Ngapali Beach Myanmar – Top Thrilling Things to Do Other than Beach Bumming
Ngapali Beach itself is relatively self-contained, so if you plan to stay in a resort or just spend some time on the beach then everything is within easy reach.
If you want to explore a little further afield however, then it may be advisable to look at taking a tour of the area which will include transportation and a greater chance of packing more attractions into a shorter space of time. Well, it’s hard to give such a piece of advice as we prefer to explore by ourselves whenever possible but taking into account that foreigners are not allowed to drive motorbikes in Ngapali Beach area, things get not so easy if you want to venture outside the beach itself.
1. Take a Hot Air Balloon Tour
One of the most spectacular ways of seeing Ngapali Beach is from the air and luckily you can do just that by taking a Hot Air Balloon Tour of the region. You should note that you can only go ballooning from November to March which is the dry season but if you happen to be here at the right time then it is more than worth it. Prices for a balloon ride can cost from USD275-380 although there are sometimes special deals such as two for the price of one so make sure to look around before buying a ticket.
2. Visit a Fishing Village
Ngapali Beach is known for its little fishing villages that dot the coastline such as Maung Shwe Lay and Jade Taw Fishing Village. Here you will be able to see the locals at work as they reel in the day’s catch and the best way to do this is to take a boat tour from Ngapali Beach up the coast. Normally you can visit fishermen villages all by yourself, too.
Many of these boat tours also island hop to some of the little uninhabited inlets around Ngapali Beach and come with lunch and snorkelling equipment provided. You can expect to pay anything up to USD100 for a full day trip and you will need to leave early at around 8am to catch the fishermen in action.
3. Go on a Boat Tours
As well as fishing village tours you can also take a boat tour of the surrounding waters of Ngapali Beach without going out to the villages. Some choices include a simple cruise along the coast down to the neighbouring town of Thandwe in a traditional long tail boat, or you can opt for a full day boat tour that takes you to a private beach called Kyauk Klat and offers you the chance to go snorkelling in the pristine seas for which Ngapali Beach is famous.
Other popular boat tours include the trip out to the Black Sand Island which is also called Zalat Htone Island. Boat tours can vary between USD30 for a short half-day tour to USD100 for an eight-hour tour including lunch.
4. Go Further Afield and Visit Thandwe
The neighboring town of Thandwe is around 7 kilometers away from Ngapali Beach and makes a nice contrast to the beach if you have had enough of sunbathing. You can visit Thandwe by yourself before or after Ngapali as most probably you will fly to and from Thandwe to get in and out of Ngapali Beach.
There are also tours to Thandwe from Ngapali Beach. Tours will take you to all the best spots in Thandwe such as the market and the golden pagodas called Nandaw and Sandaw. Another spot usually on the itinerary is the Standing Buddha located on a hilltop which can be quite tricky to visit on your own as it is a steep hike to the top. Prices for tours to Thandwe vary but are usually around USD50.
5. Feeling Adventurous? Go Jungle Trekking
Ngapali Beach is better known for its sun and sand than its jungles but if you get tired of the beach you can go for a jungle trek which is located slightly inland. Treks can take anything from 1-3 hours and you will get a local guide who will tell you all about the local flora and fauna of Ngapali Beach and you will get the chance to hike to scenic spots that overlook the sea and give you stunning views across the bay. Jungle treks are often some of the cheaper tours in Ngapali Beach and cost around USD 30.