Nikoi Island

Bintan, Indonesia

Nikoi Island

Marine, Eco Lodges

Since May 2022

Since january 2013

Protecting the diverse waters it sits in by helping to establish a vast Marine Protected Area, supporting the education of thousands of children, and a commitment to sustainably focused architecture and operations have all helped establish the 37-acre private island Nikoi as one of South East Asia’s leading sustainable getaways. Nikoi Private Island is a certified Global Ecosphere Retreat®.

Two and a half hours from Singapore, in Indonesia’s picturesque Riau archipelago, this 37-acre private island resort has championed a nature and community-focused approach since being opened by co-owner Andrew Dixon in 2007. With the conservation and regeneration of Nikoi’s natural environment at its heart, two-thirds of the island’s banyan-filled rainforest and sandy beaches remain untouched, and non-native plants have been removed to allow indigenous vegetation to flourish. Involvement of, and benefits for nearby communities form an important part of Nikoi’s DNA, with the property providing employment and training for over 200 local staff.

CONSERVATION

Nikoi partnered with Conservation International to create a local NGO and helped establish a 138,500-hectare Marine Protected Area.

Energy and water consumption remain far below industry standards due to conscious design and operations.

COMMUNITY

16,000 people in Bintan and its surrounding islands have been positively impacted by the Nikoi’s operations.

Nikoi’s educational non-profit, The Island Foundation, has impacted over 3,000 children and trained 1,500 local teachers.

CULTURE

Ubah Rumah Studio’s residency program raises awareness and celebrates threatened cultures and communities.

Sponsorship of annual jong and kelok boat races safeguard local traditions.

COMMERCE

Establishment of an internally managed staff savings and loan scheme which offers a lower-cost solution than local banks.

Financially supporting local charities through the Island Club membership program and the organization of fundraising events.

Nikoi’s Highlights

Guest accommodation - fifteen villas - has been built by local tradespeople in sustainably-sourced driftwood and alang-alang grass, offering a contemporary take on traditional Indonesian structures, they’re cooled by natural air flow, and water's heated via solar panels.
Restaurant produce comes fresh from Nikoi's farm, or sourced from nearby markets, and visitor activities include back of house tours which delve into behind-the-scenes sustainability measures, and thrilling, conservation-slanted nature walks.
Experiences revolve around the island’s pristine nature from snorkelling to guided forest walks; lucky guests might spot the resident otters or sea eagles hunting prey in the rock pools at low tide.
Showing a deep commitment to preserving traditional cultures, Nikoi's Ubah Rumah on-site studio has - since 2023 - offered residencies for Southeast Asian creatives and researchers whose work is dedicated to raising awareness of threatened cultures, communities and ecosystems.