Nature Calls in Belitung

Called the Maldives of Indonesia, this island ticks all the boxes for a tropical beach holiday without the frenetic crowds of Bali

- Stephanie Yeo

BELITUNG, Indonesia — I know I have caught the attention of my well-travelled friends when they gush over my Instagram Stories on Belitung Island and leave comments asking, "Where is this?"

Named a Unesco Global Geopark for its geological treasures and biodiversity, the Indonesian island ticks all the boxes for a tropical island getaway that is a far cry from Bali's frenetic crowds and traffic.

Belitung was among the places with the best air quality in the country, according to a June report by air-monitoring app Nafas Indonesia.

Located off Sumatra's southeastern coast, it is 85 per cent of Bali's size at about 4,800 sq km and relatively unknown to international tourists, except those googling an alternative to the Island of the Gods.

What it lacks in tourism infrastructure — agriculture and tin mining are among the main economic activities for its 300,000-plus residents — it more than makes up for in laid-back charm.

For now, getting there requires a transit in Jakarta, but more transport links might be in the works.

Changi Airport Group announced in June that it is exploring direct flights to Belitung's H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin Airport, which obtained approval from Indonesian authorities to operate international flights in May.

Garuda Indonesia had started 90-minute flights in late 2018, but stopped them less than a year later because of cost-cutting measures.

My husband remarks that Belitung reminds him of our trip to Lombok 20 years ago as our driver speeds past small villages towards Sheraton Belitung Resort. We are staying at the island's only five-star hotel, which is the only one located within a nature reserve.

The 123-room Sheraton and its sister property, Billiton Ekobeach Retreat, which has four eco-friendly beach villas, are part of the 350ha privately owned Tanjung Kelayang Reserve (tanjungkelayangreserve.com) in the northeast of the island.