There’s a certain kind of magic that comes with leaving it all behind—trading traffic for tree lines, deadlines for daybeds. With the long weekend fast approaching, it’s the perfect excuse to disconnect and drift into a slower, more luxurious rhythm. From overwater bales and bamboo villas to secret shores kissed by turquoise tides, these quick island escapes promise stillness, space, and just enough seclusion to feel like a true reset. Whether you’re dreaming of Indonesian idylls or Filipino sanctuaries, paradise is just a few hours away.
Cempedak Private Island
A crescent moon of bamboo rising from emerald waters, Cempedak Private Island is where wild romance and design-savvy living meet. Just two and a half hours from Singapore, this adults-only island lets you slip into 17 hectares worth of thatched villas, stone hubs, and private plunge pools overlooking the Java Sea. Days begin with alfresco breakfasts on your sun-drenched deck, and end with lemongrass cocktails under the stars. There’s WiFi if you need it, but we doubt you will—this place is made for lovers of silence, solitude, and skin warmed by sea breeze.
Nikoi Private Island
Imagine Robinson Crusoe with a wine cellar and a sustainable conscience. Nikoi, Cempedak’s sister island, is perfect for those craving serene luxury and a slower rhythm. Families will love the barefoot-run freedom for kids; and couples are going to swoon over the outdoor showers and canopy beds draped in gauze. The architecture is all weathered timber and local stone, designed to disappear into nature. Spend the days leafing magazines by the reef, kayaking with sea turtles, or easing into a massage in the shade of banyan trees. This is what escapism is all about.
Pulau Pangkil
Ever dreamt about renting your own private island with friends? Pulau Pangkil brings that fantasy to life. Think beach bonfires, endless barbecues, and naps in driftwood palaces they call “palapas.” Located just three hours away from Singapore, this hideaway is exclusive by nature—only one booking at a time means the island is all yours. Whether you’re throwing a birthday bash or planning a family reunion, this summer haven turns ordinary weekends into sunlit legends. Arrive by boat, shoes off, soul switched on.
Banwa Private Island
If you’ve ever wanted to play billionaire for the weekend, Banwa Private Island is your stage. Set within a UNESCO biosphere reserve, this hyper-exclusive hideaway boasts six beachfront villas, a nine-hole golf couse, helicopter access, and full butler service. This isn’t just indulgence—it’s couture-level luxury. Menus are personalised, spa treatments bespoke, and sunsets practically scripted. If there were ever a time to treat yourself like royalty, a long weekend feels like perfect excuse.
Pulau Joyo
Think of Pulau Joyo as the kind of sandy paradise you’d expect to find a Slim Aarons photograph—only real. This private island in Indonedia’s Riau Archipelago is blessed with pristine white beaches and turquoise waters, with traditional Javanese joglo-style villas scattered across the grounds. Days stretch long here. You might rise with the sun, wander barefoot to your breakfast pavilion, swim out to sea with nothing but horizon ahead, and return just in time for grilled seafood under the twinkling night sky. It’s the type of getaway where the clock doesn’t matter—only the tides.
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