For golfers in Singapore, a world-class round is closer than it seems. A ferry connected golf course sits just across the water on Bintan Island, offering a premium escape without the strain of long-haul travel. With a short crossing from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, players can trade the city skyline for ocean fairways in roughly an hour. Ria Bintan brings together championship golf, scenic coastal views, and seamless ferry access, making it one of the most rewarding short getaways within easy reach of Singapore.
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Why Ria Bintan Is an Easy Golf Trip from Singapore
The biggest appeal of a ferry connected golf course is how little effort it takes to get there. Instead of booking a flight and sitting through airport queues, you simply board a ferry and watch the open sea roll by. Bintan Island lies just across the water from Singapore, so the journey feels more like a relaxed boat ride than a major trip abroad.
Ria Bintan has welcomed players since 1998 and is now one of Asia’s most respected golf destinations, regularly drawing golfers from Singapore and the wider region. For anyone who wants a real golf holiday without burning through a full week of leave, this is about as convenient as it gets.
How the Ferry Connection Works
Getting to the course is straightforward, and it helps to know the two legs of the trip before you set off.
From Tanah Merah to Bintan
Your journey starts at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on Singapore’s east coast. From there, Bintan Resort Ferries runs regular high-speed crossings to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal on Bintan. The ride takes roughly an hour, with the open waters of the South China Sea stretching out on either side.
A few practical points worth keeping in mind:
- Check in at least 90 minutes before departure to allow time for ticketing and immigration.
- Bintan runs one hour behind Singapore, so adjust your timing once you arrive.
- Bring Indonesian Rupiah, as transactions on the island are in local currency.
The crossing is comfortable, with air-conditioned cabins and sea views to ease you into holiday mode before you tee off.
Getting from the Ferry Terminal to the Golf Course
Once you step off the ferry at Bandar Bentan Telani, the golf course is only a short shuttle ride away. Arrival and departure handling is smooth, and many resorts arrange transfers directly from the terminal, so you are not left figuring out logistics on your own.
This well-organised flow is what makes a single day of golf feasible. You can leave Singapore in the morning, play a full round, and be home the same evening, all without a complicated connection.
What to Expect on the Courses at Ria Bintan
Ria Bintan was built around two layouts that make the most of the island’s landscape, and each offers a different mood and challenge.
The 18-Hole Ocean Course
The Ocean Course is the headline act. It weaves through native jungle before opening up dramatically to the sea, giving you a real mix of sheltered inland holes and exposed coastal stretches. The signature moments come around the middle of the round, where the South China Sea reveals itself in full.
The par-five 7th brings the ocean sharply into view, the green at the 8th is framed by water on three sides, and the par-three 9th asks you to keep your focus on a rocky, scenic tee shot. Measuring 6,470 metres from the back tees and playing to a par of 72, it rewards careful course management and a bit of nerve.
The 9-Hole Forest Course
The Forest Course offers a quieter, more sheltered contrast to the coastal drama of its bigger sibling. Set among mature woodlands with avenues of trees and calm lake views, it was designed as a relaxed nine that still tests your game through its bunkers and fairways. It suits an easy warm-up loop or rounds out a longer day for players who simply cannot get enough.
Designed by a Gary Player Championship Pedigree
Both courses carry the signature of golf legend Gary Player, and that pedigree shows. Player has famously named Ria Bintan among his ten favourite designs out of the more than 300 courses he has shaped, a strong endorsement from someone with so much to compare it to.
That reputation is backed by careful conditioning and real respect for the surrounding environment. In 2009, Ria Bintan became the first course in Indonesia to earn Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary certification, a recognition of how seriously the club takes its wildlife and natural setting.
Scenic Ocean Views That Define Every Round
What truly sets Ria Bintan apart is the scenery wrapped around every hole. Coastal fairways sit against a backdrop of open sea and dense rainforest, and the contrast gives the course a distinctive sense of place. The standout vantage points come along the shoreline, where holes hug the water and the horizon seems to stretch forever. These are the moments most players reach for their cameras, and they are a big part of why the round feels so premium. The natural setting does more than look good, it turns the whole experience into a proper escape rather than just a game.
Choose Your Golf Plan: Day Trip or Stay Overnight
Part of the charm of a ferry connected golf course is the freedom to shape the trip around your own pace.
Day Trip or Overnight Stay
A one-day round works well if you time your ferries carefully. An early departure from Tanah Merah gives you the whole day on the course, with an evening crossing to get you home. It is an efficient way to enjoy world-class golf without committing to a longer break.
If you would rather slow down, an overnight stay lets you play both courses, enjoy the resort surroundings, and start your round without rushing for a ferry. For many golfers, that extra day turns a good outing into a proper getaway.
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How to Book Ria Bintan Golf Course
Ria Bintan brings together everything that makes a short golf trip worthwhile: a quick ferry crossing from Singapore, two memorable courses by the sea, and scenery that stays with you long after the final putt. Whether you come for a single day or settle in overnight, the journey is easy and the golf is world-class.
Ready to tee off across the water? Visit the Ria Bintan website to check rates and book your round at one of Asia’s finest coastal golf destinations.