Ngapali Beach

Ngapali is the finest and most beautiful beach in Myanmar, a tranquil, unspoilt stretch of soft white sand fringed with palms and lapped by the clear turquoise water of the Bay of Bengal on the western coast. Refreshingly low-key and undeveloped compared with the mega-resorts of neighbouring countries, it retains a gentle charm, its coast dotted with fishing villages where the day's catch is landed, ox carts cross the sand, and quiet resorts offer a peaceful, idyllic escape.

What you actually see

• The white-sand beach - the palm-fringed sand and turquoise water.
• The fishing villages - the traditional villages and daily catch.
• The fresh seafood - the beachside seafood restaurants.
• The tranquil setting - the low-key, unspoilt coast.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, for the best beach weather and calmest seas; the monsoon from May to October brings heavy rain and closes many resorts, and flights are seasonal, so it is very much a dry-season destination.

Honest expectations

It is remote, reached by a flight, and largely closes down in the monsoon, so it is a dry-season spot. It is refreshingly undeveloped and quiet, which is the charm, but that also means limited nightlife and choice.

Nearby

The fishing town of Thandwe and the villages of the coast are nearby.