Gary Player’s jungle-and-sea course across the strait.
Ria Bintan is the reason Singapore golfers take the ferry. The club sits on the north coast of Bintan Island in Indonesia, 50 minutes by boat from Singapore’s Tanah Merah terminal, and Gary Player designed all 27 holes. The Ocean Course is the one to play: it moves from jungle holes to a run along the sea, with a par three on the 9th that is often described as one of Asia’s best. It makes a long weekend from Singapore, or a two-centre trip with Malaysia.
Ria Bintan Golf Club green fees and tee times.
Book through golfscape, which lists Ocean Course tee times with instant confirmation, through Bintan Resorts, or through Golfasian, which sells stay-and-play packages with green fees included. Prices are usually quoted as packages rather than published green fees, so compare what each includes. Check ferry times before you book a tee time: the crossing takes about 50 minutes, and you need to allow for immigration on both sides.
The round, in perspective.
The Ocean Course opened in October 1998, followed by the first nine of the Forest Course in December 2000, giving 27 holes at par 72 for 18. Golfasian lists the full 18 at about 7,117 yards. The Ocean Course combines two moods: tight, tree-lined jungle holes that demand accuracy, and seaside holes exposed to the wind off the South China Sea. The par-five 7th opens up a sea view, and the par-three 9th plays along the coast to a green with the sea behind. Golfscape users rate it 8.9 out of 10 from 30 reviews.
Know before you go.
Access
Ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah terminal, about 50 minutes, plus immigration
Courses
27 holes: Ocean Course (18) and Forest Course (9)
Booking
golfscape, Bintan Resorts or stay-and-play packages
Make the trip work.
Take an early ferry and book a late-morning tee time, which leaves time for immigration and the transfer. Passports are needed both ways, and Indonesian entry rules apply. Stay at least one night if you want to play both the Ocean and Forest courses without rushing. The club has its own golf lodge, and the Bintan Resorts area has several beach hotels within a short drive.
Ferries run from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani at Lagoi, about 50 minutes, and resort shuttles connect the terminal to the club. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is about 15 minutes from Tanah Merah. Bintan’s own airport has limited flights.
The Ria Bintan Golf Lodge is on the course. The Lagoi resort area has beach hotels and villas, including the Banyan Tree Bintan, within a short drive, and resort shuttles run between hotels and the club.
Make a trip of it.
Bintan’s other courses, including Laguna Bintan, are within the Lagoi resort area, which makes a three-round weekend easy. Off the course, the island has quiet beaches, mangrove kayaking and seafood restaurants. Combine the trip with Singapore’s city sights either side.
Find your season.
Bintan is warm all year. The north-east monsoon from about November to February brings more rain and choppier ferry crossings; March to October is generally drier and calmer.
Take the ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani on Bintan, about 50 minutes, then a short shuttle to the club. Allow time for immigration on both sides.
Who designed Ria Bintan Golf Club?
Gary Player designed all 27 holes. The Ocean Course opened in October 1998, and the first nine of the Forest Course followed in December 2000.
What is the best hole at Ria Bintan?
The par-three 9th on the Ocean Course, which plays along the coast with the sea behind the green, is often called one of the best par threes in Asia. The par-five 7th has the other headline sea view.
How much does it cost to play Ria Bintan?
Rounds are usually sold as packages, through golfscape, Bintan Resorts or tour operators such as Golfasian, so compare what each includes. Ferry fares are extra.
Last checked 16 October 2026. This is an independent planning guide, not a first-hand review or a booking service. Check live availability, access, fees and travel details with the operator before booking. Airport suggestions are starting points for route planning.
