Nikoi Island is barefoot luxury writ large; this laid-back, secluded getaway offers an abundance of pristine natural wonders and wildlife encounters. Ringed with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, and blessed with a rainforest teeming with birds, this tiny island offers the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience.
Situated just off Bintan Island, and a degree north of the equator, Nikoi Island is so unspoilt you feel you've rented the whole thing for yourself. The only buildings on the island are the resort's 18 beautiful Indonesian beach houses and pool villas, each with a stunning seafront location and private sala for beachfront massages, where your only soundtrack is the ocean. Affordable and far from pretentious, nearly all the ingredients, materials and products deployed are sourced locally; staff are local too. A sustainable pioneer, Nikoi's eco-friendly principles underwrite all that they do. There's minimal landscaping (building was limited to one area of the island) and no air con, the planting of indigenous plants, removal of plastic from the eco-system and solar-powered hot water. The clientèle are honeymooners, young couples or families whose kids can enjoy treasure hunts, pirate adventures and nature trails. You'll not be short of things to do – snorkelling, island hopping, fishing, sailing, beachcombing, wildlife spotting – or just reclining on a daybed, cocktail in hand. You'll marvel at the most fantastic carpet of stars come evening too.
Highs
- Super-friendly, dedicated staff make the experience complete – they called us by name and remembered our favourite things
- There's a choice of swimming pools
- Beachfront massages in your private sala, where the only soundtrack is the sea
- Yummy food using locally sourced, fresh products
- Spacious, Zen-like beach houses that can accommodate 2-6 people
- Abundant wildlife including sea turtles, monitor lizards, butterflies, monkeys, eagles
Lows
- Book early – it's often full!
- Expect to see creepy crawlies, though each house has mosquito nets and coils to keep them at bay
- Bit of a schlepp to get to: a ferry from Singapore to Bintan, then a taxi and a private launch – but all in, only a journey of 2 hours
- No phones or TVs in the rooms – but there's mobile reception, limited WiFi, movie projectors and you can borrow books, mags and board games
Best time to go
As Nikoi is one degree north of the equator the temperature almost always hovers between 26-30C. From mid-December to mid-February there's a north east monsoon, when the chance of rain is higher, but the weather is still fairly mild.
Sea turtles nest on the beach from March to September. The resort runs a conservation programme that includes no lights on the beach so as not to detract turtles from nesting, and guests can sometimes help release hatchlings into the surf, so try to time your visit with hatching season.
Sea turtles nest on the beach from March to September. The resort runs a conservation programme that includes no lights on the beach so as not to detract turtles from nesting, and guests can sometimes help release hatchlings into the surf, so try to time your visit with hatching season.
Our top tips
Nikoi Island has sustainability front of mind, and there's a huge array of eco measures in place. Here's a sample: they protect a huge marine area, clearing plastic and supporting turtle conservation including their own non-profit, Yayasan Ecology Kepulauan Riau. They founded The Island Foundation which has helped to educate over 3000 children and support 15,000 villagers since 2009. The resort was built largely of local materials including driftwood, and runs on 50% solar energy. It is a member of The Long Run since 2013, and a certified Global Ecosphere Retreat.
Location
Nikoi Island is located just 15 minutes (8km) by boat from Bintan Island, Indonesia. It's about 2 hours from Singapore.
By Air
Singapore's Changi (85km away) is the nearest airport. It's served by a huge range of international airlines - please click on the links below for further information.
From Singapore
It's a 45-minute high-speed catamaran ferry ride from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Bintan. Ferries operate up to 5 times a day. You'll then take a 1-hour transfer across Bintan, followed by a further 15-minute launch ride to Nikoi. It's essential to book the ferry in advance if travelling at weekends or holidays. The resort can arrange transfers from Bintan for you. It can also provide an information sheet before arrival and advise on travel to Bintan from Singapore.
More on getting to Singapore and getting around
Airports:
- Singapore Changi 85.0 km SIN
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 8.0 km
- Restaurant 8.0 km