AsiaVela

Asia’s islands and beaches, country by country

Guides to Asia’s islands and beach towns: the best season, how to get there and where to stay.

Japan

04
The red-lacquered halls of Itsukushima Shrine's Marodo Shrine on piles over the shallow bay, with the Great Torii standing in the water beyond
Hiroshima · 1 night; a half day if time is short

Miyajima

Whether Miyajima needs a half day or a night, how to time the tide for the floating torii, the ferries and visitor tax, Mount Misen and where to stay.

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The low, flat roof of the Naoshima ferry terminal at Miyanoura
Kagawa · 1 night on Naoshima; 2 nights with a day on Teshima

Naoshima

Whether Naoshima needs a night or a day, where to stay, how to book Chichu's timed tickets, the ferries from Uno and Takamatsu, and how to add Teshima.

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The stone-walled Kankaimon gate of Shuri Castle, a wooden gatehouse over an arched opening in a grey limestone wall, under blue sky
Okinawa · 4–6 nights

Okinawa Main Island

How many nights Okinawa's main island needs, Naha or a west-coast resort as your base, Shuri Castle's reopening, Churaumi, a rental car and the Kerama ferry.

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Water buffalo harnessed to covered carts at a sandy cart stand on Taketomi, with palm trees behind
Okinawa · 3–4 nights

Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands

How many nights Ishigaki needs, whether to sleep on Taketomi or Iriomote, how the Rito Terminal ferries work, Kabira Bay swimming rules and Taketomi's fee.

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Thailand

11
Lobsters and prawns grilling on a large griddle at a night-market seafood stall
Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi · Four nights in one Hua Hin base; five nights for both Phetchaburi and Khao Sam Roi Yot.

Hua Hin, Phetchaburi and Khao Sam Roi Yot

Book four nights in Hua Hin: choose a beach base, arrive by bus or train, explore the royal resort, then add Phetchaburi or Khao Sam Roi Yot.

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Sandstone ledges and white sand along a Koh Samet beach on a sunny day
Rayong · 3 nights, plus an optional mainland Rayong night

Koh Samet

Choose a Koh Samet beach, plan the Ban Phe crossing, understand park closures and add Rayong without turning a short island stay into a rush.

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Forested islands and turquoise channels of Ang Thong National Marine Park from a viewpoint
Surat Thani · Five nights in one beach base, with departure on day six.

Koh Samui

Book five nights on Koh Samui: choose the right beach, arrive through USM or Donsak, tour the island and reserve an Ang Thong day in season.

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Turquoise reef and a white sand spit along the coast of Koh Phangan from the air
Surat Thani · Four nights in one coast base; five for both the national park and a sea day. The all-in budget assumes flights from London and includes one Samui night before flying home.

Koh Phangan

Book four nights on Koh Phangan, choose the right coast, compare boats from Samui or Donsak, and plan beaches, Than Sadet and Haad Rin.

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The three islets of Koh Nang Yuan joined by white sandbars seen from the viewpoint
Surat Thani · Five nights; add a sixth if a full beginner course and a weather buffer both matter. The all-in budget assumes flights from London and includes two overnight Bangkok–Chumphon rail journeys.

Koh Tao, diving and Nang Yuan

Book five nights on Koh Tao: choose Sairee, Mae Haad or Chalok, pick a dive school, plan the Lomprayah ferry and visit Koh Nang Yuan.

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The yellow colonial-style old police station with its clock tower in Phuket Old Town
Phuket · 5 nights; 3 nights for a beach-only break

Phuket

Choose the right Phuket base, plan five nights, use the airport bus and budget a Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay boat day with its park fees.

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Longtail boats pulled up on West Railay beach below towering limestone cliffs
Krabi · 5 nights

Krabi

Plan five nights in Krabi: three in Ao Nang, two on Railay, an island cruise, forest pools and a complete two-adult budget with transfers.

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Old wooden houses on stilts over the water at Lanta Old Town
Krabi · Five nights; four works without a boat day

Koh Lanta

Plan five nights on Koh Lanta: choose the right west-coast beach, reach Sala Dan, visit Old Town and the national park, and book seasonal island boats.

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A long empty sandy beach lined with casuarina trees on the Khao Lak coast
Phang-nga · 5 nights; 3 nights without the Similan Islands

Khao Lak and the Similan Islands

Plan five nights in Khao Lak, choose the right beach, book a shared Similan day from Thap Lamu, and add Takua Pa and the tsunami memorials.

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White sand and turquoise water at Ko Kradan with limestone islands on the horizon
Trang · Five nights: one in Trang town and four on one island

The Trang Islands

Plan five nights around Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai and Koh Libong, with Emerald Cave, the boat links, the park rules and Trang food.

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A white sandbar off the forested coast of Koh Adang
Satun · Four nights on Koh Lipe, plus a Koh Lanta night before and after the crossings.

Koh Lipe

Book four nights on Koh Lipe, choose Pattaya or Sunrise Beach, travel by seasonal boat from Koh Lanta or Krabi, and plan Koh Adang well.

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Indonesia

04
Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida seen from the clifftop, a green headland above a curve of white sand and turquoise sea
Bali · 3 nights: 2 on Nusa Penida, 1 on Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan

How many nights Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan need, the three payments foreigners make, boats from Sanur, Kelingking, manta snorkelling and where to sleep.

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Wide white-sand beach with clear turquoise water and green headlands at Tanjung Aan, south Lombok
West Nusa Tenggara · 7 nights (8 days): 3 in Kuta, 2 in Senaru or Tetebatu, 2 in Senggigi; Rinjani trek 2 to 4 days extra

Lombok

Where to sleep on Lombok, how many nights, the south-coast bays, Sade, Senaru and Tetebatu, and the Rinjani rules, fees and 2026 trail closures.

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A person in a conical hat standing on a blue cart pulled by a brown horse in a palm grove on Gili Trawangan
West Nusa Tenggara · 3–4 nights

Gili Islands

Which Gili to sleep on, how many nights, fast boats from Bali and Lombok, the island levy and marine park ticket, turtle snorkelling and safety.

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Green karst islets and turquoise lagoons seen from the Piaynemo viewpoint in Raja Ampat
Southwest Papua · 7 nights: Sorong, five on the islands, Sorong

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat: homestay, resort or liveaboard, the Sorong to Waisai ferry, the two park fees, why Wayag is closed, and the season for calm seas.

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Vietnam

06
Lit walkway and stalactites inside the main chamber of Sung Sot Cave, Ha Long Bay
Quang Ninh · 2 days, 1 night on a boat (a day trip from Hanoi means long hours on the road)

Ha Long Bay

How to book a Ha Long Bay cruise: one night or a day trip, routes VHL1 to VHL8, the board's fees, licensed operators, ports and the road from Hanoi.

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Green limestone islands reflected in calm water in Lan Ha Bay under a blue sky
Hai Phong · 2 nights

Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay

Two nights on Cat Ba: Lan Ha Bay day boats and fees, park tickets, the ferry, cable car and Hanoi buses, with times and prices checked on 17 October 2026.

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Aerial view of My Khe Beach in Da Nang, with a long strip of pale sand, palm-lined park and the coastal road running north
Da Nang · 3 nights (4 days)

Da Nang

Three nights in Da Nang: the Hoi An transfer, the Marble Mountains, Son Tra, the Dragon Bridge show, Ba Na Hills tickets and a priced stay for two.

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Nha Trang's main city beach with sun umbrellas, swimmers and high-rise hotels along the shore under a blue sky
Khanh Hoa · 3 nights, or 4 with a second day on the water

Nha Trang

Plan three nights in Nha Trang: Tran Phu beach, Po Nagar towers, a shared boat day to Hon Mun, VinWonders by cable car, mud baths and a dated budget.

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The red-tiled hall of Van Son pagoda on Con Son with potted flowers in front
Ho Chi Minh City · 3 nights

Con Dao

How to reach Con Dao by air or boat, what the prison sites, national park and turtle nights cost, when the sea is calm and where to sleep.

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White sand and shallow turquoise water at Bai Sao beach on Phu Quoc, with a forested headland behind
An Giang · 4 nights

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc planned for two: where to base, the 30-day visa exemption, ferries from Rach Gia and Ha Tien, the Hon Thom cable car, island boats and the park.

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South Korea

02
Pine trees along Gyeongpo Beach with the sea behind them, Gangneung
Gangwon State · 2 nights (3 days)

Gangneung

Is Gangneung worth a night? KTX and bus from Seoul, Gyeongpo and Anmok beaches, Ojukheon, Jeongdongjin sunrise, tofu and coffee, with entry fees.

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Columnar basalt cliffs and turquoise water at Jusangjeolli on Jeju's south coast
Jeju · 4 nights (5 days)

Jeju

Four nights on Jeju: flights, buses, a taxi tour, Seongsan, Manjanggul, Seogwipo's falls, Hyeopjae, tickets and an all-in budget for two.

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Taiwan

04
Pale sand and blue water at Baisha beach in Kenting National Park
Pingtung County · Three nights for an arrival evening, two full days and departure on day four; add a fourth night for a separate east-coast or forest day.

Kenting

Book three nights in Kenting for Eluanbi, South Bay and coastal walks, with beach bases, peninsula food, public buses and an optional Longpan outing.

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The curved Green Island Human Rights Memorial Monument beside the coast
Taitung County · Two nights on Green Island (three days); three nights on Orchid Island as a separate trip.

Green Island and Orchid Island

Two nights on Green Island from Taitung: Fugang ferries and Daily Air, a Nanliao base, scooter or driver, snorkelling, Zhaori, the memorial and costs.

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Tianhou Temple entrance in Magong, Penghu
Penghu County · Three Magong nights for four days; four nights if you add an overnight stay on Cimei.

Penghu

Plan three nights in Penghu: choose a Magong base, compare flights and ferries, see Erkan and basalt shores, and budget for a public island boat day.

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Boats in Baisha harbour on Xiaoliuqiu
Pingtung County · Three days and two nights; one night works for a shorter land visit.

Xiaoliuqiu (Lambai Island)

Book two Xiaoliuqiu nights near Baisha harbour, take the Donggang ferry and explore by island bus, with turtle rules, local food and a two-person budget.

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Malaysia

04
Aerial view of Pantai Cenang at sunset
Kedah · 3–4 nights

Langkawi

Plan three or four nights in Langkawi, choosing the right beach base and linking SkyCab, Kilim's mangroves and island trips without wasting days in transit.

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Clear water and palms along a beach on Perhentian Besar
Terengganu · 4 nights

Perhentian Islands

Choose Perhentian Kecil or Besar, plan four nights around snorkelling and beaches, and connect flights with the speedboat from Kuala Besut without rushing.

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White sand and turquoise water at Pasir Panjang on Redang Island
Terengganu · 3–4 nights

Redang Island

Choose a Redang resort and jetty, plan three or four nights around the monsoon, and understand snorkelling packages, marine-park fees and beach bases.

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A quiet bay with a sandy shore and forested hills on Tioman Island
Pahang · 4–5 nights

Tioman Island

Choose between Tekek, Air Batang, Juara, Salang and Paya, then plan four or five nights around Tioman's ferries, marine park and monsoon season.

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Singapore

02
Palawan Beach suspension bridge beside a turquoise lagoon and palms
Central Region · One day trip, or 2 nights (3 days) at Resorts World Sentosa

Sentosa

Sentosa in a day or two nights: Universal Studios and Oceanarium prices, the free fort and Skywalk, luge, cable car, fireworks, local food and a budget for two.

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Bicycles and village shops along a sunny lane on Pulau Ubin
Northeastern Singapore · One full day (no night on the island)

Pulau Ubin

A Pulau Ubin day from a mainland hotel: bus 2 and the S$4 bumboat, Chek Jawa's boardwalks and tower, the quarries, Puaka Hill, village food and a budget for two.

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Philippines

07
White-sand beach and palms beneath a blue sky on Malapascua Island
Cebu · 3 nights on Malapascua: a transfer afternoon, 2 shark-diving days, return on day 4

Malapascua Island

Three nights on Malapascua for thresher-shark diving: Kimud and Monad shoals, the Cebu–Maya road, the boat to Logon, fees, food and where to stay.

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Thatch-roofed floating restaurant pushed by a small boat on the green Loboc River beside dense palms
Bohol · Three nights for the countryside and the coast; four with a Balicasag dive day.

Bohol and Panglao

Three or four nights in Bohol and Panglao: where to stay, TAG or the fast craft from Cebu, the Chocolate Hills, Corella's tarsiers and Balicasag diving.

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Broad waterfalls and a turquoise pool at Cambugahay Falls in Lazi on Siquijor
Siquijor and Negros Oriental · 6 nights: 1 in Dumaguete, 3 on Siquijor, 2 in Dauin or Dumaguete around an Apo Island day

Siquijor, Dumaguete and Apo Island

Six nights across Dumaguete, Siquijor and Dauin: where to stay, the Dumaguete–Siquijor ferries, Lazi and Cambugahay, Apo Island boats and a dated budget.

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Paraw sailboats and visitors along White Beach on Boracay
Aklan · Four nights give an arrival day, three full island days and a departure day; three nights work for a shorter beach break.

Boracay

Choose a Boracay beach base, fly to Caticlan or Kalibo, plan four nights, and see the island fees, island hopping and a dated budget for two.

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Turquoise water beneath limestone cliffs at Big Lagoon in El Nido
Palawan · Four nights for three full days: one lagoon tour, one mainland beach outing and one flexible day; five nights for another boat day or a slower beach stay.

El Nido

Book four nights in El Nido: compare town and beach bases, ENI flights or the Puerto Princesa road transfer, lagoon tours, visitor fees and local food.

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Turquoise channels and limestone cliffs seen from above Twin Lagoon in Coron
Palawan · Three nights for arrival, two full days and departure; four for a separate scuba day.

Coron

Choose a Coron Town base for limestone lakes and wreck diving, fly into USU or take the El Nido ferry, and compare boat tours, fees and a three-night budget.

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White sand and shallow blue water on the Siargao coast
Surigao del Norte · Four nights for a five-day visit with three full days; three nights if you choose two main activities.

Siargao

Plan four nights in General Luna: fly to IAO from Clark or via Cebu, book a surf lesson, the island-hopping boat and Sugba Lagoon, with a dated budget for two.

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Cambodia

03
Kep Beach curving below a wooded hill
Kep · 2 nights in Kep

Kep

Plan two nights in Kep: choose a coast or hillside base, visit the Crab Market and beach, and organise the park walk and Phnom Penh bus.

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Wooden boats moored beside a pier on Koh Rong
Preah Sihanouk · 3 island nights plus 1 mainland night

Koh Rong

Plan three nights on Koh Rong: choose a beach and landing pier, book the Sihanoukville ferry, compare rooms and leave a mainland night before flying.

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Sand exposed at low tide in Saracen Bay on Koh Rong Samloem
Preah Sihanouk · 3 island nights plus 1 mainland night

Koh Rong Samloem

Plan three nights on Koh Rong Samloem: compare Saracen Bay, Mpay Bay and Lazy Beach, choose the correct ferry landing and keep a mainland flight buffer.

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Sri Lanka

01
A sandy beach at Unawatuna under a partly cloudy sky, with palms and a low headland at the far end
Southern Province · 3 nights: 2 in Mirissa, 1 in Unawatuna

Mirissa, Weligama and Unawatuna

How to split a few nights between Mirissa, Weligama and Unawatuna: the whale boats and their season, a surf lesson, what they cost and the coast train.

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Maldives

03
Sunset over the Water Sports Beach on Maafushi with a jet ski in the lagoon
Kaafu Atoll · 3 nights on Maafushi

Maafushi

How many nights on Maafushi, which boat from the airport, the bikini beach and island rules, snorkelling and resort day trips, guesthouses and a three-night budget.

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Rooftops of Gulhi village with the lagoon beyond
Kaafu, Vaavu and Ari atolls · 3 nights on one island

Local islands of the Maldives

Compare seven Maldives guesthouse islands, from Maafushi and Thulusdhoo to Fulidhoo, Thoddoo and Dhigurah: boats from the airport, fares, rules and three-night costs.

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A hawksbill turtle swimming above a clownfish in a sea anemone on a reef
Baa and South Ari (Alif Dhaal) atolls · 3 nights on one island

Snorkelling and diving in the Maldives

Mantas at Hanifaru Bay or whale sharks off Dhigurah: seasons, the rules in the water, dive centres and packages, boats and flights, and what three nights cost.

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