Discover 4 great sailing spots in Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand to visit on your next boating trip in South-East Asia.

1. Langkawi, Malaysia

With plenty of islands, lagoons and bays, South-East Asia has a lot to offer to beginning and experienced sailors alike. Whether you decide to fly in and stay at a Jakarta hotel and rent a boat, or sail around the world from your home port, South-East Asia has a lot to offer to the tourist sailor. Here are four great spots to visit during your next sailing trip.

Langkawi is an archipelago of 104 islands on the northwestern coast of mainland Malaysia. Only four of them are inhabited. Tourists tend to stay on the southern islands and the northern ones are more quiet, with little tourism traffic. Sailing around the Langkawi islands you will see secluded white sand beaches, cliffs and many occasions to observe migratory birds. If you’d like to see a bit more action, stay in Pantai Cenang for a few days of Malaysian hospitality, nightlife and great restaurants.

2. Pangkor Island, Malaysia

Also situated in the northwest part of Malaysia, Pangkor Island features an old Dutch fort, many beaches and snorkeling around Giam Island. When you set foot on the island, you’ll notice that there aren’t many cars around. The Malaysian government controls the number of vehicles on the island because of space issues, but you can always go around in a bicycle. Sailors can enjoy beautiful lagoons, ocean sunrises and secluded beaches in Teluk Nipah, an island just off Pangkor that can also be reached by foot during low tide.

3. Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay is situated at the northeast of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. The bay is a popular spot for shooting movie scenes because of the eerie beauty of thousands of limestone islands. Because of its popularity, the natural beauty of the bay has been damaged somewhat, but you can still appreciate the beauty of the islands from afar. It is recommended that you sail there with your own boat as there have been many accidents involving tourist boats in recent years. If you do decide to rent, make sure to do a complete check of the state of the boat before paying.

4. Ko Tao, Thailand

An enchanting island near the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Tao has a lot of offer for the marine life lover. It was “discovered” for tourism by backpackers in the 1980s, and has since been renowned as a diving site. Don’t forget to take your scuba diving gear along. Ko Tao is still a low-key beach destination, but it has gained in popularity in the last few years and more upscale resorts are popping up.

South-East Asia is an amazing destination for sailors, with thousands of islands, bays and lagoons to visit. Whether you enjoy resort accommodations, backpackers’ hostels or simply sleeping in your boat, every port city in the region is a tourist spot and can accommodate you for your budget and needs. Natural beauty, secluded beaches and beautiful vistas will have you return again and again to the waters of South-East Asia.