Bay Island at Bonita Bay Club

Bay Island is one of five courses at Bonita Bay Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 1998. The course occupies land within the larger Bonita Bay master-planned community, situated between Naples and Fort Myers along Florida's Gulf Coast. Hills routed the layout through native wetlands, preserves, and around residential development, creating a course that emphasizes strategic play over length and incorporates the region's characteristic water features and sandy waste areas.

The design reflects Hills' approach to Florida golf, with generous fairways that reward accurate positioning and greens protected by bunkers and water hazards. Several holes play along or across wetland areas that are home to native wildlife, including wading birds and alligators common to southwest Florida. The course features relatively modest elevation changes typical of the coastal plain, with subtle mounding used to frame holes and direct play.

Bonita Bay Club operates as a private equity club serving residents of the Bonita Bay community and outside members. The club offers multiple dining venues and extensive recreational amenities beyond golf, including tennis, fitness facilities, and access to a private beach park on the Gulf of Mexico. Bay Island is part of a golf program that includes courses by Hills, Tom Fazio, and Robert Trent Jones Jr., allowing members to experience different design philosophies within a single membership. The course is maintained to high standards year-round, accommodating both seasonal residents and full-time members.