Secluded beach named one of the most ‘beautiful’ spots in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a popular holiday spot for Aussies – and for good reason.

Not only is it just a short flight away and offers great value for money, but it’s also a wide-ranging and diverse part of the world, with everything from pristine beaches to misty mountain ranges.

Here we’ve rounded up the most beautiful spots in Southeast Asia.

Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

Located on the northeast coast, these islands are pure heaven: powdery white sand and neon-blue waters that easily rival the Maldives.

They have a much more relaxed, low-key vibe than places like Langkawi, and you can swim with wild sea turtles and reef sharks by just wading into the water off the main beaches.

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Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Forget Bali – if you want true natural, untouched beauty, head to the region of Raja Ampat. Located off the coast of West Papua, it’s often considered one of the most pristine marine ecosystems on Earth, attracting snorkellers and divers. Because it’s relatively harder to visit than other Indonesian spots, it remains peaceful and untouched, with clear waters perfect for swimming.

Kuang Si, Laos

Tucked away in the jungle of northern Laos, this is a breathtaking, multi-tiered waterfall. The water gushes over short rocky lips, pooling in shallow, milky-turquoise swimming holes that look almost man-made. Visit in the dry season (December to May), when there’s less water and the colour is at its peak vibrancy.

Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Called “Ha Long Bay on Land,” this region is made up of vibrant, neon-green rice paddies flanked by massive limestone mountains. Tourists can explore the area by floating down winding, quiet rivers on hand-rowed bamboo boats, small enough to drift directly through the low-hanging caves in the side of the mountains.

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El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Often included on lists of the best beaches around the world, this region is postcard-perfect. Iconic jagged limestone cliffs create hidden lagoons, white-sand beaches, and intensely clear turquoise water that almost looks like Gatorade.

It can get busy, but if you rent a kayak you can find empty pockets away from the crowds.

Ha Giang, Vietnam

In the remote far northern region of the country, this mountainous province is known as the final frontier of Vietnam.

It is famous for the Hà Giang Loop, a thrilling multi-day motorbike journey following winding roads through the mountains and secluded villages on the Chinese border.

Bagan, Myanmar

An ancient city and UNESCO-listed heritage site, Bagan is home to more than 2,000 ancient Buddhist temples and pagodas scattered across a vast plain.

Witnessing the morning mist rise over the horizon at sunrise is a must-do when visiting Myanmar.

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Komodo National Park, Indonesia

This park has it all – mountains, beaches, and coral reefs. The island of Padar is a great place to start, and is home to an iconic hike that climbs a volcanic ridge to give you incredible coastal views over three bays. Due to unique local geology, each bay features a different colour of sand: one is pearly white, one is charcoal-black, and one is a bright coral-pink.

Inle Lake, Myanmar

This massive highland lake feels like an entirely separate world. The local Intha people live in stilt villages and maintain floating gardens made of tangled lake reeds and compost.

Visitors can rent a boat and head out to floating villages, where traders sell their wares from long boats.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Most people instantly think of Thailand’s islands when conjuring beautiful places in the country, but up in the north, the mountainous regions are just as stunning.

A popular place for hiking and outdoor-oriented holidays, Chiang Rai has misty landscapes, lush jungle-covered mountains, and colourful, intricately designed temples.

Hội An, Vietnam

Hội An is an ancient city, a well-preserved 15th-century trading port that has a UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, which is full of yellow shop houses, colourful silk lanterns, and hidden alleyways to explore.

Just south of the beach resort town of Da Nang, it attracts a lot of day-trippers, but is well worth a few days of your time to really explore the city.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The breathtaking Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world, made up of a sprawling mass of buildings in various states of ruin. Built in the 1100s, travellers can travel between the temples and explore the ruins. It’s worth getting there at dawn, to watch the sun rise over the main temple.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Thailand has no shortage of beautiful islands, but Phi Phi might just take the cake.

Smaller than more touristy spots like Phuket and Samui, this group of six islands offers a laid-back holiday spot.

It’s heaven for snorkellers and divers - the waters are filled with exotic marine life, including docile leopard sharks. It’s also close to the famous Maya Beach, which can be visited on a day trip.

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Koh Rong Island, Cambodia

Not only does Cambodia have some of the most beautiful island beaches in all of Asia, they’re also relatively deserted, compared to some of the other tourist magnets. Koh Rong’s sandy beaches are pure white, with crystal-clear, warm water, and year-round good weather. Even better? It’s very budget-friendly, with hotels on the beach from $15 a night.

The Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Away from the city and high in the mountains, this region offers a cool break from the oppressive tropical heat. The highlands are all cool air and rolling, bright green terraces of tea plantations. Nearby, you can walk through the Mossy Forest, a misty area where you can walk through trees covered in thick moss, lichens, and ferns.