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Nature & Beaches

Golf on Bintan: Championship Courses Across the Strait from Singapore

by ugin ·

Bintan offers 81 holes designed by Gary Player, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch, about an hour by ferry from Singapore. Here are the open courses, the best season and practical tips.

Ria Bintan
Ria Bintan Golf Club

Bintan has become one of the most convenient golf escapes in Southeast Asia. A fast ferry from Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal reaches Bandar Bentan Telani in about an hour, and nearly every course sits within the Bintan Resorts area around Lagoi on the north coast, so the drive from pier to first tee is short. What sets the island apart is its roster of architects: Gary Player, Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch all have layouts here, an unusual concentration of big names for a single island.

Courses currently open

  • Ria Bintan Golf Club: Gary Player's 18-hole Ocean Course plus the 9-hole Forest Course, with several holes running beside the South China Sea.
  • Laguna Golf Bintan: an 18-hole Greg Norman design next to the Banyan Tree, Angsana and Cassia resorts, reworked and reopened in 2016.
  • Bintan Lagoon International Golf: two 18-hole courses, the Jack Nicklaus Sea View and the Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands, now linked to the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, which opened in August 2026.

That adds up to 81 holes within one resort zone, enough for a multi-day trip without repeating a course.

When to play

Golf is possible all year round. The northeast monsoon brings the most rainy days, typically from November into early January, and sea crossings can be choppier then. February is usually the driest month. In any season, an early tee time helps you avoid the midday heat and afternoon thunderstorms.

Practical tips

  • Book tee times well ahead through your resort or the club, especially for weekends and Singapore public holidays.
  • Caddies are common on Bintan; ask when booking whether one is required or optional.
  • Standard golf attire applies: collared shirt, golf trousers or tailored shorts, soft-spike shoes; denim and swimwear are not allowed.
  • A day trip from Singapore works with an early ferry, but it makes for a long day, so many golfers prefer an overnight stay-and-play.
  • Rental clubs are available at the courses if you want to travel light.
  • Carry your passport and check current Indonesian entry rules before you go.