10 amazing Asia-Pacific private island retreats
Colorful marine life, clear water, tropical birds, towering palm trees.
There's one way to bring that picture-perfect postcard to life: a private island resort in Asia.
Remote yet refined, Asia's top private islands promise gloriously empty itineraries -- free to be filled with cultural excursions, scuba diving, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking or some good old-fashioned sunbathing.
You could simply travel to the Maldives -- where every single hotel is its own island -- but why not find your way to the lesser trodden sands of Cambodia, Indonesia and Tasmania?
Here, we've compiled a handful of sun-soaked destinations across Southeast Asia and the Pacific:
1. Bawah Reserve, Indonesia
If the clear waters of Indonesia are calling your name, Bawah Island makes for an idyllic base.
Reachable via seaplane, the rustic-chic resort sits within a secluded six-island archipelago -- about 3.5-hours northeast of Singapore.
The all-inclusive rates cover everything except alcohol and diving, so you can rest easy knowing your transfers, meals, spa treatments, yoga, pilates, meditation, laundry, and non-motorized water sports are already taken care of.
Across the marine conservation area, travelers will find 35 bamboo bungalows (including 11 overwater bungalows) and an open-air cinema, as well as a long list of outdoor activities.
Fill your days with snorkeling or sunbathing -- Bawah Island is a haven of sandy beaches, jungles, mangroves and scuba diving.
2. Haggerstone Island, Australia
On the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, Haggerstone Island exudes "Castaway" vibes with thatched-roof beach huts and timber houses filled with handcrafted furniture and esoteric curios.
A family-run resort, built from scratch by Roy and Anna Turner 30 years ago, the all-inclusive experience begins with a private charter from Cairns to Haggerstone's private air strip -- located on Hicks Island, about a 15-minute boat transfer from the resort.
Once you touch down, chilled welcome drinks set the tone along with the crystal-clear water and a clean white beach.
The main lodge welcomes travelers for meals, typically made from freshly caught seafood and homegrown ingredients.
As for the rooms, the most luxurious villa on the island is House Mawu. The massive timber house sits on a hill with lagoon views, two bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge, fireplace, and a loft that's perfect for kids.
Whether you're honeymooning or treating the whole family, everyone will appreciate the healthy marine life -- the waters here are teeming with manta rays, turtles and diverse coral.
3. Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Promising eco-friendly ethos, Song Saa Private Island is the only luxury resort in the Koh Rong Islands, off the coast of southwestern Cambodia.
Melita and Rory Hunter -- the Australian couple who founded the resort -- stumbled upon the island about 12 years ago while on a sailing trip.
They purchased the island from a local family, who was keen to sell the islands in order to move back to mainland Cambodia.
One catch? It would need a lot of work. The surrounding marine area was in serious disrepair due to pollution and overfishing.
The Hunters cleaned up the island, installed plumbing, implemented recycling and waste management and, finally in 2007, established Cambodia's first certified marine reserve.
Stretching across two pretty islands, the resort includes 27 thatched-roofed suites (each designed using driftwood, local stones, and bamboo), a gym, spa, and overwater restaurant, plus easy access to snorkeling and sailing spots around the archipelago.
4. Nihi, Indonesia
There are dozens of island retreats across the sprawling Indonesian archipelago, but Nihi stands out from the crowd.
For starters, it stretches across the island of Sumba -- about 250 miles east of Bali -- shared with the indigenous Sumbanese people and a few herds of wild horses.
Life at this 567-acre resort consists of full-day "spa safaris" at Nihi Oka Spa, hiking, village visits, fishing, world-class surfing, snorkeling, ping pong, beach cinema, horseback riding, and more.
After a day of adventures, guests will settle down for the night in one of 27 rustic-luxe villas, which feature canopy beds, spacious verandas and views of the Indian Ocean.
5. Turtle Island, Fiji
Owned and operated by the Evanson family, this 500-acre island getaway was the set of "The Blue Lagoon", released in 1980.
The adults-only address provides all-inclusive luxury mixed with fascinating Fijian cultural experiences.
After a scenic seaplane ride to Fiji's Turtle Island -- in the northwestern Yasawa Islands archipelago -- guests are greeted with traditional songs, a glass of bubbly and welcome hugs from staff.
