The best beaches in the world
Asian beaches turn the heads of even the most dedicated sun-worshippers. Asia is a continent filled with colorful backdrops, from lively markets to tiny and irresistibly charming fishing villages. There are as many amazing beaches as there are amazing destinations here—tropical Thai paradises, exotic Vietnamese hideaways, and expanses of shore in the Philippines are just some of the best places to go. Asia is also home to many world-class cities, including Tokyo, Beijing, and Hong Kong, which often have beach access within a few hours by car or train.
China’s sunny Sanya on Hainan Island ranks as one of the best beaches in Asia. South East Asian beaches comprise some of the best beaches in the region, from Vietnam’s legendary China Beach to the famous party beach in Thailand, Koh Pha Ngan, and the renowned beaches of Phuket island including Kata, quiet Bang Thao, and Patong.
Aptly named Dreamland Beach in Bali is unforgettable, with an endless stretch of white sand, cliff-lined beach magnetic to surfers and sunners alike. Another of Bali’s secluded, end-of-the-road haunts is Perasi Beach, ripe with home-grown cafes and vibrant fishing fleets. Hotel-free Balekambang Beach in Indonesia’s East Java is blissfully free of mass commercialism, instead filled with small Hindu temples offering more solace within a peaceful backdrop. In the Philippines, Borcay Beach on Borcay Island has been called one of the best beaches in the world, and certainly one of the best Asian beaches, but choosing which amid more than 7,000 islands is a near-impossible feat.
With a region renowned for captivating, charismatic coastlines favored for gorgeous scenery and inexpensive amenities and services, one can simply not go wrong planning travels to discover the best beaches in Asia, all the while discovering that all around the best beaches are some of the most interesting sites and sounds of the region.
The best beaches in Thailand are mainly found in the southern reaches around the Andaman Coast and warm Gulf of Thailand. Today, reaching the best Thai beaches is much easier than it once was, with plenty of transportation options directly from Bangkok, the country’s main hub, with some flights arriving direct to islands like Phuket [...]
Thailand Beach hotels have come a long way from decades ago when this South East Asian destination was mainly a popular haunt for backpackers. Though low-budget hotels and guest houses are still very popular, a bevy of world-class beach hotels in Thailand have sprung up throughout the south. From sprawling resorts to ultra-luxurious private hotels, [...]
Phuket beaches boast an abundance of soft sand beaches fringing translucent water along Thailand’s beautiful Andaman Coast. Phuket is the largest island on the west peninsular region, and one that draws thousands of annual visitors. Beaches dominate the island’s west side with only a few bays and such on the east. Coastal roads traverse the [...]
The best beaches in Vietnam have attracted visitors with their irresistible qualities and scenic coastal retreats. For years, the natural wonders of Halong Bay and the rich history of Ho Chi Minh City have been some of the biggest attractions in the country. Today, the best Vietnamese beaches hardly go unnoticed. A large majority of [...]
The best beaches in the Philippines range over more than 7,000 islands and occupy some of nature’s most beautiful spaces. Breaking down the country’s regions into north, central, and south offers a better glimpse at what’s available when planning a beach vacation in the Philippines. From bustling resort areas brimming with every service and amenity conceivable, [...]
Boracay Island is a pacific paradise roughly 185 miles from Manila on the mainland of Luzon. It’s one of the most popular islands in the Philippines, drawing a large number of annual visitors. The amazing Philippines beaches are the strongest tourist enticement, famed for ivory sands reaching out to crystal clear water. Though regional weather [...]
Patong Beach is Phuket’s most frequented beach, packed with so many amenities and services visitors will want for nothing. From Starbucks to McDonald’s, North American favorites abound. With abundant cafes, local markets, surf and dive shops, there is no lack of development here. Acclaimed as one of the best diving sites in the world, Patong [...]
Koh Phi Phi is located in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand, south of Phuket. It is renowned for incredible natural beauty, world-class diving, and solid reputation for great vacations. Unparalleled beauty is the island’s best trait; long stretches of white-sand beaches, limestone bluffs, clear, turquoise water, and miles of jungle forest create [...]
Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand situated below Koh Pha Ngan and closest to the major southern town of Surat Thani, an epicenter for tourists arriving for the Thailand beaches in the south. Samui is surpassed only by Phuket on the Andaman Coast, making it the second largest and most popular [...]