Ngapali Beach

A beach retreat might not be what you first think of when considering a holiday in Myanmar, but arriving in Ngapali, you’ll find a wonderful stretch of palm trees and fine, white sand lining the clear, azure-blue waters of the Bay of Bengal.

Here, you can really unwind, lazing on the picturesque beach and exploring the natural beauty of the enveloping hills: a true escape from the nine-to-five.

The main draw of Ngapali is the serene, unspoiled beach, which is blissfully devoid of piles of resorts and noisy bars, making this a real hidden gem of Southeast Asia.

Ox-drawn carts trundle along the sand, harking back to the roots of this sleepy little seaside village; fishing boats can be hired in which to discover the nearby islands; and bike tours to visit neighbouring villages are also available. However, you may well find that all you really want to do is kick back on the beach with a cold beer and a good book – and who can blame you? Ngapali is perfectly suited to chilling out and decompressing.