When visiting the best beach in Myanmar you’re bound to spend plenty of time relaxing, playing in the ocean, and enjoying the sunset. However, you should know there’s plenty of other awesome things to do in Ngapali Beach! You can take a ride to the standing Buddha statue, check out the Ngapali fishing village, or explore the fascinating Thandwe local market. Whatever you decide to do, you’re sure to have an amazing trip to Ngapali Beach in Myanmar!
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1. Relax on the Three Beaches
Let’s point out the obvious before revealing all the other great things to do in Ngapali. The long stretches of sand are the main draw of the Thandwe area, and even though they all go by Ngapali Beach it’s easier to split them into three different sections.
Our favorite was the clear blue water of the southern beach and we spent most of our time there. Nevertheless, the north and central beaches are equally as beautiful!
→ Ngapali Beach Breakdown: Where to Swim, Sleep, and Snack
2. Ngapali Fishing Village
Ngapali fishing village is located just past the most south side of the beach. Just across the bay you can see the standing Buddha statue, and the colorful boats seem to go on forever.
Throughout the town you will also see and smell plenty of fish drying out on long blue tarps. We really appreciated this part of Ngapali Beach in Myanmar as it showed the local way of life. Especially after all the delicious seafood we ate in this town!
→ Ngapali Fishing Village Location
3. Green House Coffee, Art Gallery, & Hair Cut
When we first got to Myanmar we weren’t sure what the coffee scene would be like. We knew there’d be plenty of great tea, but hadn’t read anything about our favorite morning beverage. Unfortunately, what we found was mostly instant coffees… That was until we ran into this special place right in the fishing village!
Green House Coffee doubles as an art gallery with local painters work being shown off. Still, the most unique part of this spot is that you can get your haircut, too! There’s actually multiple art galleries around Thandwe and the best beach in Myanmar, but this was our favorite.
4. Tilawkasayambhu Buddha Statue
The Tilawkasayambhu statue affectionately watches over the southern coast of Ngapali, and as the #1 cultural landmark here it’s definitely a must visit. It can be seen for miles along the coast, but getting up close is the only way to truly appreciate it.
While it is possible to hike to this monument above the Ngapali fishing village we’d recommend taking a scooter. Just beware the electric bike rentals don’t always make it to the top of the hill if you have two people riding!
→ Tilawkasayambhu Buddha Location
5. Beach Massage
After your first walk along the best beach in Myanmar you’ll see there’s plenty of ways to have fun and enjoy yourself. Yet, if you’re looking for the epitome of relaxation there’s nothing better than a beach massage!
Ranging from 30 minute head and shoulders for $3 USD to $7 full body massages, you really can’t go wrong. The friendly ladies of Ngapali Beach in Myanmar will be waving you in so don’t be afraid to sit down and elevate your day.
6. Kayaking and SUP
Once we got our first glimpse of the clear blue water in Ngapali we knew we needed to get out on the ocean! With kayak and stand up paddle board rentals available in front of most of the beach hotels we had no problem finding our way out there.
You can paddle your way towards the gorgeous Pearl Island, or simply cruise above the translucent sea under the bright sun. Either way, this is definitely one of the best things to do in Ngapali.
7. The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is a fun place to visit if you’re interested in switching it up from watching the sunset on the beach. Most boat tours from Thandwe will stop here, or it’s just a quick walk from the end of the Ngapali fishing village.
There isn’t much of an actual lighthouse left to speak of, but there’s a bar and nice chairs to sit in and take in the view from above. The Lighthouse also features unique picture opportunities with props that look straight out of Bali.
8. Dwar Yar Waddy Market
One of our favorite parts about traveling is getting the local experience, and so often the best way to do so is going to the market! The Dwar Yar Waddy Market is in the center of Thandwe town about 25 minutes from Ngapali Beach by E-bike.
The indoor space is filled with fruits, vegetables, and fish as far as the eyes can see. We saw a couple other foreigners inside, but aside from that it was all locals going about their daily routine.
→ The Dwar Yar Waddy Market Location
9. Snorkeling Boat Trip
If you have a few days at the best beach in Myanmar we highly recommend taking a boat tour! For just $20 USD we booked a 4 hour private snorkeling tour through our hotel.
Our driver took us to three different snorkeling spots, brought us to the Lighthouse, and we even stopped at the Lobster Restaurant for lunch on Pearl Island. Needless to say, this was more than worth the price we paid for this amazing day on the water.
→ Read all about our Private Snorkeling Boat Tour to Pearl Island
10. Jump on an E-Bike
Unlike most tropical places we’ve visited in Southeast Asia, Ngapali Beach in Myanmar rents electric bikes. We were used to the motorized version so this was such a nice change! It’s obviously much better for the environment, and the ride on the E-bikes actually seems way smoother than a motorbike.
The only downside is you do have to plug them in every 40 kilometers. So just make sure you are fully charged before you head out to experience all the best things to do in Ngapali.
If you’re not comfortable with an E-bike most hotels do offer bicycles free of charge to cruise along the beach.
11. Tube For Sunset
Trust us… We know how incredible it is to sit in your beach chair and enjoy a drink as the sun goes down. Yet, there’s one more thing at the beach in Ngapali you need to experience before you leave!
Almost every coconut or fruit stand dotting the sand rents these floating black inner tubes. You’ll see tourists and locals alike enjoying the sunset this way from the ocean.
Have any questions about things to do in Ngapali Beach or Thandwe? How about sharing some of your own travel tips with us? 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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Where To Stay In Ngapali 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 (Budget) – 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.
For more places to stay in Ngapali Beach Myanmar and Thandwe you can explore the latest prices here!
Travel Planning
Flights: We always find our cheap flight deals using Skyscanner. That’s how we flew from Norway to Poland for under $20 USD, and Thailand to Vietnam for less than $50!
Transportation: 12Go is what we use to book ferries, trains, buses, and transfers while traveling through South East Asia!
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.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for thousands of activities around the world. From food tours to skip the line entry passes!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including our electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
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!
