Southeast Asia is a popular travel destination for many reasons. Think of the fascinating cultures, lush jungle, safety, low prices, and of course, the many paradisiacal beaches. The azure blue water is wonderfully warm and crystal clear in many places. Relax under the palm trees with a fresh coconut, then put on your snorkel to explore the underwater world. You’ll never tire of the beautiful beaches of Southeast Asia. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 9 (in our opinion) most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia.
Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida in Indonesia
Indonesia boasts more than 16,000 islands, many of which are paradisiacal and waiting to be discovered. One that has already been widely discovered but certainly deserves a place in this list of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia is Kelingking Beach. This unique beach is located on Nusa Penida Island, just a half-hour boat ride from Bali. The beach is nicknamed T-rex because of the shape of the cliffs, which with a little imagination resemble a dinosaur. From the viewpoint, you can gaze out over the sea, the remarkable rock formation, and below you’ll see Kelingking Beach. It’s quite a climb down (and back up), but you’ll be rewarded with an incredibly beautiful beach nestled among giant cliffs. Want to know more about this place? Then read our tips for Kelingking Beach.
Nang Yuan near Koh Tao in Thailand
We all know a tripoint, but have you ever been to a three-beach point? Just off the coast of Koh Tao are three tiny islands collectively called Koh Nang Yuan. The islands are connected by dazzling white sandbars. Take a boat to this photogenic spot and don’t miss the chance to snorkel and explore the underwater world. You might spot small reef sharks like the blacktip reef shark or leopard shark. Make sure to visit the Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint for an amazing view of the islands and the unique beach. Check out our tips for Koh Tao to learn more about the beaches around Koh Tao.
Tip: Koh Nang Yuan can get very crowded, so go early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Teluk Keke on the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia
The Perhentian Islands consist of two islands named Kecil and Besar, located in northeastern Malaysia. Besar is the largest and quietest island mainly attracting families. On the smaller island of Kecil, you’ll find backpackers and lively parties. The numerous beautiful beaches are a major draw for travelers to visit the Perhentian Islands. You can dive here or spot plenty of fish and corals while snorkeling. Teluk Keke is definitely our favorite beach on the Perhentian Islands. The huge rock formations on the beach create a division, with the right side of the beach seeming deserted. Here, you can sunbathe and swim in peace surrounded by swaying palm trees. Look around and you might spot monkeys swinging from palm tree to palm tree. The left side of Teluk Keke is a popular spot for snorkeling tours. The underwater world here is very impressive, so be sure to bring a snorkeling set if you decide to visit this beach on your own. Interested in visiting these islands? Check out our tips for the Perhentian Islands.
Pink Beach on the Komodo Islands in Indonesia
Have you ever walked on a pink beach? You can do so in Indonesia while island hopping around the Komodo Islands. Pink Beach is one of the most striking beaches in the world and incredibly photogenic. The sand gets its pink hue from the abundance of red coral pieces mixed with the white sand. The intensity of the pink sand depends on the weather conditions and how the light falls, which can vary from time to time. We embarked on a five-day boat trip around the Komodo Islands, and this was the highlight of our entire Indonesia trip.
Note: As beautiful and small as the red coral may be, do not take it home because if everyone does, the beach will slowly turn white again.
Tanjung Rhu on Langkawi in Malaysia
Langkawi is located in northern Malaysia and is part of a large archipelago consisting of 99 beautiful islands. With so many islands, you won’t be short of beautiful beaches! The expansive beach called Tanjung Rhu is one of the most beautiful. It’s about a half-hour drive from the center and is situated near the mangrove forests. When you’re on this beach, you’ll have a stunning view of the large limestone formations rising from the sea. The water is crystal clear blue, and besides ultimate relaxation with a coconut in hand, you can also play volleyball or go stand-up paddling. Check out our tips for Langkawi to discover more beautiful spots on the island.
Railey Beach near Krabi in Thailand
Just next to the town of Ao Nang in southern Thailand lies the peninsula of Railay, which is only accessible by boat. On Railay, you’ll find the two most beautiful beaches in the area: Ao Phra Nang Beach and Railay Beach, both renowned for their dramatic rock formations on the sides of the beach. It’s no wonder hundreds of travelers visit these beaches in Southeast Asia every day. Due to this popularity, it’s wise to go as early as possible and avoid the busiest hours. But even if you have to share these beaches with many others in the afternoon, they are 100% worth it. Boats depart every 5 minutes from Ao Nang Beach to Railay Beach. From here, you can hike to a lagoon and a stunning viewpoint. Learn more about this in our article with tips for Krabi and Ao Nang.
Sao Beach on Phu Quoc in Vietnam
The most beautiful beach on Phu Quoc and perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Vietnam is Sao Beach. It has all the ingredients for a relaxing day at the beach, but there’s also plenty to do for the more active beachgoer. Take a refreshing dip, explore the stunning underwater world, or play a game of volleyball on the beach. You can choose to end the day with a cocktail in hand at one of the cozy beach bars. If Phu Quoc is on your Vietnam itinerary, you’ll also find our tips for Phu Quoc very useful!
Long Beach on Koh Rong in Cambodia
This pristine white sandy beach stretches 7 kilometers, making it the longest beach on the island of Koh Rong in Cambodia. When we first visited here in 2012, there was absolutely nothing around. Unfortunately, The Royal Group is now clearing vast areas of jungle to build resorts. However, even with these resorts, it remains one of the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia. The water is incredibly clear, and the sand is so soft that it squeaks when you walk on it. From Koh Tuich Village, you can take a beautiful one-hour walk through the jungle, eventually arriving at Long Beach. If that sounds too tiring, you can also take a boat.
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Southeast Asia Are Found in the Philippines
If you love beautiful beaches, the Philippines is the ultimate destination in Southeast Asia. We cannot choose just one beach here, so we recommend the entire country. In the Philippines, you’ll find everything: pristine beaches filled with palm trees, azure blue waters, and an impressive underwater world. It’s the ultimate beach destination, and it’s no wonder the beaches here are globally renowned for their breathtaking beauty. If you’re into island hopping and want to see a lot in a short time, join the expedition between El Nido and Coron. In four or five days, you’ll visit various paradise islands, lagoons, and the most beautiful snorkeling spots. In the evenings, enjoy around the campfire on a small island, and spend the night in a beach hut.
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