Who does not love a great vacation, especially one to the beaches? Whether you are planning a trip with family or friends, beaches do not disappoint anyone. On that note, South East Asia is home to the most incredible beaches in the world. Crystal-clear waters, soft golden sand, and palm-fringed shores offer the most picturesque beach holiday. Let us explore some of the best beach destinations in South East Asia you can add to your bucket list.
Best Beach Destinations Across South East Asia
Rai Leh in Thailand
One of the most scenic places in South East Asia with crystal clear beaches is Rai Leh in Thailand. Your visit to Rai Leh will be incomplete without visiting the finest beach – Phra Nang Beach. Not only is Rai Leh famous for this breathtaking beach but also for rock climbing. You can travel to TonSai, which offers a spectacular view of the beautiful island.
You can also spend a day in a private beach house at Riley Beach and enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Rai Leh also offers some lip-smacking Thai food options where you can enjoy the local delicacies.
Best time to visit: Between November – March
How to reach: You can visit Rai Leh from Krabi. It will take 30 minutes by a long-tail boat. The nearest airport to Rai Leh is Krabi Airport.
El Nido in Philippines
El Nido is among the best Islands for a perfect beach vacation. If you want to enjoy some leisurely beach activities, El Nido is your go-to place. It is on Bacuit Bay and has a vast collection of limestone islets and beautiful hidden beaches.
Besides sunbathing on the beach shores, you can kayak at Miniloc Big and Small Lagoons, watersports at Bacuit Bay, and hike off Karst outcrops in El Nido. The city also has fantastic cafes and restaurants, or you can enjoy a dinner for two on the beach.
Best time to visit: Between November – May
How to reach: You can take a plane, a bus, or a private car from Puerto Princesa. You can also come via Manila by taking a ride in a turboprop.
Nha Trang in Vietnam
Nha Trang, a beautiful coastal city in southern Vietnam, is famous for its beaches, offshore islands, and diving sites. You will find sandy beaches along Tran Phu Street, with many restaurants and seafood cafes. If you are going with family, especially kids, you can also visit amusement parks which adds to the beauty of Nha Trang.
For all water sports lovers, there is no better place to go scuba diving than on the beaches in Nha Trang. The mesmerizing palm tree background will be perfect for your selfies after a good day swimming in the clear water beaches. Don’t forget to visit the famous jungle beach either.
Best time to visit: Between January – September
How to reach: You can take a plane to Nha Trang airport from Ho Chi Minh City, the shortest route, which takes around 1 hour.
Koh Phangan in Thailand
Koh Phangan island is divided into northern and southern parts known for its full moon parties. These parties occur every month in the south island part of the town.
If you want to travel to a more scenic beach, visit Bottle Beach in the northern region. The beach is famous for its picturesque views, white sand around a lush green jungle. Remember to visit Hat Thian and Hat Khuat beaches in the North. Koh Phangan is also known for its sunrise beach, often filled with backpackers.
Best time to visit: Between December – March
How to reach: You can take a plane to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui airport. You can also take a ferry from Koh Samui Airport, which takes 30 minutes.
Koh Hong Island in Thailand
If you want a quiet and divine place to spend your beach vacation, head towards Koh Hong Islands in Thailand. It is a small yet famous island between Krabi and Koh Yao Noi. It is even closer to Phuket and is only 30 km from there.
The island has two beautiful and mesmerizing beaches reminding you of the Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island. The island is a part of the National Park, so you must pay a fee to enter the area. You can climb the stairs to Koh Hong’s viewpoint to enjoy the view. In that beautiful view, you can see an array of limestone cliffs emerging from the sea.
Best time to visit: Between November – March
How to reach: You can visit Koh Hong from Phuket, Phang Nga, and Ao Nang Beach in Krabi. You can get to the island in less than an hour by speed or long-tail boat. The nearest airport to reach will be Krabi.
Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam
Near the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc Island is a fantastic place to spend time on white-sand beaches. Half Phu Quoc Island is a national park with mountains, wildlife, a tropical jungle, and hiking trails.
The island has developed over the past few years and is famous for its coastline and transparent turquoise water. Honeymoon couples can have a great time together and enjoy the most romantic sunsets on some of the popular beaches, such as Starfish and Sao Beach. While there, you can also visit Duong Dong, a town with day and night markets that sell beautiful crafts.
Best time to visit – Between December – March
How to reach – You can reach Phu Quoc airport and take bus shuttles between 6 am – 6 pm. It takes around 20 minutes to get to the town.
Phuket in Thailand
The capital city of Thailand, Phuket, is a lovely tourist destination. Besides its extraordinary beaches, Phuket has many other places to visit, making it the perfect place for a vacation with your family.
You can spend your mornings and evenings on the white sand beaches and go snorkeling and diving. You can visit the Phuket Thai Hua Museum and Jui Tui Shrine or go shopping on one of its famous local streets.
Best time to visit: Between November – February
How to reach: Phuket has its international airport, and you can get there from anywhere in the world. If you are in Bangkok or Krabi, you can take a bus and reach Phuket.
Redang Island in Malaysia
Redang Island is a little paradise on earth with clear blue water, located off the coast of Malaysia. You will see soft white sand, turquoise sea, and visible marine life in this part of the world.
People come here to sunbathe, kayak, and swim at the long beach of Redang. You can also go snorkeling and spot some of the most beautiful fishes in the world. You can find many luxury properties and hotels on this island surrounded by greenery. It is the perfect place for everyone looking to unwind and recharge from their hectic schedule.
Best time to visit: Between April – August
How to reach: You can reach Redang Island by ferry, which takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Jeti Taman Tamadun Islam. The nearest airport will be Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood.
South East Asia is a great vacation place where people go to unwind on the pristine beaches. With tropical climates all around the year, thousands of km of coastline and more than 25,000 islands, Southeast Asia has many beautiful beaches. Southeast Asia’s beaches are diverse and surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans.
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