Most people might remember Alfie Watts as one half of the winning duo from BBC One’s Race Across the World in 2024.
But for Alfie, the travel bug didn’t end with the final checkpoint.
In fact, he’s still living the dream—this time on a tropical island that few tourists have even heard of.
Fresh off another journey, Alfie recently took to Instagram to share a glimpse of his latest discovery—a little slice of paradise that had him genuinely surprised more people don’t know about it.
A Hidden Gem in Southeast Asia
The island he’s talking about? Bintan Island, nestled in Indonesia and just a quick 50-minute boat ride from bustling Singapore.
Despite being more than three times the size of Singapore, it’s home to only around 340,000 residents—and gets just 10,000 UK visitors a year.
For context, Spain welcomes nearly 18 million Brits annually.
Alfie’s travel snaps included everything from stunning coastlines and local cultural experiences to jet-skiing adventures.
He even posted himself in traditional attire, clearly soaking up the local vibes.
Why Alfie Fell in Love with Bintan
“From sea turtle conservation projects to the cheapest jet-skiing I’ve ever found, I just don’t get why more people aren’t talking about this place,” Alfie wrote.
He called it a must-add to anyone’s travel bucket list, praising its unique mix of affordability and untouched beauty.
Bintan has been gaining attention in recent years as Indonesia’s next big destination after Bali.
Its long, quiet beaches, rich rainforest trails, and buzzing capital city, Tanjung Pinang, make it ideal for every type of traveler.
What to Explore on Bintan Island
If you’re into nature, the Sebung River’s mangrove forests and Gunung Bintan’s hiking trails—where you might spot rare silvered leaf monkeys—are major highlights.
For culture lovers, you can boat out to Senggarang, a traditional Chinese fishing village built on stilts.
It’s also home to a 200-year-old Banyan tree, a sacred site for Buddhists.
Then there’s Penyengat, with its historic Dutch forts and the majestic Grand Mosque once ruled by the Sultan of Riau.
Clearly, Alfie’s not just into beaches—he’s all about immersing himself in a destination.
Alfie’s Favorite Places in the World
Back in April, Alfie sat down with MailOnline to chat about his favorite countries—and a few that didn’t quite win his heart.
Top of his list? Jordan and Malaysia. He shared how special it was to take his grandmother to Petra, a place she’d dreamed of visiting her whole life.
“The people in Jordan are just incredibly kind,” he added.
As for Malaysia, he called it a “cheap paradise.”
But the one destination that tops them all for him? Venezuela’s Angel Falls.
Remote, breathtaking, and challenging to get to, Alfie described it as his “absolute favorite place in the world.”
The Countries That Didn’t Hit the Mark
Of course, not every place makes the best impression.
Alfie admitted he wasn’t a big fan of Cambodia.
During his Race Across the World journey, he found the experience there less than welcoming.
“The people just weren’t that friendly, and being surrounded by countries like Thailand and Malaysia didn’t help Cambodia stand out,” he explained, while adding that many people disagree with his take.
Sydney was another spot that fell short of expectations.
While many travelers love the Aussie city, Alfie wasn’t sold on the hype.
“It’s expensive, looks okay, but just felt like it was trying too hard.
The whole hipster vibe felt overdone,” he said.
Still, he’s open to giving Australia another shot.
“I’ve only been to Sydney, so I definitely want to explore more of the country.”
Living the Dream—One Passport Stamp at a Time
From jet-setting across continents to uncovering hidden gems, Alfie Watts is still doing what he loves most: discovering the world beyond the guidebooks.
And if his recent Bintan adventure proves anything, it’s that some of the best places are the ones not everyone’s talking about—yet.
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