Bintan is better known for quiet beaches and resort stays, but for one weekend in October the Indonesian island was all about racing. The 21st Indofood Bintan Triathlon took place at Lagoi Bay from 2 to 4 October 2026, drawing participants from 32 countries, with around 60 per cent travelling from overseas. Many brought their families along, turning race weekend into a holiday.
A race course with a view
The route was designed to show off the island. Athletes swam in Lagoi Bay, cycled through the resort area and finished with a run along the waterfront. Alongside the Olympic, Sprint, Relay and Duathlon races, there were Youth, Kids, Splash & Dash and Family Duo events, so younger and less competitive participants could join in too.
Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer of Bintan Resorts, said that after 21 editions the triathlon has become “one of the region’s most anticipated sporting events”, bringing back international participants year after year. First held in 2005, it is now one of the island’s flagship annual events and a key part of its push into sports tourism.
Know before you go
Where: Bintan Resorts, on the northern coast of Bintan Island in Indonesia’s Riau Islands
Getting there: About 60 minutes by catamaran ferry from Singapore, which makes it an easy add-on to a Singapore trip. A direct ferry also runs from Pasir Gudang in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and there are flights from Jakarta to nearby Tanjung Pinang and Batam.
Stay: The destination has 23 resorts along the northern coastline and four golf courses.
More information: bintan-resorts.com and @bintanresortsofficial on Instagram
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Image courtesy of Bintan Resorts.
The Daily Brunch editorial team, led by co-founder Anju Anna Alex, has written about luxury hotels, restaurants, chefs and travel across India and beyond since 2016, with stories told through the people behind them.
