The Most Idyllic Islands in Southeast Asia Not to Miss in 2025
Forget sharing the sand with crowds of tourists - these Southeast Asian islands are perfect for finding paradise all to yourself.
There’s no other way to say it: Southeast Asia is simply overflowing with pretty islands. Deserted sandbars, private island resorts, cultural hubs and tropical retreats - whatever you’re feeling, you’ll find it here. That’s why we’ve rounded up a brief list of Southeast Asia’s most idyllic islands, from the lesser known, like the Riau Islands to the upward trending Phu Quoc and Siargao. If hiding out in paradise is one of your 2025 resolutions, look no further than these beautiful spots across Southeast Asia.
Trang Islands, Thailand
Take a slow-paced journey to the almost deserted islands making up this dreamy archipelago which lie off the south coast of Trang province, and the Thailand of yester-year will reveal itself. From little Koh Ngai, with its pillowy soft beaches and under-the-radar resorts, to the jungle trails and beachside bungalows on Koh Kradan, it can be hard to know which to choose.
Our advice? Try them all. Make a base in Koh Kradan or Koh Muk, where you’re likely to find the most travellers, bars and the chance to watch burnt orange sunsets. To get lost in the wild, Koh Libong holds dense mangrove forests and populations of wild birds, and Koh Sukorn, the least known of the bunch, has beaches, rice paddies and plantations best explored by bicycle.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
This popular island in Vietnam is picking up even more pace on luxury traveller’s radars, thanks to hotels such as Regent Phu Quoc’s success. More expansion is underway, with Melia and Rixos both signing up for properties on the island but at its heart Phu Quoc retains a laid-back charm. Hidden bays can still be found and snorkelling trips within the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve are the easiest way to explore its technicolour underwater world. Beyond the beaches, hiking trails, jungles and wildlife fill the hours and due to being firmly on the tourist map, there are plenty of shops, restaurants and bars too.
For beach time, Phu Quoc has both extremes; Sao Beach is popular with crowds who flood the beach bars and cafes, where Cua Can Beach, accessed by easy trails, is often deserted. Opt for a hotel with its own direct-access stretch of sand to have a spot all your own.
Siargao, Philippines
Beyond the news that Robinsons Hotels & Resorts will be debuting a luxury villa resort on Siargao come 2026, there are plenty of current reasons to head here sharpish. It’s a tricky island to reach, but in this case the journey is truly worth the reward. Siargao is the island everyone who visits the Philippines is searching for: a shoes off vibe with soft sand and gently crashing waves, ringed all the way around by gently swaying palm trees. Siargao is big with surfers and rightly so, bringing waves to challenge the best of them.
Just-about-roads and local eateries are still the norm here, but luxury is slowly making itself known at hotels like the five-star Nay Palad Hideaway with its private villas and bright white beach, and Kalinaw Resort which is close to the famous Cloud 9 surf break. If you can drag yourself away from Siargao’s sparkling tidal pools and lush jungle, don’t miss a tri-island hop around Daku Island, Guyam Island and Naked Island, the latter of which is simply a remote sandbar that is often hidden under the ocean.
Sumba, Indonesia
Everyone is talking about Sumba, and if you haven’t heard about it already, you soon will. Nihi Sumba has long dominated this remote Indonesian paradise, where wild horses kick up sand in the surf and locals lead water buffaloes on their daily rounds. The resort blends seamlessly into its surroundings, hiding luxury eco-villas and an impressive spa while remaining in coexistence with 2km of golden beach and local life.
Aside from horse riding, expect a long list of sporting activities on water and land, from padel to surfing and hiking. Also getting in on the action is Cap Karoso, with its airy rooms and beachfront villas, beach club and rooftop infinity pool. Genuinely local private tours offered by both hotels give insight into the Sumbanese way of life, before mass tourism takes the reins.
Koh Phra Thong, Thailand
Thailand has so many islands - more than 1400 to be exact; but while many have tourists making a beeline for their shores (we’re looking at you, Koh Samui), there are still many where you can feel truly cast away. Koh Phra Thong is still largely undeveloped, with miles and miles of sand mostly devoid of resorts and ultramarine waters for paddling.
Staying here in the high season, when the island’s resorts are open for business, offers the best of both worlds, with modern creature comforts and island seclusion; we love the palm-fringed villas at BABA Ecolodge. But keep in mind that Koh Phra Thong is still for the adventurous, with a distinct lack of consistent electricity and little to do but cycle, snorkel and discover new deserted patches of beach.
Riau Archipelago, Indonesia
Taking the Riau spotlight is Bintan, which is only an hour’s ferry trip from Singapore but is just the ticket for an alternative island getaway that just about avoiding being overrun. Popular activities include stretching out on Trikora Beach, touring the mangroves and trying various watersports. However, there’s more to the Riau Islands than Bintan, such as the calmer beaches and local seafood restaurants on Batam.
But we’re first and foremost about remote luxury, so consider somewhere more exclusive in Indonesia. Namely, private islands like Nikoi Island, home to an eponymous resort of traditionally designed villas, its own 7-hectare farm and everything from ziplining to turtle spotting, plus private picnics on the nearby deserted islands. If you’re still not swayed, Cempedak Private Island off Bintan is adults-only and ultra exclusive. The indoor-outdoor design melts into the surrounding forest with splashes of blue alerting you to the infinity pools at every villa, while complimentary watersports, Indonesian cuisine and spa treatments await to fill the hours.
Penang, Malaysia
We can’t stop talking about Penang, and far from having had its moment, Penang continues to shine brighter. Georgetown is an explosion of cultures and wider Penang plugs any gaps with emerald jungle and honey coloured beaches. Hit the streets of Georgetown on foot to explore is intricate mosques, colourful jetties and heritage streets with their impressive murals. No trip would be complete without a taste of Peranakan culture at one of the city’s street food stalls on Kimberley Street - rotate through delicious Malaysian curries accompanied by roti canai.
Further out, take in the views from Penang Hill or head out on a jungle hike through Penang National Park. We suggest recovering with some Vitamin D and sea in Batu Ferringhi or by hopping on a boat to Monkey Beach. It’s not all non-stop fun, in fact, time seems to stop in the palatial white walls of the Eastern and Oriental Hotel , a grand dame of Penang where guests’ every whim is catered to.
