This tiny, private island island off Malaysia's west coast, is the home to the divine over-water bungalows of the Pangkor Laut Resort. If you're not a guest there, you can always stop in for lunch, and enjoy what is regarded as the cleanest, best maintained and most beautiful crescent-shaped beach and calm, green waters in the whole country. The exclusivity of the island means you'll be safe and never hassled, whether you choose to just lay out, try your hand at angling for barracuda, or head into the interior of the island for a mini jungle trek.
A 25-minute flight from Siem Reap or two hours' drive from Phnom Penh, Cambodia's main resort town is a collection of very social beaches and little islands, but the crowds are centered along the aptly named Serendipity. Cheap eats, drinks, accommodations, jet skis and other noisy, boisterous potential high-jinks are the main draw here, though for a nominal taxi ride, you can head a little further on to commune with nature at Ream National Park. And if you're more "flashpacker" than backpacker, check out the scene at the Sohka Beach Resort.
The largest of the three Gili Islands is just 25 minutes by ferry off the coast of Lombok, but what makes this island sexy is its youthful, unplugged, "Age of Aquarius" vibe. Magic mushrooms are legal for sale, raves on the beach under the moonlight are not uncommon, and you can circumnavigate this undeveloped sandy islet in under two hours and be sure to find a private nook. The natural highs include spectacular snorkeling and dive sights, including the Trawangan Slope off the Southeast coast, Sunset Reef and Shark Point off the West coast, and the appropriately named Jammin' Reef off the South coast.
These two bodies of water bump heads right at Cabo San Lucas, creating a remarkably stable temperature break that begins practically under the arch at land’s end and extends many miles out into the ocean. Thus, Cabo anglers have a wide choice of temperatures to pick from on any given day, typically cooler on the Pacific side and warmer on the Cortez side, and somewhere in that mix are the fish. As you walk in the lobby, there is an amazing ocean view. Pool is very nice with cabanas located throughout the area and on the beach. Mision La Serena is an exclusive five star luxury oceanfront resort reflecting a Mexican Mission period architecture. The resort offers 2 and 3 bedroom villas with unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez.
Los Cabos has a desert climate with a dry heat tempered by ocean breezes. Though temperatures can soar to 100F in the summer, the humidity is low and rain storms are rare. There is an incredible club house with ocean views that serves an excellent brunch on Sundays. This unit is full ocean front on white sand beach with beautiful warm water.
The beaches in Japan have the peculiarity that the official season of swimming, i.e. beach use is sanctioned by a priest who declares that the waters are safe for swimming. While you can find people swimming before that happens, many people are definitely not going to the beach until the ceremony is completed, which normally happens around the first day of June.
The Italian beaches are complemented by the impressive architecture that have stand the test of time from the times the Roman Empire was dominating the world. But the important thing here is to know which are the best beaches in Italy...
Near many of the Italian beaches, fantastic Roman ruins or medieval castles can be seen, and this complements to the perfection the tourist destination of beaches, by being able to combine spectacular coasts with incomparable historical attractions. All the Italian beaches also have an irresistible touch of glamour. The European and world jet set come to these touristic jewels in search of sun and sand.
South Beach has a boardwalk that runs along the beach, in which walking and skating is very popular, with many bars and restaurants to relax and enjoy a good meal or a nice drink. The traffic never stops here. During the day, everyone enjoys the beach, with clear water, ideal for families as it has little depth, the sand is fine and white. Topless is practiced and there are areas for gays and lesbians.
Kauapea is a secret beach because it is not easy to find, but all lovers of the exotic, will surely find it. If you want to enjoy a different world, you will have to take a hike through the jungle, and luckily it is not a very long journey, so you can quietly enjoy the scenery.
Poipu is a beach with the particularity of having three distinct zones for tourists to choose according to their preferences. For example, if you're with children, you may decide on the shallow area; there is another area that is deeper and quieter to have fun with floats or swim with very gentle waves or go west and enjoy diving or snorkeling to discover the goldfish and beautiful reefs. For these reasons, it is considered one of the best beaches in the world because it covers all needs and tastes.
On the other hand, Phi Phi Leh is unhinhabited, though it receives hundreds of tourists every year. The other islands are small limestone formations that are well worth visiting, too. Phi Phi Don is divided into two sections by a small isthmus and holds the best beaches in Thailand. Each of these sections has its own moments of magic either in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on the daily movement of tides.
Its capital is Jakarta, and is geographically divided into seven provinces. The two best known are Sumatra and Java, the latter is the birthplace of the famous Java man that lived more than 500,000 years ago. Then come Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku Islands, West Papua and the Lesser Sunda Islands, home to the spectacular beaches of Bali.
Indonesia is a melting pot that brings together more than 300 different ethnic groups: Indians, Arabs, Chinese, Malays and Europeans. This is reflected in the stunning international cuisine which offers visitors really striking and original dishes.
The island life is simple and rustic, there are not any tour groups or large hotels, just a village in the center of the island. Most buildings are wooden, and it is remarkable how they are painted in bright and different colors. This beach is lovely to visit, given its abundant and lush orchids, roses and other flowers adorning this fantastic Japanese island that surely ranks among the best beaches in Japan. Nishi's beach, with palm trees surrounding the coast, is probably the most beautiful beach in Japan. At this beach, diving and snorkeling are truly an outstanding experience.
On China Beach it's a long walk from the dunes to the sea, well, only about 70metres, which isn't a desert, but that's quite a lot of hot sand to run across on a sunny day. Basically it's a long sweep of sand to the sea, protected from the wind by the shape of the peninsular, and a long sweep of calm water from there. The lack of wind keeps the waters warm as well as making it a safe place to swim.
Used as an R&R haven by US war veterans, the real fame of the place comes from a TV series of the same name chronicling the R&R which took place. Unfortunately no one really knows which bit of the coast – all long, sandy, flat and sweeping, was actually the bit of beach used, returning veterans can't rally tell and the local Vietnamese didn't really know in the first place and would definitely not have named any of the beaches on their coastline 'China Beach'.
Locals drop by in the mornings and evenings but for much of the day visitors can have the water to themselves. At one end is the Furama (luxury) Resort and accompanying shops, bars and restaurants.
Perhaps the region’s most popular beach destination, this island – the largest in Thailand – offers plenty of fun within its varied terrain.
Its watersports activities are top-notch, befitting an island with some of the world’s finest beaches. Patong Beach is perhaps the island’s most popular tourist haunt, owing to its easily-accessible beachfront, raucous nightlife, and cheap shopping. (Patong is also the first stop for tourists seeking, er, earthier pleasures: Bangla Road in particular is known for its go-go bars.)
The influx of tourists has meant greater development for the island, and more activities as well: you can play golf at the island’s world-class golfing facilities, watch a muay thai (kickboxing) match; ride elephants; or enjoy a fine meal at one of the island’s many restaurants. While progress seems to be a fact of life for Phuket’s immediate future, some corners of the island are still blissfully underdeveloped; if you want to see less people and less development, head on down to quieter beaches like Laem Ka or Naithon.
Phuket is best visited from November to February – the weather cooperates to give you stunning blue skies and clear waters. From May to October, the monsoon season means daily rain and dangerously strong currents. The island is accessible through its own airport, the second-largest hub in Thailand.
The laid-back atmosphere of Boracay can be quite a change for beachcombers used to Bali’s frenetic pace, but it still draws the crowds nonetheless.
Located in Aklan province 345 kms. south of Manila, Boracay’s beach scene is dominated by the 4 km stretch of sparkling sand that makes up White Beach, claimed by some to rival the beaches of the Caribbean. The water is shallow, the sand is powder-fine, and the facilities adjoining the beach cater to every need and budget.
On the other side of the island, Bulabog Beach caters to watersports enthusiasts – windsurfers and kiteboarders take advantage of the beach’s relatively calm waters and more laid-back environment. Both beaches are quite close to each other, as the island is only 1km wide at its waist.
Beach activities and nightlife aside, you can look for adventure further inland, like horseback riding from the island’s Horse Riding Stables, or meeting fruit bats face to face at the Bat Cave on the western end of the island.
Boracay can be reached by air from Manila via Caticlan (10-20 minutes away by ferry) or via Kalibo (almost 2 hours away by bus and ferry).
A few hours from Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet is quickly gaining a name for itself as Southeast Asia’s next big beach destination. The beach in question is the adjoining Mui Ne, lined with a growing number of boutique resorts and facilities.
Development only came to the area in the 90s, but Phan Thiet is catching up fast. Sports enthusiasts can test their kite surfing and windsurfing skills along the beach – if green is more your color, you can tee off at the Ocean Dunes Golf Club on a Nick Faldo-designed course.
Alternatively, you can rent a jeep and explore Lotus Lake nearby and the sand dunes surrounding it. (Don’t leave until you’ve tried dune-sledding down the sandy slopes.)
The weather is perfect for beach-lovers, as Mui Ne enjoys the lowest annual rainfall in Vietnam. While you won’t be able to grab a latte at a Starbucks in these parts, you can visit the Mui Ne Village Markets for cheap clothing, or venture into Phan Thiet City itself to indulge your craving for traditional Vietnamese crafts.
Travelers can reach Phan Thiet by bus from Ho Chi Minh City.
What it lacks in size, Tioman Island makes up for in beauty: lush jungles, crystal-clear streams, and dazzling white-sand beaches teeming with marine life. You may already have seen Tioman Island without even knowing it – the place stood in for Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific.
The profusion of white coral reefs around the island makes Tioman a scuba diver’s dream: clear waters to depths of a hundred feet provide an unobstructed view of multi-hued coral and tropical fish.
Tioman is not as developed as Bali or Phuket – good news for the backpacker looking for something off the beaten track. Juara Bay is as isolated as you can get: a quiet beach on the east coast, braced by three rivers leading to waterfalls in the jungle.
Accommodations range from Spartan to comfortable – you can rent a hut on the beach for about US$7 a night, or you could spend a bit more for an air-conditioned chalet. Any accommodation may be hard to find during peak season, so it’s prudent to reserve in advance.
Tioman is accessible via ferry from Mersing on the mainland, or from Singapore.
Recent events notwithstanding, Bali is still a prime destination for tourists seeking cheap prices, a rich local culture, beautiful beaches, raucous nightlife, delicious food, and free-flowing Bintang Beer – all ingredients for a fun, fun time. The Bali off the beaten path is interesting, too: visit the Monkey Forest in Ubud or the tombs at Gunung Kawi to see what we mean.
You can’t help but be affected by the island’s culture – from the intricate legong dance to the profusion of picturesque temples, Bali’s traditions befit its status as the last remnant of an ancient Hindu empire. The paradox of Bali – its oneness with nature and its traditions, plus its energetic tourist scene – makes the island one of Asia’s most interesting places to visit.
Bali is serviced by Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai airport, which can be reached from major Indonesian cities, as well as major transport hubs in Asia and Australia.
The tiny island has plenty to offer: pristine beaches made for swimming and snorkeling; accommodations to suit any budget; fun outdoor activities for adults and kids alike; and, for partygoers, Haad Rin’s notorious “Full Moon Parties”: described by one blogger as “a monthly ‘Burning Man’” with a surfeit of trance music, fire-spinners, drugs, and alcohol.
To get to Kho Phangan, take a Government Bus from Bangkok; this will take you to the provincial capital of Surat Thani, where you can board a ferry to Thong Sala on Koh Phangan. The Koh Phangan Experience Guide has a handy guide to all your transport opti
