9 Top Things To Do In Bintulu, Sarawak

Going on a Bintulu trip and want to know all the best things to do in Bintulu, Sarawak? We have you covered! Below you will find our guide to exactly what to do in Bintulu, Sarawak to plan your ultimate trip.

Bintulu is one of the smaller cities in Borneo and is best known for its oil and gas reserves. Whilst this plays an important part in the town’s significance, Bintulu offers some nice attractions in its own right which makes it worth visiting.

Among Bintulu’s top attractions are its national park and beaches. There are some other low key attractions too, and it’s an easy place to visit which is why it’s perfect for a short trip.

Below, you will find our Bintulu travel blog with everything you need to know about the interesting places in Bintulu as well as the best place to visit in Bintulu for your best holiday!!

Top 9 Things To Do In Bintulu

Here are the best Bintulu things to do. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe.

Trek The Jungle Of Similajau National Park

The beauty of Bintulu is best showcased at Similajau National Park. While this may just seem like a narrow protected strip of forest by the beach, it offers plenty of diversity. There are the beaches, jungle, over 180 species of birds, crocodiles, wild animals like the wild boar and long tailed-macaques… The list goes on. 

The park is located about 30 minutes from Bintulu city center. There are three ways of getting there – by taxi, by joining a tour group or going by boat. 

If jungle trekking is on your Bintulu things to do list, the most convenient way is by taxi. A taxi can drop you off at the park headquarters where you can follow the 10km trek to Golden Beach, passing through the jungle, crocodile estuary and Turtle Beach on the way.

Golden Beach is named due to the beautiful color of the sand and is lined by coconut palms. 

If you’re heading there with a family the 10 kilometre trek might be a bit much. In this case, you can get a fast boat from Bintulu Wharf. This is a more expensive option but much more convenient. 

Golden Beach also has a nice BBQ area nearby for lunch. We recommend packing a picnic lunch.

The best time to visit Similajau is during the dry season. The park can be closed during the monsoon season so it’s best to check this ahead of time.

Entry fee at time of writing is RM10 per person for Malsysians and RM20 per person for non-Malaysians.

Address: Similajau, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak

Appreciate The Biodiversity At Taman Tumbina Bintulu

Taman Tumbina Bintulu is among the unique places to visit in Bintulu Sarawak. It is essentially a zoo and a botanical garden in one.

Taman Tumbina showcases Borneo’s unique collection of various flora and fauna, and covers 57 hectares. There is plenty to see, and you’ll need a map to guide yourself. Some of the best attractions are the animal enclosures with native tigers, flamingos, ostriches and more.

There is also a great collection of flora. The Orchid Garden is a popular display as well as the desert display with a great succulent collection. There’s also a canteen, rest area and gift shop.

Entry fee at time of writing is RM2 for adults and RM0.50 for children.

Address: Jalan Tun Razak, Taman Tumbina, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak

Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple

Tua Pek Kong Temple is a well kept temple near Bintulu old city. Sitting along the river to protect travelers, this Taoist temple is connected to the local Chinese community and was built around 1870.

The temple is built for the god of wealth, Tua Pek Kong or the “great uncle”. It is colorful with a nice rock garden in the back. Quite a few other deities are honored there. There are some interesting statues and craftsmanship to appreciate and it’s worth seeing as a Bintulu tourist attraction as it’s directly in the center of town.

Address: Shahida Commercial Centre, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak

Admire The Sculpture At Council Negeri Memorial

The Council Negeri Memorial is a low key attraction which sits outside the city’s council chambers. This is a beautifully sculptured monument which stands to commemorate the meeting of Bintulu’s first legislative assembly in 1867.

The monument is complete with a clock tower, and there’s a few other statues too as well as a fountain. It is worth visiting if you’re in the area.

Address: BDA Shahida Commercial Centre, Shahida Commercial Centre, 97000 Bintulu, Sarawak

Go For A Walk At Pantai Temasya Tanjung Batu

Bintulu has some nice beaches but the best Bintulu place to go near the city is Pantai Temasya Tanjung Batu. 

The beach is located about 5 kilometres from the city center of Bintulu. This is a popular spot for relaxing and recreation. Plenty of food stalls line the beach and this can be a lovely spot to grab a bite to eat and some fresh coconut juice.

I recommend a walk here at night. It’s a nice spot to watch the sunset. There’s also a kids’ playground nearby too. Note swimming is not recommended here.

Explore Taman Millenium

This is another nice spot in Bintulu to appreciate nature. 

Taman Millenium is most popular with people looking for a workout thanks to the jogging track here. However, it is also a nice spot for a walk with some beautiful trees, places to sit and a kids’ playground.

Address: Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu 97000 Sarawak

Enjoy The Sunset At Pulau Batu Mandi

Pulau Batu Mandi sits somewhat in the shadow of Pantai Temasya Tanjung Batu beach. 

Whilst it is less popular with locals, it is an equally beautiful spot for a walk to Tanjung Batu beach. The area is especially nice at night where you can watch the sunset over the water.

Buy Fresh Produce From Pasar Tamu & Pasar Utama

Every Malaysian city has its market, and the best markets in Bintulu are Pasar Tamu & Pasar Utama. These markets mostly serve the locals and sit side by side with dome shaped roofs. 

There is an array of produce for sale including the usual fair like fish, fruit, vegetables, meat etc. There are two floors to explore. The upper floor has a food court with hawkers selling local street food. This can be a good option for lunch.

Seek Adventure At Belanum Bay Floating House

If you’ve got a couple of days to spare, it might be worth heading to Belanum Bay Floating House. This wonderous lake is actually the size of Singapore, and offers accommodation in a serene setting. 

This is a great place to swim with competing elements like the cool and refreshing water straight off the mountain, and the warm humid air. 

Getting there is tricky however. It takes about 4 hours to reach Bakun jetty from Bintulu and then you’ll need to take a 40 minute boat trip. However, if you’ve got time it’s worth visiting.

Top Bintulu Attraction Map

Best Place To Stay In Bintulu

Now that you know what to do in Bintulu, you’ll need to know where to stay. Luckily, this small city offers a range of accommodation options to suit every budget. It’s also possible to get good deals on hotels that are close to the top attractions.

Below are a few of our top picks for each price point including a budget, mid-range and more expensive option.

BEST – ParkCity Everly Hotel Bintulu Review

If you’re looking for 5 star luxury… you won’t find it in Bintulu! However, ParkCity Everly Hotel is still a lovely 4 star hotel with lots of facilities and within walking distance of a local mall and many restaurants. 

The hotel offers guests three different restaurants, an outdoor pool, free shuttle services and guest parking, a sauna, and a kids playground among its facilities.

The range of rooms includes deluxe/executive double rooms as well as suites with an ocean view. Rooms include free WiFi, a minibar, tea and coffee facilities, a bathroom with a tub and air conditioning. Larger suites have a living and dining area.

This is a great hotel to base yourself in and is close to all the major central Bintulu attractions.

Click here for the latest prices.

MID-RANGE – Promenade Hotel Bintulu Review

Promenade Hotel is within walking distance to the popular Pantai Tanjung Batu Bintulu beach and offers a range of rooms including superior/deluxe rooms and executive suites.

Amenities at this hotel are good. There is an onsite restaurant with a buffet breakfast served daily as well as a bar, free on-site parking and a 24 hour reception desk.

All rooms are comfortable with Wi-Fi included and comforts like air conditioning, a minibar, TV,  safe, tea and coffee facilities and more. 

This is an affordable place to base yourself in Bintulu without sacrificing comfort. There’s also a golf course within walking distance.

Click here for the latest prices.

BUDGET – Inn86 Review

If you’re after bang for your buck, Inn86 offers budget accommodation and is within walking distance to the Terminal Bas Bintulu Central Station.

Rooms here vary from standard single/twin/queen/king rooms as well as deluxe options. They are basic but include private bathrooms, free WiFi, a flatscreen TV and an electric kettle. 

The hotel also has a 24-hour reception desk and offers free parking for guests. This is the perfect hotel for the price with clean rooms and is located close to a local mall, Medan Mall.

Click here for the latest prices.

Click here to see all our recommendations for the best hotel in Bintulu.

How To Get To Bintulu

It’s easy to get to Bintulu by bus, plane or car. The cheapest and easiest way to reach Bintulu is by taking a bus since only a few airlines are flying directly to Bintulu.

If you need to take a bus, click here for the latest timetables and bus prices.

To see all the latest flights and prices, click here.

You can also hire a car to get you there by clicking here.

Bintulu With Kids

Bintulu is a nice place to visit for families. There isn’t a lot to do here for families, but there isn’t anything offensive about this city. 

Locals are warm and friendly towards families. You’ll see many families walking around the beaches at night. Most parks also have kid friendly facilities like a playground.

Final Words

We hope this guide has been helpful for you and makes planning your visit to Bintulu easier. There isn’t a lot to do in this small town but really that is part of its appeal – it’s the perfect place to switch off, connect with others and enjoy the lovely surroundings. 

Enjoy your visit!

Check out all the best hotels to stay in Bintulu here and exactly how to get to Bintulu from Miri here. Read more Bintulu travel guides here.