With thousands of potential candidates, it’s hard to pick the best islands in Southeast Asia. I scoured the area and endured countless sunburns to try:

Ko Chang
Located in eastern Thailand, this island has seen a lot of development in recent years but luckily it is still relatively deserted. It’s one of the best islands in all of Thailand, which considering Thailand has hundreds, is saying a lot. Blue water and white sand beaches ring the island and as a bonus it has a milder monsoon season than other places.


Perenthian islands
Located off the eastern coast of Malaysia, this pair of islands is idyllic. White sand beaches, clear skies, crystal blue water. It’s the perfect place to set up a hammock and will have you wondering if you entered a postcard.

Bali
Bali is a major tourist destination for people going to Indonesia and is one of the most popular islands in the world. There’s good reason for it- you can do everything here. Surf, sun, scale a mountain, visit temples, see Balinese dancers- it’s all here, it’s all cheap, and all beautiful.

Gili islands
Located near Bali, people flock to these three tiny islands because they don’t have much to do on them, which makes them perfect. The Gilis have some of the best diving in the world too. The diving is cheap and its out of the way location keeps the hordes of tourists away.

Phuket
Phuket is the top tourist destination in Thailand. This island has amazing beaches, is located near some great diving spots, and has a few national parks on it. The island also contains some of the best spas and golf courses in the region. It’s no wonder why it’s the number one destination in Asia. For those looking for luxury, Phuket offers it.

Boracay
Boracay is a tropical island located in the Philippines and is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Boracay is the site of a world-class 18-hole golf course and has 350 beach resorts. There’s diving, snorkeling, great seafood, and pure blissful relaxation. From resorts to tiny huts, there is something here for everyone.

Sipadan
Sipadan lies off the east coast of Borneo. The island is known for some of the best scuba diving anywhere in the world. The reefs here are filled with sea life and provides some of the richest diving anywhere. If diving isn’t your thing, you can just lay on the beach. (Just watch out for the lizards!)

Ko Lipe
Located in southern Thailand, this island is well of the tourist trail though every year seems to bring it a little closer. White sand beaches, abundant fish, and friendly locals make this heaven. My three days turned into three weeks and you might also have a hard time pulling away. It’s located in a national park giving you a chance to explore hundreds of deserted islands.

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