Life's a beach, and Asia has no shortage of places to live it well. We dug around and turned up the finest coastal destinations you'll find along the shores of this vast continent.
We even sorted them into three categories (secluded beaches, action-packed beaches, and local color) so all you have to do is decide just how much seaside paradise you can handle.
For solitude
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Yunokawa, Hakodate, Japan
Yunokawa may be best known as an onsen (hot spring) district, but it's dotted with gorgeous, largely deserted beaches all across town.
The coastal town's real charms don't reveal themselves until the winter months. Onsen scattered around the area open right onto the shore, and we can think of few things better than soaking in a hot spring while gazing out over a snow-covered beach.
Yunokawa is mostly overlooked by foreign and domestic tourists alike in winter, since most holidaymakers in Hokkaido head for Sapporo to ski, so the shops close early and lend the town a wonderfully calm atmosphere.
Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Phu Quoc is shaping up to be "the next Phuket," and it looks set to bring a tidy profit to the Vietnamese government and resort operators before long.
But if it's untouched charms you're after, there's still time to visit the island and figure out why the government reckons it's so lucrative in the first place (the international airport won't open until next year).
Phu Quoc is often called one of Vietnam's most beautiful islands, and Bai Dai Beach, which sits within a Vietnamese military zone, is blissfully secluded, with white sands and sweeping views stretching all the way to the horizon.
Patnem Beach, Goa, India
Most travelers know Goa for Anjuna Beach, a 1960s hippie haven that's now a tourist magnet. If the cacophony of flea markets and traveler raves isn't your thing, head for the lesser-known shores of Patnem, just a stone's throw from the increasingly crowded Palolem Beach.
Patnem may be smaller than its famous neighbor, but it's also less claustrophobic, with cheaper beach-hut accommodation. It's the perfect spot to kick back and soak up the sunset while congratulating yourself on slipping under Goa's tourist radar.
Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Malaysia
The Langkawi island cluster is spearheading Malaysia's bid to become Southeast Asia's next big resort destination, and while most visitors to the main island (also called Langkawi) flock to Pantai Cenang beach, we prefer the quieter Tanjung Rhu for its earthy beauty and tranquil vibe.
The two-mile stretch of beach at Tanjung Rhu is surrounded by ancient limestone caves, winding waterways, and dense mangrove thickets. The recently opened Four Seasons resort offers naturalist-led boat tours through the mangrove forests.
Havelock Island, Andaman Islands, India
The idyllic Havelock Island may be the most visited stop on the Andaman Islands circuit, but the number of visitors there is tiny compared with the crowds at other, equally enchanting spots in Thailand.
On the peaceful Havelock Island, visitors can get a taste of rural island life. The buses that run on the island look as though they're about to fall apart, and the locals, while friendly, have a charmingly laid-back manner. Anyone looking for corporate comforts won't find them here, as Havelock is free of chain resorts.
Ta Pho Beach, Ko Kut, Thailand
Ko Kut in Thailand is perhaps one of the very few places that can live up to the myth of the deserted Asian beach paradise. It has all the right ingredients: rainforest, wonderful fishing villages, coconut plantations, snorkeling spots, and a population of fewer than 2,000.
One of its star attractions is the flawless Ta Pho Beach, a broad stretch of sugar-white sand fringed by coconut palms.
Pulau Derawan, Indonesia
Travelers keen to escape corporate comforts won't go wrong with the Indonesian island of Pulau Derawan. The tourist accommodation is no-frills, and the locals are modest and chatty. Luckier visitors may get to see turtles roaming the island's untroubled silvery beaches.
The waters around Derawan are known as a top-tier spot for swimming with manta rays and green turtles.
For an active break
Phra Nang Beach, Railay, Thailand
With its dramatic limestone formations, hundreds of challenging climbing routes, and Tiffany-colored waters, the Railay peninsula is an experienced climber's dream. Phra Nang, the area's main beach with its fine sand, offers panoramic views of the region's rugged beauty and is ringed by stalactite-framed cliffs that visitors can leap from.
While Railay is only reachable by longtail boat from Krabi and Ao Nang, it can get crowded during peak tourist seasons.
Sipadan, Malaysia
For divers, it doesn't get much better than beach-fringed Sipadan. It's been named the best dive site in Asia, and not without good reason: Sipadan is blanketed in lush coral and supports an extraordinarily healthy marine ecosystem, including robust populations of reef sharks and green turtles.
Serious divers won't pass up the chance to visit Barracuda Point to feel what it's like to have thousands of barracuda swirling around them. To protect the area, only 120 diving permits are issued each day at Sipadan.
Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
With the country's political troubles noticeably easing, Sri Lanka's push to become known as a tourist hotspot rather than a hotbed of terrorism is undoubtedly getting a boost from its world-class surfing spots.
The surf mecca of Hikkaduwa, one of Sri Lanka's most popular beach destinations, has around a dozen reef breaks that stop short of being life-threatening, along with plenty of sea coral to keep snorkelers happy.
To round off an Asian holiday, Hikkaduwa serves up deliciously spicy local food and Buddhist cultural sights that vacationers can write home about.
Gaya Island, Borneo, Malaysia
Travelers will find it hard to resist the Gayana Eco Resort, even if they're not eco-warriors. The luxurious resort, built over the water on stilts, has a 130-million-year-old prehistoric rainforest for a neighbor. The resort provides guides for jungle treks, and if you're lucky, you might even spot the Megapode, a local bird that looks like a chicken but meows like a cat.
For those seeking underwater adventures, Gaya Island is a superb dive spot thanks to its coral, warm waters, and exotic fish.
Mui Ne Beach, Vietnam
Thrill-seekers won't want to miss Mui Ne, effectively Vietnam's adrenaline capital. It's famous for kitesurfing thanks to strong winds and clear skies, and it's also widely regarded as a top spot for surfing and windsurfing.
Mui Ne is beautiful, too. Parts of the beach are made up of massive sand dunes, like a slice of desert wildly juxtaposed next to the sea.
Bacuit Archipelago, Philippines
The Bacuit Archipelago, made up of more than 45 islets, is recognized as one of the Philippines' crowning geological wonders for its sheer karst cliffs and sensational limestone rock formations. The bleached shores of the region, especially the outstanding beaches on Cadlao Island, are also prime spots for an adrenaline fix, whether it's snorkeling, kayaking, trekking, rock climbing, or diving.
For local color
Akajima, Okinawa, Japan
The tiny Akajima in Okinawa's Kerama Islands may be popular with Japanese day-trippers in summer, but foreign travelers are a rare sight there.
Indeed, Akajima keeps its blissfully secluded charm even at the height of the season. The beaches are immaculate, usually with just a handful of Japanese surfers, and the locals are sociable and welcoming. Further inland is a wonderful Ryukyu heritage house that's open to visitors. If you're lucky, you might even befriend a local and ask them to teach you the shamisen over a cold beer.
Beidaihe, China
Hainan Island may be China's beach destination of the moment, but it's Beidaihe in the north that has entertained China's upper echelons for decades.
Beidaihe is a few hours from Beijing and offers a fascinating alternative glimpse into China's past political intrigue. Leaders such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping shaped national policy at their private villas here, and it's popular with Russian tourists, an incidental reminder of past Sino-Soviet ties.
Cloak-and-dagger history aside, Beidaihe's restaurants offer simpler pleasures with good seafood and ice-cold beer.
Om Beach, Gokarna, India
There's more to Om Beach in the coastal town of Gokarna than just sand and sea. Gokarna, home to one of India's holiest Shiva shrines, is a key stop on the Hindu pilgrimage trail, and Om Beach offers a captivating window into Hindu religious life.
The rocky cove is named for its resemblance to the Hindu symbol of unity and peace, and it's backed by coconut palms and green hills. The center of Gokarna is rich in old-world charm, with barefoot Brahmin priests wandering about and chillum-smoking sadhus.
Haad Rin Beach, Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
The infamous full moon parties at Haad Rin Beach are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every full moon night, tens of thousands of (mostly Australian) travelers flood the island for drunken, drug-fueled revelry. The queues for the toilets and drinks can be maddening, and there's plenty of pushing and swearing, but for many party lovers the buckets of cheap booze, great food, and wild crowds make it all worthwhile.
Iho Beach, Jeju Island, South Korea
With an aesthetic reminiscent of Hawaii, Jeju has long been a favorite among Korean domestic travelers and newlyweds, and standing out in the region is Iho Beach, famous for its blend of yellow and gray sand. The beach is shallow and good for swimming, and once you've dried off, we recommend heading into central Jeju City to people-watch in the raucous student bars.
Old favorites
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
Boracay may be a dolled-up tourist hub, but there's a reason it stays on top of the travel rankings.
Tourism and development have crept up on the tiny island, but it can still lay claim to the title of "tropical paradise." Boracay has something for everyone, from powdery beaches to water sports and spas. And while the famous White Beach is strewn with plush resorts and kitschy souvenir stalls, watching the sunset over the water is still considered a very special moment by many.
Soneva Gili, Maldives
Nearly every beach in the Maldives is flawless, but when it comes to beachside luxury, the staggeringly expensive Soneva Gili resort reigns supreme. Every over-water villa is fitted with little indulgences you never knew you needed (room service by speedboat and open-air bathrooms, for instance) while private butlers will whisk you off to deserted private beaches with hammocks and picnics on request.
