January is the perfect time to extend your festive celebrations and enjoy quality family beach time. With New Year crowds starting to thin, idyllic weather and a more relaxed vibe, here’s our pick of the best Southeast Asia beaches for January getaways.
Paradise Beach, Patong, Phuket
1. Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand: best Asia beach all-rounder
A crowd pleaser of fun and relaxation set in incredibly gorgeous surroundings, you can’t go wrong with Patong. By day, enjoy the soft white sands, water sports and great street food or visit nearby attractions like Splash Jungle Water Park for high octane adventures. By night, explore the quieter post-New Year scene while still having access to local festivities and dining.
Venture out to nearby coves like gorgeous Paradise Beach for some more secluded, just as lovely sands, or take a trip to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, where your kids can learn to care for these incredible animals in an ethical setting.
El Nido, Palawan, Philippines
2. Palawan, Philippines: best Asia beach for marine life
Palawan is a true paradise of aqua lagoons and coral reefs such as those at El Nido and Coron, which are teeming with marine life and perfect for beginner snorkellers. For such a tiny area, there’s an amazing amount of World Heritage Sites to be found in Palawan.
Palawan is also teeming with a good range of family-friendly resorts, and island-hopping tours unveil hidden beaches and caves kids will adore, as well as quaint fishing villages.
January’s cooler and dry weather makes it perfect for fun outdoor adventures like exploring local wildlife sanctuaries like the Palawan Rescue and Conservation Center to enjoying starlit beach evenings.
Let the kids enjoy a paddle at Tanjong Beach
3. Sentosa Island, Singapore: best Asia beach for accessible paradise
Sentosa Island beaches offer golden sands and safe swimming spots just 10 minutes from central Singapore, and in early January you’ll enjoy a quieter island vibe, perfect for strolling along the pristine shores. The recently opened SkyHelix Sentosa is where to go for breathtaking panoramic views whilst giving kids an exciting ride. Adventurous families will love the latest upgrades at Mega Adventure Park, with new ziplines and obstacle courses built for family fun.
Keep an eye out for the opening of the latest Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa, the second Raffles hotel in its home country. If you like a touch of sophistication with spacious family villas, private pools, and impeccable service, you’ll love it here.
The crescent-shaped beach of Lazarus Island
4. Lazarus Island, Singapore: best Asia beach for tranquility
Just a short boat ride away from Sentosa, Lazarus Island is where you go to get away from it all, for the day or for an eco home stay – it’s a truly tranquil escape with its unspoilt beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Perfect for a family day trip, this lesser-known gem is all about the time-honoured pastimes of relaxing, picnicking, and playing beach games. A change of pace from Sentosa’s bustling attractions but close enough that you can be there in minutes, Lazarus Island is where you’ll reconnect with nature, whether it’s wandering down the sands, splashing in the warm waters, or cycling quiet paths. Pack a picnic and take advantage of this peaceful retreat to unwind and recharge – and leave nothing behind but your footprints.
An Bang Beach, Hot An, Vietnam
5. An Bang Beach, Hoi An, Vietnam: best Asia beach for cultural fun
A Bang Beach offers a quiet retreat with soft sands and shallow waters, ideal for younger kids. The beach is lined with casual restaurants serving fresh seafood and Vietnamese delicacies, making it easy to grab a bite once you’ve worked up an appetite in the sea.
Pair your beach days with cultural explorations in nearby Hoi An, where lantern-lit streets and traditional performances remain vibrant even after the New Year. Families with older kids can also enjoy a scenic bike ride through the countryside, passing lush rice paddies and quaint villages. For a hands-on experience, join a lantern-making workshop or a traditional cooking class, both of which are fun and educational for kids.
January brings cooler breezes, making it perfect for exploring the or relaxing on the shore with stunning South China Sea views. Early mornings are particularly magical, with quieter sands and fishermen bringing in their daily catch.
TIRED OF THE BEACH? FIND COOL CITY BREAKS HERE
Nara and Osaka: a tale of two cities and one unforgettable trip
What not to miss on a trip to Bangkok with your children
The best things to do on city breaks in Paris with kids
White Beach, Boracay, Philippines
6. White Beach, Boracay, Philippines: best Asia beach for water sports
The 4km of Boracay’s White Beach ranks among the world’s best for its powder-soft sands (which magically stay cool in the hottest temperatures) and idyllic turquoise waters, a perfect paradise for paddleboarding and sandcastle-building fun, depending on the age and adventurousness of your kids!
In early January, the island’s relaxed vibe means peaceful beach days, and plenty of opportunities to explore the stunning natural beauty all around. You’ll find lots of great resorts here, and it’s all super family-friendly, so expect plenty of amenities and kids’ clubs.
Cenang Beach, Langkawi, Malaysia
7. Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, Malaysia: best for lush nature
Langkawi’s Pantai Cenang is a family favourite, thanks to its shallow waters and range of nearby attractions. Spend your days splashing in the sea, dining at beachfront cafés, or exploring the lush rainforest. The food here is incredible, so even your fussiest child will be hard not to please.
January’s cooler temperatures and clear skies make it ideal for outdoor activities like taking the Sky Cab to Langkawi’s Sky Bridge for breathtaking views.
Kuta Beach, Lombok, Indonesia
8. Kuta Beach, Lombok, Indonesia: best Asia beach for serene relaxation
Escape Bali’s crowds and head to Kuta Beach in Lombok. This serene beach is perfect for family relaxation, with clear waters and nearby hills offering stunning views. Local accommodations cater to families, ensuring an stress-free stay. Sunsets here are legendary, so make sure you catch some, and cheer along with the crowds.
In January, enjoy the tranquil environment and explore the surrounding countryside with family-friendly trekking tours.
Grand Hyatt Bali, Nusa Dua Beach
9. Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia: best Asia beach for kids’ amenities
Idyllic and luxurious, Nusa Dua is Bali’s ultimate family retreat. The beach’s calm, shallow waters make it ideal for kids, while the area’s resorts ensure parents have everything they need within reach. Kids’ clubs, babysitting services, and snorkelling adventures are just the start.
In early January, enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere after the New Year rush. Explore the Water Blow – a natural spectacle of waves crashing against rock formations – and soak in Bali’s warm hospitality.
Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand
10. Bophut Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand: best Asia beach for family fun
Koh Samui has plenty of gorgeous beaches, but we love Bophut – this long stretch of golden sand with turquoise waters and swaying palm trees is close to Fisherman’s Village and its Friday night market of local crafts, souvenirs and street food, and has a historic feel with traditional wooden shop-houses alongside the modern boutiques and restaurants.
More laid-back than nearby Chaweng, it’s perfect for families seeking some January relaxation, and only 15 minutes from the airport. You’ll find fewer crowds at this time of year, and it’s the perfect base for exploring all the family attractions of Koh Samui, as well as boat trips to Koh Phangan and the Ang Thong Marine Park. The calm sea is perfect for young swimmers, and you can do paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet-skiing.
FIND MORE SOUTHEAST ASIA GETAWAYS HERE
Embrace sustainability during your family getaways with Somerset
Ticket to paradise: plan a multigen Bali villa holiday with your family
10 of the best budget Thailand hotels for families in the know