Not only Phuket and Bali: impressive underrated islands in Southeast Asia worth visiting

Leaving behind city life and heading to the islands is a rite of passage for anyone traveling to and through Southeast Asia.

It's worth noting that there's a lot to see there, even beyond the popular tourist destinations of Phuket and Bali. InsideHook offers several equivalent alternatives to travelers' most beloved destinations.

Pangkor Laut, Malaysia

Far from the radar of most tourists, Pangkor Laut is situated halfway up the coast between Kuala Lumpur and Penang. It is an islet off the coast of Pangkor Island and offers much of the landscape, climate, and style that travelers seek in destinations from Thailand's Andaman Sea northward, but from a location within the Straits of Malacca, accessible by car from the Malaysian capital.

The entire island is home to the 300-acre privately owned Pangkor Laut Resort, which boasts villa accommodations, including spacious overwater bungalows with stone bathtubs overlooking the sea. The drive from your likely starting point, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, takes about three and a half hours, and the resort provides a shuttle to the waiting room at their private jetty, where you'll board a speedboat to head ashore.

Palawan, Philippines

Palawan refers to both an island in the Philippines and its province. One name you should definitely know on the archipelago is Amanpulo. The stunning Aman property, situated on the private island of Pamalikan, features some of the whitest sands and most vibrant sea hues found anywhere on the planet.

You can reach the island via daily flights aboard a 14-seat turboprop aircraft departing from Manila. Pamalikan resembles an artist's palette with four shades of almost neon water, jungle greenery, and white sand. Pamalikan and Amanpulo are a tropical paradise.

Ko Kood, Thailand

Located near the coast of Cambodia, south of the larger island of Koh Chang and far from most other destinations on the Thai island route, Ko Kood is also easily accessible via Bangkok.

Komodo, Indonesia

Komodo Island is part of Indonesia's Komodo National Park, along with neighboring islands such as Rinca and Padar. The park was established to protect its namesake, the Komodo Dragon, with several thousand dragons found throughout the region that grow to approximately 150 pounds. In addition to the opportunity to see these fascinating animals, Komodo and the surrounding islands are renowned diving destinations and offer incredibly rich biodiversity above and below sea level.