Ngapali

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

Understand

Ngapali beach

Ngapali Beach is a beach 7 km from the town of Thandwe in Rakhine State. It is the most famous beach in Myanmar and is a popular tourist destination. However, as a result, there are almost no budget accommodations available and most hotels cater to tourists for whom money is no object. Several resorts and hotels are located in Ngapali, usually of the high end such as Bayview Ngapali, Amata Resort, Amazing Ngapali and the government-owned Anawa. 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 golf course nearby. Myanmar's political climate means that Ngapali is not as well-publicized as other good beaches of Southeast Asia.

Ngapali caters mostly to rich foreigners. Expensive, high-class resorts cover parts of the main beachfronts, with most locals living in shacks and making in a month what a tourist spends in a few beach bar cocktails. A dozen or so cheaper guesthouses can be found along the beach road, although on the opposite side of the road.

It is quite questionable if this kind of development is helping the locals. Youth unemployment is extremely high, most jobs are seasonal, and most tourists opt to eat, drink and stay in the resorts. Seeing people living in extreme poverty next to a large resort is a common view in Ngapali.

Thandwe is the nearby town at the highway.

Get in

Bus

Bus trips from the (south)east take long and are exhausting due to bad road conditions, especially the last 200 km through the hills and along a road that sometimes barely fits the bus. This bit of the trip will easily take 6 hours, and you should take care of your stomach in case you easily suffer from motion sickness. Tourist buses will most likely go into Ngapali, but buses for local people stop at 🌍 Thandwe Bus Station. Buses for local people can be equally comfortable, just the place and way you obtain a bus ticket mostly decides which bus you will be on.

• Yangon – Many direct buses. 18-20 hr, leaves at 03:00, 12-16,000 kyat. Inquire at your hotel or travel guide of choice in Yangon. Simply turning up at Dagon Ayar Highway Bus Station can leave you with an uncomfortable bus or long waiting time. The last 6-8 hr of the trip can be very exhausting, because they are through hills and on serpentines mostly only the bus will fit on.
• Pathein – Via Ngathaingchaung and Gwa. 12-21 hr. 8,500-12,000 kyat. Take a bus to Ngathaingchaung from Pathein, which takes 3 hr, starts at 09:30 and costs 1,500 kyat from the Highway Bus Station. There are smaller pickups from the bus stop just west of Paradise Hotel between Zay Chaung St and Myay Nu Rd that bring people to the Highway Bus Station for the Ngathaingchaung bus. In Ngathaingchaung, walk across the large bridge and about 300 m west until the end of the town, from where you can catch a direct AC bus to Ngapali. There are many passing by from Yangon, just hail at them.
• Mrauk U – The (mini)bus will stop in Thandwe. Most start in Sittwe 2 hr before. 15 hr, 18,000 kyat. In 2017 peak season the big bus took 15 hours and left Mrauk at 16:00.
• Taungup – Many buses or pickups/vans per day from the bus station in town. Taungup can be a convenient hub for trips from Mrauk U and Sittwe, by boat for example. 2-3 hr, 3,000 kyat.
• Pyay – 8-12 hr, 8-10,000 kyat.

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.

Boat

Boat trips from and to Mrauk U are available. The trip is US$80 including meal and takes 7 hr. The boat goes Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are sold at the Bayview Beach Resort.

Air

🌍 Thandwe airport is 3 km north of Ngapali Beach. Many airlines ( Air KBZ, Air Mandalay, Asian Wing Airways, Golden Myanmar, Mann Yadanarpon Airlines, FMI Air, Yangon Airways) have regular flights from Yangon and other city in Myanmar, sometimes including a stop in Sittwe.

Get around

Ngapali Beach stretches along 12 km of coast line. For a taxi or motorbike expect to pay 2,000 kyat to either end of the beach. In case you stay close to the 🌍 main junction or at the southern stretch of Ngapali, most places and restaurants, north even the airport, can be reach by foot.

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).

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

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, especially the obscure "Dead" monk at the highway.

• 🌍 Pearl Island (just off the coast at the southern end of Ngapali Beach). 2-3 hr. Most hotels organise snorkeling trips to the island. But you can also ask restaurants and other shops, which will probably give you a decent bargain. Trips can include snorkeling and fishing. There is even a restaurant on the island, Lobster Bar, the only one, which serves drinks and food. About 15,000 kyat to rent a boat. 
• 🌍 Black Sand Island (Zalat Htone) (far north beyond the airport at the outlet of Sandoway (Thandwe) River). Another interesting place to enjoy a picnic and the sunset, or take photos of the picturesque surroundings. This island climbs up to about 40 m and can be reached by bicycle. 

Standing Hilltop Buddha

• 🌍 Amata Mountain. Start early to Jate Taw/Gyeiktaw Village in the south. In the morning you can watch the local fishermen unload their catch from the night before. Afterwards, from the village walk up the mountain. There you will find a standing Buddha (21 m) and a meditation centre to relax and spend some time. Afterwards go on to Abe Village, famous for the mangrove forest and authentic people. 
• 🌍 Thandwe Government Market (200 m southwest of the bridge). Local products ranging from food to clothing. 
• 🌍 Nan Daw Pagoda (Thandwe) (walk about 1 km by Thandwe bus station towards northwest). This pagoda on top of a hill 50-60 m above the surrounding area offers a great view of Thandwe and the river. Recommended for sunrise, but you have to get up early. 
• 🌍 "Dead" Monk, Salone/Zalun Monastery (17 km south of Thandwe at the highway). This monastery houses a monk which is said to be in a state of death through meditation for since the 1980s. The "mummy" is kept under glass and cannot be touched. A second monk has "joined". US$60 for a hired guide and car. 
• 🌍 Kinmaw village (18 km north of Thandwe at the highway). 

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.

• 🌍 Andrew Bay (Andrew Bay starts at the southern end of Ngapali). Rent a bicycle and explore the area by yourself, especially Andrew Bay in the south. Have a tea and watch the busy locals. Ask a local fishermen to take you for a tour onto and even across the bay. The way back, in case you decide not to take the boat, along the road north passing by Thandwe is 41 km, so either have a good bicycle or take a local pickup. Bicycle 2,000 kyat, boat 5,000 kyat.. 
• 🌍 Ngapali Golf Course (In the middle of Ngapali). Can be under water. Go early to avoid the heat and spend 2 hr or so. The old building is the so-called clubhouse. No golf shoes required. 9 holes are US$20, caddie 3,000 kyat. 
• Kayaking. Ideal to explore the numerous bays and mangrove forests around Ngapali. Ask at your hotel or the village for renting the kayak, or try Bayview Beach Resort or Art of Sand Beach Bar. 
• Ballooning (Best booked with your hotel or travel guide of choice). Explore the area around Ngapali and Thandwe. Could make more sense to save the ballooning money for Bagan if you go there. US$200-400, depending on the amount of people. 
• Hand weaving works of Rakhine longyi are based in Thandwe

Try Arakhan Tender Boat to find out about the various boat tour options you have here.

Buy

There are a collection of shops near the main junction and along the southern stretch. Local people specialise in coconut handicrafts.

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 around 1,000 kyat. You will find piles of the leftovers everywhere, which is the downside of this treat.

• 🌍 Two Brothers Restaurant (Opposite the Amata Resort). Serves delicious barracuda, snapper and white tuna. 
• 🌍 Min Thu Seafood Restaurant (South of Aureum Palace, at the road). Seafood is the point about this restaurant. If you definitely aim for fresh fish, go here. Family run and around for a while now. 
• 🌍 Ngapali Kitchen (south of Aureum Palace, at the road), ☎ [phone]. Locally run and authentic. 3,000-5,000 kyat. 
• 🌍 Sea Queen (just before Amazing Ngapali Resort, at the northern stretch of Ngapali), ☎ [phone]. In case Min Thu is too far away, try this highly recommended restaurant. You will choose your fresh fish outside, which is then prepared in the kitchen inside. From 5,000 kyat. 

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.

• 🌍 Green Umbrella, ☎ [phone]. Lovely restaurant right next to the street. Some people complain about the drinks, so probably go for a beer. Otherwise, delicious seafood and Burmese food, as well as friendly staff. 
• 🌍 Sunset Bar, 205 Hgnet Pyaw Khaung Kwin, ☎ [phone]. Seafood, Burmese, Thai and western food. Highly recommended. Good for a relaxing drink in the evening, but you can also enjoy the food. 

Sleep

Map of Ngapali Beach

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. There are about 15 or 20 guesthouses where you can find rooms for in the US$10-20 range. The cheaper rooms often have no windows and consist of only a bed and a fan. For US$15 you can get a more decent aircon room in low season.

• Baptist Christian Guest House (towards the airport, ask the locals). Fan, shared bathroom, simple rooms in bungalows. US$6. 
• 🌍 Royal Beach Motel (next to Amata Hotel (could also be beyond it)), ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone]. Clean and comfortable, maybe a little small rooms. Nice gardens and surrounding and beautiful beach. Decent breakfast. Try the restaurants across the street, they are better value for money. Single US$15, double $30, upstairs $55. 
• 🌍 Lin Thar Oo Lodge, [phone], -226605, [phone], [phone], [phone], [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Simple bungalows, stretched along the beach. Very friendly, restaurant, bicycle rent, laundry service, free airport transfer. The rooms with fan are a little dated. (Also try [e-mail]). Single US$15-30, double $25-40. 
• 🌍 Silver Beach Hotel (at the beginning of the southern stretch of Ngapali), ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. AC, shower, including breakfast, neat bungalows. US$35-45. 
• 🌍 Sandoway Resort (in the middle of the southern beach), ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. This resort is a dream with a tropical garden, AC, shower, TV, minibar. Spa and breakfast. Cottages or rooms. Could be closed between May and October, so double-check. US$130-170 (plus 20% for New Year's Eve). 
• 🌍 Amazing Ngapali Resort (about 1 km north of the main junction), ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Als try [e-mail] & [e-mail] & [e-mail] . US$150-250. 
• 🌍 Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa (less than 1 km south of the airport), ☎ [phone], [phone]. Large rooms, sea or lagoon view. Has fast internet and includes a delicious breakfast. Including spa and a beautiful pool next to the ocean. Western ambience with a soft Asian touch. 
• 🌍 Aureum Palace Resort & Spa, ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Also try [e-mail] . US$180-225. 
• 🌍 Pleasant View Resort (at the southern stretch of Ngapali), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. One of the newer resorts in Ngapali. 26 bungalows, all on the beach front. Including restaurant and breakfast. US$50-335. 
• 🌍 Bayview Beach Resort (in the middle of Ngapali), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. On Ngapali Beach. 45 bungalows and rooms are all either directly on the beach or in a beautiful garden under palm trees. Serves international, Asian and seafood cuisine accompanied by a large variety of wines. Germans have even reported sights of pork schnitzel here. US$150-400. (updated Sep 2018)
• 🌍 Merciel Retreat & Resort (between Hilton Ngapali Resort & Ngapali Paradise), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. US$110-140. (updated Aug 2018)

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. Make sure to book sufficiently ahead, especially for long distances north and in high season, for there are only a few alternatives available. Otherwise, you might not get a seat or a bad price. Another rare option is the boat to Sittwe.

• Taungup – Can be a convenient hub for trips to Pyay, Mrauk U and Sittwe, e.g. by boat for the latter two. There are many bus or pickups/vans per day from the Thandwe bus station. 2-3 hr, around 3,000 kyat.
• Mrauk U – Famous for its ancient sights of the past kingdom and traditional, surrounding villages of Chin people. The (mini)bus from the Thandwe bus station starts at 11:30 and 13:30, takes 15 hr and is about 18,000 kyat. Most buses go another 2 hr further to Sittwe. The trip beyond Taungup is quite unpleasant due to the terrible condition of the road - expect to arrive very tired and make sure to get a decent seat in front.
• Pathein – Famous for its handcrafted umbrellas. You have to take a bus to Yangon and get off at Ngathaingchaung with the large bridge, from where you have to catch another bus or pickup south to Pathein. The trip from Ngathaingchaung to Pathein takes about 3 hr for 1,500 kyat in a non-air-con bus. However, the trip from Ngapali to Ngathaingchaung can take up to 8 hr, so start early enough.
• Pyay – Famous for the nearby and ancient Pyu city. 8-12 hr, 8-10,000 kyat. You could also take a 7-hr taxi for US$50-60.
• Yangon – There are many buses traveling between Yangon and Ngapali, for there are many tourist longing for the beautiful beach. From Thandwe (but also Ngapali) most Yangon buses start in the morning. The first 6-8 hr of the trip can be very exhausting, because they are through hills and on serpentines mostly only the bus will fit on. Make sure to take care of your stomach.

Thandwe