Are you looking for an idyllic getaway to a nearby beach this weekend or the next? Pack your trunks, bikinis, shades, and sunscreen lotions into your travel kit.
We have prepared a list of the best beaches around Singapore where you can spend some blissful “alone time” or spend a memorable weekend with your family away from the maddening rush and frenzy that you deal with in Singapore every day.
List of Best Beaches Around Singapore
1. Bintan Island: Bintan is a part of Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago. It takes about an hour to reach by ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. It is the second closest tropical beach to Singapore after Sentosa.
Apart from the majestic beaches and pristine waters, you’ll love the premier resorts and spas. A good spa session will help you relax and be ready for the coming week. We recommend that you visit Bintan in October because a number of the local festivities are organized at that time of the year.
If you’re looking for paradise, you may find one here on earth while sunbathing on the white, crystalline sand beaches of Bintan.
2. Tioman Island: Still in a relatively virgin state and unsullied by the increasing number of tourists flocking to this place for a perfect weekend getaway, Tioman in Malaysia offers more than you can imagine. Salang Beach is one of the best in Asia and the magical, blue waters in the surrounding ocean means that you can’t resist a boat trip or snorkeling.
It also boasts of one of the most diverse and well-balanced marine ecolife in the region. It offers a range of homestay options and budget hotels. If you’re adventurous and have a deep pocket, you may even stay in one of the many tree-top houses. Free breakfast, hot shower, air-conditioned rooms and other facilities are common and come cheap.
3. Telunas Island: Still stuck in a time warp which you might mistake for the 18th or 19th century Singapore, this idyllic private island in Indonesia is literally miles away from all the commotion and pollution that ruin your peace of mind. Its proximity to Singapore means that you can simply take a water cruise or ferry from Singapore to Batam, and then take a longboat to reach the destination. The entire journey won’t take more than 3-4 hours.
Instead of the private island, you can also stay in a beach resort. Both have their advantages. You can simply unwind on a beachfront villa on the private beach, staring into the endless, azure sea, or splash in the freshwater infinity pool to soothe yourself against the tropical heat.
You might also lay down on your hammock and read a book or help your child catch a hermit crab or build a sand castle.
Paddle boating and kayaking are some of the popular activities here.
4. Lombok Island: If you love surfing or other high-octane water sports, you would definitely care to visit Lombok in Indonesia. This less-crowded island is surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches, relatively free from mass tourism and commercialism unlike Bali, its more popular neighbor.
Try the Mawun Beach, TanjungAan, or the Gili Islands, each of which offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience and complete value for money.
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You can also check out the Pantal Pink or the Pink Beach, made up of pink sand. You can climb a rock to get a wide-angled view of the turquoise water and the adjoining bays.
5. Nikoi Island: A privately owned beach, Nikoi just off Bintan, Indonesia and about 85 km from Singapore, is a natural selection in the list of quality beaches which are at a short distance from Singapore. It has picturesque houses, sandy beaches, and alluring rocks.
If you’re crazy about water sports, you’ll love the full gamut on offer – diving, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boating, surfing, kayaking and sailing. You’ll definitely find a lot of variety in the marine life – pufferfish, batfish, sweet lips, stingrays, and octopuses are common.
6. KohRong Island: KohRong is the second-largest island of Cambodia and is marked by endless stretches of white, sandy beaches. This beach that is undergoing development at a phenomenal pace, offers a unique experience as the flawless green casts a shadow on the deep, blue sea.
You can book a chalet or stay in a star resort. Some of the best beaches in the area are Vietnamese Beach, Palm Beach, Sok San Beach, and KohTock Beach. Besides snorkeling, sailing, and surfing, blob jumping is also very popular.
7. Koh Lanta: Koh Lanta is a small, spotless, and relatively unknown beach, nestled between the tropical villages of Krabi, Thailand, and is a perfect getaway from the din and bustle of city life for a weekend.
Reaching Koh Lanta is easy since it is just 70 km from Krabi Town. A short-haul flight is all you need to reach Krabi from Singapore followed by a car ride.
You can spend your afternoon sitting at an ocean-view café or hanging out at the National Park. Try visiting the KhlongChak Waterfall or rummaging for souvenirs at the nearby Saladan Market, perched over the ocean.
Consider any of the places mentioned on this list. The best part is that they are easily accessible from Singapore. No elaborate planning or big savings is required. The other good thing? You won’t need a flight to reach most of these places.