Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful tropical beaches, making it an inspired choice for your next idyllic beach break. From iconic hotspots to secluded secret hideaways, the region boasts more than 25,000 islands and 100,000 kilometres of coastline, all virtually on Australia’s doorstep.
More than 1400 islands are dotting the coastline of Thailand, most of them set on either side of the mainland peninsula in the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. Koh Lanta is made up of 25 islands, the largest being Koh Lanta Yai, which serves as the main tourist hub for the region.
Stretching 25 kilometres long and six kilometres wide, it’s famous for its sweeping expanses of pristine white sand. The longest (and most popular) beach on the island is Klong Dao, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, resorts and beach bars, perfect for enjoying some of the most spectacular sunsets on the planet.
Getting there: Koh Lanta Yai is connected to the mainland by bridge, so we recommend that you fly to Krabi and then take a shuttle or ferry transfer to the main hub of Saladan. You can also explore other islands within the Koh Lanta group on a day trip, snorkelling in the sapphire blue waters, sunbathing on pristine beaches and marvelling at the islands’ craggy caves and cliffs.
Best time of year to visit: the best time of year for a beach holiday in Thailand will depend on where you are headed. The best months for an island getaway in the Gulf of Thailand is June to September. By contrast, peak season for Krabi and other destinations in the Andaman Sea is November to March, when you can expect clear skies and balmy weather.
Any list of the best beaches in Southeast Asia (or the world) would be incomplete without the spectacular four-kilometre-long White Beach in the Philippines.
Named for its dazzling, powdery white sand, it is the best-known beach on the island of Boracay, but its length means you can still find a secluded spot from which to soak up the incredible natural beauty.
Boracay is just one of the islands that make up the Western Visayas group, which is fast becoming a favourite destination for an island-hopping holiday in the Philippines.
Getting there: you can fly to Caticlan Airport (also known as Godofredo P. Ramos Airport) via Manila, then take a short habel-habel (motorcycle taxi) ride to Caticlan Jetty to catch the fifteen-minute ferry to Boracay.
Best time of year to visit: although the dry season is November to May, with maximum visitor numbers from December to February. From March to May, the temperatures rise but there are fewer crowds.
Nestled into the northwest corner of Lombok, the Gili Islands feel a million miles from the bustle of Bali. All three islands (Trawangan, Meno and Air) are completely car-free, making them perfect if you’re dreaming of a destination where you can kick off your shoes and relax.
Each island has its own distinct personality – Trawangan is known for its bustling night life and vibrant beach parties, while Gili Meno is popular for honeymoons and romantic escapes. Gili Air offers the best of both worlds: untouched natural beauty alongside excellent snorkelling, diving and other marine adventures. Pro tip: head to Pelangi Beach at the northern end of Gili Air, where you’ll find a beach swing that provides the perfect setting for epic sunset selfies.
If you want to venture further off the beaten track, we recommend a live-aboard cruise of Komodo National Park. You can get up close (but not too close!) to the island’s reptilian residents, or have a Barbie moment on the fabulous pink sand beach of Pantai Merah.
Getting there: the quickest and most direct route to the Gili Islands is to fly direct to Bali, then catch a speed boat to Gili Trawangan. From here, you can catch a smaller boat to its smaller neighbours.
Most live aboard expeditions to Komodo depart from Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores, which you can fly to direct from Bali.
Best time of year to visit: July and August are peak tourist season for the Gili Islands, with plenty of sunshine, low humidity and calm seas for snorkelling and other water sports. If you visit during the shoulder season months of April and October, you’ll avoid the worst of the crowds, but you can still expect to enjoy some lovely weather.
Set amidst the breathtaking limestone formations of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, the island of Cát Bà must be seen to be believed. Jungle-clad hills teem with wildlife, while tiny coves of golden sand punctuate the towering limestone cliffs that rise straight out of a sapphire sea.
The trio of coves known collectively as Cat Co 1, 2 and 3 are popular for day trippers visiting the bay. The largest of the trio is Cat Co 1, which also tends to be the most popular, but we have a special fondness for Cat Co 2, which is less developed and therefore quieter than its neighbours.
Getting there: It’s an easy ten-minute walk from Cat Ba town to the three coves. You can explore the island on a day trip from Hanoi or Hai Phong, or you choose an overnight cruise that gives you time ashore the island as part of its itinerary.
Best time of year to visit: avoid visiting during June, July and August if you are not a fan of high humidity, and instead plan your beach escape for April, May, September and October.
Langkawi Island lends its name to the archipelago of 99 islands and a handful of tiny islets of which it is a member. With its beautiful beaches and wide variety of fun activities, the island a wildly popular choice for family-friendly beaches.
The kids can play happily for hours on the white-sand beaches or safely paddle in the sheltered waters of the Andaman Sea. Pantai Tengah is one of the loveliest beaches on the island, lying just south of its bustling neighbour, Pantai Cenanga. You’ll find several family-friendly resorts lining the beachfront, and the sunsets here are guaranteed to create some epic memories.
When you’re ready for a break from lounging on the white-sand beach and indulging in the numerous water sports on offer, the kids will love the scenic cable car ride to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, where they can test their nerves on the spectacular Langkawi Sky Bridge.
Getting there: the easiest route is to hop a flight to Langkawi, travelling via the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Best time of year to visit: the region’s heaviest rainfall occurs during September and October, although downpours are often restricted to a short, sharp period each afternoon. From December to February, you can expect plenty of sunshine and more settled weather.
It may not be the first destination that springs to mind for a beach holiday in Southeast Asia, but Cambodia has some of the region’s most unspoiled (and undiscovered) beaches.
The islands of the Koh Rong archipelago are exactly what you would hope for: picture-perfect white-sand beaches, bath-warm water that’s a particularly vibrant shade of turquoise, and a selection of luxury resorts that have taken the concept of barefoot luxury and run with it.
The aptly named Long Beach (also known as Sok San Beach) is a seven-kilometre curve of paradise. It’s on the opposite side of the island from the main town and ferry port of Kaoh Touch so it’s easy to find a stretch of beach all for yourself. Be sure to book a night-time snorkelling tour – if you’re lucky, you’ll get to experience the ethereal wonder of swimming with bioluminescent plankton.
Getting there: you can fly to Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh, then catch a fast ferry across to the island.
Best time of year to visit: the best beach weather occurs during December and January, with consistent sunshine and a reliable, cooling breeze.
There are so many lovely beaches in Southeast Asia that are ideal for a family holiday. Although there are plenty of spots that are renowned as surf beaches, your personal travel manager can help you choose a destination that offers kid-friendly conditions such as warm, shallow, calm water for the kids to play in, and amazing accommodation options to suit families of all ages and sizes.
Given that there are more than seventeen thousand islands in Indonesia alone, it’s safe to say that Southeast Asia was made for island-hopping. Whether you’re backpacking through the Palawan Archipelago in the Philippines, or resort-hopping across Thailand’s Andaman Sea, why restrict yourself to just one island when you can wake up somewhere new every couple of days?
With a year-round temperature range of around 25 to 35 degrees, you can afford to travel light. Throw a selection of swimsuits and flip flops in your suitcase, along with some lightweight, light-coloured cotton clothing for when you need to cover up. Add some reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent and a selection of fabulous sunhats and sunglasses, a pair of reef shoes and a universal travel adapter, and you’re pretty much set!
Many beach towns in Southeast Asia have a more relaxed approach to attire. However, be prepared to cover up your shoulders and knees if it seems appropriate – especially if you are visiting temples or local markets.
The tropical heat can be intense, so stay hydrated by drinking plenty of (safe) water throughout the day. If you’re feeling parched, fresh coconut water is our favourite way to rehydrate. If you struggle with soaring temperatures, you can plan to hit the beaches early and then hide away in air-conditioned comfort during the heat of the day.
Many of the best spots are a little off the beaten path but well worth the effort. Ask the locals about their favourite swimming and yes snorkelling spots, or book a day trip to explore secret lagoons, coves, caves and beaches.
Unfortunately, mosquitoes love beach destinations too. You can minimise your chances of being bitten by applying a generous application of insect repellent as soon as the sun starts to set. Opting for long, loose, light-coloured clothing in the evenings will also help to keep the ravenous, winged beasties at bay.
Whether you’re dreaming of vibrant beach clubs in Thailand, hidden coves in Vietnam or the untouched beauty of Cambodia’s best kept secrets, Southeast Asia has a memorable beach escape to suit you. Your personal travel manager can help you design your perfect beach holiday itinerary.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
