About Philipines Island

Did you know that you can rent entire islands on Airbnb? Brother Island, or Small Darocoton Island in the El Nido region is available on the home sharing platform for those who want a real taste of island living. Guests get exclusive use of the island with a 2-storey, 7-bedroom house that comes with full board and a staff including island hosts, caretakers and boatmen to take care of you.

How to get there: Brother Island is located off the northern tip of El Nido in Palawan, and takes around 2 hours of driving and boat rides to get to from El Nido airport.

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

Cambodia’s Sihanoukville is a popular beach destination for western tourists, but for those looking for luxury, peace and serenity, hop on a boat and make your way to Song Saa Private Island. Located in the Koh Rong Archipelago, Song Saa actually means ‘the sweethearts’ in Khmer, a reference to the two islands Koh Ouen and Koh Bong that are connected by a wooden walkway. Sustainability is the big buzz word here, with locally sourced food and programmes for guests to participate in, you’ll leave this private island feeling good physically and mentally.

How to get there: Song Saa Private Island is about 45 minutes by boat from Sihanoukville Harbour.

Con Dao, Vietnam

Off the southeastern end of Vietnam lies a tiny collection of uninhabited islands called Con Dao, so remote that they were once used to hold political prisoners. These days, it is home to the luxurious Six Senses Con Dao resort with all its villas offering ocean views and an idyllic island lifestyle. Look out for nesting turtles in the summer months of this protected marine park, or take a plunge into some of Vietnam’s best dive spots right here.

How to get there: Six Senses Con Dao is a 45 minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Co Ong, and another 10 minute transfer to the resort.

Macleod Island, Myanmar

The little known Myeik or Mergui archipelago along the southern tip of Myanmar is home to over 800 mostly uninhabited islands, though the intrepid can find their way to Macleod Island or Kha Yin Khwa Kyunn where the Myanmar Andaman Resort is. Whether you dive deep into the underwater haven of the Andaman sea or climb the 173m high peak on the island, you can be sure that hardly anyone will intrude on your holiday as this beautiful place is so remote and not easy to get to on a whim.

How to get there: Myanmar Andaman Resort is 1.5 hours by speedboat from Kawthaung at the very southern tip of Myanmar. Alternatively, travel from Ranong across the river in Thailand is also possible, though the nearest international airport is Phuket, a 4.5 hour car ride away from Ranong.

About the author:

Jaclynn Seah is The Occasional Traveller, constantly trying to balance work and wanderlust and inspiring other busy professionals to remember to take that time off and travel more. She is an avid solo indie travel lover – read about her adventures at theoccasionaltraveller.com