Cempedak Island

A different kind of island escape.

Just 2.5 hours by boat from Singapore, Cempedak Island offers a rare kind of escape.

A 17 hectare, adults only private island surrounded by clear waters and coral reefs, with only 20 open air bamboo villas set between jungle and sea.

Here, the days unfold at the pace of nature. Walk forest paths to quiet coves, snorkel the house reef from the beach or spend long afternoons by the water before dinner and drinks overlooking the shoreline.

Remote enough to disconnect. Close enough to arrive without effort.

Built with nature in mind

Architecture on Cempedak follows one guiding idea: luxury should work with the environment, not seal guests away from it.

The villas and shared spaces are built primarily from sustainably sourced bamboo using local craft techniques. High vaulted ceilings, open walls and natural ventilation allow light, breeze and ocean air to move freely through the spaces.

Paths curve around existing trees and rock formations, with buildings sitting within the landscape rather than dominating it.

A small island that supports many lives

Cempedak works closely with regional fishermen, farmers and craftspeople, many connected to the local team’s families.

The Island Foundation supports education and opportunity in nearby coastal communities, helping thousands of children and teachers access improved learning resources and training.

Cempedak is also a fellow member of The Long Run, committing to a balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce.

Quiet adventure, island style

Beyond the villas, the island invites quiet exploration. Paddle along the coastline by kayak, join guided nature walks through the coastal forest or take cultural trips to nearby communities across the Riau Islands.

The surrounding waters form part of a protected marine area and the island partners with researchers and universities on turtle protection and marine conservation.

Cempedak also hosts a writers’ residency programme, inviting published writers from across the region to spend time here drawing inspiration from the landscapes and stories of the Riau Islands.

Story behind Cempedak Island
When Andrew moved to Singapore in the late 1990s, he searched for the kind of holidays he had grown up with in Australia. Outdoors, unstructured and close to nature.

What he found nearby were polished resorts disconnected from place. So together with friends who shared a love for nature, food and good company, he began imagining something different.

That idea first became Nikoi Island, their sister island, built on the belief that tourism could succeed without overwhelming the environment or disconnecting from local communities.

Years later, Cempedak followed, carrying the same ethos.