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Sun, sand and S.E.A.scapes

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Post by MAS Traveller on 09/07/2010

Blessed with tropical weather all year round, it's no surprise Southeast Asia (S.E.A) is home to some of the most gorgeous seascapes. Here are 10 of our favourite.

Here, is every beach bum's must visit destinations.

The one that resisted change
Where: Palawan, Philippines
Why go: Ever wondered what the world looked like before skyscrapers, automobiles and all the side effects of modernisation... Palawan could be your last chance to experience this for yourself. The home of many secluded beaches, lay a mat out at Malapascua or Bantayan.
Book your holiday: Between January and May

Photo credits: Thinkstock.com

The party central
Where: Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Why go: This seaside destination is a must for the young and party-hardy. Surrounded by the Bay of Thailand on three sides, many beaches here are filled with grass hut restaurants and bars. When the sun sets, the 24-hour casino here is a popular alternative destination.
Book your holiday: Between November and February

Photo credit: Kevin R. Morris/ Corbis

The surfer's paradise
Where: Dreamland Beach, Bali, Indonesia
Why go: The largest white sand beach on the west coast of the Bukit peninsula of Bali, it is touted as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and known among surfers for its infamous shore break.
Book your holiday: Between April and September

Photo credits: Uden Graham Redlink/ Redlink/ Corbis

The calm in the storm
Where: Sanur, Bali
Why go: It's one of the few expanses of sand in the Indonesian city that isn't teeming with boisterous, overzealous tourists. While you won't be completely rid of beach combers trying to sell you things, at Sanur, they seem less hassled, adopting the serene nature of the area. The largest traditional village in Bali is home to Bali's oldest stone inscription and the only all-female "keris" dancers.
Book your holiday: Between April to September

Photo credits: Thinkstock.com

The rising beauty
Where: Mui Ne Beach, Vietnam
Why go: For the seasoned beach babe who's soaked up the sun at all the usual spots, Mui Ne is a rarely known gem. But that's not to say it's quiet. Its growing popularity has seen serious development happening in the last 15 years, which is set to continue. Because of the strong sea breeze, many tourists fancy it as a spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Book your holiday: Between December and May

Photo credits: Thinkstock.com

The rustic retreat
Where: Hua Hin Thailand
Why go: The oldest and most traditional Thai beach resort is a combination of a modern holiday destination and a charming still active fishing port. A retreat for King Rama VII in the 1920s, many of Bangkok's rich and famous now build summer holiday homes in the area, cherishing the traditional qualities that still exist here.
Book your holiday: Between March and September

Photo credits: Steven Vidler/ Eurasia Press/Corbis

The family friend
Where: Kata beach, Phuket, Thailand
Why go: Divided into two beaches, at Kata Yai beach, you'll find all sorts of beach and water sports, while Kata Noi beach is quieter, surrounded by a lush green jungle. Because the nightlife here isn't too rowdy, and many eateries and bars have child-friendly ways to pass time, it is a favourite destination for those with families.
Book your holiday: Between December and March

Photo credits: Thinkstock.com

The local delicacy
Where: Tanjung Rhu, Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia
Why go: One of the few shores in the country where you'll still find the ever-elusive powdery white sand, Tanjung Rhu is thankfully quiet, unlike its counterparts around the island, like Cenang.
Book your holiday: Between December and March

Photo credits: Thinkstock.com

The mankind marvel
Where: Siloso Beach, Sentosa Island Singapore
Why go: The most famous artificial beach in the region could not look and feel more like the real thing. It's the closest "beach" outside Malaysia and a well-known hangout for those who favour beach volleyball.
Book your holiday: Between June and August

Photo credits: Thinkstock.com

The gift from nature
Where: Pulau Tiga, off Borneo, Brunei
Why go: Pulau Tiga sprouted from the ocean in 1897 after a volcanic eruption took place off the coast of Borneo. Since then, this little gem has been a star in its own right. Known not only for its pristine beauty, in 2000, it was a temporary home to 16 American reality TV game show contestants, who were stranded there as part of the show, "Survivor". Pulau Tiga is also famous for its therapeutic natural volcanic mud.
Book your holiday: Between February and April