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From Wikitravel

Trikora is the collective name of the northeastern beaches on Bintan, Indonesia.

[edit] Understand

Until around 2000, the only tourist activity along Bintan's east coast was at Trikora Beach, a popular hang-out for local visitors from Tanjung Pinang as well as foreign back-packers. Since then, the back-packer scene has largely given way to larger developments and other tourist destinations that have popped up along the east coast (see below). For local day-trippers, Trikora remains a popular day trip though. Trikora is actually quite a long stretch of separate beaches, with beaches numbered from south to north as one to four (satu, dua, tiga, empat in Indonesian). The best known is Trikora Beach Four (Trikora Empat), which is the northernmost bit, right next to the "border" with Bintan Resorts. The beach is huge and all along the beach are basic shelters which you can rent from the close-by food sellers. If it is windy the waves can be right strong, swimming is prohibited during monsoon.

[edit] Get in

See the main Bintan article for details on getting to Bintan from Singapore or from elsewhere.

Once on Bintan, there are two routes to Trikora, either south from the main port Tanjung Pinang or north from Bintan Resorts. As taxis in the northern zone are much more expensive, most visitors opt for Tanjung Pinang. A cab from there to Trikora should cost no more than 150,000 IDR, or if you're good, you might be able to negotiate a better price. Many hotels offer free transfers, but these may involve quite a bit of waiting around.

Alternatively, if you're going solo or the group feels like enjoying the wind in their hair, hop onto a motorbike. Negotiate with one of the many ready takers outside the ferry station and make sure you settle on an agreeable price. This could range anywhere from S$10 to S$15 for the over an hour journey to Shady Shack. The ride alone is a delight, with scenes of village life on one side and pockets of the amazing waters on another.

It is also possible to rent motorbike at the ferry terminal or elsewhere in Tanjung Pinang. Figure on around 100,000 rupiah/day.

[edit] Get around

To get around Trikora, you could bring your bicycle on the ferry - it's a 2 hour ride from either Tanjung Pinang or the Bintan resorts. For those seeking motorized transport, you can check with anyone at the harbor at Tanjung Pinang. You can arrange for a motorbike, minivan, or car, but it is essential that you negotiate your package beforehand. A motorbike should be possible for around 150,000 IDR and a car (+driver) would be anywhere between 200,000 and 400,000, depending on how long you wish to cruise around. A well-known local figure in the backpacker scene, Mr Lobo (see below), could also help arranging motorized transport.

[edit][add listing] See

The Trikora area is for beach-lovers who enjoy their sandy spots without the crowds. There are quite a number of beaches dotting the stretch, each with its own character and charm. However, tides are quite strong here, so the lovely beach in the morning may turn into mudflats by afternoon (or vice versa).

Some of the islands dotted along the East and South East coast are beautiful, as are the native villages along the east coast (esp Tanjung Berakit at the northern tip), and the traditional fishing communities on the delightful off-the-beaten track Southern islands called Pulau Kelong and Pulau Mantang.

Any of the resorts you stay with (or, of course, Lobo) will be happy to arrange for a tour of these places, except for the Southern islands, which are currently exclusively visited by Loola's clientele.

Local people everywhere are very friendly and some speak a smattering of English, especially the younger generation.

[edit][add listing] Do

Island hopping, jungle tours, kelong tours, fishing, picnicking, and volley ball. The larger resorts can arrange sporty activities and rent watersports equipment. Kite surfing has become more popular recently with young Singaporean (expats), especially during the windy season, from August to September, but you need to bring your own equipment.

If you feel like doing a bit of spot fishing, ask Lobo (or anyone else) to see if he can arrange for a boat to take the group out on a day trip. Kelongs (stilt mobile homes made for fishing) abound too and there's a chance you could get onto one to see firsthand how they get their catch. Local fishing boats with sail and paddles can be rented for as little as 50,000 rupiah/day from local fishermen.

If all else fails, there's always the art of climbing coconut trees to master! The locals will be happy to share some tips!

[edit][add listing] Buy

Dried fish is good and fresh fish is better! Restaurants will cook your fish that you bring in at a price and will not in the least be offended.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Seafood! There are a couple of restaurants. They are quite cheap unless you go up-market.

• Sun Moon Restaurant, Agro Beach Resort. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Set out on a little island off the resort's beach and connected to the mainland by a pier, this popular seafood eatery keeps the day's catch swimming in nets at the back and cooks it to order. The food is good, alcohol is served, and if you get there early enough you might even avoid the karaoke. Pricy by Bintan standards (Rp. 50,000 and up for most fish dishes), but quite cheap compared to Singapore.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Nightlife in this corner of the island is virtually nonexistent, although the larger resorts do have bare-bones bars. Bring your own from Tanjung Pinang and chill out by the beach. If you run out, the nearest place to buy more is at the little shops in the fishing village of Kawal, where the road to Tanjung Pinang turns away from the beach.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

Most backpacker hangouts can be found on beaches three and four.

• Pondok Wisata Susy, [1]. (tel +62 813 728 76 196) 42km mark from Tanjung Pinang. Owned by Mr. Solarto and his wife Annie. It's right beside Shady Shack and of similar style: Basic wooden huts, some with A/C, on one of the nicest beaches of the island, Pantai Trikora. White sand, crystal clear blue water, coconut-trees and a quiet and relaxing atmosphere to switch off your everyday life. Ms. Annie is providing delicious Indonesian food including snacks, seafood or just a sip out of the coconut. Spend your time hanging out on the beach or with Mr. Solarto and his family and learn more about the indonesian culture and lifestyle. Rooms from Rp110K (S$17) incl. breakfast.

• Shady Shack, Trikora 3 (41 km), tel. +62 813 645 15 223, [2]. 41km mark from Tanjung Pinang. Owned by Lobo, this is affordable and rustic, although quite basic. Some rooms have fans and an attached bathroom. Don't expect anything upscale - everything here is basic but that's the beauty of this place. One magical thing it has going for it is the 'private' beach that is all yours. Walk about 50 metres away from the site and there is this gentle sloping beach that stretches out with clear waters with shades of blue, gin-clear and emerald green. Should try skinny dipping when no one is around - pure bliss! When there's enough of a crowd, Lobo and gang are more than happy to do up a bonfire when the sun settles. You can't beat the stunning combination of sitting under a brilliantly star-studded sky lisening to some of the locals sing their melodious tunes. Sleep to the sounds of gentle waves washing up the shore and get up to glorious mornings just perfect for a dip in the warm waters after (free) breakfast. Rooms from Rp165K per night(S$25) for 2.

• Nostalgia Yasin Bungalow, (tel. +62 811 699 220/230 or +62 819 267 6000). 38km mark from Tanjung Pinang. Bintan Agro's rustic budget alternative to their more expensive upmarket resort 2km away. This place is a real gem, more organized and upmarket than Shady Shack, but at a similar price. A nice rustic 2 person bungalow built over the water just S$34 per night. Plus they have a bar and restaurant with good food at very reasonable prices (eg. great nasi goreng 12,500 IDR).

[edit] Mid-range

• Bintan Agro Beach Resort & Spa, Jl. Pantai Trikora km. 36, tel. +62 811 699 220/230 & +62 819 267 6000, [3]. The classiest option on the mainland, this is a large but pleasant resort catering mostly to locals and Singaporeans. Two pools, two restaurants, plenty of water sport activities and a spa centre. The resort's own beach is small and muddy, but they arrange cheap snorkeling and island-hopping tours to the neighboring white sand islands (15 min by boat), or you could even kayak it if feeling energetic. $99/119 weekday/weekend with breakfast and transfers to/from ferry terminal.

• LooLa Adventure Resort, [4]. Rustic kelong style bungalows on an isolated lagoon. There are a great number of activities on offer, including climbing, sailing, kayaking, boat expeditions with boom-netting, archery, beach games, obstacle course, raft building, marine expeditions, hill treks etc etc, as well as free child care. Activities are usually included in packages. Popular for school trips and corporate team-building exercises.

• Ocean Bay, tel. 62 813 721 30 313 [5]. Basic kelong style bungalows, built around a huge netted sea area where visitors can fish. There are some kayaks as well, and a (sometimes very) good sea-food restaurant. Run by Mr. Singi.

[edit] Splurge

Bintan's East coast most expensive resorts have their own islands.

• Nikoi Island, [6]. 15 beach houses on a private island just 8km off the east coast of Bintan. Long regarded as one of the most stunning islands along this unspoilt coast. Nikoi is fortunate to have remained in pristine condition. It is ringed in white sandy beaches and coral reefs of spectacular colour and diversity. With an emphasis on serving excellent food and a sustainable approach to tourism Nikoi Island has quickly become a popular escape from Singapore. Bookings in advance essential. Can accomodate groups of up to 60 people. From S$330 per night per beach house. Board costs S$80++ per person per day.

• Pangkil Island, [7]. Private island with freshwater pool and an assortment of lodgings, available for rental for only one group (max. 30 people) at a time. Low-season weekday rates start from S$2,500 (1 to 10 people, all-inclusive).

[edit] Get out

• Bintan Resorts, the Singaporean resort enclave, is just north of Trikora.
• Tanjung Pinang, the main port on Bintan, is around 45 min away.
• Kijang to the south is used by long-distance ferries to elsewhere in Indonesia.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!