Overview
Ngapali Beach is widely regarded as Myanmar's finest beach, stretching 12 km along the Bay of Bengal near the town of Thandwe in Rakhine State. The destination caters primarily to foreign tourists seeking a quieter alternative to busier Southeast Asian beach destinations, offering high-end resorts alongside a growing tourism infrastructure.
Beach · Day Trips · Nature
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget accommodation is rare. The southern stretch offers the best concentration of hotels and restaurants.
Food
Seafood is the specialty. Restaurants along the southern stretch offer fresh fish, lobster, and local cuisine from 3,000-5,000 kyat.
Money
Local currency is Myanmar kyat (MMK). USD is widely accepted at resorts. Budget options are extremely limited.
Safety
Rakhine State is affected by ongoing civil war. The Arakan Army took control of Thandwe Airport in mid-2024. The area should be considered off-limits for the duration of the conflict.
Transport
Local pickups and shared vans cost 500 kyat between Thandwe and Ngapali. Thandwe Airport (SNW) is currently closed due to military control.
Weather
Best visited November through April. Most resorts close May-October due to weather conditions.