Before You Read
Canopi was a birthday surprise trip for Thye. I wanted somewhere nearby, suitable for 3D2N, and not too troublesome because we only had a weekend plus one day leave.
This is more of a glamping resort review than a full itinerary because most things happen inside the resort. Still, the small details matter: which package to choose, what to bring, what activities are worth booking, and how much extra you may end up spending.
This post is based on my 2017 trip, so please check current resort name, ferry arrangements, packages, activity prices and weather season before booking.
Trip At A Glance
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Route | Singapore/Bintan ferry, Canopi resort, lagoon activities, BBQ, Kelong seafood dinner |
| Duration | 3D2N |
| Travel style | Glamping resort, birthday surprise, activities and chill time |
| Best for | Couples/groups who want a short nearby getaway without much route planning |
| Main warning | Food/activity costs can add up and wet weather can affect activities |
Before You Go
- Bring snacks, cup noodles and drinks. Food options are mostly resort cafes/stalls and there was no room service then.
- If you want to BBQ outside the tent, consider the basic package and bring some of your own food like hotdogs or crabsticks. The top-ups can add up.
- Pre-book activities if possible because slots can fill up or be affected by weather.
- Wet weather can affect land activities like ATV.
- 2D1N can be enough if you want to just try the resort, but 3D2N feels more relaxed.
Birthday Surprise And Tent Choice
I passed Thye the surprise right before the trip. He is the kind of person who has almost everything and says he wants nothing, so experiences are usually a better gift.
Because it was a birthday celebration, I chose the higher-end New Glamping Tent package then. It came with free scooter use throughout the stay, a 1-hour couple massage, free lagoon ride and an indoor jacuzzi bathtub. Breakfast was included for all tents.
Honestly, the normal tents are good enough for a short and more affordable getaway. You can rent your own scooter if needed. The biggest difference for our upgraded tent was really the bathtub and package inclusions.
Day 01 – Explore, Book Activities And Kelong Dinner
The first day was mainly for exploring the resort and booking activities.
The activities we booked or paid for included:
- Jungle ATV, which sadly got cancelled/postponed because of wet weather.
- Kampong boat to Kelong seafood dinner.
- Fireworks.
- Slides.
- BBQ outside our tent.
There were only a few food options in the resort: one dining area near the lobby where breakfast was served, and some stalls near the water-activity area.
The slide was fun, but please be careful because the impact can be quite strong. I kind of sprained my neck from it.
At night, we took the boat out for the Kelong seafood dinner. The sampan ride felt a bit scary because it looked like water could seep in anytime, but it was quite an experience. You can also see stars in the sky during the ride, which made it feel more special.
The Kelong dinner is better if you go in a group because the cost is easier to split. For just two people, it is not exactly cheap.
If your package does not include massage, there was also a massage place in the resort. We tried both the resort option and an outside massage place. The outside one was cheaper, but I would not advise riding out on your own scooter unless you know the route properly.
Day 02 – Lagoon, Cancelled ATV And BBQ
The weather was not very cooperative because it seemed like monsoon season, so we lazed around Crystal Lagoon whenever the rain stopped.
We wanted to do land activities, but Jungle ATV was cancelled because of the rain. Quite sad because I heard it was fun.
We also took the free lagoon ride. Honestly, it was quite dumb because it was just a slow boat ride around the lagoon, and we had already explored the area ourselves with the scooter. I think Thye loved the scooter more than the lagoon ride.
The highlight of the night was BBQ outside our tent.
It was not cheap, around SGD 80 then if I remember correctly, but it was more for the experience. I think this was only available during weekends too, so check before planning.
The food was quite good. The only problem was that it was quite dark, so we had a hard time checking if the food was cooked properly LOL.
Day 03 – Breakfast And Check-Out
Day 3 was simple: breakfast, walk around the resort, then check out.
For most people, 2D1N is enough to try Canopi. If you do not like rushing or you want a more relaxed birthday/group trip, then 3D2N is better.
There is no need for a very detailed itinerary because everything is inside the resort. But compared with Montigo, I personally preferred Canopi if we are talking about activities. Montigo is more about the big villa and private pool, while Canopi had more things to do around the resort.
If you are going in a group, the cluster tents can be fun because the tents are arranged in a circle and everyone can BBQ/gather in the middle.
Final Thoughts
Canopi is not the kind of trip that needs a full detailed itinerary. Everything is quite contained within the resort, so the real value is knowing what to bring, which activities are worth booking, what to skip and whether 2D1N or 3D2N makes more sense.
If you are going in a group, the cluster tents can be quite fun because everyone can gather in the middle and BBQ together. For couples, 2D1N may be enough if you just want to try the place, but 3D2N feels less rushed.