NGAPALI BEACH

Far away from tourist crowds, Ngapali Beach is still a truly undiscovered paradise. The long beach is dotted with charming boutique style resorts built in local materials, the architecture blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. There are no high rises, no noisy roads, no booming discotheques, no jetskis and no packed rows of oiled bodies baking in the sun. The stretch of white sand, natural beauty of the blue sea, swaying palm trees and quiet privacy are guaranteed ingredients of an exquisite beach holiday.

Active visitors can choose from visiting the colourful local market in Thandwe (Sandoway), biking along the coast to surrounding villages, or hiring a boat to go fishing or sailing against the coastal backdrop of the Rakhine hills. An early morning’s bicycle ride to Ngapali’s nearby fishing villages – where hoards of small fishing boats return home from the night’s catch with baskets of fish ready for the women to spread on the beach for drying in the sun – will provide an insight into the local life and ample opportunities for photography. And as the sun drops below the horizon, out over the waters, gorgeous sunsets are a pleasure to watch with a cocktail or two back at the hotel’s intimate beach bar.

There also are several local restaurants within walking distance where local dishes are served, in particular fresh fish and sea food. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy some of the largest, most flavorful and most affordable lobster, crab, giant prawns and a variety of ocean fish in all of Asia. All hotels offer a choice of restaurants serving Western and Asian cuisine as well. In short, all the creature comforts of home are on offer, but in an environment of tranquility rarely encountered in the modern world.