaysia (3 hours) - addition other Riau Islands including neighbouring Batam. Agro run a costless shuttle to/from this pier.
Agro volition also choice upward from the northern Bandar Bentan Telani pier for $S10 per passenger. This takes almost ninety minutes. You regard a lot of rainforest in addition to palm petroleum plantations on this drive - non equally good much else.
One in i lawsuit again - I empathize Bintan's novel airdrome is at nowadays opened upward which volition allow yous to access to a greater extent than easily from to a greater extent than distant Indo locations.
IS BINTAN H5N1 GREAT DESTINATION?
I enjoyed seeing a novel location but I was underwhelmed past times the island. Of course of study my aversion to the high nutrient prices inwards the Lagoi special tourist zone colours my judgement. More affluent visitors may experience this is no problem. Certainly for Singapore residents, ease of access to a real prissy beach expanse inwards the due north is a large factor, although I personally would pass the extra fourth dimension to larn to the Tioman/Sibu isle portion inwards SE peninsula Malaysia . At to the lowest degree the Singaporean visitors to Bintan no longer receive got to pay the Visa on Arrival which for most tourists is $us25. For budget travellers wanting a quick see to Bintan this tin last a turn-off, equally could the less than pristine beaches on the reasonably priced eastward coast.
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Another shot of Nirwana Garden's longer beach at Nirwana Resort Hotel..
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IF YOU SEE MISTAKES OR HAVE EXTRA INFORMATION PLEASE POST BELOW. BUT IF YOU WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE FORUM WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED BY THE INDEX TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE - I DON'T CHECK INDIVIDUAL ISLAND PAGES OFTEN BUT I TRY TO VISIT THE FORUM MOST DAYS.
IF YOU VISIT THE ISLAND AND WANT TO WRITE H5N1 TRIP REPORT PLEASE CHECK THE READERS' TRIP REPORT SECTION.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OTHER HOLIDAY ISLANDS CLOSE TO SINGAPORE PLEASE CHECK THE PAGES ON TIOMAN AND SIBU ISLANDS ACCESSED VIA THE INDEX. Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/
Viewpoint outlook of role of the western most beach on the due north coast of Bintan. Buildings belong to Mayong Sari resort, role of the Nirwana Gardens complex. Bintan's major wages is that it tin last reached from Singapore past times ferry inwards roughly 45 minutes. The northern beach expanse is real attractive alongside white sand in addition to surprisingly clear water. But it is to a greater extent than or less a Singaporean enclave of midrange hotels/golf courses etc - at that spot are no create out Indo-style accommodation or associated activities.
These tin last flora on the eastward coast - but the beaches hither are markedly inferior to the north.
This modified Google public ikon shows Bintan's location unopen to Singapore in addition to side past times side Batam. Ferry access is from both Singapore in addition to Johor Bahru inwards Malaysia. Bintan's 2 major piers are Bandar Bentan Telani for the northern International Resorts zone in addition to at Tanjung Pinang, the isle capital. Note I receive got called this Tanjung Bintan on the map - it is equally good difficult to right it I'm afraid. 
I pinched this map from Wikipedia - the northern Singaporean dominated Bintan International Resorts expanse (locally called Lagoi) is clearly defined. Image expands past times clicking. 
Lady Tezza in addition to I decided to experience both the northern tourist zone (at Nirwana Beach Club) in addition to the to a greater extent than traditional eastward coast Trikora Beach expanse (at Agro Cabana). We entered from Singapore via Bandar Bentan Telani pier simply a few km southward of Nirwana in addition to left the isle for Johor Bahru inwards Malaysia via the Tanjung Pinang (once in i lawsuit again miss-named Tanjung Bintan on the map) pier a skillful hr from Agro. Van transit from Nirwana to Agro was almost ninety minutes - Bintan is a pretty large isle at 2400 sq.km.
The landscape is largely rolling hills covered past times rainforest or palm-oil plantations. Population density is depression - alone almost 200000 people alive on the isle - in addition to it appears one-half of them inwards Tanjung Pinang which is a bustling petty metropolis in addition to port. The northern Lagoi expanse seems largely devoid of local villages in addition to industry. The occasional farming hamlet is flora along interior roads, line-fishing villages are scattered roughly the other coastlines in addition to at that spot is a chip of modern manufacture - an oil/gas terminal on the upper westward coast etc.
NIRWANA BEACH CLUB
This house is also referred to equally Beach Club Cabanas, Nirwana Cabanas, Nirwana Garden Cabanas, Nirwana Beach Club on diverse sites.
Beach Club is role of the greater 300+ ha Nirwana Gardens complex which also includes Nirwana Resort Hotel, Banyu Biru Villas border of ikon at right, Mayong Sari resort on the beach below the N of Nirwana Beach Club in addition to the flash Indra Maya Villas/Nirwana Villas on the hillside (lower)/adjacent the coast (upper) to Mayong Sari's left. H5N1 regular shuttle van connects all places in addition to it is a pleasant stroll from H5N1 to B. I've place-marked some other locations referred to below. Most of the Lagoi resorts are fairly expensive for budget travellers similar yer humble servant, but Beach Club was offering a pretty reasonable create out on i of the major booking sites. Since all the other facilities of the Nirwana Gardens complex are opened upward to Beach Club guests, nosotros went for it. It doesn't wound that Nirwana Gardens is alone 10 minutes from the arrivals pier on the complex's costless bus. The northern International Resorts expanse is almost 25km across thus some of the to a greater extent than eastern properties would last a fair drive.
Beach Club itself is a pretty prissy house - the chalets are comfortable in addition to good equipped, the beach itself is real attractive, the beach-club has a hit of water-sports, the beachside eating theatre is nicely positioned in addition to the staff friendly in addition to difficult working. However at that spot is i caveat - food/drinks pricing is at 4 star international resort levels - $Sing7 for a loving cup of tea in i lawsuit the 21% taxes were included (all prices are inwards Singaporean currency), $9 for a beer, $17 for a gild sanga etc. Fortunately breakfast (usually an okay buffet except when at that spot are non many guests) was included inwards the room toll - in addition to at that spot was a food-hall at the Resort Centre complex high on the colina almost 10 minutes walk away (or hold back for the half-hourly shuttle), which had less expensive grub but silent roughly twice the toll of nutrient halls inwards Singapore in addition to non equally skillful character wise.
Beach Club has a twosome of dozen chalets almost 100m inwards from the sand. Many are located roughly this prissy pond, others on the hillside behind - ours was inwards a clearing to right of image. The chalets are duplex trend - the partition wall is sparse but vibrations from the side past times side house seemed okay until a bunch of Singaporean high schoolhouse kids moved inwards - complaint it was the loud oral cavity instructor who was the offender, the kids were pretty good. The chalets are spacious, receive got aircon, a frig but no jug. The queen sized bed was okay. Rooms were serviced daily past times an efficient staff. Mozzies seemed to last non a work - this house apparently sprays the surrounding gardens in addition to pond.
Some interesting wild-life inwards the Nirwana Gardens expanse - enough of these monitors, birds, cute squirelly things. Speaking of wild-life, at that spot is a small-scale zoo betwixt Beach Club in addition to Nirwana Resort Hotel - some crocs, raptors in addition to vultures, a cobra, 2 pythons including i monster in addition to some deer. The Outdoor Activities expanse southward of the Resort Centre had elephants - either for a demonstrate or for rides.
THE BEACHES
This depression tide shot alongside lots of moisture sand does non demonstrate Beach Club's rather prissy white sand beach to best wages (you tin regard the far goal of this beach at high tide inwards the opening shot) but it does essay at that spot is lots of sand into the H2O at most tide levels. This is shot from a sunbathing platform inwards forepart of the Beach Activities Centre (paddle boards, kayaks, catamarans, jet-skis [not used the duration of our mid-week remain which didn't interruption my heart] fifty-fifty surf boards)- the eating theatre is slightly behind photographic tv set camera to left in addition to has a prissy outlook. Some sun-lounges nether the trees to left. 
Less than 10 minutes walk from the indicate of the final shot gets yous to the far goal (from this perspective) of Nirwana Resort Hotel's/Banyu Villas' arguably fifty-fifty nicer beach - which continues for almost 500m behind camera. I took dip at depression tide alongside my swimming goggles - I didn't receive got to cash inwards one's chips equally good far out to notice swimmable H2O in addition to at that spot were small-scale patches of coral in addition to stone here, goose egg specially attractive - but a fish or 3 hanging roughly which were keeping some snorkellers entertained.
These signs reinforced some comments I'd read on Trip Advisor - nonetheless the beaches (and water) were pristine inwards our mid-June visit. But the prevailing winds at that fourth dimension are south-easterlies, blowing off the shore at this northern coast - in addition to also blowing whatever gunk from the hundreds of ships moored off Singapore away from Bintan. Between Nov in addition to March the winds opposite - this is in all probability the fourth dimension to hold your eyes open. There were similar signs re jellyfish - nosotros saw none - most places' jellyfish to me seem to last to a greater extent than a moisture season/just subsequently moisture flavor problem, possibly Nov into April/May here 
Part of Nirwana Resort Hotel's fabulous puddle - opened upward to Beach Club guests in addition to less than 10 minutes walk from our chalet. To left of photographic tv set camera is a serial of smaller passages in addition to pools - I swam a loop of the sum complex in addition to estimated the sum distance at 250m. To right of photographic tv set camera is i of those horizon walls looking out over the beach in addition to ocean. Quite a lot of sunlounges roughly the perimeter. Because 95% of my travelling involves backpacker joints, I'm a sucker for pools similar this.
This is role of the Outdoor Activities Area inwards the southward of the complex, shot from the Resort Centre. Activities include Equus caballus riding, archery, shooting, tabular array tennis, the afore-mentioned elephants. The tower inwards background is the receive got off platform for the trapeze high-wire flight play a joke on that people were riding downward to a landing expanse out of shot to right. The Resort Centre had the Makan Makan nutrient hall, ten-pin bowling, a small-scale supermarket, a few memorabilia/clothing/gift type stores in addition to an upstairs sports bar alongside terrace views over the activities expanse in addition to distant due north beach to the bay - the bar offered an all yous tin drinkable $S30. deal. Crikey.
The due north beach was goose egg to larn excited almost - yellowish sand in addition to given to the depression tide blues of exposed sand/rock flats.
Nirwana Gardens also has a jogging rail eastward of the principal complex in addition to offers snorkelling in addition to dive trips. I noticed a map showing a golf game course of study non equally good far eastward of the resort - Bintan has cash inwards one's chips a major golf game destination for Singaporeans.
Nirwana complex has a skillful network of roads joining diverse areas, in addition to most are paralleled past times walking paths similar this which dive off into the rainforest for a pleasant stroll. This rail was alone a few meters from the route in addition to heads upward the colina from our chalet to the Resort Centre. The roads themselves are generally bordered past times rainforest for an okay walk - non busy - mainly the one-half hourly shuttle coach addition golf game buggy-driving service people/high rollers from the villas. There are electrical bicycle/moped thingies for hire. 
There must last a dozen places to swallow throughout the complex - i that gains considerable praise on user-reviews is Kelong seafood eating theatre inwards the south-west of the complex, less than fifteen minutes walk from our chalet (the shuttle coach includes this on its route of course). Your tucker would last pretty fresh - the expanse betwixt the pavilions has alive fish pens. GETTING THERE All the International Resort Zone places utilization the Bandar Bentan Telani pier which is alone 10 minutes from the Nirwana Gardens properties. The resorts post costless buses to run across the ferries. This pier gets 2 ferry arrivals from Tanah Merah pier inwards Singapore, simply southward of the airport.
The novel airdrome should last opened upward past times at nowadays - this is situated a lot closer the International Resort Zone in addition to volition allow access from major Indonesian locations. Apparently the onetime Batam airdrome has been closed for some fourth dimension - people flight inwards from other Indo locations used Batam airport.
International Resorts' ferry almost to dock at Tanah Merah. BINTAN AGRO CABANA/aka CABANA BEACH RESORT
For the 2nd one-half of out Bintan remain nosotros decided to caput out of the special resort zone for the Trikora Beach expanse on the eastward coast. There are 4 sections of this beach in addition to I'm non certain which i Agro Cabana is on - some of the reports tell beach #1, the nicest of the four, but the beaches are numbered from the due north in addition to Agro is a fair means downward the coast. Google Earth is a chip inconclusive hither - the resolution is non abrupt in addition to it's kinda difficult to determine where i beach ends in addition to a novel i starts. Similarly the route touches the coast in addition to follows it for a patch in addition to thus wanders inland for a chip - making it difficult to determine if yous receive got passed a headland or other coastal division. I receive got also gained the impression that each Trikora beach may last a greater expanse which includes a issue of changes inwards direction in addition to small-scale obstructions. There were no motorcycles or bicycles for hire at Agro Cabana thus I had to restrain myself to a wander due north for almost 2km in addition to a trip on Agro's costless shuttle to a sis holding almost 10km south.
Although Singapore owned, Agro Cabana was to a greater extent than my thought of an Indonesian resort. Chalets were cheaper in i lawsuit again than Nirwana Beach Club in addition to the nutrient prices were at typical Indonesian budget resort levels.
High tide shot of Agro Cabana - that's the over-water (at high tide at least) eating theatre at left. On top are rooms, specially work solid unit of measurement suites - some had pretty prissy seafront balconies. At right behind the palms is a row of chalets of diverse sizes. To left of the eating theatre is a draw of motel type rooms. Out of shot to right of photographic tv set camera are a twosome of small-scale villas perched high on the rocks of a small-scale headland. When nosotros arrived on a Wed nosotros were i of 2 couples staying at the resort. But Fri nighttime saw an influx of what appeared to last Indonesian in addition to Singaporean guests lifting the house to possibly 80%. Even the karaoke got cranked up. Crikey! Actually it wasn't equally good bad. Noise wise at to the lowest degree - the singers were equally bad equally me.
This house gets the depression tide blues - inwards the higher upward shot H2O is lapping the retaining wall - at depression tide at that spot is bare sand inwards the vicinity of the photographic tv set camera - fifty-fifty farther out inwards forepart of the restaurant.
The expanse instantly due north of the eating theatre at depression tide. I estimated the tide went out a skillful 150m here. The guys were pretty conscientious picking upward weed/flotsam etc. Structure inwards background is small-scale floating line-fishing platform which tin last towed out to sea. Horizon was dotted alongside dozens of bigger versions. Interestingly invitee reports from the sis resorts downward the coast said they jumped the costless shuttle upward to Cabana for a amend beach. Okay I checked the beaches at those joints in addition to they are pretty ordinary. But thus to is Agro Cabana's.
Some of the same expanse close high tide. I suppose if yous arrived roughly at this fourth dimension this would hold back pretty okay. Water clarity was non pristine, non cloudy. 
Cabana guests had access to this puddle inwards an associated villa holding across the road. Looks sweetness but needed a skillful cook clean midweek. 
This is Chez Tezza at Agro Cabana. Chalets are duplex alongside skillful sound-proofing between. The room was spacious, had a tranquillity aircon, TV, jug, fridge, large comfy king-size bed. Spacious forepart patio alongside sea views. White sand out forepart is non role of the beach - at that spot is a retaining wall behind photographic tv set camera alongside the less white beach/water (depending on the tide) below.
Agro Cabana's airy eating theatre is pretty skillful - okay nutrient at typical Indo non-flash resort prices. 30k rupiah gild sangas ($us3.50), 40k sweetness in addition to sour fish alongside rice, 35k large Bintang beer. No extra taxes on top of these bill of fare prices. 
The expanse betwixt our chalet in addition to the sea retaining wall was a prissy house to pass fourth dimension inwards the sun. The grounds at Agro cabana were nicely landscaped in addition to carefully tended. 
These guests were snorkelling roughly thus I grabbed my mask inwards the promise of finding something interesting - alas, no skillful coral in addition to few fish. Agro is non a snorkelling location although the resort offers a boat trip (I intend it leaves from the sis Agro Beach Resort farther south) to an offshore isle which according to user-reviews has real skillful snorkelling, clear H2O in addition to a white sand beach. It was a chip expensive - retrieve I'm a budget traveller. AROUND AGRO CABANA
A few minutes due north of Cabana is a small-scale hamlet - simply a few houses in addition to real small-scale stores - at that spot didn't seem to last a eating theatre aimed at attracting Cabana guests. Above is the hamlet pier - I thought at that spot may last houses on it but when I checked the structures contained line-fishing equipment etc. This is shot from inside the grounds of Cabana. 
This rather prissy looking resort was some other 10 minutes walk due north of the hamlet - Prima Bintan Resort. Looked flashpacker criterion - seemed deserted on a midweek day. Note typical depression tide blues. 
Cabana is i of 3 Agro properties - Agro Beach Resort in addition to Yasin Bungalows are almost 10/8km southward past times road. Agro runs a costless shuttle several times a solar daytime betwixt properties. 
Lots of people are looking for an overwater bungalow - Yasin Bungalows tin practise this. Standard seems to get-go at backpacker grade (the house gets best Indo budget accomm. on i of the backpacker booking sites) in addition to cash inwards one's chips into lower midrange. I'm kicking myself I didn't notice this house inwards my research. Note the beach is real ordinary here, in addition to is in i lawsuit again non-existent at high tide. No pool, but the 2 at Agro Beach Resort is a twenty infinitesimal walk downward the route - or grab the shuttle. This is an ikon I pinched from the website - mine didn't demonstrate the overwater seat to advantage. The higher upward website has access to the other 2 Agro properties. 
Agro Beach Resort is considerably bigger than the other two. This is the inner puddle betwixt the 2 hotel-wings (the beach-side i out of frame right) - at that spot are also garden cabanas in addition to a few rooms on i of the piers. This also is a website shot - complaint the lens used makes this puddle in addition to the beachside i hold back considerably longer than they actually are. Once in i lawsuit again the beach hither is pretty ordinary. GETTING THERE
The nearest pier to the Agro properties is i hr away inwards the capital, Tanjung Pinang. Ferries brand it from Tanah Merah inwards Singapore (1 hr plus) in addition to Johor Bahru inwards Malaysia (3 hours) - addition other Riau Islands including neighbouring Batam. Agro run a costless shuttle to/from this pier.
Agro volition also choice upward from the northern Bandar Bentan Telani pier for $S10 per passenger. This takes almost ninety minutes. You regard a lot of rainforest in addition to palm petroleum plantations on this drive - non equally good much else.
One in i lawsuit again - I empathize Bintan's novel airdrome is at nowadays opened upward which volition allow yous to access to a greater extent than easily from to a greater extent than distant Indo locations.
IS BINTAN H5N1 GREAT DESTINATION?
I enjoyed seeing a novel location but I was underwhelmed past times the island. Of course of study my aversion to the high nutrient prices inwards the Lagoi special tourist zone colours my judgement. More affluent visitors may experience this is no problem. Certainly for Singapore residents, ease of access to a real prissy beach expanse inwards the due north is a large factor, although I personally would pass the extra fourth dimension to larn to the Tioman/Sibu isle portion inwards SE peninsula Malaysia . At to the lowest degree the Singaporean visitors to Bintan no longer receive got to pay the Visa on Arrival which for most tourists is $us25. For budget travellers wanting a quick see to Bintan this tin last a turn-off, equally could the less than pristine beaches on the reasonably priced eastward coast.
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Another shot of Nirwana Garden's longer beach at Nirwana Resort Hotel..----------------------------------------------------------
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