Skip the Maldives: Top-Secret Island Retreats Near Singapore
8. Cempedak Island
Another island close to Bintan is Cempedak Island. But don’t let its tame name fool you. Unlike its name (a cousin of jackfruit), this is no fruit paradise (although there are fruit trees here) but a shared utopia among human visitors and its myriad resident wildlife. Its rainforest is home to local birds that include hornbills, tawny eagles, and kingfishers.
You may also catch a glimpse of the critically endangered pangolin, a family of sea otters, rare Irrawaddy dolphins and other exciting creature features. Plus, it is adults-only.
To get to the 17-hectare private island, take a one-hour ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Bintan Resorts (Bandar Bentan Telani), followed by a one-hour taxi to the jetty, and a half-hour launch ride to the resort. Total time: about 2.5 hours.
