PORT OF CALL, PARADISE

Move over Caribbean. For island hopping with maximum scenery and culture, South East Asia is hard to beat. It has the weather, the water and plenty of picture perfect places to drop anchor. But with 18,000 islands in Indonesia alone, where to go? Nigel How of Sealine Yachts Asia plied the waters in search of the best of the best. If it’s a secluded paradise you’re looking for, set your course to any on his list of the region’s top 10, drop-dead gorgeous, tropical hideaways.

KOMODO ISLAND, Indonesia

That’s right, it is Komodo as in the Dragon, the largest lizard on earth. The island is part of the Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve established in 1980 to conserve the dragon and its habitat.

Unlike the other islands on the list, Komodo is covered in sparse vegetation due to its very low annual rainfall but the waters around the island are teaming with life. Of special note is Pink Beach which is one of only seven beaches in the world with pink sand. The rosy hue is caused by the mixture of white sand with a red sand-like material formed from Foraminifera, a type of plankton.

On Land: This is Komodo Island, you have to get onshore to see the dragons which, at up to three metres in length and weighing in at up to 70 kilos, are a sight you won’t soon forget.

RAJA AMPAT, Indonesia

Off the coast of Papua, Raja Ampat, otherwise known as the Four Kings, is an archipelago consisting of over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding four larger islands. From above, the array of green lumps of different shapes and sizes jutting from the bright blue water is other-worldly in its beauty.

Underwater the view is just as spectacular. The best dive site in the world? Recent marine surveys suggest that there is more marine life diversity in the Raja Ampat area than anywhere else on earth, and that it’s also the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world. Don’t believe it? Slap on your snorkel and mask and see for yourself. It’s all right there, within easy reach of the shore.

On Land: If you ever do come up for air and want to dry off, the island of Misool is home to ancient rock paintings dating back some 5,000 years, while bird lovers flock to nearby Waigeo Island to catch a glimpse of the stunning crimson bird-of-paradise.

PHU QUOC ISLAND, Vietnam

Although some are touting Phu Quoc Island as the soon-tobe Vietnamese version of Phuket, for now and at least until the international airport is fully functional, the island is an oasis of untouched charm.

Most visitors stay on the west side of this triangular shaped island on, or around Long Beach. This is also where you’ll find most of the hotels. Sail around to the east for the main attraction, the blissfully secluded Bai Dai beach with its immaculate expanse of white sand and azure waters.

On Land: The centre of the island is taken up by rain forest and farm fields where the main crop is peppers. Rent a motorbike and be sure to explore the interior especially the Suoi Da Ban river and its waterfalls.

CON DAO ISLANDS, Vietnam

Considered one of the most pristine ecosystems in the world, the island was once a French penal colony. Lying 150 miles south of Ho Chi Minh City, the Con Dao National Park covers over three quarters of the 29-square-mile island which has fended off development.

The result: you should have no trouble finding a beach all to yourself. Down under, however, is another story altogether. The surrounding waters hold the nation's richest sea life, including 270 different coral species, giant clams, green and hawksbill sea turtles, and even the dugong, an endangered relative of the manatee.

On Land: The mountainous terrain is home to more than 1,000 plant species but the highlight is the chance to play Papillon among the well-preserved colonial-era buildings of the old prison complex.

KOH KOOD, Thailand

Koh Kood (or Koh Kut) island lies at the very end of the Thai eastern territory, just off Cambodia. No matter what you call it, Koh Kood is the picture one has in mind when they imagine the perfect SE Asian island paradise with palm lined, white sand beaches, lush rain forests and a couple of quaint fishing villages and coconut plantations thrown in for good measure. Cruise to the Ta Pho Beach which sits at the opening of a bay on the north west side of the island. Come ashore to lounge on the softest swathe of sugary-white sand beach you may ever see. Don’t forget the goggles, the waters and reefs just off shore are an underwater spectacle that’s not to be missed.

On Land: Check out the Nam Tok Khlong Chao three-tier waterfall spilling into a deep crystal clear pool - the idyllic spot for a swim.

KOH PHI PHI DON, Thailand

Not far from the bustle of Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands offer a Kodak moment from every angle. The main island of the group, Koh Phi Phi Don will have you snapping away at its ring of white sandy beaches and breathtaking rock formations rising from the brilliant turquoise waters.

Of course there are the beaches, the sand, the sunsets but what sets Phi Phi apart is its popularity amongst true kiteboarders. The island offers excellent conditions for learning the sport and with beaches all the way around the island, kiteboarders can always find a suitable wind. There is a school on the island that provides beginner courses as well as advanced lessons.

On Land: Rock climbing is king. Experts come from around the world to climb the sheer rock faces at Ko Phi Phi. The walls above the beaches at Railay and Phra-nang offer some of the best climbing in SE Asia.

GAYA ISLAND, Borneo, Malaysia

Just off the northwest coast of Borneo, Gaya Island has so many secluded beaches that some are said to have never been visited by man. True or not, the beaches that have been visited are among the best in the world.

Head to Police Beach at Bulijong Bay on the northern end of Gaya which is one of the most pristine and secluded. The semi-circular shape of the bay and its calm waters make it the perfect place for swimming, snorkelling or just relaxing. On Land: Check out, and maybe check in to, the Gayana Eco Resort which borders a 130-million-year-old prehistoric rainforest. The resort provides guides for jungle-trekking and a chance to see orang-utans, long-tailed macaques, pied hornbills, wild boar, monitor lizards and maybe even the Megapode, a native bird that looks like a chicken but meows like a cat.

SIPADAN, Malaysia

Often voted the best among the best dive sites in the world, it doesn’t get much better than beach-rimmed Sipadan. The warm waters are home to more than 3,000 species of fish and hundreds of coral species. Just step off the beach. As the great Jacques Cousteau once said “I have seen other places like Sipadan, 45 years ago, but now no more. Now we have found an untouched piece of art.”

If you have it in you, try a dive at Barracuda Point to experience the primal thrill of swimming among thousands of barracuda. No matter where you dive in Sipadan, start early, to help conserve the area only 120 diver permits are issued per day.

On Land: Come between April and September when Green and Hawksbill turtles come ashore in droves to nest in the soft golden sands of Sipadan. It’s an unforgettable spectacle.

MINOLOC ISLAND, Bacuit Archipelago, Philippines

A group of 45 islets, The Bacuit Aarchipelago is considered one of the wonders of the Philippines and for sheer beauty you’d be hard pressed to find anything more stunning anywhere. The islands consist of limestone cliffs and outcroppings with knife-like ridges jutting from the turquoise waters.

To visit some of the most popular spots you’ll need to anchor offshore and swim in. This is true our favourite , Secret Beach, which is arrived at by swimming, one at a time, through a small hole in the limestone. It’s a thrilling experience especially if you come early and immerge to find you have the beach to yourself.

On Land: Find anchorage and spend time lounging at the Miniloc Island Resort. The location, at the very base of an enormous cliff and next to a white sand beach is unbeatable. Kayak around Miniloc Island to seemingly untouched beaches cut from the limestone cliffs stopping at the enchanting Big and Small Lagoons, or arrange an eco-tour with the resort to jaw dropping Cathedral Cave and Cudugnon Cave.

BORACAY, Philippines

About 315 miles south of Manila, in the heart of the Philippines, Boracay is a seven kilometre long stretch of island paradise. Picture the perfect sand, the perfect water, the perfect tropical vegetation. Now add a slight sea breeze and you have Boracay.

Pick any beach, White Beach on the west coast being the most popular, and as you stroll the powdery sand keep an eye out for white puka shells. Boracay’s are said to be the best in the world although due to over exploitation, they have become a rare find. Arrange a snorkelling trip to nearby Laurel Island where there is a spot with an opening in the rocky floor fitted with an iron ladder that leads to a partly flooded cave.

On Land: Check out the caves of the Flying Dogs of Yapak or Bat Caves. Otherwise Boracay is all about the beaches. Watch the sunrise from east-facing Bulabog beach and then make the trek across the island’s narrowest point to west-facing White Beach to end the day as the sun sinks orange and yellow over the horizon.