The Best Beaches in Southeast Asia, From Thailand to the Philippines

When you imagine some of the best beaches in the world, you're probably thinking of one of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. In this corner of the world, islands and coastlines straddle the seas between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, offering diverse types of waterfront landscapes that offer plenty of chances for the likes of surfing and scuba diving. But common to many among these fine coastal stretches are the azure skies, deep blue waters, and swaying palm trees that we dream of when we think of a sunny and sandy paradise. First, a quick lesson for the uninitiated. Southeast Asia is made up of 11 countries include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar, which make up mainland Southeast Asia—as in, they’re connected by land to the Asian continent; as well as the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Timor-Leste, which make up the archipelagic maritime states of the region. With literally hundreds of thousands’ worth of coastline between them all, it’s impossible to create a truly comprehensive list of all the best beaches in Southeast Asia, but here’s a collection of our editors’ favorites. All you need is a flight to Asia to get there. (OK, fine, maybe two. But you’ll likely have a fun layover at some of the best airports in the world like Changi Airport in Singapore or Hong Kong International Airport.) From far-flung spots of powder-fine sand to easy-to-reach coasts that offer a respite from nearby urban chaos, here are nine of the very best beaches in Southeast Asia—plus where to stay nearby. Pack your beach towels and sunscreen. This article has been updated since its original publish date. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines Taking up nearly half the length of the island of Boracay, the iconic White Beach is a pride and joy of the Philippines. Its sand is as soft as the finest confectioner's sugar and the shallows are so vast that swimming in the waters feels like wading in a giant kiddie pool. There's plenty to do here from taking rides on local paraw (outrigger sailing boats) and hitting up the countless restaurants, bars, and shops that line the beach's perimeter. Local laws mandate that businesses cannot build within 30 meters (about 100 feet) of the water, which means there's a huge stretch of sand where anyone and everyone can park a blanket and soak up the sun. The flight to Boracay from the Philippine capital of Manila lasts barely an hour, so getting to paradise is a breeze. Where to stay near White Beach, Boracay, Philippines - For the slickest stay right on White Beach: The Lind Boracay - For easy-access to some of the best dining on the island: Seaworthy Boracay - For the utmost luxury and a private-island feel: Shangri-la Boracay Palawan Beach, Sentosa, Singapore When you think of Singapore, you might think only of its hypermodern buildings, buzzing night markets and hawker centers, and historical architecture that signifies a truly diverse melting-pot culture. But add to that some truly fabulous beaches that offer a quick respite from the urban whirl of the famous Asian megacity. One such spot is on the island of Sentosa: Palawan Beach (not to be confused with the island of Palawan in the Philippines). Located just a short drive away from the city proper, Sentosa is where tourists and locals go for a tropical breather. Palawan Beach is chill, quiet, and easily accessible from some of the finest hotels in the city-state; its waters are calm and inviting, and a free public tram connects Palawan Beach to other stretches of sand on the island. Just be mindful of the monkeys that live in the nearby trees. Where to stay near Palawan Beach, Sentosa, Singapore - For sleek and chic luxury: Capella Singapore - For classic Singaporean hospitality: Raffles Sentosa Singapore Tonsai Beach, Krabi, Thailand Thailand is home to some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful beaches, and Tonsai Beach earns its place at or near the top of many lists of the country’s most stunning ones. To get there, most visitors drive about a half-hour from the town of Krabi to Ao Nang. That’s where the road ends, and from there you’ll have to continue to Tonsai Beach by boat or on foot following the Monkey Trail. Ringed by towering karst mountains, Tonsai feels like—and is—a small remote village with only a handful of guesthouses and small shops. If you get bored with relaxing on the sand and swimming, opportunities to go rock climbing are just a few steps from the sand. Where to stay near Tonsai Beach, Krabi, Thailand: - For 24-hour butler service and an infinity pool: Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve - For a popular upscale hotel with ocean views: Bhu Nga Thani Resort and Villas - For a laid-back beachfront stay on Tonsai Beach itself: Tonsai Beach Resort Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia Pulau Perhentian Kecil (in English, Little Perhentian Island) is located off the northeast coast of Malaysia, next to its sister Pulau Perhentian Besar (Big Perhentian Island). For centuries, the Perhentian Islands were mostly visited by traders traveling between Thailand and Malaysia. That historical fact explains their name—perhentian means “resting place” in Malay. Long popular with backpackers, Perhentian Kecil is home to some of Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches. Coral Bay, on the west coast, is a stretch of white sand and crystal clear water, and a quieter alternative to the bustling Long Beach on the island’s east coast. The coral reefs that surround both islands, as well as two shipwrecks, make the Perhentians one of the best places in Malaysia to go snorkeling and diving. Several excellent dive sites are located off of Coral Bay. In addition to sea turtles and clownfish, you can also spot black-tip reef sharks here. Where to stay near Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia: - For a surf-inspired villa stay with direct bay access: Ombak Dive Resort Perhentian Island - For a relaxed beach resort with on-site activities: Senja Bay Resort - For promised luxury closer to Long Beach (just north of Coral Bay): Perhentian Marriott Resort and Spa Bawah Reserve, Bawah Island, Indonesia Bawah Island sits in the Anambas Archipelago of Indonesia, between the southern tip of Malaysia and Borneo. It’s an idyllic place to relax, connect with nature, and digitally detox. It took five years to build the Bawah Reserve resort by hand without using heavy machinery. It includes 36 individual suites, 11 of them overwater bungalows. The final result is a near perfect combination of nature and architecture. The gin-clear and calm water is teeming with a remarkable variety of corals and colorful marine life. It’s easy to explore the reef in a kayak with a transparent bottom or by snorkeling. The resort also offers opportunities to go windsurfing and try other water sports. Note: the only option to book a stay here is at the Bawah Reserve resort—which spreads across six islands. Where to stay near Bawah Reserve, Bawah Island, Indonesia: - For a bucket-list, all-inclusive stay: Bawah Reserve Cat Co 3, Cát Bà Island, Vietnam Cát Bà is the largest island in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and an excellent base for exploring this famous natural wonder. Much of the island is a national park with a wild and rugged natural beauty. There are also three small sandy beaches just a short walk from the town of Cát Bà, the largest settlement on the island. Cat Co 3 is a curve of fine sand and clear, calm water, overlooking one of the limestone islets of Lan Ha Bay. The beach is an ideal place to relax and swim. Although it is adjacent to a resort, the beach is open to the public. Where to stay near Cat Co 3, Cát Bà Island, Vietnam: - For a colorful, beachfront resort: The May Legend Catba - For ocean views and amenities-galore: Flamingo Resort Cat Ba - For a central location with a swimming pool, sky bar, and spa: Cat Ba Paradise Hotel Saracen Bay, Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia Often overshadowed by the many beautiful beaches of Thailand, Cambodia’s shores receive only a small fraction of the tourists who visit its neighbor. If you’re looking for a place to rest and relax away from the crowds, the island of Koh Rong Samloem is an excellent choice. The island paradise is located about half an hour by boat from Sihanoukville on the mainland. Its largest beach, Saracen Bay, is a stretch of dazzling white sand and warm, shallow, and clear water, providing a serene setting for a few days at the beach. There is a good selection of accommodations and restaurants running along the bay, each offering picture-postcard views of the sea. For those looking for some exercise, you can rent a kayak, or stand-up paddle board, or head to Lazy Beach on the other side of the island—about 30 minutes on foot—to go snorkeling or swimming. Where to stay near Saracen Bay, Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia: - For standalone villas on a lush, tropical terrain: Saracen Bay Resort - For a sea-facing hotel with beach bars: La Passion by Achariyak - For a private beach with white sand and clear water: The Royal Sands Koh Rong Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines The rocky coastline of Moalboal’s Panagsama Beach, located just two and a half hours from the international airport in Cebu in the Philippines, may not be the best place to travel to if you are looking for a silky sand beach. (If that is what you’re searching for, we suggest visiting White Beach on the same island.) It’s not the beach itself, but what lies in the nearby in the sea that earns it a place as one of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. Roughly 100 feet from the shore, the coral reef drops off dramatically, reaching a depth of up to 230 feet. The setting offers perfect conditions for observing the colorful and abundant marine life here. The star attraction are the many sardines that gather near Panagsama Beach. The schools can include millions of fish that move together as one in a fascinating display. Sardines can be found here all year round, although the peak season is from November to April. Where to stay near Panagsama Beach, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines: - For a private villa with beachfront access: Pawikan Seaview Villa - For a laid-back dive resort with amenities: Club Hari Dive Resort - For sun terraces, sea views, and a five-minute walk to the beach: Sedona Resort Buffalo Bay, Koh Payam, Thailand Returning to Thailand and visiting one of the islands that flies under the radar of most tourists, Koh Payam is located a stone’s throw from the border with Myanmar. Koh Payam can be reached after a long bus ride from Bangkok to the port of Ranong followed by a 40-minute boat ride. After you step on shore, head to the northwest corner of the island to find Buffalo Bay (or Ao Khao Kwai). The vast white-sand beach is lapped by the beautiful blue waters of the ocean. It is a perfect place to spend lazy days swimming or relaxing. Although there are some lodging and dining options, much of the beach is undeveloped and tends to be blissfully uncrowded. The sunsets from the Hippy Bar, a favorite of the few backpackers who come here, are needed reminders of the simple pleasures of life. Where to stay near Buffalo Bay, Koh Payam, Thailand: - For no-frills bungalows close to the beach: Starlight Beach Resort - For an adventure-filled stay with top amenities: The Blue Sky Resort at Koh Payam - For a nature-inspired, open-air bungalow getaway: Chomjan Resort This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller Spain.