If you think Bali’s the only beach paradise in Southeast Asia, then you’re sorely missing out. We’ve put together a list of the most picturesque sand and surf within the region.
1. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
To get here, take a flight into Lombok and then board a taxi to Teluk Nare harbor. From there, take a speedboat the rest of the way.
2. Koh Lipe, Thailand
If you’d like to marvel at the beautiful blue ocean by the beach of Koh Lipe, all you need to do is take a flight to Hat Yai International Airport, followed by a bus to Pak Bara and then a ferry to your destination.
3. Lombok, Indonesia
Lombok can be easily reached in a direct flight, or through two flights, which will stop through Malaysia first.
4. Ao Nang, Thailand
A simple flight from Singapore to Krabi brings you within a 30-minute drive away from Ao Nang.
5. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
If you’re coming from Ao Nang, Phi Phi Islands is just a ferry ride away. Alternatively, you can also get there by ferry or speedboat from Phuket.
6. Railay Beach, Thailand
Fly in from Singapore to Krabi, and then hop on a boat ride south from Ao Nang to Railay Beach.
7. Koh Rong Island, Cambodia
Consider a getaway to Koh Rong Island, where all it takes is a flight to Sihanoukville, and then a ferry.
8. Pink Beach, Indonesia
You have to take two flights—first to Bali, then to Labuan Bajo. Once in Labuan Bajo, you can proceed to Komodo Islands, where Pink Beach is located, via speedboat. You can even choose to dock directly at Pink Beach itself.
9. Secret Lagoon Beach, Philippines
Head to this secluded retreat by flying to Manila first, and then cabbing it to the domestic air carrier where you can fly to El Nido. The Secret Lagoon Beach is just situated south west of Miniloc Island, which you can reach by boat.
10. Nacpan Beach, Philippines
Nacpan Beach is about an hour away from El Nido. You may hire a vehicle (tricycles, vans, motorbikes) to take you from El Nido town to Sitio Calitang, Bucana. Alternatively, take a public jeep from the El Nido transport terminal. The jeep leaves the terminal usually at noon (11:30am–12pm) but can be a little late during Wednesdays and Saturday’s market day (locally known as tabuan). There are no jeep services on Sundays.
11. Pang Lao Island, Philippines
Take two flights—first to Manila, then to Tagbilaran. From there, Pang Lao Island is about a 16-min drive.
12. Similan Islands, Thailand
After a flight to Phuket, the easiest way to get there is by a bus to Khao Lak, followed by a taxi to Similan Islands.
13. Boracay, Philippines
Not quite a hop, skip nor a jump, but close. Take a flight to Kalibo, and then transit to a two-hour ride from Kalibo to Caticlan Port. This is followed by a 15-20 min boat journey before you reach Boracay.
14. Ngapali Beach, Myanmar
Fly to Yangon Airport in Myamar before another flight to Thandwe, which is then just about two kilometers from Ngapali Beach.
Note: Singaporeans need a visa to travel to Myanmar.
15. Sokha Beach, Cambodia
After alighting from a flight to Phnom Penh, take a car or taxi to get to Sokha Beach.
16. Ream National Park, Cambodia
Like Sokha Beach, take a flight to Phnom Penh first. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Ream Beach in Sihanoukville.
