Island Hopping in Asia: Where and When to Go
Pick a Country
By month ↓Eight countries, two calendars: Thailand’s west coast and the Philippines peak in the dry winter; Bali, Malaysia’s east coast and Taiwan in the summer.
Best Months at a Glance
| Season | Go to |
|---|---|
| Nov–Apr | Palawan, Boracay, Bohol · Phi Phi, Krabi · Langkawi · Phu Quoc · Koh Rong |
| Mar–Oct | Perhentian, Redang, Tioman · Siargao · Penghu, Green Island · Cham Islands |
| Apr–Oct | Bali, Nusa Penida, Gili, Lombok · Komodo (to Nov) · Karimunjawa, Belitung |
| Jan–Sep | Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan, Koh Tao |
| Oct–Apr | Raja Ampat |
| Year-round | Samal Island (Davao) · Sabah islands, Borneo |
Philippines
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| El Nido & Coron | Dec–May | Fly to Puerto Princesa (from Manila), or to El Nido or Busuanga (from Clark or Cebu); ferry between them 3.5–5 h |
| Boracay | Nov–May | Fly to Caticlan (closest) or Kalibo (+1.5–2 h by road), then a 15-min boat |
| Siargao | Mar–Oct | Fly from Cebu (about 45 min) or Clark |
| Bohol & Panglao | Dec–May | Fast ferry from Cebu, about 2 h |
| Siquijor | Dec–May | Fast boat from Dumaguete, about 1 h |
| Apo Island | Mar–Jun | Boat from Malatapay, about 30 min |
| Camiguin | Mar–Jun | Ferry Balingoan → Benoni, about 1 h |
| Batanes | Mar–Jun | Small plane to Basco, about 1.5 h |
| Samal Island | Year-round | Short ferry from Davao City |
| Hundred Islands | Nov–May | Bus Manila → Alaminos, boats from Lucap Wharf |
More: flights vs ferries · Philippines in 2 Weeks
Indonesia
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Nusa Penida & Lembongan | Apr–Oct | Fast boat from Sanur, about 45 min |
| Gili Islands & Lombok | Apr–Oct | Fast boat from Bali 1.5–2.5 h; from Lombok 20–30 min |
| Komodo & Padar | Apr–Nov | Fly Bali → Labuan Bajo (about 90 min), then boat |
| Raja Ampat | Oct–Apr | Fly to Sorong, ferry to Waisai about 2 h (no Sunday ferry) |
| Karimunjawa | Apr–Oct | Fast boat from Jepara, 2–3 h |
| Belitung | Apr–Oct | Fly from Jakarta, about 1 h |
More: Bali in 2 Weeks
Thailand
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Phi Phi & Phuket | Nov–Apr | Fly to Phuket; boat to Phi Phi 45 min–2 h |
| Railay & Krabi | Nov–Apr | Fly to Krabi; longtail boat from Ao Nang |
| Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan, Koh Tao | Jan–Sep | Fly to Samui, or ferry via Surat Thani or Chumphon |
More: Thailand in 2 Weeks
Malaysia
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Langkawi | Nov–Mar | Fly (about 1 h from KL, 35–40 min from Penang) or ferry from Kuala Perlis (about 1 h 15 min) |
| Perhentian Islands | Mar–Oct | Speedboat from Kuala Besut, 30–45 min |
| Redang | Mar–Oct | Boat from Merang, 40–60 min |
| Tioman | Apr–Sep | Ferry from Mersing, 90 min–2 h |
| Sabah islands | Year-round | Boat from Kota Kinabalu, 15–25 min |
More: Malaysia in 2 Weeks
Vietnam
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc | Nov–Apr | Fly from Saigon, about 1 h; 30 days visa-free on a direct international arrival |
| Cham Islands | Mar–Aug | Speedboat from Hoi An, 20–30 min |
| Halong & Lan Ha Bay | Mar–May, Sep–Nov | Road from Hanoi 2.5–3 h, then a cruise |
Cambodia
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Rong & Koh Rong Sanloem | Nov–Apr | Speed ferry from Sihanoukville, 45 min–1 h |
Taiwan
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Penghu | Apr–Sep | Flights under 1 h from Taipei; ferry from Budai about 90 min |
| Green Island & Orchid Island | Apr–Oct | Ferry from Taitung 50–60 min (Orchid Island 2–3 h) |
Japan
| Islands | Best | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Okinawa & Kerama Islands | Apr–mid May, Oct–Nov | Fly to Naha, 2–3 h from Tokyo or Osaka; short ferries to the Keramas |
Island Rules
- Spare day: boats stop in rough seas. Never plan the last boat the day before a long-haul flight.
- Cash: island ATMs run dry. Marine-park and eco fees are cash (El Nido ₱400; Perhentians about RM30).
- Reef: reef-safe sun cream, no touching coral or turtles.
- Dry bag: speedboats are wet and bumpy.
Checked November 2026. Seasons are typical, not guaranteed — storms can come early or late.