There is a certain kind of magic in discovering unique destinations in the region. And if you thought you needed to book a flight out of Changi Airport to find pristine white sands and endless turquoise waters…some truly breathtaking escapes don’t require this at all. In fact, paradise is much closer than you think if you hop on a 60-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal across the strait to a sprawling tropical blue oasis. The iconic destination we speak of is Indonesia’s Treasure Bay in Bintan which holds the the title of the largest crystal lagoon in Southeast Asia. And to put its gigantic scale into perspective, it’s actually five times the size of MBS SkyPark. Here’s what to expect.
Why is Southeast Asia’s largest crystal lagoon worth the ferry trip?
Holidaymakers can trade the concrete jungles and long-haul flights for pristine white sands at this epic water playground. Treasure Bay Bintan’s spectacular crystal lagoon is a staggering 6.3-hectare, man-made seawater marvel—making it the largest crystal lagoon in the region. Guests can soak up an immaculate, shimmering body of water stretching 800 metres in length, completely lined with 1,400 metres of soft white sand that mimics the perfect beach day.
Interestingly, the massive lagoon is entirely man-made so it uses filtered seawater. This gives visitors the best of both worlds with the beauty of the ocean, without the unpredictability of strong currents, murky waters, or jellyfish. Plus, it is a completely controlled space and perfect for lounging on the shore or diving right into the pristine blue water.
Wonderfully, Treasure Bay Bintan turns the crystal lagoon into a huge interactive water playground too. Guests can enjoy a number of water sports such as wake boarding, bungee jumping, kayaking across the pool, cable skiing for adrenaline seekers, and water slides which are the perfect activity for families looking to let loose together.
Beyond water fun, Treasure Bay Bintan offers a hassle-free resort experience with two extraordinary glamping spots that make staying overnight an adventure in itself. Select between the lush safari-inspired retreat at Natra Bintan or check into the highly instagrammable ANMON Resort, which is complete with chic teepee-style tents and an outdoor cinema in a desert-themed glamping village.
Additionally, the gated waterfront complex is part of a surrounding 338-hecatre resort city packed with plenty of land sports. This includes scooter excursions, ATV dirt trails, guided boat tours down the Sebung River, wildlife spotting in the mangroves, and more. Certainly, a world-class beach getaway you need to book this year and a top thing to do in Bintan.
How is it 5x bigger than MBS SkyPark?
Everyone in Singapore knows just how massive the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark feels when you are taking in the view. To put things into perspective: the SkyPark sits at 1.2 hectares, while this iconic crystal lagoon spans a staggering 6.3 hectares. This makes this sprawling tropical oasis more than five times larger than Singapore’s most famous rooftop!
