Warm sands, crystal clear waters, tall palm or coconut trees lining the shoreline—what’s not to love? If you are dreaming of taking a beach vacay when travelling is normal again, we’ve shortlisted some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia that you can add to your bucket list. By Manas Sen GuptaTop 10 Most Beautiful Beaches In Asia
Bãi Đầm Trầu, Côn Đảo Islands, Vietnam
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Vietnam’s Bãi Đầm Trầu receives less harsh sunlight than other areas in North Vietnam, allowing sunbathers to laze around in comfort. The cool and clear waters here are perfect for a dip. Look west for outstanding sunset views that paint the clean sands golden yellow. Since Côn Đảo is separated from the mainland, it remains crowd-free too. Since the beach is next to the Cảng hàng không Côn Đảo airport, you can even witness an aircraft flying overhead. This one certainly tops the chart in our list of most beautiful beaches in Asia.
Saud Beach, Pagudpud, Philippines
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Located in the northernmost part of Luzon’s main island, the beach is famous for its white sands washed by clear waters that merge to form a natural zero-entry swimming pool. The west-facing beach also makes for a perfect spot to watch the sun set. The beach is lined with tall palm trees where you can rest on a hammock, or opt for any of the cosy huts at nearby resorts. When here, indulge in swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and boating. You can also visit the white sand Blue Lagoon beach, northeast of Saud beach.
Railay West, Krabi, Thailand
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Located on a little peninsula between Krabi and Ao Nang, the most attractive part about this beach is the dense vegetation-covered tall limestone cliffs. Since Railay West can only be accessed by boat, it offers a great degree of seclusion and an undisturbed charm.
The karsts here—from where one can see surreal turquoise waters—are famous among rock climbers. Water babies can go kayaking or standup paddle-boarding (SUP) in the cliff-sheltered emerald lagoons here. If you are an eager explorer, there are hidden caves nearby such as Phra Nang and Ao Nang. The surrounding vegetation and mangrove forests here house monkeys and other species. On evenings, head to Railay East, which is known for its bars.
Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
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Located on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ Havelock Island, also known as Swaraj Dweep, Radhanagar beach is almost two-kilometre-long stretch of soft white sand along with pristine blue waters.
Largely unpopulated, Radhanagar is one of India’s eight Blue Flag beaches. Thatch-roof cottages amid thick tropical vegetations provide shelter here. Head to the nearby cafes for a wide range of global cuisines. Those looking for adventure can hike to Elephant beach on the island’s northern side. Though the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami deeply affected its shoreline, the reefs close to the shore are still alluring. The sunsets here are fabulous too, ideal for yoga or meditation.
Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Indonesia
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Kelingking beach or T-rex Bay—famous for steep rocky cliffs that jut out into the sea like a tyrannosaurus rex’s mouth; hence, the name—is located on the southwest of the Nusa Penida Island. To reach the secluded beach, you need to descend limestone rocks. When the sun sets over the horizon, the beach’s soft sands become more photogenic. Although strong, consider taking a swim in the emerald green waters here. You can also just amble to the other end of the beach where a cave awaits you.
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
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Picture light emerald water, powder white sand, and a small island. At White Beach, tourists are not only drawn to the natural beauty, but also to the water sports, spas and shopping sprees. There are numerous resorts and restaurants—ranging from the most luxurious to affordable ones—close to the beach. The water here is calm, which makes it great for swimming and scuba diving. Adventurers can opt for kite surfing or take a trip to the beautiful paraw sailboats. The four-kilometre stretch is protected from the strong winds that blow in the adjoining areas.
Yonaha Maehama Beach, Miyakojima, Japan
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Renowned for its perfect white sand, sparkling clear blue waters, Insta-worthy sunsets, and a shoreline stretching seven kilometres, Yonaha Maehama is visited by both, local and foreign tourists alike. Those who want to take it slow can rest on any of the sun parasols and deck chairs. Thrill-seekers can rent a jet ski, skim the rolling waves, or ride a banana boat. Those looking to rejuvenate can go for a swim. Towards April-end, you might be able to witness the swimming section of the annual Strongman triathlon hosted here.
Visit the nearby Yoshino beach to snorkel amid coral reefs. And when in Okinawa, indulge in delicacies such as soba noodles and stir-fried bitter melon known as goya chanpuru.
Mirissa Beach, Mirissa, Sri Lanka
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Mirissa is considered one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. The beach’s cleanliness and the tall coconut trees that form a barrier along the shoreline will instantly captivate you. The blue-green water is ideal for swimmers. Those who don’t want to take a dip can take a leisurely stroll on the soft sand while enjoying fresh coconut water and listening to waves crashing on nearby rocks, instead. Those learning to master surfing the waves often flock to Mirissa to rent a board.
The famous vantage point here, Parrot rock, is a small rocky outcrop that can be reached during low tides. The picturesque coconut tree hill is a stone’s throw away. For a great afternoon party, head to the Doctors House for food, drinks and live music.
Visit between November and March and book a guided tour to spot whales, one of Mirissa’s biggest attractions.
Cenang Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia
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Cenang beach can be spotted when any aircraft lands at the Langkawi International Airport. The two-kilometre-long white sand beach—considered Malaysia’s best—runs along Langkawi’s western coast. Palms and coconut trees straddle the shoreline; sun beds line the beach; and duty-free shops, several restaurants and bars complete the experience here for tourists. Snorkelling, jet skiing, boat rides and parasailing are some more amazing activities you can indulge in.
Two nearby islets, including Pulau Rebak Kecil, can be seen from the beach and accessed by foot during low tide. The sun setting over Malacca Strait’s calm waters makes the beach look like a golden crescent. You can also visit the Tengah beach, which is located next to Cenang.
Lonely Beach, Koh Rong, Cambodia
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Koh Rong is a picturesque island off the coast of Cambodia’s Sihanoukville province. The entire island is an unspoiled tropical paradise that has numerous white-sand beaches measuring close to 40 kilometres. Of these, Lonely beach stands out for being relatively isolated from the rest.
The beach is known for clear turquoise-green waters. In the night, fluorescent plankton illuminates the water, creating a starry landscape at your feet. You can rest in small hut-shaped bungalows, nestled in the forested landscape next to the beach. The rustic setting is picture-perfect, but has limited facilities like shops, ATMs, and WiFi due to its location.
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.
Related: 25 Most Beautiful Beaches In The World: Future Travel Bucket List
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