Looking for the best islands to visit in Asia? Asia's islands stretch from the Maldives and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean to Jeju, Yakushima, Penghu and Lantau in East Asia, and Bali, Komodo and Phu Quoc in South East Asia. This guide covers 10 of them: what makes each one special, how you get there, which entry forms or fees to check, and how to stay online once you arrive.
Islands in Asia at a glance
Asia has thousands of islands, so this list picks a mix from three parts of the continent:
- South Asia and the Indian Ocean: the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) in India's Andaman Islands.
- East Asia: Jeju (South Korea), Yakushima (Japan), the Penghu Islands (Taiwan) and Lantau (Hong Kong).
- South East Asia: Bali and Komodo (Indonesia) and Phu Quoc (Vietnam).
Want more islands in one region? See our guides to the best islands in South East Asia and the best islands in East Asia. Or look further afield at the best islands to visit in Africa.
The 10 best islands to visit in Asia
1. The Maldives
The Maldives is a nation of islands in the Indian Ocean, spanning the equator. It has 1,192 islands grouped into a double chain of 26 atolls, and only about 200 of them are inhabited. The Maldives is home to about five percent of the planet's reefs, with around a thousand species of fish, plus manta rays and whale sharks (Visit Maldives: geography).
- Where to stay: choose a resort island, a hotel in Malé or a guesthouse on a local island. Liveaboard boats are another way to see more of the atolls (Visit Maldives).
- Before you go: every traveler must fill in the IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival (Maldives Immigration: IMUGA). Customs rules are strict: alcohol and pork products, for example, can't be brought in (GOV.UK: Maldives entry requirements).
2. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs beaches, wildlife and ancient sites into one island. Visit Sigiriya, the Dambulla Cave Temple, Galle Fort and Ella, or relax on Hikkaduwa Beach. Yala, Sri Lanka's second largest national park, is home to Asian elephants and leopards (Sri Lanka Tourism).
- Whale watching: boats head out to see blue whales, humpbacks and dolphins. Top spots are Dondra Point, reached from Galle, Hikkaduwa and Mirissa, and Trincomalee on the east coast. The sea off Kalpitiya is known for dolphins (Sri Lanka Tourism: whale watching).
- Before you go: apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you arrive. The ETA is free for 30 days for nationals of seven countries, including India, China and Japan (Sri Lanka ETA).
3. Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), India
Swaraj Dweep, previously called Havelock Island, is part of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is known for its powdery white sand and turquoise water (Incredible India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands). Incredible India calls its Radhanagar Beach, also known as Beach No. 7, one of Asia's most beautiful beaches, and Elephant Beach is a favorite spot for snorkeling (Incredible India: things to do in the Andamans).
- Getting there: it's a short ferry ride from Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andamans (Incredible India: Sri Vijaya Puram).
- Before you go: you need a visa or e-visa to visit India unless you hold an OCI card, so apply in good time (GOV.UK: India entry requirements).
4. Jeju Island, South Korea
Jeju is a volcanic island off the southern coast of South Korea. Hallasan, at 1,947 meters the highest mountain in South Korea, sits at its center (Jeju Province: location). Hallasan, the Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone and the Geomunoreum lava tube system are on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes" (Jeju Province: UNESCO heritage). Jeju's haenyeo, its women divers, are also recognized by UNESCO.
- Getting there: Jeju International Airport has domestic flights from Seoul, Incheon and Busan, and nonstop international flights from cities in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Hyeopjae Beach, the Jungmun Tourist Complex and Seongsan Ilchulbong are about 1 to 1.5 hours from the airport by public transport (VisitKorea: Jeju International Airport).
5. Yakushima, Japan
Yakushima lies about 60 km off the tip of Kagoshima in Japan. In 1993, it became one of Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage sites. About 90 percent of the island is mountainous forest, home to ancient yakusugi cedars, and Mt. Miyanoura, at 1,936 meters, is the highest mountain in Kyushu. The Jomon Sugi, thought to be around 7,000 years old, is a four to five hour hike each way. From May to July, Nagata Inaka Beach becomes a sea turtle nesting site (JNTO: Yakushima).
- Getting there: fly from Tokyo Haneda to Kagoshima, then take a 40-minute connecting flight. Or take a ferry from Kagoshima Port: about 2.5 hours on the speed ferry or 4 hours on the car ferry.
- Don't miss: Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, Yakusugi Land and the 88-meter Okonotaki Falls.
6. Penghu Islands, Taiwan
Penghu is Taiwan's offshore archipelago in the strait between Taiwan and China. It's made up of 90 small islands with a combined coastline of more than 320 km. Expect basalt rocks, coral reefs, sea-eroded formations and beaches, plus a strong fishing culture and migratory birds. Look out for the Twin Hearts Stone Weir and the sunset at Xiyu Lighthouse (Taiwan Tourism: offshore islands).
7. Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Lantau is home to the Tian Tan Buddha, the world's largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha. It stands 34 meters tall including its lotus throne and base, in front of Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping (Islands District: Tian Tan Buddha). On the west coast, Tai O is the oldest fishing village in Hong Kong, known for its stilt houses and its Dragon Boat Water Parade (Islands District: Tai O and Ngong Ping).
- Getting there: the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung takes about 25 minutes. Buses also run to Ngong Ping from Tung Chung, Mui Wo and Tai O.
8. Bali, Indonesia
Bali, the "Island of the Gods", is a province of Indonesia between Java and Lombok. Its highest point is Mount Agung at 3,148 meters. Temples are everywhere, which is why Bali is also called the Island of a Thousand Temples. Visit Uluwatu Temple on its cliff above the Indian Ocean for a Kecak dance, Ulun Danu Beratan by Lake Beratan and Tirta Empul for its sacred spring. The province also includes smaller islands such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan (Wonderful Indonesia: Bali).
- Fees: foreign tourists pay a Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000, which you can pay online (Bali Province: Love Bali tourist levy).
9. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Komodo National Park lies between Sumbawa and Flores, in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago. It was set up in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the world's largest living lizard, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its three main islands are Komodo, Rinca and Padar. Padar is famous for its viewpoints over crescent-shaped bays, and on Komodo and Rinca you can see dragons with a ranger (Wonderful Indonesia: Komodo National Park). The waters hold more than 1,000 species of fish and about 260 species of reef-building coral, plus manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles (Komodo National Park).
- Getting there: fly into Komodo International Airport (LBJ) at Labuan Bajo, then continue by boat into the park.
10. Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Phu Quoc is nicknamed Pearl Island for its white sand beaches. More than half of the island has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2006, and it's famous for fish sauce, black pepper and pearls. Relax on Sao Beach, ride one of the world's longest over-sea cable cars to Hon Thom, eat at the night market near Duong Dong and hike in Phu Quoc National Park (Vietnam Tourism: Phu Quoc).
- Getting there: Phu Quoc International Airport has direct flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and abroad. Ferries run from Rach Gia and Ha Tien.
- Best time: November to April, the dry season, brings calm seas and the best beach weather. May to October is rainier, with rougher seas.
Before you book: entry rules
Entry rules depend on your passport, so always check your own government's travel advice. A few forms stand out for the islands in this guide:
- Maldives: IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival.
- Sri Lanka: Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you arrive.
- India: a visa or e-visa for Swaraj Dweep and the Andamans, unless you hold an OCI card.
- Bali: the IDR 150,000 tourist levy.
Staying connected on the islands
Mobile coverage is usually best in the main towns. On boats, hiking trails and remote beaches, it can be weak or missing. A few tips:
- Download offline maps before you leave Wi-Fi, where your maps app allows it (Google Maps: download areas offline).
- Save flight and ferry tickets, forms and hotel details on your phone, so you can show them without signal.
- Keep your home line for calls and texts and use a travel eSIM for data. Your phone must be unlocked to use another carrier's eSIM (Apple: use eSIM while traveling).
Before you fly: install your eSIM on Wi-Fi
- Check your phone. It must support eSIM and be unlocked. See how to check eSIM compatibility.
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code. Step by step: how to install an eSIM.
When you land: switch on the right settings
- Turn on the travel eSIM line and choose it for mobile data.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM. Keep it off on your home line if you want to avoid roaming charges from your home carrier. More on data roaming.
Hopping between the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong? The SimOptions Asia eSIM covers all of them on one plan. Heading to Bali, Komodo or Phu Quoc? Those are in the South East Asia eSIM instead. Only visiting the Maldives? A Maldives plan does the job. All of these are data-only, and they activate when you arrive in a covered country.
Asia, South East Asia and Maldives plans shown · data-only eSIMs, no phone number · Single-country plans: Sri Lanka eSIM, Japan eSIM, Indonesia eSIM, Vietnam eSIM · Find the eSIM for your destination
FAQs
What is the best island to visit in Asia?
It depends on what you want. Pick the Maldives for reefs and atolls, Bali for temples and culture, Komodo for dragons and diving, Yakushima for ancient forest hikes and Jeju for volcanic landscapes.
Which Asian islands are best for beaches?
The Maldives, Swaraj Dweep's Radhanagar Beach, Phu Quoc's Sao Beach and Sri Lanka's south coast around Mirissa are all great for beach time.
Which islands in Asia are best for wildlife?
Komodo National Park for Komodo dragons and manta rays, Sri Lanka for elephants, leopards and whales, and Yakushima for sea turtles nesting from May to July.
Do I need a form or permit before I travel?
For the Maldives, fill in the IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival. For Sri Lanka, apply for an ETA. For the Andamans, you need an Indian visa or e-visa. In Bali, you pay a tourist levy. Check your own government's advice for the rest.
Does one eSIM work across all these islands?
Not quite. The SimOptions Asia plan covers the Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Bali, Komodo and Phu Quoc are covered by the South East Asia plan.
Should I install my travel eSIM before I fly?
Yes. Install it at home on Wi-Fi. When you land, choose it for mobile data and turn on Data Roaming for that line.
