Best beach destination close to SIN

[lovestotravel]

So I am looking to head somewhere very beachy and clean/relatively cheap after a short stay in SIN (Thanks .br ...)

Definitely not Indonesia, perhaps Philippines ?

Traveling as a couple

Ideas, thoughts etc

 

[AIRwin]

Boracay - I think TR flies there directly from SIN?

Or Langkawi in Malaysia? Nha Trang in Vietnam?

 

[lovestotravel]

Boracay is looking good!

Haven't thought of Malaysia

 

[markis10]

Depends on what you want to do on the beach, Langkawi has no surf and the water is average to poor for swimming on the island, it does however have day trips to coral etc that offer some good swimming/snorkelling opportunities.

Places To Visit In Malaysia | Where To Go In Malaysia

If you want to just spend all day by the pool looking at the ocean drinking duty free booze, maybe going sailing or other watersports then Langkawi is a good option, although its getting more expensive these days for the accomodation. Food and shopping is also very good.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Spent last weekend in Bang Saray, 20 mins south of Pattaya, about two hours from Bangkok airport.

Chilled out with a mate from Singapore now working in Rayong.

 

[dajop]

If looking at Malaysia, clean/relatively cheap then consider east coast rather than west coast. In 2001 we visited Perhentian islands (via Kota Bharu) and they were cheap, white sands, clear water, very clean. 12 years on, not sure if that's still the case.

For Boracay, Tiger flies direct to Kalibo, where it is 2 hr drive + short ferry ride to Boracay, or alternatively travel via Manila to Caticlan which cuts out the 2 hr drive but adds >2hrs in connection/flight time.

 

[lovestotravel]

Depends on what you want to do on the beach, Langkawi has no surf and the water is average to poor for swimming on the island, it does however have day trips to coral etc that offer some good swimming/snorkelling opportunities.

Places To Visit In Malaysia | Where To Go In Malaysia

If you want to just spend all day by the pool looking at the ocean drinking duty free booze, maybe going sailing or other watersports then Langkawi is a good option, although its getting more expensive these days for the accomodation. Food and shopping is also very good.

Yep this is exactly the sort of info I am after (what you have told me). Spent quite a bit of time on TripAdvisor looking/reading and the advice is all over the place...

If looking at Malaysia, clean/relatively cheap then consider east coast rather than west coast. In 2001 we visited Perhentian islands (via Kota Bharu) and they were cheap, white sands, clear water, very clean. 12 years on, not sure if that's still the case.

For Boracay, Tiger flies direct to Kalibo, where it is 2 hr drive + short ferry ride to Boracay, or alternatively travel via Manila to Caticlan which cuts out the 2 hr drive but adds >2hrs in connection/flight time.

Thanks for this!




Personally I'd be happy to fly to OGG and spend a week there, but SIN is not exactly close....

 

[Inver]

I've just come back from Boracay and once more enjoyed my visit immensely.

Usually I stay at station 3 which is quieter but this year stayed at D'Mall station 2 at a brand new hotel with a superb pool overlooking the beach.
Lovestotravel if you do go, try the snorkelling off the southern tip of the island. I just go to the last dive shop before the end of the road past station 3, they have good quality scuba gear for 100 to 200 pesos then walk along the beach to the headland and you will see the coral close by.

I also recommend visiting the Shangri La clifftop restaurant get there before sunset and enjoy a drink at the bar, make sure you get a table outside and enjoy the live music, great view and food. They have a free shuttle bus which will pick you up and drop you off at D'Mall.

Below a few pictures from White Beach and the Shangri La private beach.

 

[Melburnian1]

I agree with Boracay.

As with more than a few of the Filipino islands, it's as or more attractive than Thai offerings. Boracay is the best known and frequented Filipino holiday island by far. It has many restaurants, plus a wet market where one can have seafood cooked on the spot. I agree with visiting Shangri-La Boracay for a drink (make sure that you have your credit card or plenty of Philippine pesos as the drinks are extortionate by Filipino prices at the Shang). You have to ride a tricycle (Filipino version of a Thai tuk-tuk) to the Shang entrance where a golf cart provides the transport to the resort.

If you are a beer drinker, enjoy a San Miguel Pale Pilsen or SM Light. Both are excellent beers. You should find a fair range of wine but I cannot remember if Australian wines are easy to find. They are in MNL, with its constantly growing expatriate population.

Here is a page of Boracay Island photos (if my experience is typical, the beach looks even more beautiful when you are there on a sunny day):

http://www.abubblylife.net/2013/03/boracay-travel-guide-2013.html

Tigerair (TR) flies direct from SIN to KLO three days a week at excellent times (for instance departing SIN at 1125 on one day I checked).

 

[lovestotravel]

Thanks for the above advice too!

Close to making a decision

 

[Melburnian1]

lovestotravel, in time, could you let us know of your decision and post a trip report in the requisite AFF section?

 

[mushypeas]

what's sentosa like? isnt it only 20 min ferry ride away?

 

[Melburnian1]

Having been to Sentosa, I could not understand what Singaporeans and other visitors saw in it.

Artifical - totally unlike so many decent beaches in Philippines. And yet sometimes Sentosa has a higher media profile!

 

[markis10]

Having been to Sentosa, I could not understand what Singaporeans and other visitors saw in it.

Artifical - totally unlike so many decent beaches in Philippines. And yet sometimes Sentosa has a higher media profile!

Casinos and theme parks will do that for you.

 

[Cynicor]

Sentosa is a giant, expensive, playground.

It is not a true beach destination but is entertaining in its own way. The W there has a really nice pool but you have to taxi most places or wait for the scheduled shuttle. It is quite far to walk to the theme parks.

The old Sentosa attractions are quite tired, but the new parks and aquariums and casino offer a bit to do and would keep one occupied for a good 3 or so days I think.

 

[amaroo]

The luge run is fun.

 

[mushypeas]

Cheers, sounds like I'm not missing much

 

[noviceFF]

I'v been looking at Boracay for a holiday, esp Shangri-La. Anyone know of any promotions? I'm AMEX card holder so have SPG, Club Carlson, Accor membership etc but doesn't look like any have hotels there.

I agree with Boracay.

As with more than a few of the Filipino islands, it's as or more attractive than Thai offerings. Boracay is the best known and frequented Filipino holiday island by far. It has many restaurants, plus a wet market where one can have seafood cooked on the spot. I agree with visiting Shangri-La Boracay for a drink (make sure that you have your credit card or plenty of Philippine pesos as the drinks are extortionate by Filipino prices at the Shang). You have to ride a tricycle (Filipino version of a Thai tuk-tuk) to the Shang entrance where a golf cart provides the transport to the resort.

If you are a beer drinker, enjoy a San Miguel Pale Pilsen or SM Light. Both are excellent beers. You should find a fair range of wine but I cannot remember if Australian wines are easy to find. They are in MNL, with its constantly growing expatriate population.

Here is a page of Boracay Island photos (if my experience is typical, the beach looks even more beautiful when you are there on a sunny day):

Boracay Travel Guide - 2013 ~ A Bubbly Life

Tigerair (TR) flies direct from SIN to KLO three days a week at excellent times (for instance departing SIN at 1125 on one day I checked).