5 Bucket List Items to Check Off in Southeast Asia

5 Bucket List Items to Check Off in Southeast Asia

Even though one bucket list is completely unique from the next, there is a common trend that seems to take over: travel,. Whether you actually take measures to book flights around the world or remain in your in your hometown until the day you die, travel is a top bucket list trend.

When you travel to different parts of the world – or even different parts of your home country – you experience new and exciting things, unique cultures, and scenery that takes your break away. Getting a taste of these things and more is more true than ever when you cross off items from your Southeast Asia bucket list.

Southeast Asia is home to the most delectable food, stunning natural wonders, and friendly faces. The first bucket list item to cross off the list is to actually get there. But you’ll quickly see that this part of the world is like one big bucket list itself with enough adventures to keep you busy for years. These are just a few of the best (and most common) bucket list items to check off in Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia Bucket List Item #1: Dive with Whale Sharks in Koh Tao

Woman Diving with Whale Sharks in Koh Tao as part of her southeast asia bucket list item
Koh Tao, Thailand is often considered the SCUBA diving capital of the world. Part of the reason for this is that diving is dirt cheap – you can get certified for next to nothing. Another reason is the quality of the diving. The streets of this Thai island are lined with dive shops, all ready to take you on an underwater adventure.

You’ll see everything from tiny fish to massive turtles, and you might even get a glimpse of a majestic whale shark if you visit at the right time of year. To get there, you can easily book your ticket from Bangkok to Koh Tao. Before you know it you’ll be laying on the beach – or exploring the underwater world beneath the surface.

With delectable food, stunning natural wonders, & friendly faces, Southeast Asia is like one big bucket list itself with enough adventures to keep you busy for years. #SouthEastAsia #Bucketlist #BucketlistItems Click To Tweet

Southeast Asia Bucket List Item #2: Ride a Motorcycle through Vietnam

Riding a motorcycle through vietnam
Maybe you read that bucket list item and immediately thought to yourself, “There’s absolutely no way I’m doing that.” That’s completely fair, but you’d be surprised by how many people actually do it and describe it as the most memorable activity of their lives. Motorcycling through Vietnam is not for the faint of heart, but it’s certainly doable if you put your mind to it.

Southeast Asia Bucket List Item #3: Explore the Small Village of Port Barton

Boat along the shore of Port Barton in Palawan Philippines
Similar to Thailand’s Koh Tao, the entirety of the Philippines is known for SCUBA diving, all 7,000+ islands of the area. But let’s face it, some people just aren’t huge fans of the ocean. Sure, it’s nice to look at, but when it comes to actually getting in the water, nope. Not happening.

If this sounds like you, you’ll be pleased to hear you can still enjoy Filipino culture without spending every moment in, on, or under the salty water. The best place to learn about true, authentic Filipino culture is in Port Barton, Palawan. This small coastal village still remains fairly undeveloped, so you can get a taste of the Philippines without tourist influence getting in the way.

Southeast Asia Bucket List Item #4: Get in Touch with Your Inner Yogi in Ubud

Girl sitting at the edge of an infinity pool doing yoga overlooking beautiful mountains in Ubud, Indonesia
If you love yogi culture or just want to learn more about it, there’s no place quite like Ubud. Ubud is located in the heart of the Indonesian island of Bali. When travelling to Bali, many tourists make their way to the coastal town of Canggu or Kuta, especially those who want to catch a few waves.

The biggest mistake for these surf-loving travelers is missing out on Ubud, merely because there is a lack of surf. Ubud’s got everything from good food, amazing culture, stunning Balinese-made souvenirs to take back home, colorful temples, and of course, yoga out the wazoo. There are even hostels here labeled as “yogi” hostels, like the famous Yoga Barn. Oh, and don’t forget about the Monkey Forest in the center of Ubud where monkeys roam free.

Southeast Asia Bucket List Item #5: Visit a Rooftop Bar in Singapore

Sitting at a rooftop bar overlooking Singapore

All of the Southeast Asia bucket list items mentioned thus far have been geared towards adventure. But every once in a while, you just need a bit of luxury in your life, and Singapore is the place to satisfy that craving. Singapore is known for its glitz and glam, and you can be a part of all that glitz and glam by getting all dolled up and visiting one of the many rooftop bars throughout the city.

What Southeast Asia Bucket List Items Asia Are Missing?

looking at the Southeast asia part of an old globe
So with our favorite 5 bucket list items, it is easy to see why visiting Southeast Asia has enough adventures to keep you busy for years. But is there a bucket list item in Southeast Asia that we are missing that you recommend? Is there a certain food that needs to be on our Southeast Asia bucket list? Or is there something or someplace that we have listed that you think needs to not be a part of the Bucket List Project? Either way, let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board! Pinterest Pin Pic of a woman exploring Southeast Asia

31 thoughts on “5 Bucket List Items to Check Off in Southeast Asia

  1. That’s a good list of bucket list items! I would love to take a motorcycle ride through Vietnam ( a lot like riding in India, which I have enjoyed) and visit Port Barton. Both sound great!:-)

  2. I want to spend a night in the White Desert of Kutch in India, heard it is a beautiful experience. Also, want to visit Angkor Watt and explore the ruins. Now that you have asked, things are tumbling down. Exploring Palawan looked equally interesting.

    1. Yeah the more we read about Palawan, the higher it climbs our Southeast Asia Bucket List for sure! The White Desert or Rann of Kutch looks so cool too! Kind of reminds me of the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia with it’s unique features.

  3. Visiting SE Asia is near the top of my bucket list, and these all sound like fantastic things to do (except for the motorcycle – I’m too much of a scaredy-cat). My other top things I want to do in SEA are visit a night market, try all the street food I can, and take a cooking class in Thailand. I can’t wait!

    1. Yeah, all the night markets and street food have always been highlights for us! It is amazing what people create or what they can cook! Plus we love supporting the local people while enjoying their creations!

  4. I must admit that scuba diving with whale sharks is close to the top of my travel wish list. I would definitely want to time my visit when they were around. Yoga in Ubud might certainly be the relaxation I need. But I would not want to miss on a rooftop bar in Singapore. All great reasons to head back when we can.

  5. This list has given me plenty to think about! I’ve not done nearly enough of these bucket list items. I’d most like to ride a motorcycle through Vietnam and visit Port Barton. Both sound amazing!!

    1. Haha, that sounds cool! I wonder though would it be better to watch a Ping Pong Match in China rather than Thailand? Just had visions of Forrest Gump!

  6. I loved your bucket list items, and I am highly inspired. I would love to visit Uganda and track gorillas, would love to see the Northern Lights from Norway, and also to go on a Mediterranean Cruise. I wish you all luck!

  7. We recently had our first trip to Southeast Asia! Well we didn’t do any of these things at that time, you have given us many reasons to return to this beautiful area!

  8. Hiking with Komodo dragons in Komodo National Park in Indonesia; trekking for orang-utans in Borneo; visiting Borobudur in Java; beach hopping in Koh Phangan; going on a tiger safari in India… I totally agree with you. Asia is packed with adventure and bucket list experiences. I love it there for this reason!

  9. I’ve never heard of Port Barton in Palawan so I’m definitely gonna have to go next time I’m in the Philippines.

    5 years ago I got to swim with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu! So scary and I don’t think I can do it again!

      1. I did and it was awesome, but the worst part was mosquitoes – never ever met such a greedy little b…. my legs were just full of bites

  10. These all sounds like great idea! I think a motorcycle ride through Vietnam would be so fun, although I really like the idea of exploring a smaller town. And who can resist a rooftop bar? Ha! All fab ideas for sure!

  11. I went snorkelling with whale sharks in Djibouti but it was the end of the season, I’d love to experience the diving in Koh Tao. Riding a motorcycle in Vietnam is on my list for when I finally make it to the country and I wanted to use homestays along the way. I visited Palawan years ago and did my PADI diving in El Nido, we did drop by Port Barton on our travels.

    1. That’s awesome that you have done several of these 5 bucket list items in southeast Asia! Staying in homestays in Vietnam while you ride across Vietnam on your motorcycle sounds perfect

  12. Unfortunately I was only in Thailand from South-east Asia but enjoyed it a lot. I wish I will go for a yoga retreat in Ubud or enjoy a frappe on one of the rooftop bars of Singapore – the view it’s just too breathtaking.

  13. I had a 2-month SE Asia trip back in 2017 and I’m happy to say I did 4/5 things on this list. I could add a couple of more but this list is amazing! At the time, I didn’t know about swimming with whale sharks in Koh Tao but I would love to go back someday and experience this.

  14. I’ve never been to South East Asia, but diving with whale sharks looks like an incredible experience. I think I might be too chicken to try it though. Great list!

  15. I still haven’t been to SE Asia. There are so many things I want to do there. Eating all the delicious & cheap street food is one of them. I have always thought about doing some sort of yoga retreat in Thailand or Bali too!

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