Southeast Asia is a massive and diverse place. I have been very lucky to travel to many different places in the region. My family loves the ocean, so many of these destinations have been on the beach. On these holidays, I rarely see local people enjoying the ocean. Even at public beaches, the sand is filled with foreign tourists. It is so noticeable, that we have asked about it in the past.
Bali is particularly interesting. Locals don’t swim for pleasure in the ocean because it is traditionally viewed as dangerous and chaotic. In Thailand, they prefer rivers and fresh water. Additionally, many cultures in Southeast Asia value pale skin and avoid the intense sun.
Cultural differences are on full display on the beaches of Southeast Asia. Swimwear choices, chair location choices (shade or sun), and whether they enter the water show distinct cultural differences. In places like a beach in Florida, it is far less pronounced and more homogenous. For me, the cultural diversity and opportunities for these observations make Southeast Asia beaches some of the best in the world.
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