If you're a beach enthusiast, you might have come across an emerging luxury island development in Indonesia, advertised as a "Maldives-style living" d
If you’re a beach enthusiast, you might have come across an emerging luxury island development in Indonesia, advertised as a “Maldives-style living” destination just 15 minutes away from Singapore. This new project, known as Nirup Island, is being developed by Indonesian firm PT Citra Tritunas Prakarsa and promises a collection of 94 villas, five-star hotel facilities, and various seaside adventure activities. The island is located just eight nautical miles south of Singapore, offering the ultimate in luxury.
However, upon closer inspection, the reality of this tropical getaway may not align with its advertised convenience.
The developer’s website claims the island is “just 15 minutes away from Singapore ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove,” with 10 ferry trips available daily. But a representative from ONE°15 Marina clarified that the 15-minute journey is only available to those traveling via private or chartered yachts from Sentosa Cove, a far more costly option than most people might anticipate.
For the typical traveler using ferries, the trip will take considerably longer—about 1.5 hours in total. Visitors will first need to take a ferry from Harbourfront to Batam, followed by another ferry from Batam to Nirup Island, with each leg of the journey taking 45 minutes.
While the marina is expected to open in July 2023, ferry ticket prices are still unconfirmed, and the overall development appears to be undergoing several changes.
Initially, the development was split into two parts: the water side, managed by ONE°15, and the land side, featuring luxury accommodations. The five-star M Gallery Hotel was originally slated to be the island’s flagship hotel, but it appears a new vendor will now be selected to develop the villas, hotel rooms, and facilities. This shift could delay the planned 2023 opening.
In addition to being a luxury holiday destination, Nirup Island has been promoted as an “exclusive residential community” where individuals can purchase and own properties at The Riahi Residences. When owners are away, the residences would be managed by the hotel and included in their inventory, offering owners a share of the revenue and complimentary stays. However, with the change in hotel vendors, it is unclear whether these benefits will remain.
As the development continues to take shape, travelers hoping for a quick island getaway may need to adjust their expectations.
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