Riau Islands

The Riau Islands ( Indonesian: Kepulauan Riau, abbreviated to Kepri) are an archipelago in Indonesia, located east of Sumatra and south of Singapore.

Riau Islands Halal Travel Guide

This is also the name of the new Indonesian province which was created in 2004 which was carved out of Riau province. The province includes all the islands off the Sumatra coast which were previously part of the province, namely Karimun, Riau, Singkep-Lingga, Anambas and Natuna in the South China Sea.

The remainder of Riau province on the Sumatra mainland retains the name Riau province with its capital at Pekanbaru.

Islands of Riau Islands

• Bintan - the largest island, home to the provincial capital Tanjung Pinang and to a large resort area
• Batam - an island with a fast-growing city, industrial zones, resort area and an international airport
• Karimun - an island west of Batam popular for its granite mine. The island also has a few beautiful beaches.
• Kundur
• Lingga Islands
• Anambas
• Natuna

Riau Islands Halal Travel Guide

An archipelago of over 3,000 islands and the province has benefited greatly from its location - just 40 minutes from Singapore. Its two main islands Batam and Bintan are some of the most developed and affluent parts of Indonesia.

While Bintan and Batam get many visitors from Singapore and Malaysia via Johor Bahru and the rest of the islands in the province are very much off the beaten track, offering endless exciting trips to the adventurous.

The islands have also become a favourite destination for cycling enthusiasts from Singapore.

Local Language in Riau Islands

Bahasa Indonesia is modeled on the version of (Malay) which originates from the Riau Islands. In fact, Riau (Malay) is regarded as the purest form of the (Malay) language and visitors from Malaysia will find the (Malay) spoken here very similar to Bahasa Malaysia, which is the version of (Malay) spoken back home.

Many of the islands, especially Batam, Bintan, Karimun and Kundur, have huge Chinese populations who speak Minnan phrasebook|Hokkien and Teochew as well as Mandarin.

Travel to Riau Islands

The Riau Islands are a major gateway into Indonesia because of good ferry links to nearby Singapore and Malaysia. For detailed visa information, please see the Indonesia#get in|Indonesia page. Many of the seaports in the Riau Islands and the main airport on Batam are visa-free and visa-on-arrival points of entry. Please see the pages for the individual islands or cities on the visa status for a particular port.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Riau Islands

Batam's Hang Nadim Airport (IATA Code: BTH) is the main airport in the province and fields Flights from various Indonesian cities. Airlines like Garuda-Indonesia, Sriwijaya Air, Merpati, Kartika Airlines, and Mandala Airlines fly to cities like Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and Banjarmasin. See the Batam and individual city pages for details on connections.

Bintan has a smaller airport called Raja Haji Fisabilillah Airport (IATA Code: TNJ) at Kijang near Tanjungpinangwith Flights From Jakarta By Sriwijaya airlines or Riau-airlines From Jakarta and Pekanbaru

By ferry

Ferries are the main way to get to the Riau Islands. Check the individual island or city pages for details.

From Singapore: Frequent ferries connect Singapore with Batam and Bintan. See pages of the two islands for details of ports served by the ferries. Ferries also link Singapore with Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island and Tanjung Batu on Kundur Island. Note that Tanjung Batu is not listed as a visa-free or visa-on-arrival point of entry, although visa-free nationalities seem to not have any problems entering via this port.

From Malaysia: Frequent ferries link Johor Bahru with Batam and Bintan. Ferries also run between Kukup in the south western part of Johor state, and Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island. As of mid 2007, a ferry service has been planned for Batu Pahat in Johor and Tanjung Balai on Karimun but has not taken off yet.

From other parts of Indonesia: Numerous ferries link Sumatra mainland cities such as Pekanbaru, Dumai, Palembang, Kuala Tungkal in Jambi and other smaller ports with Batam, Bintan, Karimun and other islands. Ships belonging to Indonesia's passenger shipping company Pelni call at Bintan's Kijang port, Batam's Sekupang domestic ferry terminal and the Natuna Islands, linking them with Jakarta, Medan, Pontianak and other major ports.

How to get around in Riau Islands

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Riau Islands

Boats are the only practical means of traveling through the archipelago. There are very frequent ferries between Batam and Bintan. Frequent ferry links the two islands with other islands in the province like Karimun, Singkep and Lingga. The Anambas islands are linked to Bintan by a daily ferry and a twice-monthly Pelni ship. For more details, please see the pages for the individual islands.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Riau Islands

There are airports on Batam, Bintan and the remote Natuna Islands, where there are airstrips on Natuna and Matak.

Local transport

In terms of land transport, local transport in the form of taxis, buses, vans (angkut, bemo), and motorcycle taxis (ojek) are available on most islands. It cost a dollar or two, it depends how long the trip is. However, to enjoy the island even more try to rent your own motor bike ("rental moto") It starts at 50'000 Rupias (3.2 €uro)/day when there are space to bargain, but on smaller islands they know they can charge more, up to 100'000 Rupias/day.

What to see in Riau Islands

In the capital of the Riau province Tanjung Pinang will you find many historical attractions. The famous Buddhist Temple and Penyengat Island. With the famous Mesjid Raya Mosque made by egg. Include the unique building, it's much a spiritual island.To be there you smell the glorious history of Indonesia, yoe can find the parts of the kings palace. Several mausoleum of royalties and a spirit of old religion. The mysterious of Indonesia, this is maybe the place. Good/evil, black/light, animism. The old ruler's palace and royal tombs, among them the grave of the respected Sultan Haji, who also was creator and author of the first (Malay) Language grammar book, are among the legacies left by the Riau sultanate. Still in use is the old vice-royal mosque and the Mesjid Raya.

Best things to do in Riau Islands

• Riau has many fantastic beaches.
• The cultural center for stage performances of (Malay) music and dances is located in Tanjung Pinang. The center organize regulary festivals and other cultural performances, such as music and dance.

Halal Restaurants in Riau Islands

The province is famous for it seafood restaurants, in capital you will find many first class seafood restaurants to very low price compared to the western world and Singapore. Indonesia is famous for coffee and tea. The Avocado juice is also a must-try!

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Riau Islands

Riau Islands - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Riau Islands, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Riau Islands. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Riau Islands and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Riau Islands. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Riau Islands. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inRiau Islands: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Riau Islands.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Riau Islands: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Riau Islands, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Riau Islands.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Riau Islands, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Riau Islands, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Riau Islands and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Riau Islands, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Riau Islands, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Riau Islands without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Riau Islands is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Riau Islands.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Riau Islands is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Riau Islands, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Riau Islands Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Hotels of various budgets are available in the main towns such as Tanjung Pinang on Bintan, Nagoya on Batam, Tanjung Balai on Karimun and Tanjung Batu on Kundur, although those at the lower end are often sleazy and unpleasant. Five-star beach and golf resorts, catering mostly to Singaporeans, are also popular in this part of Indonesia, mostly located in the Bintan Resorts area on the northern part of the island. There are also resorts on the other islands, eg. Nongsa on Batam. See the individual city/island pages for listings.

Bear in mind that the economic boom has made accommodation in the Riau Islands more expensive than in other parts of Indonesia.

Stay Safe

Riau province is a safe place, with a very low crime rate.

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