Make it happen
Fly for an hour from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Airlines or Jetstar Asia,stay in the heart of George Town at the city’s best-known heritage hotel, Eastern&Oriental Hotel. Monthly temperatures only vary one degree all year,but January to March is driest. See mypenang.gov.my
FOR DIVING
Raja Ampat,Indonesia
![Island idyll … Raja Ampat.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/da1ba7f99360ff141798e59d7db7272d26b48bd3)
Island idyll … Raja Ampat.Credit:iStock
Why here
Located off the easternmost Indonesian island of Papua,Raja Ampat isn’t just the best place to dive in Asia – it’s the best place to dive on earth. Its remoteness protects it from the visitation numbers that have harmed Bali’s reef. In this archipelago of 1500 islands you’ll find 75 per cent of the world’s marine species including 540 types of corals,1800 reef fish species and 17 species of marine mammals living in the world’s most diverse coral reef ecosystem. With no mass tourism and a sparse local population making for little pollution,water visibility is often more than 50 metres.
![Coral branches against the sky in Raja Ampat,Indonesia.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/3dd268612e2d8d6512e69716ad91a68c21c72d0b)
Coral branches against the sky in Raja Ampat,Indonesia.Credit:iStock
Wait,there’s more
The biodiversity isn’t limited to the ocean,the forests of Raja Ampat teem with species not seen anywhere else. Take hikes through Raja Ampat’s rainforests,experiencing the remote village life of the local Maya Ambel people,staying in homestays along the way.
Make it happen
Fly from Bali or Jakarta with Garuda via Sorong,then take the two-hour Bahari Express boat to Waisai,or take a chartered flight from Darwin with Coral Expeditions,many luxury live-aboard expedition boards also operate. See aquaexpeditions.com or stay in a dive resort. See papua-diving.com/. The best diving is between October and May. Seewww.indonesia.travel
FOR BEACHES
Palawan,The Philippines
![Palawan is the Philippines’ most western island.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/9018f9de375d6d7593e96c77cdbaee6b0e1f8337)
Palawan is the Philippines’ most western island.Credit:iStock
Why here
The Philippines’ westernmost island,Palawan,is home to beaches unspoilt by the mass tourism (and rubbish) which has plagued Bali’s beaches for more than a decade. Boracay – 350 kilometres east – attracts most international attention,but Palawan flies under our radar.
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It once took a day to travel to Palawan’s best beach location,El Nido. Now you can fly there in 80 minutes from Manila. Located on the edge of an archipelago protected in a marine reserve with 45 limestone islands,island-hop by boat to Asia’s best beaches – including Hidden Beach,a four-kilometre stretch of bone-white sand surrounded by limestone cliffs only reachable via a hole in the rocks.
Wait,there’s more
Fly to Palawan’s capital,Puerto Princesa and take a tour of a World-Heritage-listed subterranean river within one of Asia’s most biodiverse rainforest systems (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park). Take a boat tour through a limestone karst cave system.
Make it happen
Qantas will fly Brisbane to Manila four times a week from October. Seeqantas.comFly to Manila with Cebu Pacific,then fly 80 minutes to El Nido with Air Swift,there are beachfront resorts across El Nido,but consider your own private island, Matinloc Resort. Driest between November and May, tourismphilippines.com.au/where/palawan
FOR WELLNESS
Koh Samui,Thailand
![Koh Samui is set to be the next location for the hit TV series,White Lotus.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/8d02146eb239df2e07c173d2f16bac47104a67b6)
Koh Samui is set to be the next location for the hit TV series,White Lotus.
Why here
Bali became the wellness capital of the universe when the film adaptation of the global bestsellerEat,Pray,Lovewas released in 2010. Now it’s Koh Samui’s turn. Thailand’s second-biggest island was known only as a stepping stone to full-moon party mecca,Koh Phangan,but it’s fast becoming the wellness capital of Asia. Come 2025 when the third season of the Netflix hit series,White Lotus (filmed on the island) is released,Koh Samui will be Asia’s hottest destination – so get in fast. It has the highest concentration of five-star hotels outside Bangkok,most with wellness programs. Cutting-edge science mixes with eastern medicine,yoga and reiki in the most luxurious wellness sanctuaries in Asia.
![Take a 30-minute boat ride to neighbouring island,Koh Phangan.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/a9e20fb965e75253fa529200ca1eca0e08ce29d6)
Take a 30-minute boat ride to neighbouring island,Koh Phangan.Credit:iStock
Wait,there’s more
Done switching off your cortisol with detox juices? Take a 30-minute speedboat to Koh Phangan,Asia’s original party island. Famous for full moon parties and beach bars,re-tox slowly by retreating to peaceful beach communities reachable by long boat from party central,Haad Rin.
Make it happen
Fly to Koh Samui via Bangkok with Thai Airways,or via Singapore with Singapore Airlines,stay in one of Asia’s best wellness resorts, Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary&Holistic Spa,December to August is the best time to visit. See tourismthailand.org
FOR SOPHISTICATED BARS
Singapore
![Lobby Bar at the Edition Hotel in Singapore.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/1dafa3b011bf20ada51ca73fca72746c32f660b4)
Lobby Bar at the Edition Hotel in Singapore.
Why here
Singapore has the most sophisticated bar scene in Asia,full stop. It has the highest number of bars of any Asian country on the illustrious World’s 50 Best Bars,such as hidden speak-easy,28 HongKong Street,which could easily be in Manhattan. Choose between secret lounge bars behind unmarked doors,whiskey bars,wine bars,craft beer breweries and cocktail lounges. Bali’s best bars,like Rock Bar Bali,are mostly found within resorts and hotels and lack Singapore’s urban chic.
![Orchard Road is Singapore’s most famous shopping street.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/67992db92f2c2b10939386fe5a56da71191e5bc9)
Orchard Road is Singapore’s most famous shopping street.Credit:Bloomberg
Wait,there’s more
For such a small island (though it’s connected to the mainland by bridges),Singapore packs a punch. It competes with Penang for Asia’s best street food,and is synonymous with shopping – from boutiques to craft,vintage and flea markets. The island’s most famous shopping street,Orchard Road,offers more than 5000 retail and dining options.
Make it happen
Fly direct with Singapore Airlines or Qantas.There are 430 or so hotels offering more than 70,000 rooms,though consider Singapore’s most iconic historic hotel, Raffles Singapore. For the least humidity and rainfall,travel between March and August, visitsingapore.com
FOR SPIRITUALITY
Goa,India
![Book yourself into a spiritual retreat by the beach.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/e84bdb2c4650ce4f34e9fe9b29b563b700d01181)
Book yourself into a spiritual retreat by the beach.Credit:iStock
Why here
It’s hard to top the Island Of The Gods with its 1000-plus temples,but consider Goa on India’s west coast. Like Bali,it’s a long-established step-off point on the hippy trail,but it,too,is full of temples,churches and spiritual retreats. Christianity,Hinduism,Buddhism and Islam merge happily. Visit ancient Hindu temples,World Heritage-listed Catholic churches,take spiritual circuits on tours or book yourself into an ashram or a spiritual retreat by the beach,practising yoga,meditation and Ayuveda.
![Goa is becoming a foodie hotspot.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/80cd3d2376c29b94f63d90901645c19d56fcf2f7)
Goa is becoming a foodie hotspot.Credit:iStock
Wait,there’s more
Goa is becoming a foodie hotspot. The Portuguese ruled for about 450 years and left their mark. Try dishes like vindaloo which fuse traditional curry with Portugal’s de vinha d’alhos,or island favourite,chorizo – spicy pork sausage. Check out Goa’s impressive array of restaurants. It’s also become a hub for distillers of gin,rum and whiskey.
Make it happen
Fly to Mumbai,then take a one-hour flight to Goa with Air India,book a multiple-night spiritual retreat at the luxurious beachside Bamboo Yoga Retreat,the shoulder season of July to October is best to travel, goa-tourism.com
FOR ADVENTURE
Sabah,Malaysian Borneo
![Sabah is full of wild adventure opportunities Bali was famous for two decades ago.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/1319476f14ddc722b21d926c54cb8ceb87a66b6f)
Sabah is full of wild adventure opportunities Bali was famous for two decades ago.Credit:iStock
Why here
Located on Borneo,the world’s third-largest island,Sabah is still full of the sorts of wild adventure opportunities Bali was famous for two decades ago. But while visitor numbers mean every nature adventure in Bali is booked solid,it’s easy to find your own wild adventure in Sabah.
From white-water rafting three rivers – for everyone from absolute beginners to experts negotiating rapids with names like ‘The Head-hunter’ – to climbing a 4095-metre-high mountain (Mount Kinabalu) in time for sunrise to river cruising,sea-kayaking and caving.
![A proboscis monkey in Sabah.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/8648843f02b6f1b861cff0710f7c2b4f66174f57)
A proboscis monkey in Sabah.Credit:iStock
Wait,there’s more
There are about 10,000 orangutans in Sabah and you have one of the best chances of seeing them in the wild. Take a multi-day river tour down the Kinabatangan River – one of the best wildlife spotting destinations in South-East Asia – and you’re almost guaranteed of seeing one (and endemic proboscis monkeys).
Make it happen
Fly to Sabah’s capital,Kota Kinabalu,via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Airlines,stay near Kota Kinabula for easy access to tours all over Sabah. Sutera Harbour Resort is a convenient option,or stay on your own island. Seeechoresorts.com/bungaraya-island-resort.
Still want to ‘do’ Bali? Follow these rules
Manage your expectations
If you want pristine,empty beaches go to the South Pacific. Many of Bali’s beaches are busy and are ringed with plastic. But Bali is still a place of great natural beauty – find the waterfalls in its green mountainous areas and the mist-filled paddy fields that still exist outside Kuta,Canggu and Seminyak.
When they go high,you go low
Consider travelling in shoulder or low season. The high season (July to August and December) is a hectic time to visit Bali,but April to June and September to October still delivers mostly dry weather,minus the crowds and higher accommodation prices. And consider low season – January to March – for real bargains. And it doesn’t rain every day.
Far east
Go east. It’s just 80 minutes from the airport to Bali’s east coast but you’ll find Bali as it was 30 years ago. Locals wash clothes in rivers,farmers use water buffalo to till the soil – and there are stunning (black sand beaches) and lesser-known beach towns like Amed offering low-key resorts,diving and beachside restaurants.
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Far north
If the east coast is like the Bali of the 1990s,its north coast is the Bali of the ’70s. Sheltered by mountains dividing Bali east-to-west,the north coast is home to tiny communities living off the land and sea. There are 12 kilometres of (black sand) beaches west of Bali’s former capital,Singaraja,including Lovina Beach,where hundreds of dolphins gather most mornings.
Safety first
Only hire a scooter if you’re confident and your travel insurance covers it. They are great for negotiating the heavy traffic of Bali’s hot-spots like Seminyak and Kuta,but always expect the unexpected – bad drivers,erratic dogs and other obstacles. Consider a local driver for about $50 a day.