You are here because you are interested in the best Beach Destinations in Asia, right? Now, just hear us out. It is amazing to be surrounded by tropical beaches and sparkling blue seas while you feel the warm wind in your wet, salty hair and listen to the sound of the waves. We must agree with you and say it’s really a dream.

So, where can you find that kind of fantasy?

It’s difficult to say which continent has the world’s nicest beaches, but Asia is undoubtedly at the top of the list. This mystic continent features some of the softest, whitest sand and unspoiled, clearest blue oceans on the planet. From the Indonesian islands to the shallow reefs of the Philippines, the well-traveled beaches of Thailand, and everything in between, we can say that the best beach destinations lie in Asia.

Many of the stunning Asian beaches offer activities like scuba diving, coral conservation, snorkeling, and swimming with whale sharks, so prepare your sunglasses and swimming equipment. There are so many possibilities available to you if this is your first time traveling. In Asia, there are several beaches where a whole new world is waiting for you.

Best Beach Destinations in Asia – Our Recommendations

We’ve listed the best beaches in Asia in this guide, and they’re all sunny, family-friendly and truly one of a kind. So prepare yourself a nice cup of coffee and let’s start!

Maldives

If a crystal-clear warm sea and beautiful, sandy beaches are everything you’re looking for, then the Maldives is the perfect choice for you. Definitely an earned place on our Best Beach Destinations in Asia list.

Located southwest of India and Sri Lanka, this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean is well-known for its unreal beauty. Did you know that water accounts for 99 percent of the Maldives? Unfortunately, this is very dangerous because the island is low-lying, so it can cause problems with the shores.

The capital city of the Maldives is Male, but most tourists go straight to the luxury resorts with white sand beaches and crystal-clear aquamarine water. The most popular activities in the Maldives are snorkeling, surfing, and diving. When it comes to some special adventures, we must mention swimming with whale sharks.   Plenty of beaches make the Maldives a top-notch beach destination in Asia.

Pink Beach, Indonesia

There are only seven beaches in the world with pink sand, and Pantai Merah (or Pink Breach) in Komodo National Park in Indonesia is one of them. Foraminifera, single-celled organisms that live on the nearby coral reefs and have a scarlet pigment on their shells, are what give the water its amazing, pink color.

When it comes to activities, Pink Beach is a place where you can find amazing underwater life. From tropical fishes to stunning, colorful corals and beds made of seagrass, you will enjoy every moment of your vacation. Some experts say that this is one of the best places on Earth for snorkeling.

Now you probably wonder where Pink beach is located? As we mentioned before, this beautiful place is a short flight away from Bali, near the Komodo National Park. Yes, this park is home to the world’s biggest lizards. Actually, the whole island has more lizards than people. 

El Nido, Philippines

If you’re looking for the largest beach paradise, El Nido in the Philippines is the one. This beautiful place is actually a protected natural area because it is surrounded by old caves, mangrove forests, and limestone cliffs. El Nido is best-known for its nickname “Philippines’ Last Frontier”. When it comes to beaches in El Nido, they are all covered with white, powdered sand. The coastline is open mainly over Bacuit Bay, where you can find many small islands and islets. 

The wildlife on these islands is very rich because there are no people there. If you want to visit some of these stunning islands and be totally alone on the beach, you must get a ride to them. If you want to enjoy something unusual, you should go across from El Nido, to Cadlao Island. This place hides one of the biggest beaches in this part of the Philippines and Makaamo Lagoon – a saltwater hidden inlet. However, there are no beaches in the world that compare to the one on Matinloc Island, which can only be reached by diving underwater through a crevice in a sheer rock wall.

Pom Pom Island, Malaysia

Pom Pom Island is located in the Celebes Sea in Malaysia. From Semporna, Borneo’s shore, Pom Pom Island Resort is reachable by boat in about 45 minutes. It has one of the highest marine biodiversity on Earth; although the Pom Pom is really small, it’s home to over 500 species of coral. When it comes to endangered species, this island is a nesting location for sea turtles called Hawksbills. If you’re fortunate, you might be able to see the turtle eggs hatch during your holiday and watch the young turtles being released into the water.

Pom Pom Island is a place famous for its amazing diving. In some areas, the reef reaches a depth of 130 meters. How amazing is that? Of course, you should be an experienced diver because there are strong currents which make this place a difficult location. Anyway, you should know that visibility is perfect and you can take beautiful photographs there.

Miyako Island, Japan 

The beaches of Miyako Island are some of the most beautiful ones in the world because of their diverse biodiversity, remote position, and lack of inside rivers that would destroy the soil and harm the coral reef. This is not a crowded place—you won’t find many people on the beaches—so you can expect a truly peaceful vacation. Turquoise-blue waters, soft sand, and the beautiful, calm sound of the waves are something worth visiting. Did you know that a lot of tourists who visit Japan don’t know about this place?

When it comes to the largest stretch of beach, it is certainly Maehama. Stunning and breathtaking, this place is top-notch for swimmers and sunset lovers. If you are looking for a smaller beach, go to Yoshino Kaigan. Perfect for snorkeling, this destination is popular for its huge coral reef and beautiful, colorful underwater life.