Ngapali Beach in Myanmar: One of Asia’s Most Beautiful Beaches

What is Ngapali like?

Myanmar is world-famous for the temples in Bagan and balancing fishermen at Inle Lake. Getting here can be a little challenging, so what better way to close off your Myanmar itinerary than at one of Asia’s most beautiful beaches?! Ngapali Beach, with its calm waters and beautiful views, is one of the best places to see in the country.

7 Things To Do in Ngapali

Ngapali is all about the beach and its surroundings. Take about 3 to 4 days to really experience and to get to know this area. It’s not a destination where you can do many tourist activities like parasailing or jet skiing – Ngapali is as pure as possible. Here are the best things to do in Ngapali.

1. Explore Ngapali by bicycle

Ngapali is a quiet area with one long main road along the coastline. Rent a bike and head out early in the morning, sometime around 8:30 AM. The road is about 10 kilometers long, so you will be back before the heat of the afternoon.

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You can rent a bike (sometimes e-bikes) at your hotel, some small tourist shops on the main road, or at local restaurants. Bike prices vary but generally cost about 3,50 USD per day.

2. Meet the friendly locals

While driving your bike in the morning, keep an eye out for some small side paths that lead into the jungle. Get in there and drive around with your bike and interact with the friendly locals who always greet you with a smile. They will be fascinated by your appearance and will try to communicate in ‘the best language’: body language.

3. Boat tour in the early morning

The local fishermen on Ngapali Beach offer a boat tour where you can visit the island just off the coast and one of the fishing villages, as well as do a bit of snorkeling.

4. Experience a memorable sunset

The sun position at Ngapali Beach is just perfect. In the early morning, the beach is covered in shadow, perfect for a morning walk or run. The sunsets, on the other hand, are a round-shaped sun that disappears into the ocean. Memorable!

5. Get a super fresh meal

Fresh fish is the signature food at Ngapali, and many restaurants offer anything from fish curry and grilled calamari to huge shrimp and many more dishes. These were our favorite places to eat:

6. Relax a day (or two) on Ngapali Beach

Ngapali is all about the beach, with plenty of space for everyone. Bring your towel with you and find a good spot near the palm trees. :-)

There are a few ladies who walk on the beach selling fruits, and in the late afternoon, locals come out to play with their children in the sea.

If you’re done with relaxing, there are a few small local stalls down the beach that rent water floaties and paddleboards – perfect for that sunset moment.

7. Get a snap with the famous palm tree

On social media, Ngapali is mainly known for its perfect hanging palm tree. You’ll find it located right next to Art of Sand Resort.

How to Get to Ngapali

Getting to Ngapali is easiest by plane but definitely not the cheapest. A direct flight (45 minutes) from Yangon to Thandwe Airport (15 minutes from Ngapali) costs about 75 USD during the high season.

If you are planning to visit Ngapali from Bagan or Inle Lake, expect to spend about 90 USD for a direct flight (70 minutes).

On a budget?
The bus from Yangon to Ngapali takes 15 hours and costs around 14.000 kyats (9 USD) per person. From Bagan, there is no direct bus, and it takes roughly 24 hours to get to Ngapali. Because of this, you might want to budget for a flight.

Where to Stay

As it’s such a beautiful location, hotels and guesthouses in Ngapali are not the cheapest in Myanmar. Guesthouses are anywhere from $15 to $30 per night, and luxury hotels range from $100 to $250 a night.

Our favorite hotels in Ngapali Beach 😴

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Oliver`s Laguna ECO Lodge Hotel

Ngapali Beach

Bayview – The Beach Resort

Ngapali Beach

AZ Family Resort

Ngapali Beach

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