The best islands in Asia you need to visit at least once

Borneo, the largest island in Asia, comprises Malaysian Borneo, Indonesian Borneo, and Brunei. Each part of the island is well-worth visiting for endless days of tropical adventure – think jungle exploring, beach frolicking, underwater explorations, and more. This is an especially rewarding trip for wildlife enthusiasts, who are almost guaranteed sightings of endangered animals such as orangutans, Bornean elephants, and proboscis monkeys on the Kinabatangan River in eastern Sabah. Check out our 10-day guide to Borneo. 

Time Out tip There are also beautiful islands surrounding Borneo. If you're looking for a beach vacation, visit the islands off of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Arguably the most visited island in Indonesia, travellers continue to flock to Bali for its incredible nature, rich cultural heritage, and epic surfing. Within Bali, you can see waterfalls and rice terraces or go dolphin watching and catch a wave. Meanwhile, Ubud serves as a spiritual hub. The best place to embrace Balinese Hindu spirituality is the Four Seasons Sayan which offers many cultural tours and on-site experiences such as traditional cooking classes, spa treatments rooted in ancient Balinese rituals, and sacred water cleansing visits to the Pura Mengening water temple, which is significantly less busy than Pura Tirta Empul.

Time Out tip Many of Bali’s beaches are rocky and known for surfing, but Lovina Beach is safe for swimming – and you might just see some dolphins.

Phú Quốc is one of the best islands to visit in Vietnam for its pristine white sand beaches dotted with palm trees and warm aquamarine waters. If you can pull yourself away from the beach, there are many hiking trails leading to epic vantage points; thrills to be had at amusement parks such as Aquatopia Water Park and VinWonders Phú Quốc; and a stunning cable car ride from Sunset Town – the longest sea-crossing cable car ride in the world.

Time Out tip For the best sunset viewing spot, head to Long Beach.

The Maldives consistently wins in rankings for best islands in Asia. This archipelago has nearly 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, all boasting crystal-clear shallow water, thriving reefs, and picturesque over-water villas. Home to many ultra-luxurious resorts, the Maldives doesn’t have to break the bank. The affordable Avani+ Fares Maldives is located on the heart-shaped Baa Atoll, comprised of 61 islands. It’s a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with marine-protected waters, making it an excellent place to view the vibrant underwater world. 

Time Out tip The resort features the largest rum collection in the Maldives, with many delicious tiki-themed cocktails.

Known as the "last frontier" of the Philippines due to its unspoiled natural beauty, Palawan is otherworldly with limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and thriving aquatic life. El Nido is a great place to visit for island hopping day trips; Coron is a favourite amongst divers to uncover sunken Japanese battleships; and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique experience where you can visit the spectacular cave system.

Time Out tip Nacpan Beach is about an hour’s drive from El Nido and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It has four kilometres of soft sand, lush coconut palm groves along the shore, and clear water that’s safe for swimming as it’s protected by off-shore islands.

Ishigaki Island has an airport, making it one of the easiest of Okinawa’s 160 islands to visit. With crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and stunning coral reefs, it’s an amazing locale for snorkelling. Yonehara Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in Okinawa, and climbing the ancient Shiraho Stone Steps carved out of coral offers one of the best vistas on the island. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park has dense subtropical forests and gorgeous waterfalls. Don’t miss the Iriomote Cat School, where you can see and learn about the protected wildcat.

Time Out tip Okinawa is a “Blue Zone” with high rates of centenarians. Many credit their long lives to their diet (amongst other factors), which includes the antioxidant-rich Okinawa purple sweet potato.

In Koh Rong, Cambodia, you can have the magical experience of swimming with bioluminescent plankton off the coast of Long Set Beach. When the plankton reacts to the movement of your body by glowing a dreamy blue, it feels like swimming through stars. The second-largest island in Cambodia offers many activities to join during the day as well, including epic snorkelling with thriving coral reefs and marine life. There are over 20 beaches to explore around Koh Rong – for sunbathing, 4K Beach is ideal; for watersports, go to Sok San beach; for a secluded beach, trek through the jungle to Lonely Beach.

Time Out tip It’s best to swim with bioluminescent plankton during the new moon when the sky is darkest. Bring a snorkel so you can watch the natural phenomenon underwater.