You don’t have to share these white sands and turquoise waters with everyone else

Travel restrictions are coming to an end very soon (fingers crossed!) with the arrival of the vaccines. It’s time to dust off our bathing suits and tank tops, and expend all that pent up wanderlust. Take the yacht out on a long vacay. The tropical climate of Southeast Asia is warm and dry in between all the monsoon seasons. Similarly pent up tourists will also certainly inundate island destinations. However, fret not. You’re not going to these ‘common’ beaches. No, with a yacht, quiet, unspoiled, and obscure islands will be your destination.

Koh Kood, Thailand

Thailand is famous (and rightly so) for her beach destinations like Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi. Even so, there are two other islands on the eastern seaboard of the Gulf of Thailand that is no less beautiful and far more quiet. Koh Chang is well known for her elephants, but it is Koh Kood that is the quieter of the two. There is no formal ferry service to the island, so she remains mostly untouched. There aren’t many trappings of tourism here – convenience stores, bars and the like – so this island is the ideal location to really relax and put up your feet.

Similan Islands, Thailand

Situated north of Phuket in the blue waters of the Andaman Sea are a cluster of islands known as Similan Islands. Here you’ll find one of the best diving locations in the world thanks to great visibility and gentle currents. The islands themselves feature low-lying, dense forests that can be explored safely. Best of all, there isn’t a regular ferry service here so traffic is low. It’s important to note that as the islands are a nature reserve, the local government prohibits visiting from May to October. This ‘resetting’ of the island also coincides with the monsoon season in the area.

Côn Dào, Vietnam

If you want a little bit more life on the island you’re visiting, then Côn Dào in Vietnam could be what you’re looking for. More tourists can be found here as the island has its own airport. Even so, much of the island is still undeveloped, so quiet beaches can be easily found. This is especially so to those with their own water transport. Historical buffs should also pay a visit to the Côn Dào Prison, which was built in 1841 by French Colonists to imprison political prisoners.

Phú Quoc, Vietnam

This island is slowly gaining international attention. Nevertheless, the idyllic and laid back atmosphere of old Phú Quoc can still be found at secluded beaches away from tourist haunts. The town centre is worth a visit too. A market is 0pen nightly, although the food here may be less traditional than desired, and many shops here sell fusion cuisines and specialty coffee.

Koh Tonsay, Cambodia

Unlike many of the destinations on this list, Koh Tonsay is not known for white fluffy beaches or azure blue waters. The island, however, is beautifully authentic. The island is small enough to walk around in a few hours, and a single stretch of beach is the designated tourist drop off. Here, families who’ve been on the island for generations take care of a little section of the beach, and each has basic accommodations to rent or a humble restaurant. This will truly be paradise to those who want to get away from the daily bustle of life.

Wakatobi Islands, Indonesia

Wakatobi Islands is a cluster of four islands off the southern coast of Southeast Sulawesi and it is a charming paradise for travelers who dislike the throngs of other tourists. Pristine beaches and startlingly blue seas welcome those who make it here. The waters offer splendid scuba diving and snorkeling vistas. Dolphins can be seen playing around the Wakatobi Marine Park early in the morning too. If cultures fascinate you, then here is also where you will be able to meet and get to know the Bajo. These humble and kind people are indigenous to the area and have been living with the sea since before time was time.

Mataking Island, Malaysia

While Peninsular Malaysia (or West Malaysia) has some pretty neat islands, a group of islands on the northern tip of Borneo outclasses any of them. Mataking Island is one of them. Her powdery white beaches and world-class diving sites are the main allure. Many tourists also use her as a home base for expeditions into Sipadan Island, as no travelers are allowed to stay there. Mataking only has one resort on the island, which limits the traffic around the island. Seclusion aside, the resort also features an internationally-recognised spa.

Camiguin Island, Philippines

She’s known as the island that was ‘born of fire’. Camiguin Island has a volcanic origin and there are more volcanoes than there are towns on the island – seven against five, of which two are still active. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? A viral tourism campaign in 2017 brought the lesser-known island into public consciousness in 2017, but the influx of tourists have yet to reach the overly-famous islands in SEA and so is still a great place to visit. White beaches and blue waters aside, how many other beach destinations offer a first row seat to an active volcano?

Boating in between countries is always fraught with red-tape, so be aware of the requirements and the nearest port-of-call as each country will have their own customs procedures and immigration regulations. Finally, personal security and safety must also be given due consideration. The eastern seas of the region does have a dangerous reputation, so plan journeys carefully and take all necessary precaution. If you’re wondering what to bring along on such trips for fun, here are some great ideas for you.