Winter is the best beach season across South Asia. The monsoon is over, the sea is calm and the days are warm but not hot.
Here are five beaches we keep going back to, with costs, food and tips for each.
In this list
Goa
Goa, India
North Goa has the energy and the parties; South Goa has wide, quiet beaches like Palolem and Agonda.
Best timeNovember to February
Est. costRs 2,000 to 20,000 per person per day
Ideal forFriends, couples, families
StayAnjuna, Palolem, Agonda
Budget options
Normal
Rs 2,000/day
- Beach hut or hostel
- Scooter and shack meals
Premium
Rs 6,000/day
- Boutique resort near the beach
- Taxi for day trips
Luxury
Rs 20,000+/day
- 5-star resort in South Goa
- Private dinners and spa
Food and local dishes
- Goan fish curry rice: at any local thali place
- Pork vindaloo: spicy and tangy, best at family-run restaurants
- Bebinca: the layered coconut dessert
Things to do
- Watch the sunset at Chapora Fort
- Kayak in the Sal backwaters
- Explore the old Portuguese houses in Fontainhas
Who it suits
- KidsSouth Goa beaches are calm and shallow
- AdultsNightlife, water sports and cafes
- SeniorsQuiet South Goa resorts and heritage walks
Travel tips
- Book Christmas and New Year stays by October
- Use the GoaMiles app for fair taxi fares
Havelock Island
Andaman Islands, India
Radhanagar Beach is one of the best in Asia, and the water around Havelock is clear enough for great snorkelling.
Best timeNovember to April
Est. costRs 3,500 to 25,000 per person per day
Ideal forCouples, divers, families
StayHavelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil Island
Budget options
Normal
Rs 3,500/day
- Simple cottage near Beach No. 3
- Government ferry
Premium
Rs 9,000/day
- Beach resort with breakfast
- Private ferry and scuba session
Luxury
Rs 25,000+/day
- Luxury jungle resort on Radhanagar
- Private boat trips
Food and local dishes
- Grilled fish of the day: at the beach shacks near the jetty
- Crab curry: try it at local restaurants in the market
- Coconut water: fresh, everywhere
Things to do
- Snorkel or try a first scuba dive at Elephant Beach
- Sunset at Radhanagar Beach
- Day trip to Neil Island
Who it suits
- KidsShallow, clear water and glass-bottom boats
- AdultsDiving, kayaking and quiet beaches
- SeniorsEasy beaches; ferry days can be tiring
Travel tips
- Book ferries from Port Blair in advance
- Carry cash; ATMs on the island run out
Varkala
Kerala, India
Red cliffs above a long beach, with cafes and yoga studios lining the cliff path.
Best timeNovember to March
Est. costRs 2,000 to 15,000 per person per day
Ideal forSolo travellers, couples, yoga lovers
StayNorth Cliff, Odayam Beach
Budget options
Normal
Rs 2,000/day
- Guesthouse on the cliff
- Cafe meals and local buses
Premium
Rs 5,500/day
- Boutique cliff-view hotel
- Ayurvedic massage
Luxury
Rs 15,000+/day
- Ayurveda resort with full packages
- Private backwater tour
Food and local dishes
- Kerala parotta and beef fry: at small local eateries
- Appam with stew: a classic breakfast
- Fresh catch grilled to order along the cliff
Things to do
- Walk the cliff path at sunset
- Take a yoga class or an Ayurvedic treatment
- Day trip to the Kollam backwaters
Who it suits
- KidsStrong waves; watch them closely in the sea
- AdultsCafes, yoga and a relaxed pace
- SeniorsAyurveda stays work well; cliff steps are steep
Travel tips
- Swim only between the lifeguard flags
- Dress modestly near the Janardanaswamy Temple
Phuket
Thailand
Easy flights from India, lots of hotel choices and island day trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay.
Best timeNovember to April
Est. costUSD 40 to 350 per person per day
Ideal forFamilies, friends, couples
StayKata, Karon, Kamala
Budget options
Normal
USD 40/day
- Guesthouse in Kata or Karon
- Street food and songthaew buses
Premium
USD 110/day
- 4-star resort with pool
- Shared island tours
Luxury
USD 350+/day
- Pool villa in Kamala
- Private speedboat trips
Food and local dishes
- Tom yum goong: hot and sour prawn soup
- Moo hong: Phuket-style braised pork
- Mango sticky rice from the night markets
Things to do
- Boat trip to Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay
- Walk Phuket Old Town
- Sunset at Promthep Cape
Who it suits
- KidsKata and Karon are calm in winter
- AdultsIsland hopping, diving and nightlife
- SeniorsResort stays and Old Town walks
Travel tips
- Choose licensed tour operators for boat trips
- Carry reef-safe sunscreen
Maldives
Maldives
Overwater villas get the attention, but local islands like Maafushi make the Maldives possible on a smaller budget too.
Best timeDecember to April
Est. costUSD 80 to 1,000 per person per day
Ideal forHoneymooners, divers
StayMaafushi (local island), private resort islands
Budget options
Normal
USD 80/day
- Guesthouse on a local island
- Public ferry and shared excursions
Premium
USD 300/day
- Mid-range resort, beach villa
- Speedboat transfer
Luxury
USD 1,000+/day
- Overwater villa, all inclusive
- Seaplane transfer
Food and local dishes
- Mas huni: tuna, coconut and onion with flatbread, for breakfast
- Garudhiya: clear fish soup with rice and lime
- Hedhikaa: short eats served with tea
Things to do
- Snorkel with turtles and reef sharks
- Sandbank picnic trip
- Night fishing with locals
Who it suits
- KidsCalm lagoons; many resorts have kids clubs
- AdultsDiving, spas and total quiet
- SeniorsVery relaxing; transfers can be long
Travel tips
- Local islands do not serve alcohol; resorts do
- Use beach towels or cover up away from bikini beaches on local islands
Before you go
Pick a beach for the trip you want: Goa for energy, Havelock for clear water, Varkala for slow days, Phuket for variety and the Maldives for a splurge.
