List of Beaches in Southeast Asia

It’s no surprise that Southeast Asia is absolutely alive and thriving with some of the most beautiful and visited beaches in the world. It seems every country has their own answer for the sand-seeker, and so it depends on what each individual traveler is looking for as to the country or type of beach they are looking for. In the article below, I have listed some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia that you may want to explore.

Best Beaches in Southeast Asia

Thailand for example has many beaches which vary in quietness and seclusion, party atmosphere and crowds. The beaches of Koh Lanta, for example, are significantly quieter and less party-heavy than those of Koh Penang, Koh Phi Phi or Koh Samui where any traveler looking to revel at the full, quarter, half-moon, no moon, blue moon, black moon, any moon parties can easily find something going on.

Beaches in Southeast Asia like Ao Nang are a good mix of party and quietness – with the parties typically kicking off around sunset, but by day the lazing around, snorkeling and swimming are the key activities. Almost every beach around the Thai islands also offers half and full-day snorkeling trips which will take you around several of the islands to enjoy the different diving and snorkeling sites, oftentimes with lunch and dinner included on the full day trips.

Of course for travelers who want something more off the beaten trail and a bit more adventurous, countries that are more opened up now like Myanmar (formerly Burma) also have beautiful, unspoiled strings of beaches along the western edge. Keep in mind though that it is very little in the way of tourist infrastructure on many of these beaches, so you will be lucky to have a beach hut offering barbecues, much less a party heavy atmosphere.

Also Read: 25 Pictures That Prove Boracay Island Is One Of The Best Beaches in the World

Malaysia is also a haven of beaches that are relatively unspoiled, and due to the extremely heavy taxation on alcohol, the beaches here are much more low key than in neighboring Thailand.

However, for the person who is really looking for something almost bordering on explorer-level beaches, Indonesia is your mecca. Some of the beaches here literally take days to get to, but once there you’re rewarded with true, unspoiled, cultural experiences featuring homestays for accommodation as well as all food. These are places where power is almost a luxury, so don’t expect any frills, including internet in many places.

Lastly, If you are looking for unspoiled and less crowded beaches, save the best for last and head to the Philippines. Boracay is definitely the most popular beach destination in the country but it may not be appealing for people who hate loud music and party places. If you want to experience more adventure and total relaxation, beaches in Coron and El Nido in Palawan should definitely on top of your list. With more than 7,000 beautiful islands, the Philippines will surely surprise you.

So there you have a couple of great suggestions on beaches in Southeast Asia. There is a great mix of beaches, and so any traveler to the region should have no issue at all finding the perfect beach for their individual tastes and preferences. Enjoy, and stay safe!

Also Read: Top 15 Best Beach Destinations in Asia

How about you? What is your favorite beaches in Southeast Asia?