RIAU ISLAND

STORY ABOUT RIAU ISLAND

Riau Island with Tanjung Pinang as the capital city is blessed of a lot potential tourism objects, beautiful beaches, and culture attractions. It is located at the crossroads of one of the world’s oldest and busiest maritime routes and well reputes as an ideal stop over for trade and commerce. Riau island was once home a sea gypsies cruising its rich mangroves forest and waterways. Moreover, it was on this island that the Sultan of Malacca found refuge from Portuguese attack in the 16th century, mapping tales of the legendary importance when Bintan thenceforth grew as the center of the powerful Johor Riau Sultanate.

PLACES OF INTEREST

1) TANJUNG PINANG

Tanjung Pinang is a busy town on Bintan Island, now as a capital of Riau Island. It has a Museum on JI. Katamso. A large section of the old part of the town was built in traditional local fashion, on stilts, over the water. Tanjung Pinang City is located at about 10km from the airport. This town also has 2 ports, Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang and Sri Bayintan in Kijang. Tanjung Pinang Serves flight to Pekanbaru and Natuna.

2) BATU BEDUAN BEACH

Batu Beduan Beach is very famous among the teenagers in Dabo Singkep. The beach situated 20km from Dabo. This white sandy beach is very clean, with blue sea and small wave.

3) DAIK

Daik is a small town but has many historical relics of Riau Lingga kingdom as in the Penyengat Island. Tourist can reach the town by speedboats from Tanjung Pinang. In Lingga Island there are also many variation of tropical plantation and marine water fish species that cannot be found in other places. Other interesting objects is Mount Daik with 3 peaks.

4) SENAYANG ISLAND

Senayang Island. Boat Cruising touring the waters between the islands is among potential attractions. Some real and thrilling adventures are available since there are many islands surrounding Senayang and excellent packages include cycling, bush wacking, swimming, snorkeling, and diving

5) TEMBALAN ISLAND

Tembalan Island is about 200km away from Tanjung Pinang. There are only six villages, which are spread over a few islands, with a total population of about 4,000. As is to be expected, the environment here is largely unspoilt, and the scenery is trully magnificent. One of the most interesting of natural attraction in this island is watching turtles laying their eggs in great number that protected by local peoples

6) BINTAN ISLAND

Bintan Island. International investors have developed many new hotels, integrated world-class resorts, international golf courses on the island of Bintan. Other developments include industrial parks, medical, commercial and banking facilities that are readily available to any visitors. During your visit to Riau Island will not be bored or uninspired because there are many other interesting places like Pasar Ikan (Fish Market) where fresh, cheap seafood and vegetables are sold. There are also the Akau (Night Market), Pelantar (Water Villages) and shops selling local handcraft, natural attraction like watching the turtles laying their eggs or fishing on the Kelong.

7) TRIKORA BEACH

Trikora Beach is about 40km south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Good beaches are also found on the islands of Terkulai and Soreh, about an hour away by boat.

8) NATUNA ARCHIPELAGO

Natuna Archipelago is a part of the vast province, which embraces all of the islands off the Riau mainland. The main island clusters of the Natuna archipelago are: Anambas, Natuna, South Natuna and Tambelan. Matak Island at present serves as a base for offshore oil exploration. Colorful corals and reef fish are found in the waters surrounding these islands. South Natuna comprises the islands Serasan, Panjang and Subi. The surf is strong on these islands and the scenery impressive. The Tambelan Islands are accessed by boat in 6 hours from Pontianak in West Kalimantan or from Tanjung Pinang in 16 hours. Turtles habitually come to some of the beaches to deposit their eggs in the warm sand. There are probably more turtles than people in these islands. Natuna is located in area of South China Sea with the geographical location passed by international shipping and coast lines. Natuna’s Ranai airport with length of 2,550 meters and Matak airport with length basis of 1,700 meters. Natuna’s seaport are Lampa (100 x 10 sqm) and Penagih (50 x 8 sqm).

9) KARIMUN ISLAND

Karimun Island is one of the most important islands in the Riau Island, due to its thriving economy and proximity to Singapore. Tanjungbalai Karimun is a medium-sized town, with a large Chinese community and shops selling a large variety of imported items. Lies in a shipping line in Malacca Strait and Singapore, Karimun gateway can be passed by international ferry from and to Malaysia and Singapore

10) SEA GARDENS

Sea Gardens with beautiful corals and fish are found in the waters around the islands of Mapor, Abang, Pompong, Balang and Tanjung Berkait.

11) BATAM ISLANDS

Batam Island is a very strategic island designated as a center of industry, tourism and trade. It lies close to Singapore. The Nongsa recreational region has international hotels, four golf courses, a marina sports facility and a forest reserve. Batam can be reached in two hours from Tanjung Pinang by ferry and in about half an hour from Singapore.

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