Printable: plan your 2015 long weekends
According to, like, everyone Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s best beaches. With 10 long weekends in 2015, why not spend your time exploring some of the best coastlines in the world? Here are five you can easily do in a long weekend. And here’s a printable to help with your planning. You’re welcome.
1. White Beach in Boracay, Philippines
Award Winning Sand
Voted TripAdvisor’s #1 beach in Asia is White Beach in Boracay, Philippines. Renowned for having the softest sand in the world, White Beach is now easier than ever to get to from Singapore.
Where to stay:
Splash out: Discovery Shores Boracay
Save: Argonauta Boracay
Getting there:
Cebu Pacific Air from Singapore to Caticlan, or Tigerair to the bigger airport of Kalibo, although this will add a two hour drive to your journey. Once in Caticlan it’s just a 10-minute ferry ride to Boracay.
2. Karma Beach, Bali
Killer Villa
For an extra special beach experience, head to Karma Kandara for lunch and gain access to their stunning and secluded private beach. Eat at di Mare, a semi-circular dining room suspended on a rocky outcrop 85 metres above the surf, or take the impressive inclinator straight down the face of the limestone cliff for lunch at Karma Beach Bali.
Just 40 minutes from the international airport Karma Kandara is also a great place to stop off on your way back to real life.
Where to stay:
Splash out: Bali Luxury Villas
Save: Villa Bali
Getting there: is super convenient with the plethora of airlines and flights flying to and fro all day long. Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Jetstar, Tigerair, Indonesia AirAsia and Qatar all fly there from Singapore. Take AirAsia there and Qatar back for the longest time on the island.
Discovery Shores Boracay
3. Freedom Beach in Patong, Phuket
Antidote for wild nights out
Home to another TripAdvisor best beach – Freedom Beach in Patong. Secluded within a private bay of powdery white sand, surrounded by jungle and kept pristine by locals, it’s the perfect antidote for wild nights out in Patong. The easiest way to get there is to catch a long-tail boat from the pier area at the south end of Patong Beach.
Where to stay:
Splash out: Phuket Villas
Save: Phuket Net
Getting there: Jetstar, Thai AirAsia, Tigerair and Silkair will get you to Phuket in under two hours flying time.
4. Rawa Island
No Fly Zone
If you can’t face boarding a plane, this tropical paradise is a great flight-free option. Rawa is a small but perfectly formed island off the coast of Malaysia, surrounded by the crystal clear aquamarine waters of the South China Sea. Easily do-able for even a normal weekend, it’s a great option for a fun, cheap, group trip.
Where to stay:
Splash out: Rawa Island Resort
Save: Alangs is not only the cheaper option of the island’s two resorts, with great packages for groups of all sizes, but it is also right on the beach where all the fun is!
Getting there: Just a three hour drive and a boat ride from Singapore. Take a taxi or minibus from Singapore to Mersing, or Transnasional operates a bus service leaving from Kallang Bahru/Lavender Street junction. Once at the port of Mersing both resorts include two-way boat transfers to the island in their accommodation packages.
Rawa Island Resort
5. Phu Quoc Island – Vietnam
Secluded and unassuming
Floating in the warm turquoise waters in the Gulf of Thailand is Phu Quoc Island, a gorgeous tropical paradise fringed with white-sandy beaches. Known for its untouched natural environment, chilled atmosphere, friendly locals and amazing scuba diving and snorkelling, Phu Quoc’s peak season runs from November to March. Night life is a little quieter, so opt for daytime adventures instead, like exploring in the reefs or kayaking in the bay. For something more laid back, indulge in a massage or dine on the freshest seafood by the beach.
Where to stay:
Splash: La Veranda Resorts
Save: Mango Bay Phuquoc
Getting there: Many airlines fly daily from Changi to Ho Chi Minh City including Vietnam Air, Silkair and Jetstar. It’s around a two hour flight. You will then need to transfer on to a 50 minute domestic flight (there are seven per day)
to put you on Phu Quoc where the beach and holiday bliss is a mere 4 kms from the international airport.
Top image: La Veranda Resorts
