Nusa Dua and Padang Padang Are Included in the Top 10 List of the Best Beaches in Southeast Asia for 2026

Indonesia has once again earned recognition as one of the leading beach destinations in Southeast Asia. Nusa Dua Beach and Padang Padang Beach in Bali have placed in the top 10 Best Beaches for Condé Nast Traveller magazine's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards.

On this list, Nusa Dua Beach secured 4th place with a score of 92.93, while Padang Padang Beach ranked 6th with a score of 91.67.

This result positions Indonesia alongside other popular beach destinations across Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. While neither Indonesian beach claimed the top spot, this achievement demonstrates the global appeal of the country's coastal destinations among international travel magazine readers.

The 2026 title of Best Beach in Southeast Asia was awarded to Railay Beach in Krabi Province, Thailand, which scored 94.44. This beach stands out for its combination of soft White Sand, turquoise ocean waters, and dramatic towering limestone cliffs that create its iconic landscape.

Nusa Dua and Padang Padang Compete Against Southeast Asia's Most Popular Beaches

Nusa Dua was the highest ranked Indonesian beach on this year's list. Located in Bali, this destination received 92.93 points, only 1.51 points behind first place Railay Beach.

Just below Nusa Dua, the Perhentian Islands in Terengganu, Malaysia took 5th place with a score of 92.78. Padang Padang was the next Indonesian beach to make the top 10, with its 91.67 score.

Having two Balinese beaches featured on this list offers travellers two distinct coastal experiences on a single island. Nusa Dua ranks among the top regional entries, while Padang Padang further solidifies Bali's standing on the regional Beach Tourism map.

Malaysia placed three destinations in the top 10, followed by Thailand also with three entries, and the Philippines with two. In total, Indonesia also had three beaches featured across the full top 12 list: Nusa Dua, Padang Padang and Gili Trawangan.

Railay Beach: Thailand's Hidden Paradise

Claiming first place, Railay Beach offers a unique Travel Experience. Located in Krabi Province, Thailand, this shore is famous for its fine white sand, clear turquoise sea, and the dramatic limestone cliff formations that surround it on all sides.

Even the journey to reach Railay is part of its charm. Visitors must travel by longtail boat for approximately 20 minutes to access the beach, making it an ideal escape for travellers looking to get away from crowded tourist areas.

Railay is not just for swimming and sunbathing. Its natural terrain supports a range of Outdoor Activities, including Rock Climbing which is extremely popular with International Travellers.

The beach area is divided into three distinct zones, each with its own character. West Railay is framed by limestone cliffs, excellent for swimming, and is renowned as one of the best sunset viewpoints in the region.

East Railay meanwhile is the established hub for rock climbing activity. Separately, Phra Nang Cave Beach combines natural exploration with Cultural Experience: inside the cliff cave sits a sacred shrine to the spirit Phra Nang, long honoured by local fishermen and sailors.

From inside the cave, visitors can look out at the cave mouth where hanging stalactites hang like ornate chandeliers. This view is one of the signature attractions of Krabi's coastal region.

Ratings Based On Reader Voting

The Readers' Choice Awards are the annual flagship awards presented by Condé Nast Traveller. The 2026 edition marked the 29th running of this survey.

Ratings were compiled from votes submitted by approximately 800,000 readers of the UK edition of the travel magazine. Scores are presented as percentage values, reflecting the overall average satisfaction rating for each destination.

Rankings on this list directly reflect the real travel experiences and personal preferences of the readers who participated in the public vote.

Across the wider Asian continent, Railay Beach placed 2nd overall, beaten only by Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka. For Indonesia, both Nusa Dua and Padang Padang placing in the Southeast Asian top 10 represents very positive news for the country's coastal tourism sector.

This achievement also gives travellers even more reason to add Bali's beaches to their travel itineraries. With two destinations ranked in the regional top 6, Indonesia remains one of the most appealing options for coastal holidaymakers visiting Southeast Asia.

2026 Readers' Choice Awards: Full Ranking of Best Beaches in Southeast Asia
1. Railay Beach, Thailand - 94.44
2. Coral Beach, Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia - 93.33
3. Boracay, Philippines - 93.01
4. Nusa Dua Beach, Indonesia - 92.93
5. Perhentian Islands, Terengganu, Malaysia - 92.78
6. Padang Padang Beach, Indonesia - 91.67
7. Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia - 88.67
8. Ao Nang Beach, Thailand - 85.56
9. El Nido, Philippines - 84.84
10. Pattaya Beach, Thailand - 81.67
11. Gili Trawangan Beach, Indonesia - 80.00
12. Maya Bay, Thailand - 79.74