From the Andaman Coast to Guam, Visit These Beaches in Asia and the Pacific in the Off-Season

Summer isn’t over on the sunny shores of the Andaman Sea or the warm, coral-filled waters of Guam. September to early November is shoulder season in these six beach areas in Asia and the Pacific — the end of the rainy season and before tourism picks up in December.

These popular beach destinations are blissful and quiet during this time, so pack your swimwear and sandals because it’s time for a vacation.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Teluk Bahang Beach; Penang, Malaysia

Warm and sunny year-round, there’s never a bad time to travel to this Malaysian island, but September to November sees fewer crowds.

While visitors to Penang frequent George Town, the bustling capital with its heritage shophouses, the beaches in the north remain underexplored. Teluk Bahang Beach is a long stretch of white-sand beach backed by thickets.

Its numerous bays, protected by giant rocks, make it wonderful to swim in. It’s also the gateway to the lush Penang National Park and its many hiking trails.

From the national park entrance, take a small boat to secluded Monkey Beach with its large bay for swimming. There’s a castaway feel with ropes and swings dangling from tree branches — just beware of the monkeys; they can be aggressive.

Nyang Nyang Beach; Bali, Indonesia

Hidden behind rocky green cliffs, Nyang Nyang Beach on Bali’s southwest coast is one of the island’s least-visited beaches — and during the October off-season, it’s a gem.

You’ll need to trek along a dirt road, past a temple, and descend several-dozen steps before arriving at the beach. But the journey is worth it, and a Bali of yesteryear awaits.

Besides a graffiti-covered shipwreck, it’s just sand — one mile of it — and sea. While not exactly a swimming beach, experienced surfers should bring their boards since the swells are large and the waters uncrowded.

Sunayama Beach; Miyako-jima, Okinawa, Japan

If there’s a perfect month to visit Japan’s Okinawan islands, that would be October — it’s right after the summer typhoon season, and the waters are still warm enough for swimming while crowds have ebbed.

Miyako-jima (Miyako Island) has many calm swimming beaches, but Sunayama is quite magical. It’s an easy hike down the sand dunes, fringed by lush vegetation, and to the powder-sand beach with its iconic rock arch and turquoise waters where the corals are visible from above.

Pack your snorkeling gear and snorkel with sea turtles and manta rays. Then watch the sunset envelop the island.

Khao Lak, Thailand

Phuket might lure scuba divers, and the mystical temples and bohemian vibes of Koh Samui attract beachgoers from around the world, but lesser-known and equally satiating is Khao Lak.

A stretch of gorgeous beaches facing the Andaman Coast, Khao Lak sees fewer tourists than Thailand’s more iconic beaches, and this is especially true during the October to November off-season. Khao Lak Beach is a bronze-sand beach with plenty of space for sunbathing.

For a more back-to-nature experience, trek through Khao Lak National Park and follow a hiking trail to Kapong Hot Springs or the five-tiered Lam Ru Waterfall.

Tumon, Guam

Guam, a popular tropical island in the Pacific, sees tourists from Christmastime well into the summer, which leaves the autumn months less hectic. During the off-season, the main stretch of beach among Tumon Bay empties and is occupied by locals.

You’ll see families barbecuing a Chamorro-style meal on Sundays at Ypao Beach Park. A good snorkeling location, the waters here teem with colorful coral and marine life, including sea cucumbers and giant porcupine fish.

Further up the coast is Gun Beach, which derives its name from a World War II relic. Find a shady spot by the green cliffs and spend a day snorkeling in the clear waters.

Bai Sao; Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Bai Sao, on the paradise island of Phu Quoc, is the quintessential white-sand, coconut-tree-lined beach. Its name means “Star Beach,” and in September and October, starfish swim close to the shore.

A popular destination from December to March, the period from September to November sees more tranquility. The calm and shallow waters extend a long way out, making it an ideal swimming beach.

Relax on a sun lounger, snorkel or kite surf — it’s all about soaking in the sun on this four-mile stretch of powdery sand flanked by two mountains.