It’s like Bali or Bintan but less well known – Cempedak Island is a private island resort off the coast of Bintan. Here, you’ll get all of the sunshine and seaside vibes of your other Indonesian vacay locales, save one thing: there are no kids on this adults-only island.
Getting there will only take you 2.5 hours, including a ferry journey from Singapore to Bintan. Thereafter, it’s a short 1-hour car ride and the last 30 minutes by speed boat.
Here are the ferry times through the week:
| Singapore to Bintan | Bintan to Singapore |
| Mon-Thu 8.10am, 11.10am, 2pm, 5pm | Mon-Thu 8.35am, 11.35am, 2.35pm, 6.35pm |
| Fri-Sat 8.10am, 9.10am, 11.10am, 2pm, 5pm | Fri-Sat 8.35am, 11.35am, 2.35pm, 6.35pm |
| Sun 8.10am, 11.10am, 2pm, 5pm | Sun 8.35am, 11.35am, 1.35pm, 2.35pm, 4.35pm, 6.35pm |
Book a Bintan ferry ticket.
Once you’re at the ferry terminal, the remaining transport arrangements will be handled by Cempedak Resort’s staff.
The best time to go to Cempedak Private Island is from April to October so as to avoid the monsoon season. During these periods, water visibility is good for snorkelling and diving. From November to March, you’ll get to enjoy cooler weather and strong winds, making it ideal for those who want to go sailing. However, expect passing showers and rain during these months.
Image adapted from: Cempedak
As far as accommodations go, this truly is a private island in Indonesia, with all 20 of the villas on Cempedak owned by the island management.
Image credit: Pinterest
The island’s beach villas are mere metres away from the ocean’s ebbing waves.
There are seaview villas and beach villas priced at:
Both villas accommodate a maximum of 2 guests at the standard rate, but an extra bed can be added for an additional fee. The only difference between these accommodation types is that the beachside villas have more immediate access to the sea.
Image credit: Pinterest
Both options get you all of the perks for a stay on Cempedak. You’ll have a large deck complete with sun loungers, a private pool, and an iPod speaker system so that you can have your own personal beachside rave from the comfort of the villa.
Whether you prefer kayaking along crystal-clear waters or going on nature walks, there are plenty of activities to do on this private island in Indonesia near Singapore.
Image credit: Cempedak
You’re probably not always going to stay cooped up in your villa. Fortunately for you, like other beachside resorts, Cempedak Island has a whole host of seaborne activities.
Image credit: @cempedakisland via Instagram
There’s an array of activities available on Cempedak Island, including the usual snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and sailing. Some might miss being able to jet ski; but to be honest, the stand-up paddleboards make for an equally fun alternative.
The real perk about this place is that most of the equipment is free to rent, barring some of the more advanced stuff like diving gear, catamaran sailing, advanced kayaks, and windsurfers.
Landlubbers need not worry, for there’s still plenty to do here if you wish to stay ashore. This includes nature walks, complete with guides to show you points of interest, as well as a variety of sports facilities like tennis, volleyball, and rock climbing. You can even take it slow at the library, or indulge in board games with other visitors, rum in hand.
Nature lovers would love to know that Cempedak Island also happens to be blessed with vibrant flora and fauna. The guides can point you in the right direction if you wish to experience the local wildlife, or perhaps even visit a sea turtle nest.
Dining promises to be an exciting experience at Cempedak Island, with daily menus prepared with local ingredients so that you’ll always have something new. They charge S$100++ daily for 3 meals, so all your dining needs are covered throughout your stay.
A sneak peek into their zen-infused Island Wellness Retreat package.
Cempedak Island has an entire calendar of events for you to partake in. These include everything from meditation retreats, to meals by celebrity chefs, sailing races, and other workshops. They’ll even play host to the occasional Murder Mystery Weekend, during which vacationers get to channel their inner Sherlock to solve a spine-chilling whodunnit IRL.
Do note that most of these activities require that you email Cempedak ahead of your visit to reserve a spot, and some are chargeable.
Whilst Cempedak Island is indeed an adults-only locale, it doesn’t mean that families actually need to scratch this off their list of travel destinations entirely. In fact, the resort actually comes with a family-friendly sister island, Nikoi Island.
Similar to Cempedak, it houses its own facilities, including a restaurant as well as its own set of land and sea-based activities, promising fun for the whole family. It comes with kid-friendly arrangements, and the island is watched over by staff who also provide daily activities for the little ones to participate in.
Image credit: Cempedak
The next time you are looking for a tropical getaway, consider booking yourself a stay on Cempedak Island. You’ll be guaranteed quality R&R time with your SO, with pristine beaches, crowd-free chilling, and maybe the best part: no noisy kids.
For more quick getaways from Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: Pinterest, @cempedakisland via Instagram
Originally published on 16th September 2024. Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 19th September 2025.
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