What Beach Is Next? Da Nang, Bali, or Bantayan Island

[Topper]

I'm looking for some travel ideas for our next trip, probably at Song Kran. The weather will still hopefully good in SEA so I've got three choices lined up.

1. Da Nang, Vietnam

I'm interested in traveling there because it's a world class beach and since I've never been to Vietnam and teach Vietnamese students, I hope to gain a small insight into their culture. Looking at plane tickets today, it's around 25,000 pesos (~500 USD) for the flight alone.

2. Bali

By all accounts it's great and since I'm not Australian, the locals with probably cut me some slack. Airfare is about 23K pesos.

3. Bantayan Island, PI,

Nice white sand beaches and nice clear water, just a 2 hour bus ride and 3-4 hour ferry ride away. After living in the PI for three years, I've not visited the beach yet, so maybe this is a more practical option. Costs for the two of us is probably around 1000 pesos in travel, but we'd be on one of the LSTs, (that's right, Landing Ship, Tank) left over from WW2. My wife is scared that it might turn into a dive site while we're on it.

I'm not interested in Boracay and Sipalay's beaches just don't appeal. Maybe Katie can chip in?

[hallelujah]

I've been to Danang a few times and Bali as well.

Danang is a huge beach, but the waves have been absolutely fucking massive when I've been and the sea was just too rough. I believe May to August is better, but forget it at any other time.

The town itself is pretty good with lots of places to eat and drink, so I usually take time to stop off there anyway. You're also close to Hoi An which, while being massively touristy these days, is always worth a visit. So, yeah, I'd recommend Danang, but think about the time of year to visit. Songkran might be a no go if you're hoping for a swim.

Regarding Bali, I may be in the minority but I can't stand the place. Horrendous traffic and full of wannabe hippies and fuckwits. The beaches are usually volcanic sand too while the seas are often quite rough as well.

The nearby Gili Islands are a much better option for a beach holiday.

[Topper]

I just checked out prices to fly from Manila direct to El Nido....24K pesos, that's dear.

[BLD]

I've got 4 nights in bali starting on Tuesday I'll give you the skinny on how that goes , as for Danang been a few times and find it to be bloody good. Good food. Beer, hotels, eye candy and an hour from hoi an which is also nice but very touristy. The Locals in Vietnam will.cut you some slack if you pretend to be an aussie

[Topper]

I've been to Danang a few times and Bali as well.

Danang is a huge beach, but the waves have been absolutely fucking massive when I've been and the sea was just too rough. I believe May to August is better, but forget it at any other time. The town itself is pretty good with lots to eat and drink, so I usually take time to stop off there anyway. You're also close to Hoi An which, while being massively touristy these days, is always worth a visit. So, yeah, I'd recommend Danang, but think about the time of year to visit. Songkran might be a no go if you're hoping for a swim.

Regarding Bali, I may be in the minority but I can't stand the place. Horrendous traffic and full of wannabe hippies and fuckwits. The beahes are usually volcanic sand too while the seas are often quite rough as well.

The nearby Gili Islands are much better.

Thanks for that, Hal!

I'm thinking of staying between Da Nang and Hoi An, city access but fewer Chinese.

[DrWilly]

To be fair, all are good options.

[Topper]

I've got 4 nights in bali starting on Tuesday I'll give you the skinny on how that goes , as for Danang been a few times and find it to be bloody good. Good food. Beer, hotels, eye candy and an hour from hoi an which is also nice but very touristy. The Locals in Vietnam will.cut you some slack if you pretend to be an aussie

LOL, they'll probably cut you slack if you're anything other than Chinese.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to hearing from ya about Bali!

[david44]

Da Nang is a city and will give you an insight into the culture.I prefer to sstay Hoi An which is calmer after daily Chinese hordess from Da Nang beach hotelss head back to the buffets. The beach while clean is not for me , I prefer deerted coves in W scotland, ireland Galicia, CA even ,my favourite is Cow bay in N Queensland, not sure if can till fly dirct PI to Cirns but wonderful area. though.With all the hasssle of flying I'd be inclined to see a bit more PI local guide, no visa strikes covid certs.
look forward to a trip report .Bon voyage.

[BLD]

I've been to Danang a few times and Bali as well.

Danang is a huge beach, but the waves have been absolutely fucking massive when I've been and the sea was just too rough. I believe May to August is better, but forget it at any other time.

The town itself is pretty good with lots of places to eat and drink, so I usually take time to stop off there anyway. You're also close to Hoi An which, while being massively touristy these days, is always worth a visit. So, yeah, I'd recommend Danang, but think about the time of year to visit. Songkran might be a no go if you're hoping for a swim.

Regarding Bali, I may be in the minority but I can't stand the place. Horrendous traffic and full of wannabe hippies and fuckwits. The beaches are usually volcanic sand too while the seas are often quite rough as well.

The nearby Gili Islands are a much better option for a beach holiday.

Apart from 1 night in bali.on the way to Laos this trip I had not been to bali for years. I'm not a fan of it it's just ok
I'm hoping I enjoy it but I doubt I will ? For the same reasons Hal mentioned. When I booked airasia tickets going through Bali was convenient , but since airasia have changed there schedule it's a pain in the arse. Still, maybe the kids will get a kick out of it?

[Topper]

To be fair, all are good options.

The post covid airline price though are seriously pissing me off. It seems like they've doubled.

[hallelujah]

The beach while clean is not for me.

Phu Quoc has the best beaches in Vietnam in my opinion. VietJet fly there, but Topper might have to change somewhere (probably HCMC).

Nha Trang was ok too, but, again, the waves can be massive.

[BLD]

And Charlie don't surf

[hallelujah]

El Nido....24K pesos, that's dear.

The beaches off El Nido are the best I've been anywhere in SE Asia.

[hallelujah]

. Still, maybe the kids will get a kick out of it?

I think the kids will like it.

Always something to do and you can crack a swirly frosty one while they're at it.

It'll be interesting to see what has changed since you were last there.

[katie23]

Katie is here!

I've been to both Danang & Bali. Not been to Cebu or Bantayan islands.

Re: Danang, it's a great place. Tourist friendly, lots of hotels near the beach. If you're posh, you can try one of those 4 star hotels which are beach-side. For lower budgets, stay at hotels one or 2 streets away from the beach. The Viets don't celebrate Songkran (to my knowledge), so VN won't be as hectic as TH.

However, you're cutting it close re: flights. I usually book flights ~6 months in advance to get a good deal. Last time I visited VN was end May to early June - weather was mostly sunny, so the trip was generally enjoyable. From Danang, you can go on a day trip to Hoi An which is a UNESCO heritage city. It's touristy but I liked the atmosphere. I think we did Hoi An in the morning then the Water Mountain (or Marble moubtain) in the afternoon - have to check my trip thread. You can also go to Saigon & spend a few days there. I think your wife will enjoy shopping in Ben Thanh market. Lots of surplus North Face & Kipling bags (the factories are there), as well as Reebok, Adidas, Nike.

As for Bali, I've been there too but it was 10 yrs ago (Dec 2013) and there must be many changes. I think BLD is there now (or soon to be). Switch is living there, I think. I don't know the weather in Balu during April - is it "spring" there or monsoon season? There are some nice beaches & temples to explore. In terms of hotels, I think the hotels & food costs are similar for VN & Bali, though of course it depends on how posh or kuripot you are.

If you choose Bantayan, I've seen several vlogs. I think the bus or ferry to go there is safe. Tizme had a Bantayan island thread and it looked good. I think he had pics & vids.

******
Overall, it depends on your budget. I think food & hotel costs for the 3 places will be similar. If you'll go abroad, then more $$$. Depends if you're saving up for a house/ land/ car or you're willing to spend a bit more for airfare.

Edit: the airfare for Manila to El Nido is exclusive to Air Swift airline. It belongs to the Ayala group so they have a monopoly & control the price. If you fly Nanila to Puerto Princesa, it's probably cheaper but then you'll have to take a 5-hour car or van ride.

[Topper]

The beaches off El Nido are the best I've been anywhere in SE Asia.

I'd love to live on Palawan...

thanks as always Katie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Topper]

Puerto Princesa is only 9K from home.....but then isn't it like a 6 hour van ride to El Nido?

[katie23]

^You're welcome. Just to add abt Bali: during December, the wind/ tides bring in the trash from Java island to the side where Kuta beach is. The 1 beach day that I had in Bali, I didn't enjoy Kuta beach because the water was murky & had lots of plastic rubbish. I think if it was on the opposite part of the island, there would be no rubbish. That's why it's best to ask abt the weather, monsoons & tide/ trash situation. Maybe Switch will chime in.

If you're set on a beach in PH, you can try Panglao island (which is just off Bohol), Siargao (was severely affected by a typhoon in Nov 2021 so it will be interesting to see if things have been rebuilt), Samal island which is just off Davao city. If you want to go to Manila, you can try the beaches in San Juan, Batangas or in Puerto Galera in Mindoro island. If you want north of Manila, then San Juan in La Union province + side trip to Baguio city (highlands).

[Topper]

Siargao (was severely affected by a typhoon in Nov 2021 so it will be interesting to see if things have been rebuilt)

that's an idea as well...its off the southeastern tip on Negros....maybe fly to Duma and take the ferry from there.

[S Landreth]

I'm looking for some travel ideas for our next trip,....

1. Da Nang, Vietnam

2. Bali

3. Bantayan Island, PI,

What Beach Is Next?

Skip this year and save up.

Rent an Airbnb on the North Shore for month.

[malmomike77]

18 years since i last went to Vietnam, was my 4th time then and i thought it was getting touristy in Danang Hoi An etc then, i'm not getting sold on a return.

I take it your hols is beach, eat and relax? I can manage about 1-2 days of that before getting bored shitless. What about a bit of North / NE Borneo

[BLD]

Puerto Princesa is only 9K from home.....but then isn't it like a 6 hour van ride to El Nido?

That's what's been putting me of going to el nido, I hate bus trips longer than an hour or 2 6 I ours is hell on earth for me

[BLD]

@katie, yeah arriving bali Tuesday afternoon. Will putter over to sanur with some cheese for switch

[hallelujah]

What about a bit of North / NE Borneo

Good shout that.

Just watch out for crocodiles and headchoppers coming over from Sulu.

[cyrille]

I've been to Bali four times, Bantayan and also Nha Trang, which is not far from Danang, twice.

In April I would most want to return to Nha Trang.


Because of the surrounding mountains it's dry and pleasantly cool (but sunny) in April.


But Bantayan is near you and also a lovely spot.


The ferry also looked waay safer than anything in Thailand.


As katie mentioned, tizme did a very good travel thread on it.


Maybe good to stay closer to home with airfares the way they are.