Beaches & Islands
Not a list of the "prettiest" beaches — a list of places worth the journey, and who each one actually suits. With links to our full guides as we write them.
There are a thousand "best beaches in the world" lists, and most are just pretty photos in a row. This one's a bit different: it's about beach and island trips worth taking a long flight for, sorted by who they're really for — because the perfect beach for a honeymoon is not the perfect beach for a family with small kids or a backpacker counting every dollar. Where we've written a full guide, there's a link to dig in.
A little peninsula walled off from the roads by limestone cliffs, reachable only by longtail boat. Stay overnight (not just a day trip) and you get world-class scenery, rock climbing for beginners, and a genuine no-cars calm once the day-trippers leave.
Read the full Railay guide →
Bali isn't one place but several: a party beach, a chic dinner strip, a green cultural heartland inland, and a calm resort south. That range, plus famously cheap massages and food, is why it suits everyone from flashpackers to honeymooners. Pick at least two contrasting bases.
Read the full Bali guide →
The classic over-water-villa fantasy, and largely a "one resort, one island" model — you pick your island and mostly stay put. Stunning and pricey; best value comes from watching for deals and being clear-eyed that food, drinks and transfers add up once you're there.
Read the full Maldives guide →
El Nido and Coron are the headline acts — limestone lagoons, hidden beaches and some of the best island-hopping anywhere. It takes more effort to reach than Bali or Phuket, which is exactly why it still feels less trodden.
Read the full Palawan guide →
Whitehaven Beach's silica sand and the Great Barrier Reef on the doorstep make this a world-class trip without leaving the country if you're based in Australia. Sail, day-trip from Airlie Beach, or stay on an island — and pair it with reef snorkelling.
Read the full Whitsundays guide →
Big, well-connected and varied, Phuket is one of the easiest introductions to the region — and a launchpad for the spectacular Phi Phi and Phang Nga day trips. Base in calmer Karon or Kata rather than busy Patong if you've got kids.
Read the full Phuket guide →
Three tiny islands off Lombok with no motorised traffic — you get around on foot, bike or pony cart. Gili Trawangan is the liveliest, Gili Air the sweet spot for many, Gili Meno the quietest. Great snorkelling straight off the beach.
Read the full Gili Islands guide →
Famous for genuinely friendly hospitality and a spread of islands to match any budget, from backpacker dorms to luxury resorts. An easier-paced South Pacific option that works for couples and families both.
Read the full Fiji guide →
Samui offers polished resorts, an airport and easy comforts; neighbouring Phangan brings the famous full-moon party and quieter coves beyond it. A handy pairing if your group wants both relaxation and a big night out.
Read the full Koh Samui & Phangan guide →
An easygoing, good-value island with beaches, a famous cable car and rainforest, plus duty-free status that keeps some costs down. Less hyped than its Thai neighbours, which is part of the appeal.
Read the full Langkawi guide →Start with the trip, not the photo. A family wants calm water, short transfers and familiar food nearby; a honeymoon wants seclusion and a splurge; a budget trip wants cheap beds and cheap eats. Then weigh the flight (how far is realistic for your time off?), the season (most of these shine in their dry months), and the on-ground cost, which varies enormously between, say, the Gilis and the Maldives. The tools below help you turn a shortlist into a real number.
For an easy family trip, Phuket (based in Karon or Kata), Fiji and the Whitsundays all work well — calm water, plenty to do and familiar food close by. Bali suits families too if you base somewhere quieter and hire a driver for day trips.
Bali, Phuket, the Gili Islands and Langkawi are the most budget-friendly here — cheap food, cheap beds and cheap massages. The Maldives sits at the opposite, splurge end. Run your shortlist through the beach holiday budget tool to compare.
Most of these are best in their dry season, which varies by region — broadly November to April for much of Thailand and the Maldives, and April to October for Bali. Check the best-time guide for your specific destination and dates.
Yes — all ten now have their own full guide, linked under each entry above. Some are from personal trips (Bali, Phuket, Langkawi) and the rest are researched and cross-checked. The budget and timing tools below help you compare any of them.
Picks and "best for" notes are our opinion, written to help you shortlist. Some destinations here are from personal trips and others are researched and cross-checked. Conditions, prices and access change — always check current information and any travel advisories for your dates before booking.