20 Asia idyllic beach destinations for spring
Spring is an excellent time to travel to Asia. The weather is starting to warm up, flowers are blooming, and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. If you have an upcoming spring break and want to visit Asia, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore a fusion of beach and natural beauty, highlighting the top 20 best places to visit in Asia in spring. Keep reading to discover the best places to travel in Asia and enrich your experiences.
Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia
Langkawi, an island cluster in Malaysia, is leading the country’s efforts to become a top resort destination in Southeast Asia. While most tourists head to Pantai Cenang beach on the main island, we recommend the quieter Tanjung Rhu for its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The two-mile beach is surrounded by ancient limestone caves, rippling waterways, and dense mangroves. The recently opened Four Seasons resort offers boat tours of the mangrove forests led by naturalists.
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Almost all of the beaches in the Maldives are impeccable. However, when it comes to beach-side luxury, the exorbitantly priced Soneva Gili resort is unrivalled. Each over-water villa is equipped with luxurious amenities such as room service by speedboat and outdoor bathrooms. Private butlers are also available to take you to secluded private beaches, complete with hammocks and picnics, upon request.
Gaya Island, Borneo, Malaysia
Even if you’re not an environmental enthusiast, it’s hard to resist the allure of the Gayana Eco Resort for travellers. This luxury resort is built on stilts above water and is located next to a prehistoric rainforest that is 130 million years old. The resort offers jungle-trekking guides, and if you’re fortunate, you may even catch a glimpse of the Megapode, a native bird that resembles a chicken but meows like a cat. Gaya Island is an excellent dive spot for those seeking underwater action due to its warm waters, exotic fish, and beautiful corals.
Pulau Derawan, Indonesia
Tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life cannot go wrong with the Indonesian island of Pulau Derawan. The tourist accommodation is basic, and the locals are friendly and approachable. Lucky visitors may even spot turtles wading about on the island’s pristine, silvery beaches. The waters surrounding Derawan are renowned for being a top-notch spot for swimming with manta rays and green turtles.
Patnem Beach, Goa, India
Goa is a popular tourist destination known for its Anjuna beach, which was a hippie heaven in the 1960s and continues to attract tourists. However, if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, you can visit the lesser-known shores of Patnem, which are located near the increasingly crowded Palolem beach. Although Patnem is smaller than its famous neighbor, it offers cheaper beach hut accommodation and a less claustrophobic environment. Jeju Island is an ideal location to relax and admire the sunset, away from the crowds of tourists.
Iho Beach, Jeju Island, South Korea
The island’s Hawaii-like appearance has made it a popular destination for Korean honeymooners and domestic travellers. One of the island’s highlights is Iho Beach, which is renowned for its unique blend of yellow and grey sand. The beach is shallow and perfect for swimming. After a refreshing swim, we suggest visiting downtown Jeju-si to observe the lively student bar scene.
Ta Pho Beach, Koh Kood, Thailand
Thailand’s Koh Kood is one of the few places that can truly be called an unpeopled Asian beach paradise. It has everything you could want – a rainforest, charming fishing villages, coconut plantations, snorkelling spots, and a population of less than 2,000. One of the main attractions is the stunning Ta Pho Beach, a wide stretch of sugary-white sand lined with coconut trees.
Mui Ne Beach, Vietnam
Thrill-seekers should not miss out on Mui Ne. It is famous for kite-surfing due to its strong winds and clear skies, and is also considered a prime spot for surfing and wind-surfing. Mui Ne also boasts stunning scenery, with parts of the beach consisting of massive sand dunes, creating a unique desert-like landscape next to the sea.
Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Phu Quoc is a hidden gem that is still undiscovered by many tourists. If you are looking for unspoiled charm, there is still time to explore this island. Phu Quoc is often considered one of Vietnam’s most beautiful islands. Bai Dai Beach, located in a Vietnamese military area, is blissfully secluded with white sands and expansive vistas stretching to the horizon.
Yunokawa, Hakodate, Japan
Yunokawa is primarily known as a hot spring district, but there are also lovely, largely deserted beaches all around town. The area is scattered with hot springs directly facing the shore, and there are few things better than bathing in a hot spring while looking out at a beach. Yunokawa is often overlooked by tourists, both foreign and domestic. The town has a peaceful atmosphere, which is enhanced by the early closing times of shops.
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is renowned for its exceptional surf spots. Hikkaduwa, a surfing mecca and one of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach destinations, boasts nearly a dozen reef breaks that are not too dangerous and an abundance of sea corals that are sure to delight snorkelers. To enhance the Asian getaway experience, Hikkaduwa offers deliciously spicy local cuisine and Buddhist cultural spectacles for vacationers to cherish.
Sipadan, Malaysia
For divers, Sipadan is the ultimate destination. Voted the best dive site in Asia, it boasts a stunning array of lush corals and a thriving marine ecosystem, including robust populations of reef sharks and green turtles. No visit to Sipadan is complete without experiencing the thrill of Barracuda Point, where thousands of barracuda swim around divers. To conserve space, only 120 diving permits are issued daily at Sipadan.
Havelock Island, Andaman Islands, India
While Havelock Island is a popular stop on the Andaman Islands circuit, visitor numbers there are much lower compared to other equally charming locations in Thailand. At Havelock Island, visitors can experience the rustic island life. The buses operating on the island appear to be in a state of disrepair, and while the locals are friendly, they have a charmingly disaffected demeanor. Corporate comforts are not to be found here as Havelock is free of chain resorts.
Haad Rin Beach, Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Haad Rin beach hosts the notorious full moon parties, which are a unique experience. Every full moon evening, tens of thousands of travellers flock to the island for an unforgettable night of revelry. Although queuing for toilets and drinks can be frustrating, for many party-goers, the buckets of inexpensive alcohol, delectable food and lively atmosphere make it all worthwhile.
Akajima, Okinawa, Japan
Akajima retains a blissfully sequestered charm even during peak season. The beaches are spotless, usually with just a handful of Japanese surfers, and the locals are effusive and friendly. Further inland, there is a quaint Ryukyuan heritage house open to visitors. If you are fortunate, you may even make friends with a local who can teach you how to play the shamisen while you enjoy a cold beer.
Bacuit Archipelago, Philippines
The Bacuit archipelago, consisting of over 45 islets, is renowned as one of the Philippines’ most impressive geological wonders due to its towering karst cliffs and stunning limestone rock formations. The region boasts whitewashed shores, including the excellent beaches at Cadlao Island, which offer opportunities for adventure such as snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, cliff-climbing, and diving.
Phra Nang Beach, Railay, Thailand
Railay is a dream destination for seasoned rock climbers, with its Dali-esque limestone structures, challenging cliff-side climbing routes, and Tiffany-blue waters. The area’s main beach, Phra Nang, offers a sweeping view of the rugged beauty and is flanked by stalactite-rimmed cliffs that tourists can jump from. Although Railay is only accessible by long-tail boat from Krabi and Ao Nang, it can get crowded during tourist peak seasons.
Beidaihe, China
Hainan Island may be a popular beach destination in China, but Beidaihe in the north has been entertaining the country’s elite for decades. Located just a few hours from Beijing, Beidaihe offers a unique perspective of the capital city. The town’s restaurants provide simple pleasures with delicious seafood and ice-cold beer.
Om Beach, Gorkana, India
Om Beach in the coastal town of Gorkana offers more than just sand and sea. Gorkana is a significant stop on the Hindu pilgrimage circuit due to its location as the site of one of India’s most sacred Shiva shrines. Om Beach provides a captivating insight into Hindu religious life. The craggy bay is named for its resemblance to the Hindu symbol for oneness and peace and is surrounded by coconut palms and verdant hills. Downtown Gorkana exudes old-world charm, with Brahmin priests wandering about and masses smoking chillums.
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
Boracay may be a popular tourist destination, but it remains a top-ranked location for good reason. It truly lives up to its name as a tropical paradise, offering something for everyone, from powdery beaches to water sports and spas. Although the famous White Beach is lined with luxury resorts and souvenir shops, watching the sunset over the water is still a special moment for many.
Have not decided yet where to travel this spring? Please feel free to chat with our travel consultants and tailor-make your special itinerary!
