The Punta Mira resort in Mexico will open its second Nicklaus-designed golf course on 16 November.

The Bahia course will join the Pacifico course at Punta Mira, which opened in 1999, and, according to the resort, features the world’s only natural ocean island par three hole. 

Punta Mita is set on a peninsula with nine and a half miles of beaches facing the Pacific Ocean and Banderas Bay. The sea views from the new course are made more spectacular from December-April when migrating humpback whales can be spotted from shore. Bahia boasts five holes that play along the water and an additional two with ocean views.

“You would be hard-pressed to ask for a more beautiful backdrop for a golf course than Punta Mita,” said Jack Nicklaus. “To be given spectacular oceanfront land as a canvas not once, but twice, here at Punta Mita is exciting and it reflects a commitment from ownership to provide a memorable golf experience.  I’m confident people are going to enjoy the challenge and beauty of this course, as well as the incredible scenery.”

Bahia has undulating greens and fairways. The 7,035 yard course has Miniverde bermudagrass greens. The approach shot of the 462-yard fifteenth hole gives views of the Banderas Bay and the Puerto Vallarta skyline. Its green has a tricky drop-off with a deep bunker on the left side. The seventeenth, a 387-yard par four, is a dogleg left, which follows the contour of a cove and requires a carry over rocks and sand to a small waterfront green.