From the untamed Riau Archipelago to the first underwater hotel in Australia, these are the best places to visit if you’re looking for an alternative to the Maldives.
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Getty Images Riau Islands, Indonesia Best for: Splendid isolation. Percolating through the South China Sea, Indonesia’s untamed Riau Archipelago feels like it’s on the edge of the world but can actually be reached fairly easily from Singapore (rather than Jakarta), via the Bintan and Batam ferries or a Maldives-esque seaplane. In the more accessible southern islands, you’ll find adorable sea otters dancing along bright-white boulder-studded beaches. While the north, jewel-like island clusters rise out of aquamarine lagoons flecked with tropical fish. -
Getty Images Mozambique
Best for: White beaches and blue whales.
Mozambique shares more than 2,500 kilometres of its platinum sand coastline with the same Indian Ocean as the Maldives. Unspoiled islands come in chains ringed by vibrant coral reefs, superb dive sites, and a wealth of magical marine life, including dugongs, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and, at the right time of year, blue whales (which you won’t find in the Maldives).
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Getty Images Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Best for: Food lovers.
Cradled inside the Bay of Bengal, south of Myanmar and west of Thailand, this coral-encrusted archipelago is made up of 572 islands, only 38 of which are inhabited. Along with turquoise waters, ivory sands, and sensational diving, visitors can hike through rainforests and feast on local delicacies.
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Getty Images Northern Palawan, Philippines
Best for: Exclusivity.
Palawan is one of the most popular beach destinations in Asia, characterized by 1,780 fantastical tropical islands surrounded by shimmering beaches and electric blue waters.
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Getty Images Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Best for: Overwater villas.
French Polynesia is home to dreamy islands, including Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora, fringed by volcanic peaks, vast coral reefs, and wonderfully biodiverse marine life.
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Getty Images The Whitsundays, Australia
Best for: Underwater hotel rooms.
Check into Reefsuites, the first underwater hotel rooms in the Great Barrier Reef, where you can experience marine life firsthand from your accommodation.
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Getty Images Sipadan, Malaysia
Best for: Serious divers.
Sipadan is a masterwork of nature with spectacular dive sites, abundant marine life, including hammerhead sharks and manta rays.
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Getty Images Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Best for: Yachting.
For a real sense of adventure, set sail for Raja Ampat, a collection of 1,500 rainforested islands abundant in history, local traditions, and marine life.
