Vaccines are slowly rolling out globally and there is renewed hope for ease of travel across Asia and beyond the region’s borders. One of the predictions for 2021, according to MMGY Global, was travellers increasingly seeking destinations such as Asian islands for luxury getaways.
Idyllic tropical and luxurious island holidays are also the ideal tonic to a stressful and manic year. The rise in demand for private jet and helicopter air travel from Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individual (UHNWI) is spurred by these services offering convenience, flexibility and safety compared to mainstream commercial air travel.
We look at some of the top tropical island getaways in Southeast Asia which you can reach by private charter flights. Enjoy the hassle-free private terminals, lack of queues at the airport, and embrace the comforts of private and luxury air travel.
Cambodia - Song Saa Island
If you are seeking exclusivity in the Kingdom of Cambodia, the private island of Song Saa is the perfect destination.
Lying in the Gulf of Thailand, the private retreat is a short helicopter flight from the coastal city of Sihanoukville.
There are six types of elegant villas on the exclusive Song Saa Island. The Royal Villa is the most prestigious and has a huge private pool, two spacious bedrooms, direct access to the ocean and the marine reserve. Song Saa is also located on a bioluminescent stretch of beach, the waters are alight in the evenings.
Naturewise, the tropical island offers pristine virgin rainforests, coral reefs and white beaches - wonderful picturesque scenes that you can call home for a few days. Albeit intimate and luxurious, the islands are abundantly rich in nature. The easily accessible marine life includes dugongs, seahorses and exotic species of tropical fish.
The accommodation and dining are world-class - relax surrounded by tranquil seas and unforgettable and dramatic sunsets.
Highlights of Song Saa Island
Large infinity-edge swimming pool straddling both east and west sides of the island.
Spa and wellness centre suspended among the rainforest.
Yoga and meditation centre on the eastern shore, ideal for yoga at sunrise.
Beachside water-sports centre offering sailing, diving, kayaking and snorkelling.
How to Get to Song Saa Island
You can reach Song Saa Island with Yugo. Flights on a privately booked Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil helicopter (also known as Squirrel or the Airbus H125) can fly you from the capital of Phnom Penh (Koh Pich) to the island in less than 90 minutes with prices under USD$7,000.
Read more about how you can reach other islands in the Philippines by helicopter.
Indonesia - Cempedak
If you are seeking a mature and more intimate getaway, Cempedak in Indonesia is an adults-only private island, located in the Riau Islands. The 17-hectare private island is a mere 91km from Singapore.
As one of only a handful of private islands along the beautiful coast, Cempedak has selfie-worthy white sandy beaches and lush tropical rainforest. The granite boulders rise up to a height of 40m while the rainforest has a diverse population of local birds including hornbills, eagles and kingfishers. Endangered pangolin and a family of otters also call the island “home”.
The private pool villas of the luxury boutique island resort blend in with the natural surroundings. There are only 20 private villas which all have access to three beaches. The luxury villas all provide a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom upstairs. Meanwhile, downstairs offers a lounge area with a guest bathroom, a bar, a large deck, sun loungers and a private plunge pool.
Excellent dining is accompanied by pampering in the form of the Rock Spa, located atop granite boulders overlooking a mangrove bay. The spa offers holistic, locally-influenced treatments inspired by Balinese techniques, overlooking the ocean.
Highlights of Cempedak
Adult-only policy on the private island - The island has a strict policy of not allowing children under the age of 16 to visit.
Access to sandy white beaches.
The Island Foundation supports surrounding local communities.
Philippines - Amanpulo, Pamalican Island
Accessible only by private plane, the tropical Pamalican Island hosts the Amanpulo - managed by the famous Aman group – the resort is located in the Cuyo Archipelago of northern Palawan in the Philippines.
This award-winning island retreat of Amanpulo has only exclusive properties; 40 airy casitas (based on traditional Filipino rural houses) and villas all have access to 5.5 km of coral sand that encircles a jungled centre on the tropical paradise. Every property is secluded, ensuring a truly private experience.
Offering a poolside Clubhouse, the Aman Spa, and abundant water activities - snorkelling on your private beachfront is not a bad way to spend your days. Amanpulo provides supreme comfort and privacy
There are also tennis courts, island hikes, turtle spotting and reef explorations.
Highlights of Amanpulo
Arrive in Amanpulo by private plane from Manila.
Secluded luxury beachfront villas and secluded hillside Casitas.
Awarded Conde Nast Traveller Readers Travel Awards 2013.
How to Get to Amanpulo
With Yugo, we can fly you in private comfort from Manila to Amanpulo on a King Air 350i in 90 minutes for a price starting from PHP 525,000 (USD $11,000).
Malaysia - Langkawi - Datai
The Datai Langkawi Malaysia is a luxurious sprawling five-star hotel based among the lush rainforest in Datai Bay.
Only 20km west of Kuah, the hotel offers 121 secluded villas, rooms and suites set on paths leading down to a private bay and the hotel's white sand beach. Some of the rooms have a view of the Andaman Sea and Tarutao Island on the horizon.
Access to the private and award-winning Datai Beach - provides the ultimate in exclusivity, as the beach is not open to the public. Or take in the breathtaking scenic backdrop of primordial mountains, and a 10 million-year-old rainforest!
There are six room types furnished with Balinese-style furniture and all offer high-end decor and amenities for travellers seeking pampering and opulence.
The Datai Langkawi offers a diverse choice of global dining experiences which are enjoyed with spectacular views.
Guests can also take advantage of the award-winning, 18-hole, par-72, championship Els Club Teluk Datai golf course - only five minutes by car from the resort.
Highlights of Datai
Private beach - one of the Top 10 Beaches worldwide as awarded by National Geographic.
Access to Championship golf course.
Surrounded by natural ancient rainforest.
You can also read about some of the top private islands destinations you can reach by helicopter.
