Located just off the southeastern coast of Malaysia, this tiny island is a utopia for divers: in-the-know deep-sea voyagers have been heading out here since the late 90s, their Garmins navigating them towards one of the world's top dive sites, Sipadan island. Whether you're a PADI pro or prefer to simply dip your toes in, Mabul delivers, with chances to spot marine magic both under and above the waves. Once you've frolicked with turtles, blue-ringed octopuses and hammerhead sharks, you'll be negotiating with local fishermen for their best catch-of-the-day price back on the beach. Sundowners? Head to Mabul Water Bungalows' wraparound terrace. The property's stilted bungalows are surrounded by Tiffany-blue waters, while shores are tickled by swaying palms. It's paradise without the sky-high price tag.

Steer clear of the well-trodden tourist path littered with cocktail buckets, UV paint and the gap-yah brigade with a visit to this community-oriented Thai isle - the closest you'll come to living out your The Beach fantasies. Koh Mook is a small, car-free island consisting mostly of deep jungle fringed by golden crescents of sand (in fact, much of the island's rugged interior sits within the Hat Chao Mai National Park). Europop-blaring tuk-tuks have yet to make their way over (largely due to there being no car ferry in service), so pedal your way to snow-white Sivalai Beach to laze under palm trees, or swim through Emerald Cave to explore an isolated green lagoon with a breathtaking beach. Come evening, we're slowing down in the sleepy Baan Koh Mook village, where there are a few low-key bars and laid-back cafés, before slipping into a canopy-crowned bed at the idyllic Inhale Hill.

As far-flung Southeast Asian islands go, Rabbit Island (as it's more commonly known) is one of the more easily accessible options on this list, being just a 30-minute boat ride from Kep, but its rugged charm and rustic lifestyle remain unspoilt. Days here are best spent alternating between lounging in hammocks and dozing on soft sands (just don't be alarmed if the odd chicken wanders past), before scoffing fisherman's fare in restaurant shacks along the shore. Evenings are for swapping travellers' tales or, more commonly at weekends, warming up the vocals and blaring out ear-splitting renditions of cult favourites from a pop-up karaoke bar to a bemused local crowd.

If Phú Quốc is the poster child for clear waters, fine-grain sand and refined resorts, then Hòn Nghệ is its barefoot, easygoing sister. Expect to be the only sun worshippers on this minuscule island, which rarely features on itineraries. Pitch up under the stars and wake early to make the pilgrimage to the statue of Guanyin, perched atop the hills, for sunrise, then head seawards in the afternoon to try your hand at squid fishing. As with all Crusoe-esque islands, seafood cuisine rules, so expect dinners fresh from the waves.

Side-step the Aussie-accented crowds in Bali with a visit to Belitung. One of thousands of islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, this diminutive destination, just off the east coast of Sumatra, promises honey-hued sands strewn with sea-washed granite boulders, colourful Dutch colonial-built seaside towns and not a nightclub in sight. Drop your bags at the sustainability-focused Eco Beach Tent, then hop on a boat to explore the more than 100 surrounding islets. Set sail for Lengkuas to spy a 141-year-old lighthouse, slip into the sea to snorkel between coral reefs, or head back to land to hike up the granite face of Batu Baginda, accompanied by chattering monkeys and rowdy cicadas. Note that the forested geopark surrounding this incredible rock formation is currently under regeneration. Much of the island has been scarified by palm plantations, but a Unesco designation in 2021 is raising hopes that Belitung's unique geological features can be preserved and protected.