
Sick of perennially packed beaches, or images of the same beaches in Bali littered all over your Instagram feed? Well, you’ll be happy to know that there’s more to the beaches in this region than Kuta or Canggu. If you’re looking for a beach destination away from the usual bustling tourist crowd, you’ll be happy to know there are many beaches in the region with spectacular views and little activity, perfect for when you’re looking for some private R&R time.
Ahead, we’ve rounded out some of the best nearby hidden beach spots that make for a perfect quick getaway.
This private beach is one of the 13 magnificent white sand beaches located in Boracay Island, Philippines, one of the most popular island-resorts in the world. Exclusive for the guests of Fairways and Bluewater Boracay Gold Resort and Country Club, it contains all the attractions of the White Beach – pristine white sand, clear blue waters, with added peace and quiet without the huge tourist crowd. It’s also home to many fruit bats, making for popular Bat Cave tours.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination today, but Thom beach remains charmingly secluded and tranquil. The beach has little construction, with calm, shallow waters and a view of the Cambodian coast and highland. To get there, you need to drive a motorbike from Dai beach or hire a guide if you’re not comfortable driving one on your own, but it’s a scenic ride passing dense forests and glimpses of the coast.
Pasir Timbul is one of the group of small islands surrounding Raja Ampat, located at the heart of the world’s Coral Triangle in east Indonesia, which is well known for its rich wildlife and glorious views. The sandbar beach only emerges for a few hours a day at low tide, revealing pristine sand and clear blue waters, and none of the usual crowds of tourists common in the region.
Located off the northeastern Malaysian peninsula, south of the popular Perhentian Islands, Redang Island offers the same unbridled nature but in a more quaint setting. It’s got white sand beaches, palm trees, and an incredible waterlife. As a protected marine park island, it maintains its natural beauty and is home to many sea turtles, black-fin sharks, and neon fish, making it one of the best places for snorkelling.
Long Beach, located in Cambodia’s largest island, Koh Rong is a deserted beach with clear turquoise waters, pure white sands and swaying palm trees, enough to make one jump aboard a boat to get over. The beach has recently got a few hotels pop up over the years, but as of now, it remains a paradise beach, so best to visit now before it gets overcrowded.
Located in Nusa Lembongan, a small island just off the Southeast coast of Bali, Indonesia, Secret Beach consists of powdery white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters, and most blissfully, remote enough that you’ll probably get the whole beach to yourself. To get there, walk an unmarked path along the more popular mushroom beach, and remember to pack some water and snacks, too.
One of the seven pink beaches in the world, the Pink Beach in Komodo Island, Indoneisa is a peaceful and untouched oasis of crystal clear waters, pinkish hue sand, with plenty of marine life. It is home to many turtles, reef sharks, and little crabs, which makes for a perfect snorkelling location as well.
The Secret Beach in El Nido, Palawan reportedly inspired Alex Garland, author of popular novel “The Beach” which was adapted into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Concealed by cliffs and hidden from plain view, it’s only accessible through a narrow crevice which you have to swim through. Once past that though, you’ll be met with white sand and rocks beautifully surrounding the area, almost like a private round room with naturally hard walls.
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