Belitung Island, Indonesia has become a new favorite island-themed holiday destination among tourists, located southeast of Sumatra. With pristine beaches, blue waters, and natural granite rock formations, you can’t help but linger in its beauty.
The island is becoming one of the top geoparks in the world. A Global Geopark is a UNESCO-designated area containing natural sites of particular geological importance, for which the purpose of preservation is to preserve. Tourism should act as a catalyst to spread knowledge and awareness of this unique natural wonder.
This Belitung Island Indonesia guide will tell you how to get there, recommended ways, and other things to know before you go.
Location of Belitung Island
The Bangka Belitung Island are two islands (‘Bangka’ and ‘Belitung’) off the southeast coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Belitung (also known locally as ‘Belitong’) is the smaller of two islands and is surrounded by many small islets and granite boulders, making it a paradise for island hopping with boat tours.
Best Place to Visit in Belitung Island
Tanjung Kelayang
Decorated with large boulders as if strewn with giant hands, this stunning white sandy beach has become an icon of Belitung Island and therefore one of Indonesia’s top tourist destinations.
Long coastline and calm waters is perfect for swimming. Several nearby islands are great for exploring, testing your kayaking skills, and enjoying other water sports. Enjoy local cuisine and cool drinks while vacationing on this picturesque beach.
Lengkuas Island
Source: Freepik
This is Belitung’s number one favorite travel destination. Here, the century-old towering 313-step lighthouse has aged gracefully. The top floor offers breathtaking panoramas of turquoise waters and fringes of pearly sand. Another amazing set of stone rock formations is Rhapsody, a sculpture sculpted by mother nature.
Tanjung Tinggi
Source: Unsplash
A quiet and idyllic beach, Tanjung Tinggi Belitung Island is perfect for swimming. Several hotels are located along this beautiful waterfront, catering to tourists, and offering stunning views outside their windows. However, be aware of the wind and currents. Sun hats can blow away.
Batu Berlayar
Batu Berlayar means Sailing Rock. Its name comes from the shape of the island’s rock formations, which resembles a sailing ship. This is a small island with some secluded spots with small beaches and huge granite structures. Getting here requires an experienced captain navigating the flat, rocky sea bed that surrounds the island.
Birds Island
Source: Freepik
Burung means bird in Indonesian. A towering granite structure in the shape of a bird’s head gives the island its name. Surrounded by the calming nuances of crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, this is another of his gorgeous photo spots in the memory album.
Also read: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Pink Beach Lombok
Best Time to Visit Belitung Island
Source: Freepik
When you want to do the Belitung Island tour the best time to visit is from April to September. This is the dry season in Indonesia, so less rain, more sun, smoother seas, and better visibility for snorkeling.
Months to avoid are November to January, when there is a lot of rain. If you must travel during the rainy season, allow a few extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.
How Long to Stay
You can see the highlights of Belitung Island in 3-4 days. That being said, the weather in Belitung can be unpredictable, so allow a few days to avoid rain.
How to Get to Belitung Island
Source: Unsplash
When you’re planning your trip to Belitung Island, you can reach the island by plane or ferry.
The best way to get to Belitung Island is to fly into the capital, Tanjung Pandan (TJQ).
There are direct flights from Jakarta (CGK) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) with prices starting at IDR 500,000 and flight times of just 1-2 hours each.
Getting Around in Belitung Island
The best way to get around Belitung is to rent a scooter or hire a private car with a driver.
Belitung’s roads are very well maintained and traffic is surprisingly light.
If you need a private airport transfer by car, you can also book it with local transportation starting from IDR 75,000. Within the city, you can make short trips by Grab or GoJek or local drivers.
