Ngapali Beach

ngapali_beach1Myanmar’s premier beach resort is Ngapali Beach. Miles of empty white sand beaches, all backed by towering coconut palms, conjure up images of paradise. Intimate resorts offer visitors the chance to swim, sail, kayak and feast on lobster and prawn by candlelight as the sun sinks lazily into the Indian Ocean. Ngapali is the perfect place to unwind and savour those few precious weeks in Myanmar.

The neighbouring town of Thandwe has a large market offering traditional wares of pottery, basketry and woven goods apart from the usual fresh produce and fish. The fishermen who moor their boats at a rocky patch of beach are friendly and happy to show off their catch.

The most recent discovery along the western coast is Ngwe Saung Beach. This 14.5 km long beach has pure white sands, an unspoilt backdrop of lush forests, groves of palm trees and a new crop of luxury hotels opening up along its length. For visitors who want to be more active, there is a beautiful golf resort, as well as diving, sailing and water sports activities. The islands and villages in the vicinity are excellent places to explore for those who want to have a sense of local life. A new road takes you there in a matter of hours from Yangon.