Escape To Belitung: 5 reasons it should be your next beach holiday destination

A lighthouse at Pulau Lengkuas, off Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Ministry of Tourism, Indonesia)

Never heard of Belitung before? Well, you're about to find out what amazing gems you've been missing out on!

Look no further than Belitung island, now a mere 1.5-hour flight from Singapore since Garuda Indonesia launched four weekly direct flights from Changi Airport to Belitung’s airport in Tanjung Pandan.

The island that has been nicknamed the “Maldives of Indonesia” is an ideal getaway spot away from the hubbub of city life. Here are five reasons why.

1. PRISTINE BEACH

No doubt the most popular beach on the island, Tanjung Tinggi is tucked neatly in a cove and lined with rock formations which break the waves coming on to the beach.

Sunset at Tanjung Tinggi beach on Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Simon Putra)

2. ISLAND-HOPPING

A 10-minute drive from Tanjung Tinggi will take you to another beach, Tanjung Kelayang, where you are in for more than just a dip in the turquoise-blue water.

Tanjung Kelayang has a more open seascape which means slightly stronger waves. Local fishermen park their boats here and offer to take visitors on island-hopping trips.

With snorkeling gear provided by the boat crew for a fee, you can watch various species of colourful fish and pristine coral reefs.

Another unique feature in Belitung waters is Pulau Pasir, a patch of sand in the middle of the sea that disappears into the water in the afternoon. Starfish are often found lying on the sand at low tide - a novelty that is definitely worth a snap.

Tanjung Kelayang beach on Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Ministry of Tourism, Indonesia)

A pair of starfish on the sand at Pulau Pasir, off Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Johannes Tjendro)

3. PICTURESQUE LAKE

Seaside attractions are not the only ones you can enjoy in Belitung. Not far from the airport is Danau Kaolin, an artificial lake that was formed by accident after the kaolin clay miners abandoned the area. Being near to the airport, you can catch a glimpse of the lake even before you land on Belitung.

Kaolin lake on Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Google/Tony Loman)

4. COFFEE CULTURE

At the eastern end of the island is Manggar, a small town that has been nicknamed “the city of 1,001 coffee shops”. Visitors from the western beaches can get there with less than two hours’ drive on well-paved roads.

For the literary-minded visitors, Manggar is also home to novel-turned film The Rainbow Troops by the best-selling Indonesian writer of all time, Andrea Hirata.

Locals sip their coffee at a coffee shop in Manggar, a small town on Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Google/Victor Apriando)

5. THIS QUAINT RESTAURANT

No vacation is ever complete without a good old culinary delight. Belitong Timpo Duluk (“Old-School Belitung”) serves up local delicacies in a quaint setting.

Hanging on the wall is an old roadster bicycle and rattan-made farmer’s hats and baskets, as well as fishing tools. On the very table your food is served is an old-school charcoal iron, now a mere fandangle.

A quaint restaurant on Belitung island, Indonesia. (Photo: Google/GG)

Source: CNA/jt(ra)

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