Ngapali

Ngapali Beach (Burmese ငပလီ) is in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar.

Understand
Ngapali Beach is a beach 7 km from the town of Thandwe in Rakhine State and is often regarded as the best beach in Myanmar. However, Ngapali is a seasonal destination and, as a result, most jobs are seasonal and unemployment is extremely high during low season.

There's an increasing number of resorts around along the beach, though it is still relatively quiet and untouched. Most resorts cater to foreign tourist as Ngapli is considered a more expansive destination that only more well off locals can afford.The hotels usually of the high end such as Bayview Ngapali, Amata Resort, Amazing Ngapali and the government-owned Anawa, but there is a few budget accommodations available. The southern stretch is more recommended, due to the range of dining, sleeping and other options there.

Ngapali used to have private bungalows, but these were pulled down in the late 1990s to make way for the development of hotels. The hotels and small tourism industry help to provide income for the villages around Ngapali and also Thandwe. There is also a 9-hole golf course nearby. Myanmar's political climate made Ngapali not as well-publicized as other good beaches of Southeast Asia, but it's changing.

Ngapali caters mostly to foreigners while locals tend to opt for other beaches. Resorts cover parts of the main beachfronts. Thandwe is the nearby town at the highway.

Get in
Thandwe is the transport hub for Ngapali (Beach). Most and frequent options to get in can be found there&mdash;by bus, by boat or by plane.

From there you can easily get onward transport for the last 6-12 km to Ngapali, depending on where you want to go along the stretched beach. Local pickups or shared vans are 500 kyat from/to Thandwe. There is no tourist accommodation available in Thandwe itself. Tickets for the ferry in Thandwe are sold at the Bayview Beach Resort.

is actually just 5 km north of Ngapali Beach

By taxi
A trip by taxi can be a little less time consuming and convenient alternative, especially if shared between 3 or 4 people.
 * Yangon – 12 hr, US$60-80.
 * Pyay – 7 hr, US$50-60.

By bus
Apparently, some buses go directly into Ngapali:
 * Yangon &ndahs; From Aung San Highway Bus Station, 11 hr, 21,000/19,000 kyat for VIP/standard overnight bus.
 * Bagan &ndahs; 24 hr with a change in Pyay. 30,000 kyat.

However, make sure, if you book them and pay the extra charge that they actually drop you in Ngapali.

Get around
Ngapali Beach stretches along 12 km of coast line.

On foot
In case you stay close to the or at the southern stretch of Ngapali, most places and restaurants, north even the airport, can be reach by foot.

By (moto) taxi
For a taxi or motorbike expect to pay 2,000 kyat to either end of the beach.

By rental
You might be able to rent a motorbike, but there are rumours regarding the legality of this. However, there are not really many sights, like for example in Hpa-an, for which you would need a motorbike. E-bikes can be rented for 15,000 kyat per day (low season 2017).

By pickup
Local pickups or shared vans are between 300 and 500 kyat along the beach or to Thandwe.

By boat
You might even try water transport via long-tail boat, but bargain hard.

See
For the ones not already satisfied with the beautiful beaches, a few sights are available.





Also, checkout the sights, dos and buys in and near Thandwe.

Do
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Myanmar. You can see and do various things in Ngapali, but you might want to pick only the most interesting ones: there are far more exciting things waiting in the rest of Myanmar. So relax and enjoy the calm and leisure.




 * Several options exist to rent a boat

Money
Some places accept card payments but may also add a 3% surcharge. ATMs are available outside the Bayview Hotel which charge a 6,500 kyat fee for up to 300,000 kyat maximum withdrawal.

Shopping
There are a collection of shops near the main junction and along the southern stretch. Local people specialise in coconut handicrafts. There is an art gallery on the road side.

Items for sale on the 'pop up' beach shops include river pearl jewellery, teak handicrafts, painted umbrellas. Large conch shells and coral are for sale which is damaging the marine environment.

Eat
Ngapali is famous for its seafood. There are many options, especially along the southern stretch of the main road. Otherwise, many of the hotels and resorts also cater for non-guests, but you might want to try the cheaper but not less delicious restaurant that can always be found opposite or just outside of the resorts.

Besides coconut handicraft, Ngapali also provides the traveler with delicious fresh coconuts for 1,000-2,000 kyat from the beach hawkers, that carry several coconuts, pineapple and watermelons on their heads. The women will cut open the coconut for you as well.



Drink
Beach bars are popping up all over. After having explored the area by bicycle or taxi, you will know where to find them, mostly at the southern stretch or near the main junction. Happys hour during dusk are common. Most hotels and resorts charge western prices.



Sleep
Budget options in Ngapali are rare. There is no tourist accommodation available in Thandwe at the highway. Only Taungup, another 85 km north from Thandwe, has some guesthouses.



Go next
Many people will fly in and out of Ngapali directly from Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan. Other options exist, and road transport will become more and more popular in the coming years as road conditions are improving. Another rare option is the boat to Sittwe.


 * Mrauk U – Famous for its ancient sights of the past kingdom and traditional, surrounding villages of Chin people.
 * Pathein – Famous for its handcrafted umbrellas.
 * Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city.
 * Taungup – Can be a convenient hub for trips to Pyay, Mrauk U and Sittwe, e.g. by boat for the latter two.
 * Yangon