Do away with your legacy travel plans of the pre-Covid era and take to the sea as a new and exciting way to discover adventure. Hire a yacht charter and set sail to pristine beaches, or set your sights on secluded islands, offering tranquillity at its utmost discretion. Expat Choice has curated a list of islands and destinations within South East Asia which are a "must visit" and should be added to your seaward bound check list.
Kupang
Set sail for Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia - a city not quite abuzz with tourists, making it the perfect destination to have a quiet, secluded time away from the hullabaloo of everyday life. Flanked by beautiful beaches, you can spend all your time enjoying the gorgeous sunsets, getting tanned, or packing up and heading out for a picnic. Head further out from the city and go see the beautiful Oenesu Waterfall or maybe check yourself in at one of the luxurious seafront properties and enjoy the tranquillity of the place. Image Credit: Merpati Nalle
Tioman Island
A haven for snorkellers and divers, Tioman Island, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, in the South China Sea has a rich aquamarine diversity and you can spot beautiful corals, colourful sea fans and sea sponges. First-timers can actually learn how to dive and even get a certificate for it. You can also do some surfing, fishing, hiking, kayaking, and go island hopping. There are plenty of hotels and resorts offering you beachfront views and access to secluded beaches. The party and shopping scene here is inviting for this is a duty-free island. We also recommend taking a boat or trekking to see Asah Waterfall and the thriving species of flora and fauna around it. Image Credit: Nazarizal Mohammad
Phuket
Lively, full of energy when it comes to nightlife and shopping but equally serene and peaceful when it comes to its gorgeous islands; Thailand has a lot to offer island-wise but Phuket certainly is not to be missed. Once there, Phang Nga Bay, which lies between southern Thailand's mainland and Phuket Island is the perfect place to go island hopping to check out the various rock formations. Imagine kayaking in fine weather and having to lie down to see the gorgeous limestone cliffs, a splendid experience. Take a visit to James Bond Island and pose for the gram or simply spend a day at a beach club to watch the sun go down. Image Credit: Mike Swigunski
Lazarus Island
Couples looking for a romantic beach trip should definitely come down to Lazarus Island, also known as Pulau Sakijang Pelepah, especially if you’ve only got a few days to escape, why not just make the most of Singapore’s most beautiful island. The tiny beach out here may not be a tourist attraction or have plentiful food kiosks but offers scenic beauty away from the crowd aka the perfect place to feel secluded. Sit back and get a tan, plan a picnic, or simply take a dip in the water, it’s all about letting it go and unwinding at Lazarus. Of course, do take a ton of pictures for the gram posing at the C-shaped lagoon. Image Credit: Sweet Escape
Belitung
There’s plenty to see in and around Belitung, a beautiful island in Indonesia, charming tourists and hedonists alike with its sparkling blue waters and shimmering white beaches. Getting here from Singapore is pretty easy with a yacht charter via Batu Berlayar. Check out the gigantic rock formation shaped like a bird’s head at Birds Island or head on to Tanjung Kelayang to get the adrenaline going and indulge in a variety of water sports and kayaking. Shutterbugs would find the variety of islets fascinating especially The Kaolin Lake wherein the water is out of bounds but offers a pretty view of the white stone structures transformed over time from an old mine. Image Credit: Anggit Rizkianto
Batam
Need some time away from work and taking friends or family along? Head down to Batam which is easily accessible by sea and it only takes about 40 minutes to get there. The adventurers can opt for activities like jet skiing, snorkelling, and canoeing, and those who want a relaxed time can simply lie on the beach, enjoy gorgeous hotel properties, and indulge in spas and skin treatments. Go back home with your bags filled as there are plenty of shopping arenas and trendy souvenirs. Culture seekers can go see the town, Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple, Yellow Mosque, or watch the sun go down at Barelang Bridge. Image Credit: Kharl Anthony Paica
Langkawi
Breathe in the pristine air as you get to the top of Gunung Raya, the highest peak on Langkawi. The gorgeous island of Langkawi is in Malaysia and you can easily get on a cruise by booking a room in a liner. Apart from the luxury and comfort of the cruise, you can also include the surrounding destinations like Thailand and Andaman Islands. Langkawi itself is gorgeous and the beaches here are replete with white sands whereas there’s plenty of mangroves on the island too. Check out the coral reefs and a plethora of critters and tour the islands up-close by hiring a yacht. Image Credit: Ramzi Bezzoudji
Anambas Islands
Indonesia is unbeatable when it comes to marine life and picturesque archipelagos. One of them is Riau and it features the beautiful Anambas islands. You can get here via Batam which is only a 45-minute ferry ride away from Singapore. The gorgeous contrast of the deep blue sea and the green thicket of trees on the island will make you want to stay for longer. Dive headfirst into the water and experience mesmerising marine life including whale sharks, fishes, coral reefs, seagrass, and of course the adorable turtles on the white sand beaches. You can also go see the Igara wreck and see what’s become of the vessel. Image Credit: Chelsea Gates
Raja Ampat
Exotic marine life and splendid views are a given at Raja Ampat. Easily accessible from Singapore, come down here in a yacht charter and visit the gorgeous islands of this archipelago. You’ll get to see a diverse marine life of corals, manta rays, clams, parrotfish, barracuda, and turtles. Waigeo, one of the must-visit islands, offers treks in the lush forests and birdwatching. The water is spectacular at Kabui Bay and is the perfect place to unwind. You can also head out to Wayag and see the breath-taking islands and spend some time here either relaxing or diving or maybe even attempting to climb Pindito, which is the highest peak out here. Image Credit: Ridho Ibrahim
Bintan
Need a quick getaway over the weekend? Take an hour-long ferry to Bintan from Singapore and relax on a beach in your favourite bikini and a cocktail in hand. The island has pretty beaches like Trikora, Lagoi, Hamid, and Sekera. Some of the luxury properties like Banyan Tree Bintan and The Sanchaya have private beaches for those who’d rather have a tranquil vacation than hit the touristy spots. The active bunch can enjoy plenty of activities like swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, and diving. Instead of a hotel, stay in resorts or villas. Bintan Spa Villa Beach Resort has splendid villas, plenty of activities, and a beachfront bar. You can also stay at ANMON for a different experience of desert-themed glamping, and a gigantic lagoon. Image Credit: Kirill Petropavlov
You Might Also Like
