Photo taken in Bali with Nikon D 5100
Recently I picked up an old DestinAsian magazine to read. It incidentally featured the winners of Readers' Choice Awards 2017, including the results of Top 10 Islands in Asia-Pacific Region voted by its readers.

  1. Bali, Indonesia
  2. Phuket, Thailand
  3. Maldives
  4. Koh Samui, Thailand
  5. Boracay, Philippines
  6. Palawan, Philippines
  7. Langkawi, Malaysia
  8. Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
  9. Penang, Malaysia
  10. Lombok, Indonesia





Source: DestinAsian

Bali tops the list

Why Bali was voted as number one? 


Reader's Take
"In Bali you can make your island holiday whatever you want it to be: yoga and spa-going, shopping until you drop, enjoying fancy restaurants and cocktail bars, or surfing and lazing on the beach. Or a little bit of everything!"

Thailand has the most beautiful islands

If we go by country, it looks like Thailand has three (3) islands on the top 10 list whereby Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia have two (2) islands each. The beautiful Maldives stands on its own.


  • Thailand    : Phuket (2), Koh Samui (4), Koh Phi Phi (8)
  • Indonesia  : Bali (1), Lombok (10)
  • Philippines : Boracay (5), Palawan (6)
  • Malaysia    : Langkawi (7), Penang (9)
  • Maldives    : Maldives (3)

I'm very glad that the island I was born in - Langkawi, was also voted as one of the top 10 islands in Asia-Pacific region. 

And out of the ten islands voted by DestinAsian's readers, I have been to six (6). They are Bali, Phuket, Koh Samui, Langkawi, Koh Phi Phi, and Penang. 

It looks like I need to explore more of Philippines with Boracay and Palawan in the top ten islands' list. 

As for Lombok of Indonesia, it's already in my travel plan to visit in 2018. 

Maldives? I believe I need to say more money to make it come true one day. :)

Other Islands in Malaysia to explore

In Malaysia, there are a few other beautiful islands which are beautiful, pristine and less commercial.

They are:

  • Sipadan Island
  • Tioman Island
  • Kapas Island
  • Redang Island
  • Tenggol Island
  • Lang Tengah Island
  • Pangkor Laut Island

I believe it's the same for other countries in Asia-Pacific Region with many many islands to explore!

If you are an island lover, go and create your own top ten islands! Or make it a quest to cover x number of islands in a year! 😉




Written by Vincent Khor on August 21, 2017.