The 3 Nicest “Touristy” Beaches in South East Asia

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The diversity and accessibility of beach getaways in South East Asia is truly remarkable. This can be partially attributed to the crowded skies which are filled with multiple budget airlines (Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Zest Air, Malindo Air, Tiger Airways and Lion Air etc.) competing in a saturated market. Passengers, however, are not complaining as this healthy competition has pulled down fares making family travel an option for even those on tight budgets. The question beach developers must ask themselves is, “What type of beach getaways do all these tourists want in the first place?” There are really two major types of underlying preferences tourists have when they book beach getaways. Some tourists want to relax and enjoy the convenience of the beach they are going to and other tourists want to feel the seclusion of avoiding the tourist crowds, often seeking beach destinations that are completely undeveloped.

If you are the type of tourist that wants a beach destination with nice sand and water, worry-free convenience and you are not overly picky about seeing other tourists then these spots are some of the best South East Asia has to offer.

<strong style="outline: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: left;">1. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines

The crystal clear waters of White Beach on Boracay Island see heaps of tourists every year, but it still retains the position as the nicest “touristy” beach in South East Asia. The sand is white and powdery; the water is excellent for swimming and it is super convenient with plenty of beachside restaurants, bars and stores. Much of the beach still has a tropical vibe because it does not have a cement boardwalk that lines the sand. The Philippines may have developed other beaches with mixed results but Boracay isn’t one of them. The heart of the Philippines’ tourism industry definitely lives up to the hype when compared to other beach destinations in the region.

2. Karon Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Most of the beaches on Phuket’s west coast are accessible and convenient. This makes it a daunting task to select the right beach for you. Karon beach is only one of many beautiful stretches of sand being touched by the Andaman Sea, but it has a nice balance between beauty and convenience. The sand is very soft with a nice honey hue and the beach is quite long. Mesmerizing sunsets and a range of great restaurants only add to Karon’s appeal. Adjacent Kata and Kata Noi are also nice beach choices if Karon doesn’t rev your engine.

3. Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Although most travel sources describe Kuta, Legion and Seminyak as distinct locations in Bali, they are really just separated by imaginary boundaries. All three of these tourist districts line different regions of the same beach running from Kuta in the south to Seminyak in the north. It would be hard to find a more convenient beach location with its massive sprawl of shops and restaurants. If you enjoy people watching and seeing tourists from all over the world, then this is an excellent place to be. The water colour and visibility is not even in the same league as Boracay, but the stunning sunsets and surfing culture help to make up for it.

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