Travel differently, travel better
Subscribe and receive our travel inspirations and practical advice twice a month.
Wanting to share your trip with a group?
See our guaranteed departures
Subscribe and receive our travel inspirations and practical advice twice a month.
Wanting to share your trip with a group?
See our guaranteed departures
With almost 2,000 kilometres of coastline, it is not surprising that Myanmar is endowed with a bountiful number of hidden seaside gems waiting to be discovered. While the beaches in Myanmar are not as popular as those in Thailand, it offers an ideal opportunity to escape from the modern world and enjoy virgin beaches all to yourself.
Here are some of our favourite beaches in Myanmar:
Located on the Indian Ocean, at the foot of the Arakan Mountains, Ngapali Beach is a true postcard paradise. This nearly 3 kilometre-long beach is also one of the most well-known beaches in Myanmar. Crystal clear turquoise water, fine sand, coconut trees and fishing villages, Ngapali is a fantastic resting point after adventuring on Myanmar’s rural roads and in the country's temples. Uncrowded for a long time due to the policy of the military junta, Ngapali beach is now fully open to tourism and luxurious seaside resorts are popping up. Despite the development, this destination is still extremely peaceful, authentic and preserved (it is very difficult to obtain a building permit which limits the possibilities of development).
Nicknamed "Silver Beach" because of the silvery color of its sand, Ngwe Saung Beach is a 5-hour drive from Yangon, across the Irrawaddy Delta, making it one of the more approachable beaches in Myanmar. Boasting a dozen kilometers of coastline Ngwe Saung borders the Bay of Bengal and, like Ngapali, Ngwe Saung offers all the attributes of a paradise beach: white sand, coconut palms and turquoise water, crystal clear and warm. On the program: lazing around, water sports (snorkelling, swimming, kayaking) and walking through the villages. All ranges of hotels are available for your stay, from simple guest houses to luxurious resorts..
The Mergui Archipelago is a unique destination that stretches south of Myanmar, from Dawei, on the Thai border. More than 800 islands are scattered over a superb sea, seemingly at the end of the world. The beaches are fabulous, and only inhabited by the Moken sea gypsies who live in total self-sufficiency through fishing and hunting. The archipelago has long been closed to tourism and foreigners, and its access remains complicated. The best way to get there is to take a cruise from Thailand which will allow you to discover virgin islands, unspoiled nature and some of the best beaches in Myanmar.
Chaungtha is a cozy fishing village whose beautiful beach is a favourite of local Burmese from Yangon who come to have fun and relax there. Despite the sand being less pristine than in Ngapali, the beach is still very pleasant. In recent years, new bridges have been built, making it possible to drive within 5 hours from Yangon, which has allowed this beach to develop a little more. The atmosphere is still very family-friendly and relaxed and you will surely come across more locals than foreigners, making it one of our favourite beaches in Myanmar.
