Ngapali Beach is the type of place that you can go for a few days and never want to leave. How do we know? Well we flew into Thandwe Airport planning for 3 nights, and almost 2 weeks later we finally brought ourselves to move on! Honestly, we were skeptical when we read articles claiming Ngapali was one of the nicest beaches in Asia. Now we’re here to say that everything we’ve read is true! There are some things you should know before planning your visit, such as the best part Ngapali beach to stay, hotels for every budget, and our favorite restaurants. Join us as we take you to one of the most beautiful stretches of sand we’ve ever seen!
Myanmar Travel Inspiration
- 11 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Ngapali Beach Myanmar
- 20 Interesting Facts About Myanmar to Know Before Visiting
- One Day In Yangon Myanmar: Markets, Pagodas, and Street Food
- Experiencing a Full Day Boat Tour on Inle Lake in Myanmar
- 16 Bagan Travel Tips For the Ancient Heart of Myanmar
How to Get to Ngapali Beach
At the time of writing this the only convenient way to get to Ngapali Beach is by flight to Thandwe Airport. It’s just a short 50 minute ride from Yangon to Ngapali. The prices typically range from $50-90 USD on all Myanmar domestic airlines. You can take the bus, but you may be in for a long ride!
None the major bus companies have a direct route, and our Ngapali Beach hotel told us the local transport would take upwards of 15 hours from Yangon. Also, note that you’ll have to fly back to Yangon first to get to any of the other tourist destinations in Myanmar from here.
→ Traveling Through Myanmar: Bus vs Flight
5 Quick Tips For Your Visit to Ngapali
ATM & Cash: There are a select few ATM’s in Ngapali beach, but they have been known to run out of cash quickly. We recommend bringing as much as you’ll need from Yangon before flying into Thandwe Airport.
Getting Around: Electric motorbikes and bicycles are the most popular way to get around. You can also take tuk tuk taxi’s anywhere up and down the beach for cheap. Ngapali Beach is just a few kilometers long so nothing will be out of reach.
Fresh Fruit: Multiple fruit stands line the beach as well as women walking with baskets of goodies on their heads. We never went a day without sipping a fresh coconut, or sampling other various tropical fruits.
Sunset Happy Hour: Don’t miss the sunset! There’s so many great Ngapali Beach restaurants and bars that have great happy hour deals. Between 4 and 7pm mixed drinks are as low as 2,000 MKK. So grab a beach chair and enjoy the show!
Boat Tour: Make sure to do a snorkeling tour to Pearl Island on your visit. Ours only cost $15 USD for the 4 hour trip we booked through our Ngapali Beach hotel.
→ Snorkeling in Ngapali Myanmar: 4 Hour Private Boat Tour to Pearl Island
North Ngapali Beach
The northern section of Ngapali Beach is what you’ll see when you first touch down at Thandwe Airport. It’s known as being a little more rocky here than the other beaches, but this also means it’s the quietest.
If you’re looking to swim in your hotel pool and have a relaxing vacation then this area is probably for you. The Hilton which is one of the nicest Ngapali Beach hotels is also located here.
Where to Stay in North Ngapali Beach Myanmar
- Hilton Ngapali Resort and Spa – Luxurious hotel on the oceanfront just 5 minutes from Thandwe Airport. Enjoy sunset from the pool, all the great Hilton amenities at one of the best hotels in Ngapali Beach.
Our Favorite Restaurant in North Ngapali Beach Myanmar
- Sea Queen: As most of the restaurants are located towards the central part of the beach, Sea Queen was a nice surprise in the north. The staff couldn’t be friendlier, and they had one of the best tea leaf salads we ate in Myanmar.
Central Ngapali Beach
To us this felt like the more local part of the beach than the north or south. You won’t find as many Ngapali Beach hotels or resorts here which is slightly refreshing. Once you dip down to the ocean you’ll see rows of local restaurants right on the water.
Watching the sunset was a nice switch up here from the south beach where we spent most of our time. As the sun goes down you’ll see locals and tourists alike renting the black inner tubes to float out for golden hour.
Where to Stay in Central Ngapali Beach Myanmar
- AZ Family Resort – Set on the quiet end of the beach, these modern bungalows offer a unique retreat in Ngapali. AZ Family Resort is the perfect hideaway if you prefer to be away from all the hubbub of the south.
Our Favorite Restaurant in Central Ngapali Myanmar
- The Green Umbrella: Located just back from the beach on the main road, the Green Umbrella was a delicious alternative to eating on the beach. Enjoy a mouthwatering tiger prawn or fish curry, and grab a fresh juice to wash it down with!
South Ngapali Beach
Don’t worry, we’ve saved the best for last! This is the main part of town, and also plays host to the most beautiful part of Ngapali Beach. In the South you’ll find many hotels, restaurants, and a long stretch of sand and palm trees you’ve likely only seen before in your dreams!
This is the best place to grab a coconut, get a beach massage, or take a boat tour to Pearl Island from. During our trip in January the water was calm and crystal clear in the mornings and early afternoon, while getting a little wavy in the evenings. We loved how even visiting during peak season it still didn’t feel overwhelmed with people.
Where to Stay in Southern Ngapali Beach Myanmar
Ultra Luxury – Bayview – The Beach Resort – Luxury resort on the secluded section of the most pristine part of the beach. It features large modern grounds with a swimming pool, beachfront restaurant, and local as well as international touches.
Fun Vacation – Art of Sand Resort – Just steps from the water, this beautiful hotel overlooks a lively part of Ngapali Beach with several vendors and pop up beach restaurants. Art of Sand also has spacious rooms and tropical wooden decor to really make you feel like you’re living your best beach vacation.
Budget Travel – Mingalarpar Ngapali – This was our home while visiting Ngapali Beach and Thandwe! Mingalarpar Ngapali is run by a local family and set on the main road one block from the beach. They have large clean rooms, daily breakfast, great deals on E-bikes, boat tours, and laundry.
Hostel Life – WEStay @ Chillax House Ngapali – Just off the main road and a quick 5 minute walk from the best strip of the beach. WEStay @ Chillax House is perfect for solo travelers and breakfast is served daily in the social common area.
Our Favorite Restaurants in Ngapali Beach Myanmar
Original Sunset View: This and the closely named Sunset Bar next door are the most popular places to watch the sun go down. Get there before 5pm if you want a seat in the front row!
Blue Sky & Romantic Seafood: The main restaurants are actually tucked back on the road, but they also have beach locations just up the sand from Sunset View. Try the avocado curry and fried vegetable spring rolls here.
Min Thu Restaurant: This place was just steps from our hotel which was awesome because it ended up being our favorite of the Ngapali beach restaurants. The coconut prawn and fish curries were some of the best we’ve had in Asia.
Lile’s Bar: This was one of the more unique bars in Ngapali, and its good vibes radiated all the way down the beach. Grab a drink on the hammock or choose from one of the many options on it’s western fusion menu.
PVI Restaurant: Just before you cross over into the fishing area on the furthest point of the South you’ll see a long jetty stretching out over the water. This Ngapali Beach restaurant has a high end feel, but the prices were still very fair especially for its beautiful setting.
Green Coffee: Green Coffee and Art Gallery is actually located more south in the fishing village of Ngapali, but we just couldn’t leave it out! There aren’t many places to get a decent cup of coffee in town so this was a nice treat with a view of the colorful boats.
Have any questions about Ngapali Beach or getting to Thandwe Airport? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Travel Planning
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Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
I want to know enjoyable place where we can do surfing. it is OK to have to get boat trip as well.
Author
Hi! I don’t think Myanmar is really known for its surfing, but it’s apparently possible in Ngapali Beach during Monsoon season. When we went in January the water was completely still and perfect for snorkeling and swimming. We also did hear there are some waves further south near Ngwe Saun if you want to check that out. Sorry we couldn’t be more of a help!