Whitsunday Islands

This breathtaking archipelago of 75 islands is part of the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. It’s a popular tourist spot for it’s obvious beauty and access to the blue waters below. Whitsunday Island is the largest island of them all and is the most popular destination when visiting this group of gems in the sea. On Whitsunday Island is Whitehaven Beach, the most popular beach in the area stretching over 4 km. The views are astounding to say the least and the water is so clear and cool you are bound to go swimming every day. Feel free to grab your snorkel as well as there is plenty of coral reefs to explore in these warm waters. If you want to get a better look, just take a diving course and plunge to the depths of the most spectacular waters on our planet.

Fraser Island

The well known Fraser Island is the largest sand island on Earth. It’s over 120 km long and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique island holds many beautiful site such as Indian Head. Here you can view the marine life like turtles, dolphins, sharks, and rays from up top a rocky outlook. North of this area is Champagne Pools, a rock pool haven where you can swim safely in the sea water.

There’s Lake Mackenzie where you can join many others in it’s spectacularly clear blue waters and white sand beaches. If you want to drive around and see all that there is to do on this beauty of an island then rent a 4WD and roam around at your leisure.

Wineglass Bay

The amazing Hazard Mountains greet you as you enter Freycinet National Park. Located on the East Coast of Tasmania, the granite mountains provide a dramatic view with blue water encompassing them. Wineglass Bay, nestled between these spectacular rock formations has been on several top 10 best beaches of the world lists and continues to awe people everyday.

To get a birds eye view of this gorgeous beach be sure to visit Wineglass Bay Lookout. The journey is beautiful and then the views are the cherry on top. There are other beaches in the area along with other paths to walk, all with excellent views of Freycinet National Park.

Hyams

Holding the title for the whitest sand in the world are the pristine beaches of Hyams. These beaches are great for families and they have excellent places to dine and shop nearby. The Booderee National Park covers some of the gorgeous beaches while also providing botanical gardens and nature walks.

Bondi

It’s not surprising Bondi Beach is on this list, after all it’s one of the most popular beaches in the country. Don’t think this is the only beach to go to in Sydney though. This is where the infamous Bondi to Coogee Beach walk starts and there are plenty more beaches along the way. Take yourself to this iconic beach and move your way from here to the next slice of awesome Aussie beach. Grab your sunscreen, towel, and surf board and spend all day under the sun, in the water, and walking Australia’s famous coastline.

Photos by Alex, Kevin Gibbons, Gopal Vijayaraghavan, miak and Hector Garcia

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There are numerous beaches to enjoy on this beauty of an island. Some of them are unspoilt and nearly deserted, and some are full of a crowd of like-minded travelers.

Lonely Beach

Despite it’s name, Lonely Beach, or Tha Nam beach, is most certainly not lonely. There is a bushy jungle that extends it’s palms towards the beaches where there are an array of accommodations, restaurants, and bars. This the the popular spot for backpackers and people looking to just simply chill.

Just 20 minute towards the south of Lonely Beach is Bailan Bay which is the least developed on the West side of the island. The bay is a bit rocky but it’s a perfect spot to enjoy peace and serenity in your own beautiful paradise.

Long Beach

One of the loneliest beaches on Koh Chang, and it won’t be that way for must longer, is Long Beach. Located on the southern East coast of the island, this almost untouched beach is absolutely stunning. While there are only a few choices for accommodation, a few more are on the way.

White Sand Beach

There are plenty of places to stay on this popular beach anywhere from backpacker huts to plush resorts. The southern part of this beach is not recommended because it’s a bit rocky, but the middle and northern parts of the island are simply beautiful. There are places to eat, umbrellas to lay under, nice games of badminton or volleyball can be enjoyed on the beach, and the swimming is refreshing. Just sit back and relax on this beauty of a beach.

Klong Prao Beach

Near to White Sand Beach is this unique and gorgeous sectioned-off beach. It’s divided up into three sections by the Klong Plu Waterfall river estuary and because if this, this beach is far from ordinary. There are magnificent views of the river and beaches from here and because of its location there are plenty of activities like canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, parasailing, and more. This is the island’s largest beach and there is a plethora of accommodation to choose from.

Besides awesome beaches, there are tons of lovely waterfalls to visit on the island such as Klong Plu, Klong Nonsi, and Klong Nueng, said to be the most beautiful waterfall. Koh Chang means ‘elephant island’ so you can also expect to see quite a few elephant camps. Be sure to pick a reputable one and have an enjoyable elephant ride through the thick jungle. Koh Chang is a lovely island to lose yourself on and forget about time.

Photo by Photodiary of an Endless Summer and Ryan Latta

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But with plenty of choices, where do you begin?

One look at the Philippine map and you can see that there are scattered islands in the central part of the country. This is the Visayas, home of the Philippine beach capital Boracay, and a host of gorgeous others.

If the perpetual gridlock of Manila starts getting on your nerves, why not head over to Cebu – Manila minus the mayhem – and island-hop your way to the best beaches in the region? Cebu is gateway to the finest beaches in the Visayas while also boasting some of its own that have earned loyal following.

Cebu

Most people consider Cebu as Manila without its headache-inducing traffic. It’s actually the second largest city in the Philippines, and the economic hub of the Visayas. So everything you would want in a metropolis is here. And Cebu has plenty of beaches that people from Manila have fallen in love with again and again. Malapascua, Moalboal and Bantayan Island easily come to mind. Oslob has become famous for its whale sharks, while Camotes Island is alluring for its native beauty and being tucked away.

Bohol

The textbook case of “Chocolate Hills” (karst limestone outcrops that spread for miles and miles around) is also a beach lover’s paradise. The beaches of Panglao Island come to mind first because of sand so white it blinds the unsuspecting and makes the already turquoise waters sparkle even more. Doljo and Alona Beaches are all-season favorites. Swimming here is safe, even at night. If Travel+Leisure were to be believed, it is one of the best secret beaches in the world. (Author’s note: Last time I checked, which was in 2006, Panglao surely bedazzled.)

Siquijor

An hour away from Dumaguete lies Siquijor, in another lifetime known as the sorcery hotspot of the Visayas. Today, it enchants unsuspecting travelers with its “raw” beaches in the town of San Juan. But come here quick before San Juan is overrun with beachfront forest of hotels and facilities that would “ruin” the view. There are already a number of resorts and dive centers here, but the place is still rather desolate. If you want to beach bum with government facilities nearby, the Salagdoong Beach in the town of Maria is worthy of a day trip.

Samar

A few years back, Samar burst to mainstream attention when adolescent boys needed to be rescued from a cave that would eventually known as the gargantuan Calbiga Cave Complex thought to tunnel through the entire province. But beyond the caves also lies another enchanted destination of Calico-an Island that is still raw with the absence of “development.” It’s also an up and coming surf spot.

Leyte

In Philippine history class, Leyte was where Gen. Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his “I shall return” promise. Cruise ship passengers on a Southeast Asian island-hopping tour once stopped over for lunch at Kalanggaman Beach. Many of them have likely sworn that one day, they too, shall return.

Photo by Paolo Manalac, Coolm36, Roberto Verzo, jelynnc and Debbie Tingzon

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1) Hoi An

Recently named one of the most luxurious beaches on earth by Forbes is the popular beach of Hoi An. More than just a beach, this coastline town is studded with old French colonial buildings, rice paddies fields, and 200-year old buildings in the Old Quarter. This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once used as a trading post between Southeast Asia, China and Japan. Let’s not forget the beaches, the white sands here are welcoming, famed, and beautiful, so out of all the beaches to go to in Vietnam, this seemed to be the #1 choice amongst globe trotters in the area.

2) Mui Ne

This popular backpacker spot is known, but once you get here you won’t be welcomed by swarms of people. It still maintains a rather nice and laid back feel. These beaches are great for kitesurfers and windsurfers alike due to the nice breeze that comes in on a rather consistent basis. There are restaurants, cafes, and a few bars dotted along the way. The seafood is must try here, especially from the fresh markets that open up at night. There are sand duning adventures and a charming Fairy Stream to see what walking on water might be like.

3) Nha Trang

This beach is super popular with the locals but more and more, the foreigners, especially the backpackers. Here is where you can get nicely acquainted with the colorful and spectacular marine life that’s before you. Take the plunge with any of the scuba schools in the area, or just throw on a snorkel and mask and take the cruise on top of the water to get a feel for the ecological conditions of the Vietnamese coastline. If you are more of a partier, there is a Booze Cruise waiting for you to come aboard and sip (or chug) away.

4) Phu Quoc Island

This paradise is located around the Gulf of Thailand. Becoming more and more known due it’s spectacular stretches of sand and beautiful blue waters, this island is perfect for any getaway, whether it be your and your better half or the whole family. There is a some brilliant snorkeling and scuba diving to enjoy while you are here. The area is protected by a national park and the entire place feels untouched and natural.

5) Danang

Posh resorts, fabulous marine life, and a dash of history awaits here you here in Danang. This was a central fighting area during the Vietnam War and thus has become a popular expat scene to foreigners who never left or came back. The area, although a reminder of history, is now know for it’s awesome surfing, diving, and snorkeling.

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1) Koh Ngai

A spec of sand just off the coast of Hat Pak Meng in the Trang province is this cute little gem of an island, Koh Ngai. Bring your snorkel gear here and explore the depths of these crystal clear blue waters. Enjoy a lonely beach and secluded lifestyle.

2) Prachuap Khiri Khan

This is a personal favorite of mine. This spot is located just a bit South of Hua Hin and over looks the Gulf of Thailand. Easily missed by all the tourists flocking to the three main Gulf islands, this place is like the Andaman of the East. With a similar backdrop to that of the Krabi province, Prachuap (for short) provides an epic landscape with less than half the amount of tourists in the way. This tame town has Ao Manao close by for your days under the sun, cute Dusky Leaf Monkeys to play with, and a cool temple upon a mountain that provides amazing vistas.

3) Khanom and Sichon

If you truly want to go off the radar, these two spots on the mainland are it. Although they are close to the extremely popular Koh Samui, they are most certainly not as busy. No hawkers, no malls, no bars, really hardly anything is here. So if you’re looking for some real seclusion, a place where you can get lost forever, this is your spot. You can walk these two beaches in a matter of hours. Now get lost…

So you want more of my secrets do you? Well, I guess I can spare mentioning a few more hidden beaches…

4) Koh Mun Nork

Koh Ma what? Koh Mun Nork.. Never heard of it? Didn’t think so. This place is so secluded, there is only one resort that caters to the whole island. With not much else to do besides pitch up on your hammock and bronze that skin, this idyllic island is appealing for those who don’t like to share and want their own little slice of heaven.

5) Hat Chang Lang

Located in the Trang province and along the Andaman Coast is this lovely stretch of beach. With only two expensive resorts on the beach, you won’t find a crowd on the sand here. There are good places for swimming and the beaches are unspoilt and clean.

While it’s hard to keep a secret in this country, there are still some hidden and lesser known spots. So be sure to high-tail it over to Thailand and check some of these spots out before everyone else gets to them first!

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Unlike the well-trodden traveler circuit of neighboring country Thailand, Burma’s trails are yet to be scuffed up by tourists looking for something authentic. Decades of self-imposed isolation (and embargoes sanctioned by international authorities) left Burma’s indigenous culture relatively unsullied by outside influence.

Burma’s isolation is good news to travelers who have become tired of multinational chains and brands following them even in the remotest corners of the globe. It’s time to see a country that has not yet succumbed to the imperialism of McDonald’s or Starbucks. To ease yourself into this new world of wonders, take a look at how other travelers saw Burma before its recent breakthrough.

Yangon, despite the transfer of capital to Nay Pyi Taw, is still the gateway to the rest of Burma. Founded in 1755 by King Alaungpaya, the “Garden City of the East” is the bustling center of commerce where degrees of outside influence can be felt.

Street food in Burma is just as ubiquitous and cheap as they are in neighboring Thailand. Burmese cuisine, in particular, often comes with helpings of condiments to customize taste.

The most visited and photogenic attraction of Yangon is the Shwedagon Pagoda, a 2,500-year-old temple which contains the relics of Buddha.

Stupas, or conical mounds that contain relics of Buddha, are featured prominently in Burmese Buddhist temples. Golden stupas like these found in Bodhi Tataung usually number in thousands in one temple complex.

Long before Burma fell into the hands of its British colonizers and the junta, it was a country of divided kingdoms, and the kingdom that unified what constitutes modern Burma rose in the Mandalay region which we now know as Bagan. That ancient kingdom of “Pagan” built about 10,000 pagodas, temples and monasteries. The remains, about 3,000 strong, are now enlisted in the Bagan Archaeological Zone, a hotspot in Burma’s nascent tourism.

Burma is rich in mineral resources. Flawless – and therefore expensive – rubies are mined in Burma, which is one reason why international jewelers are eyeing to gain entry into this country.

Burma has 2,000 kilometers of coastline that face the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. This means that like Thailand, beaches in Burma are just as sumptuous and sunsets are just as dramatic.

If there is one thing that describes Burma’s beaches best, it is “undertouristed.” The dearth of traveler-sourced images suggests that Burma’s beaches are indeed yet to be explored. So far, this is the best (NASA) view of Mergui Archipelago, a collection of about 800 islands inhabited by the Moken who still live the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

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1) Koh Siboya

If crabs playing hide from hunting monkeys is your definition of holiday, then this island is heaven. Koh Siboya, 20 kilometers south of Krabi, is as rural and detached from the hustle and bustle of modern life as it is lacking in tourist facilities. The beach is not exactly what you would call achingly beautiful – technically mud flats instead of “beaches” – but this does not dissuade equally off-grid travelers from coming back. Resorts – three as of last count – and cafes – someone else’s front porch – or the lack thereof, make up Koh Siboya’s tourist infrastructure. There are even no proper roads to make transport easier (you would have to explore this speck of an island on foot or, if you are lucky to rent from someone, by motorcycle) and there are only a few stalls selling basic commodities to the 1,000 or so people living in the island earning their day’s pay from the sea or from rubber trees.

2) Ko Bulon Lae

A tiny island in south Andaman reachable by a 45-minute speedboat ride from Pak Bara, Ko Bulon Lae is delectably laid back even during high season. The absence of roads means there are no motorized vehicles to contribute to sound or air pollution, and this undiluted atmosphere applies to lack of influences from the mainland.

3) Ko Sukorn

If you are looking for white sand beaches, then Ko Sukorn will frustrate. But if you don’t mind black sand, miles and miles and miles of desolate beaches, hard coral reefs, buffalo herds outnumbering locals and locals outnumbering tourists, rubber trees that dominate the landscape, a pastoral atmosphere, concrete roads big enough for bikes, ridiculously cheap accommodation, and “unplugged” way of life (no ATMs here), then Ko Sukorn fits the bill.

4) Ko Chang Noi

Rugged, “reggaed” and really out of the way, Ko Chang Noi is the definition of “unplugged” yet artsy laidback island off the coast of Burma in the Andaman Sea. So unplugged is the island that there are no televisions, hot showers or fans even during limited hours of the day when electricity is on, and cellphone and Internet signal are unstable at best. Largely uninhabited on land, Ko Chang Noi is home to a constellation of life underwater.

5) Ko Kut

What Koh Siboya lacks in amenities, Ko Kut makes up for luxuries. Equally off-the-beaten path like Koh Siboya, Koh Kood (as it is also known) nonetheless affords creature comforts like delicious spas, giant LED screens and exquisite Thai feasts if you are willing to part ways with precious dollars. But the “palm sun day” scenery and the chorus of jungle sounds make Ko Kut an ideal escape for travelers yearning for deep introspection and communion with nature.

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