Kelingking Beach in Indonesia was the only Southeast Asian destination to make it onto Tripadvisor's list of the 25 best beaches in the world, as voted by its readers in January last year.
The beach is known for its breathtaking cliff formations, powdery white sand, and crystal-clear blue-green waters.
“It’s easy to access and offers ample parking, yet it still retains a secluded, relaxed vibe. The clear water is perfect for snorkeling and exploring marine life, and the sunsets are truly photo-worthy,” Tripadvisor noted.
Photo by Trinh Nam Thai
In July last year, Ora Beach in Indonesia was named one of the world’s best beaches by editors of the American magazine Condé Nast Traveler.
Located in the northern part of Seram Island, the beach has remained pristine due to its low profile.
One of its standout features is an eco-friendly resort with six wooden cottages topped with thatched roofs.
The coral reefs here are vibrant and diverse, and thanks to the water’s exceptional clarity, visitors can see the coral and fish swimming just below the surface.
Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
Hidden Beach on Palawan Island in the Philippines was also recognized as one of the world’s best beaches by Condé Nast Traveler editors in July last year.
Surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, the beach enjoys 231 sunny days a year and remains untouched by human development.
March and April are summer months in the Philippines, attracting more travelers during this time. To avoid the crowds, consider visiting outside these months.
Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
In August, My Khe, which runs from the base of the Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains, was named one of world's 50 best beaches by travel writers in British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.
The 900-meter-long beach catapulted to global fame after Forbes voted it one of the planet's most beautiful beaches in 2005.
A large number of water sports operators can be found directly on the beach, offering banana boats, water skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, jet skiing, windsurfing and kayaking.
Parasailing costs around VND500,000 (US$22) for a 15-minute ride.
Photo by Nguyen Dong
Located in Ngu Hanh Son District, around eight kilometers from downtown Da Nang, Non Nuoc beach also joined The Daily Telegraph's list.
The beach is five kilometers long and dotted with a series of luxury resorts.
From the beach, tourists can easily conquer the Marble Mountains, a complex of network of caves, tunnels, towers and pagodas. There are half a dozen large caves hidden in the Marble Mountains, and many other small ones that are rarely visited.
Most of the caves are cool inside, with jungle plants and mossy walls and even small shrines to worship gods in Buddhism and Taoist rituals.
The entrance fee is VND40,000 and the elevator costs VND15,000 one-way.
Photo courtesy of Tripadvisor
Nha Trang was also chosen one of the eight best beach destinations for foreigners to retire by American magazine Travel+Leisure last year.
"Nha Trang has an established expat community of about 4,000 people and its average year-round temperature is approximately 81 degrees Fahrenheit, and there are wet and dry seasons," the magazine said.
According to Travel+Leisure, Nha Trang is an ideal destination for foreign retirees thanks to the availability of high-quality health care with modern facilities and English-speaking staff.
To come up with a list of the best places to retire near the beach, editors of the magazine researched coastal towns and cities in the U.S. and around the world.
Photo by Khoa Tran
Australian magazine Lonely Planet last year also listed Ao Maya on Ko Phi-Phi Island in Thailand one of 25 most beautiful beaches in the world.
The 250-meter-long beach caught global fame after it became the setting for "The Beach", the 2000 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
In this picture is a foreign man walking on a beach in Maya Bay, part of Phi Phi Leh, one of the two main Phi Phi islands in Krabi province.
Photo by Reuters
USA Today also included Pantai Merah, or Pink Beach, in Indonesia among the 10 best beaches in the world.
“The color is caused by the mixture of white sand with red coral fragments. Pink Beach is part of Komodo National Park, a protected area,” the publication noted.
With pristine waters and rich marine biodiversity, it’s an ideal destination for snorkeling.
The best time to visit is from May to October, offering the most sunny days, while the rest of the year typically brings the rainy season.
Photo by Tai Pham
