Long regarded as Sarawak’s industrial engine, Bintulu is stepping into the limelight as one of East Malaysia’s most exciting travel frontiers for 2026. Once a quiet town along the coastal trade route, Bintulu now beckons with untouched nature, living heritage, and a surge in new connectivity—making it prime for rediscovery as Visit Malaysia Year approaches.
With redBus expanding routes across Sarawak, getting here and discovering its hidden beauty has never been easier.
Nature’s Playground: Eco-Adventures Beyond Expectation
Tucked between lush rainforests and the South China Sea, Bintulu is becoming a favourite spot for eco-minded travellers. Just 30 minutes from town, Similajau National Park offers beaches, mangroves, and tropical forest trails where you can trek to Golden Beach, spot Sarawak langurs, gibbons, and hundreds of bird species, or join river cruises to see nocturnal crocodiles and seasonal turtle nesting.
The surrounding mangrove ecosystems play a vital role in coastal conservation while supporting community-led tours that spotlight medicinal plants, firefly habitats, and traditional fishing methods.
Fun Fact: From March to September, green sea turtles quietly return to Similajau’s beaches to nest, an ecological event that adds seasonal wonder to Bintulu’s status as an eco-tour gem.
Culture That Lives and Breathes
Beyond its natural wonders, Bintulu’s heartbeat is best felt in its vibrant Pasar Tamu market, historic temples, and diverse festivals. The town’s identity is shaped by Melanau, Iban, Malay, and Chinese traditions that flow through daily life and colourful gatherings.
The Borneo International Kite Festival, held every September, is one of Bintulu’s star events. It brings in thousands of visitors and colours the skies with kites from around the world. This year, 160 kite flyers from 29 countries joined in—including first-time participants from Haiti, Macau (China), and Tamil Nadu (India)—giving local businesses a nice boost.
Fun Fact: redBus recorded a 14% rise in travel to and from Bintulu in September 2025 compared to the same month last year, showing how the town’s cultural appeal and connectivity are growing.
Gateway to Undiscovered Sarawak
Strategically located along Sarawak’s central coastline, Bintulu is a convenient entry point to lesser-known spots like Mukah, Belaga, and the remote upriver settlements of the Rajang—areas still largely untouched by mass tourism. Just a few hours away, Mukah offers a richer look into Melanau culture, especially at the Mukah Kaul Festival Site at Kala Dana Beach, where rituals, performances, and community gatherings honour the sea’s bounty and ancestral traditions.
As infrastructure improves—from upgraded highways to regional airports and eco-lodges—Bintulu is quietly transforming into an immersive, off-grid experience for travellers seeking something different.
Youthful Travel Surge & Easy Access with redBus
Bintulu is no longer just a quiet coastal town. It’s becoming one of Sarawak’s most sought-after towns. With improved roads, regional transport upgrades, and digital platforms like redBus that provide bus ticket online booking, getting here is easier than ever.
The most popular routes link Bintulu with Miri, Sibu, and Kuching and are often used by students heading off to study or adults commuting for work. Strengthening its role as a key transport link, redBus has also partnered with Damri to launch a Brunei–Bintulu route, expanding cross-border travel and opening up new opportunities for regional tourism.
In total, redBus now offers over 30 routes to and from Bintulu, with nearly 20,000 passengers recorded between January and October 2025. Travellers aged 18–36 make up 79% of all passengers—a clear sign of growing youth interest in exploring the heart of coastal Sarawak.
This new wave of connectivity is helping travellers rediscover Bintulu’s charm, a place where nature, culture, and community come together. Whether you’re tracing Sarawak’s coastline, venturing deeper inland, or beginning a cross-border journey from Brunei, Bintulu is your perfect starting point to see a different side of Borneo.
