From Thailand's limestone karsts to Bali's surf breaks and the Maldives' private island resorts, Asia offers the widest range of beach experiences on Earth — and often at a fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere.
Maldives
Pristine white sand beaches and world-class diving.
Thailand
Tropical beaches, ornate temples, and incredible cuisine.
Indonesia
Lush rice terraces, surf breaks, and spiritual retreats.
Thailand
Palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, and Thailand's island sophistication.
Sri Lanka
Ancient temples, tea country, surf breaks, and whale watching off a tear-shaped island.
Philippines
Tiny Philippine island with a legendary four-kilometer stretch of powdery white sand.
Philippines
Pristine Philippine province with limestone lagoons, underground rivers, and untouched reefs.
Malaysia
Duty-free Malaysian archipelago with mangrove forests, cable cars, and laid-back beaches.
India
India's beach capital blending Portuguese heritage, trance culture, and palm-lined shores.
Vietnam
Fast-growing Vietnamese coastal city with a 30-kilometer beach strip and easy access to Hoi An.
Indonesia
Bali's quieter neighbor with world-class surf breaks, pink beaches, and Mount Rinjani.
Thailand
Stunning Thai province with limestone karsts, emerald pools, and island-hopping paradise.
Vietnam has no nude beaches and no naturist resorts. What that means on Vietnamese beaches, where bikinis are fine and where to cover up, and the nearest legal alternatives.
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Thailand has no nude beaches. Section 388 of the Criminal Code fines indecent exposure in public up to 5,000 baht. What that means on Thai beaches, and the nearest legal alternatives.
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The Maldives has no nude beaches, and official UK advice says nudism and topless sunbathing are not allowed anywhere, including on resort islands. What you can wear where, and the alternatives.
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India has no legal nude beaches. Public nudity falls under Section 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (formerly IPC 294), Goa's Arambol included, and the Maldives and Sri Lanka ban it too.
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There are no legal nude beaches in South or Southeast Asia. Public nudity is an offence from India to the Philippines. The rules country by country, and the real alternatives.
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Japanese beaches operate by different rules — designated swimming zones enforced by whistling lifeguards, beach house etiquette, tattoo considerations, and strict trash protocols. This guide covers the norms that make a Japanese beach day run smoothly.
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Five beach destinations optimized for retirees and long-stay travelers, with monthly cost breakdowns, healthcare access details, visa requirements, and base town recommendations for the Algarve (Portugal), Penang (Malaysia), Crete (Greece), Hua Hin (Thailand), and Spain's Costa Blanca.
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A guide to the best budget beach resorts in Thailand under $100 a night, covering Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan's quiet side, Krabi's mainland coast, Koh Chang, and Khao Lak, with specific resort recommendations, pricing, and booking strategies for high and low season.
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Where to see bioluminescence: Mosquito Bay, Jamaica's Luminous Lagoon, Toyama Bay's firefly squid, the Maldives, Holbox and more, with swimming rules, seasons, moon timing and safety.
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Okinawa's 160 islands offer Japan's best beaches — from the main island's resort-backed sand to the Kerama Islands' world-class snorkeling and Miyako-jima's electric turquoise water. This guide covers the standout beaches by island group with transport logistics, costs, and seasonal timing.
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A guide to the world’s best beginner surfing beaches including Waikiki, Tamarindo, Muizenberg, Kuta, and more, with surf school prices, board rental costs, and practical tips for first-time surfers.
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The cheapest places to get PADI certified without sacrificing quality: Koh Tao ($260), Utila ($280), and Dahab ($250) all put you on tropical reefs with turtles and reef sharks for your certification dives, at prices that make your local dive shop look like highway robbery.
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