Asia's Top 50+ Beaches

If any continent could lay claim to having the best beaches on the planet then that might well be Asia. This is the place where the archetypal tropical paradise was virtually defined. Picture white sands, swaying palm trees and crystal clear turquoise water, with or without surf, this is what the best beaches in Asia have on tap.

Southeast Asia tends to dominate the pecking order with long-established heavyweights such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia never failing to deliver tropical bliss. Add in some great local food, often served right on the beach and that's a hard act to top.

Whilst there are still no shortage of hidden gems, even in places like Phuket and Krabi, the more adventurous beach-lover may want to head a little off the well-trodden path. People are only just discovering that countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam actually have some of the best beaches in the world.

The Indian Ocean is something of an island paradise with any number of remote and not so remote archipelagos. Most notable are the Maldives with some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia and possibly the clearest waters and whitest sand in the world. Add to this some coral reefs with perfect waves and great diving, and you have perfection.

Finally, the beaches of India and Sri Lanka should not be overlooked. Goa is particularly popular, offering visitors a chance to relax in the sun and enjoy the many beach-side restaurants and bars. The beaches of Kerala are also stunning, with their white sand and turquoise waters.

• Maya Bay // Thailand

  

  Virtually enclosed within towering limestone cliffs Maya Bay is one of Thailand's most spectacular and iconic beaches. The beach is situated on the island of Ko Phi Phi Ley in the Andaman Sea some 30km off the Thai coast and only accessible by boat.

  However, the 2000 Leonardo diCaprio movie, "The Beach", which put Maya Bay on the map ensuring… read more »

• Baga Beach // India

  

  Baga Beach is another of the most popular beaches in North Goa. Attracting a mix of younger, middle class Indian tourists as well as those from overseas this is the partying capital of the Goan coast. All the tales of hedonism and holiday excess in Goa probably originated from here or neighbouring Calangute.

  Things have moved on somewhat since… read more »

• Nai Harn Beach // Thailand

  

  Located as much off the beaten track as anywhere can be in Phuket is one of the island's best beaches. The largely rocky coastline of the southernmost tip of Phuket gives way to this pristine strip of soft white sand with its backdrop of lushly vegetated hillsides. As you would expect the waters of this small sheltered bay are warm… read more »

• Mibaru Beach // Japan

  

  Mibaru is one of the finest beaches on the island of Okinawa itself. The long stretch of white sand leading into the crystal clear turquoise ocean will is a familiar them with the beaches in Japan's tropical south, but what makes Mibaru stand out are the various rock formations along its length. At lower tides these greenery-topped rocks form part of the… read more »

• Agonda Beach // India

  

  Located in the middle of South Goa, Agonda Beach is a long stretch of soft golden sand that meets the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. Amongst the backdrop of palm trees there are actually huts where you can stay during your visit, making for a complete beach experience.

  This beach is generally pretty laid back and peaceful. You can spend… read more »

• Palolem Beach // India

  

  Goa is without doubt the most popular destination in India for beach holidays with its lively beach scene. Palolem Beach is a naturally beautiful spot in the south of the state with a long crescent of sand and blue waters. This is a place to relax on the beach or take a dip in the Arabian Sea.

  When you arrive in… read more »

• Puka Beach // Philippines

  

  Situated on the northern tip of the island of Boracay is the tranquil tropical idyl of Puka beach. The name of the beach comes from the type of shells which make up the sand here; whilst some may find it a touch coarse it looks lovely bleached white in the sun. The half a mile stretch of beach here is… read more »

• Furuzamami Beach // Japan

  

  Furuzamami Beach is located on the island of Zamami which is located around an hour's high speed ferry ride from the main island of Okinawa. Most would agree it is well worth the journey and the beach is regularly rated as one of Japan's finest.

  This tropical beach is graced with a wide, gently curving stretch of powder white sand fringed… read more »

• Nishihama Beach // Japan

  

  Nishihama Beach is found on Hateruma, the most southerly inhabited island in all of Japan. This remote slice of tropical paradise lives up to expectations with Nishihama consistently topping out the polls on Japan's best beaches.

  Given the island is sometimes referred to as "Hateruma Blue" it is little surprise the waters are a crystal clear azure in colour. Combined with powdery white… read more »

• Kondoi Beach // Japan

  

  Set on Taketomi island, one of the most southerly in Japan, Kondoi beach is well within the tropics. The small island is much less built up than its neighbour Ishigaki, which is the de facto capital of the Yaeyama Islands. From here you can catch a ferry which takes less than half an hour to get you over to Taketomi.

  Kondoi… read more »

• Azhimala Beach // India

  

  Just a short drive from Kovalam is the much quieter, laid back Azhimala Beach. Compared to the hustle and bustle along the coast this is a wonderfully peaceful and natural location.

  Gentle waves wash the long stretch of golden sand, and the backdrop is coconut palm trees with the odd cluster of boulders. Instead of a throng of tourists you can… read more »

• Polem Beach // India

  

  Polem beach lies in the south of Goa, and is the last beach in the state before the border with Karnataka. At 700 metres in length, it is considered small by Goa's standards.

  Its clean yellow sands are set slightly back from the surrounding coastline, in a small bay. Providing some shelter from the full strength of the Arabian Sea, it… read more »

• Maehama Beach // Japan

  

  Yonaha Maehama is often cited as Japan's best beach and it is easy to see why. The fine white sand of this beach stretches seven kilometres around the south west coast of Miyakojima island. Here the water is warm, calm and crystal clear with a hint of brilliant green / blue.

  Despite its tropical appearance this is not a desert… read more »

• Kata Noi // Thailand

  

  Set just to the south of Kata beach, Kata Noi is like a smaller, undeveloped version of its bigger, brasher neighbour. It has the same golden-white sands that gently slope down to the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea, and as you would expect from a tropical island, the beach is lined with palm trees.

  Kata Noi beach is… read more »

• Cherai Beach // India

  

  Located within a stone's throw of Kochi, Kerala's most populous city, is Cherai Beach. This long, golden sand beach sits on a 15-kilometer strip of coast backed by extensive backwaters. As the beach stretches off into the distance with a view of the Arabian Sea to one side and groves of coconut palms to the other it is hard to… read more »

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