Islands & Beaches in Southeast Asia

The ‘Island of the Gods’ pairs surf beaches and cliff-top temples with emerald rice terraces, yoga retreats and a legendary cafe scene. From the buzz of Seminyak and Canggu to the quiet of the east coast, it offers something for every kind of traveller.

Thailand’s largest island fringes the Andaman Sea with a string of beaches, from the neon energy of Patong to family-friendly sands and quiet northern coves. It’s also the launchpad for day trips to Phi Phi, James Bond island and the Similans.

Towering limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons and secret beaches make this northern Palawan hub the poster child of Philippine island-hopping. Boat tours weave between karst islets to snorkel spots and empty coves, delivering some of Asia’s most jaw-dropping seascapes.

Barely a few kilometres long, this Philippine islet is famous for the powder-soft, four-kilometre sweep of White Beach and its blazing sunsets. Sailing, kitesurfing and a lively bar scene keep it buzzing, yet quieter coves survive on the far shores.

A duty-free Malaysian archipelago of ninety-nine islands wrapped in jungle, mangroves and quiet beaches beneath a dramatic cable-car peak. Island-hopping tours, eagle-feeding cruises and the sky bridge over the rainforest make it an easygoing family favourite.

Vietnam’s largest island trades war history for white-sand beaches, pepper farms and fiery sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand. Development is fast but the south and the offshore An Thoi islets still offer clear water, coral and laid-back seafood shacks.

Off Cambodia’s coast, this jungle-backed island lures backpackers with long white beaches, bioluminescent plankton and a barefoot, off-grid vibe. Its quieter sibling Koh Rong Sanloem offers hammocks, snorkeling and star-filled nights far from any road.

Three tiny car-free islands off Lombok deliver turquoise water, sea turtles and a beach-bar buzz that ranges from party to honeymoon calm. Cycling the sandy tracks, snorkeling the reefs and cocktails at sunset sum up the easy island life here.

A rugged limestone island off Bali’s southeast coast, famed for cliff-framed beaches, the T-Rex-shaped Kelingking headland and crystal snorkeling with manta rays. Rougher and wilder than the main island, it rewards adventurous day-trippers with unreal coastal scenery.

Two laid-back Malaysian islands off the northeast coast serve up powdery beaches, coral reefs and warm, clear water ideal for first-time divers. With no roads and a barefoot backpacker vibe, they’re a classic budget castaway escape between monsoons.

A jungle-clad Malaysian island rising in twin granite peaks from the South China Sea, ringed by dive sites, waterfalls and sleepy fishing kampungs. Duty-free status, cheap diving and a slow pace make it a favourite weekend getaway.

Beyond its famous Chocolate Hills, this Philippine island fringes Panglao with dive resorts, tarsier sanctuaries and gentle white-sand beaches. Dolphin-watching, river cruises and reef dives at nearby Balicasag round out an easygoing central Visayas base.

A mystical, little-visited Philippine island wrapped in folklore, waterfalls and quiet white beaches ringed by a coastal loop road. Cliff-jumping into turquoise coves, century-old churches and a mellow pace make it a favourite for those seeking somewhere slower.

A pocket-sized volcanic island in the southern Philippines studded with hot and cold springs, waterfalls and a sunken cemetery marked by an offshore cross. White Island’s shifting sandbar and mango-fringed lanes give it a charming, unhurried character.

One of Bali’s most photographed sights, this sea temple perches on a wave-lashed rock just offshore, spectacular at sunset when the tide isolates it. Cliff-top paths, crashing surf and silhouetted shrines make it a classic stop on the island’s southwest coast.

An Andaman archipelago of smooth granite boulders, blindingly white sand and coral gardens rated among the world’s best dives. Accessible by liveaboard or speedboat in the dry season, its clear water and reef sharks make it a snorkeler’s and diver’s dream.

Bali’s quieter neighbour offers empty southern surf beaches, the mighty Rinjani volcano and the gateway to the Gili Islands. Less developed and more traditional, it rewards travellers with white sand, world-class waves and a slower, more local rhythm.