Bintan tourism
Crystal Lagoon Bintan: The Largest Saltwater Lagoon in Southeast Asia
A 6.3-hectare man-made lagoon at Treasure Bay, Lagoi — filtered seawater, a white sand bottom, no waves, no coral and no currents. It is the answer for families who want a full day in the water without having to worry about tides, wind or sea urchins.
What the Crystal Lagoon actually is
The Crystal Lagoon is neither the sea nor a swimming pool. It is a man-made lake within the Treasure Bay complex in Lagoi, filled with seawater that is filtered and circulated continuously so that it stays clear all year round. It covers about 6.3 hectares — the largest crystal lagoon in Southeast Asia since it opened in 2016 — with a white sand bottom, gently sloping edges and a surface that is almost always flat.
Its difference from the surrounding sea is exactly what makes it worthwhile. The beaches at Lagoi are calm, but the seabed is a mix of sand and mud and the clarity rises and falls with the monsoon; the lagoon's does not. There are no waves to drag you out, no coral or sea urchins to step on, and the depth increases gradually from about half a metre at the edge to two metres in the middle, with lifeguards all around the water. For young children, for anyone who cannot yet swim, and for those visiting in the windy months, it is a far safer choice than snorkelling on the east coast.
What to plan for: entry is with a Treasure Bay day pass, and almost every water activity is paid for separately from that pass. The waterside is open with no natural shade, so midday is the least comfortable time — come in the morning or late afternoon, and allow time to stay until the sun goes down, as the western side of the lagoon faces the sunset.
The lagoon in numbers
The four things people usually ask before setting off, plus the full address and a map link for your driver.
Water area
6.3 hectares
Depth
0.5–2 m
Opening hours
09:00–18:00
From Lagoi
10 min drive
These are the published daily opening hours. Some water activities close earlier, and the whole area may be used for private events on certain dates — check ahead for your dates.
Address
Crystal Lagoon Treasure Bay Bintan
Jl. Gurindam 12, Treasure Bay Bintan, Kawasan Pariwisata Lagoi, Teluk Sebong, Kabupaten Bintan, Kepulauan Riau 29155
Things to do at the Crystal Lagoon
Four activities on the water and two more beside it — including one that means you do not have to head home the same day. All of them are paid for separately from the entry ticket.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
A flat surface with no current — the easiest place to learn
The most popular activity here, for a simple reason: there is no current, no waves, and if you fall in you can stand up in waist-deep water. Learning to stand on a paddle board in the sea takes half a day and several mouthfuls of salt water; here most people manage it within twenty minutes. Kayaks come in single and double versions, so a child who is not yet strong enough to paddle can sit up front.
Best for:Beginners, teenagers and adults who have never tried it
Water bikes and pedal boats
Cross the lagoon without needing to swim
The option for anyone who wants to get out to the middle of the lagoon without getting into the water. The water bikes are pedalled from a seat on twin floats; they are stable and do not demand the kind of balance a paddle board does. This is usually what parents choose when they want to join their children on the water without swimming themselves, and it is the most camera-friendly option.
Best for:Families with young children and non-swimmers
Inflatable park and water balls
Floating obstacles and giant balls for children
A course of inflatable obstacles floating in the shallow part of the lagoon — to climb, cross and fall off — plus giant water balls that children walk inside across the surface. For groups with school-age children, this is usually where most of the time goes. Everyone wears a life jacket and the area is supervised by lifeguards, but some of the attractions still have a height restriction.
Best for:School-age children and teenagers
Banana boat and donut boat
Towed around the lagoon by speedboat, all together
The lagoon version of a ride usually found at the beach, with one important difference: the surface is flat, so the tow is smooth and there are no waves slamming into you along the way. It is run per boat, not per person, so it makes the most sense for a group or two families together. Falling off is part of the fun — make sure you leave any electronics on land.
Best for:Groups, extended families and company outings
Chill Cove: Man-made beach, cafés and sunsets
The land side of the lagoon, for those not going in the water
The edge of the lagoon is laid out as a beach area with sand, chairs with parasols, cafés and several places to eat. This is what makes it work for mixed groups: some people spend the whole day in the water, while others never touch it and still have a shaded place to sit. In the late afternoon the western side of the lagoon faces the sunset, and that is the busiest time for photos here.
Best for:Non-swimmers, older visitors and mixed groups
Glamping on the edge of the lagoon
Permanent safari tents facing the water, for an overnight stay
Beside the lagoon there is a glamping area of permanent air-conditioned tents with en-suite bathrooms — a tent on the outside, a hotel room on the inside. The real value lies in the two hours day visitors never get: the morning before the complex opens and the evening after the day visitors have left, when the lagoon is completely quiet. If this is what you choose, it is best to arrange your pickup from the ferry terminal at the same time, as no public transport goes into the complex.
Best for:Couples and families staying in Lagoi
The size, depth, opening hours and address were compiled in September 2026 from the official Treasure Bay Bintan website and its Google Maps entry, cross-checked against the Bintan Resorts directory. The availability of each activity changes with the season, the weather and any events taking place. This page does not list ticket prices or per-activity rates: both change by season and package, both differ between resort guests and day visitors, and a rate printed here that turns out to be different at the ticket counter does more harm than not listing it at all.
What to prepare before you go
Come in the morning or late afternoon, avoid midday
There is no natural shade by the water and the sand reflects the equatorial sun. Before 11am or after 3.30pm is far more comfortable, and an afternoon session carries on until the sun sets over the western side of the lagoon.
Bring your own towel, change of clothes and sandals
Shower rooms and lockers are available, but they are limited at weekends and on public holidays. A rash guard is more useful than thick sunscreen — you will be out on open water for hours.
Budget separately for entry and activities
The day pass only gives access to the complex and the lagoon. Kayaks, water bikes, the banana boat and the inflatable park are each charged separately per session. Ask at the ticket counter about a day package if you plan to try more than two activities.
Check first if your dates are close to an event
Treasure Bay is regularly used for festivals, running races and corporate events, and part of the lagoon may be closed to the public on those days. If your dates are close to one, we can help confirm before you leave your hotel.
We take you from your hotel and wait until you have finished
Tell us your hotel, how many of you there are and your dates. We will arrange a car big enough for your group and its wet gear, a driver waiting in the Treasure Bay car park, and a return route that can take in Lagoi Bay or a seafood restaurant.