MYANMAR BEACHES: Myanmar’s long coastline stretches along the Bay of Bengal in the north to the Andaman Sea in the south. Much of this coastline consists of palm-fringed white-sand beaches and secluded bays, intermittently interrupted by large patches of mangroves and tidal river deltas. Many beaches are blessed with crystal clear turquoise waters and creative crabs rolling sandballs. Let’s count down the 10 best and most beautiful beaches along this long coastline.
Based on my own personal interests and preferences, here is my list of Top 10 most beautiful Myanmar beaches.
1. Violin Beach [Tha Yaun]
Violin Beach (Tha Yaun) is located along the Dawei Peninsula to the south of Sin Htauk Beach and north of Grandfather Beach. It is debatably the most beautiful beach in Myanmar, and one of the best in Southeast Asia.
This beach ticks off everything on the list: totally unspoiled, wide white sandy beach, crystal clear waters, hard to reach, and totally stunning. The most beautiful part of this beach is at the lagoon which separates it from Grandfather Beach. Swimming is highly recommended in the lagoon but watch out for the strong currents during high tide which may sweep you into the blue deep sea.
2. Grandfather Beach [Po Po Kyauk]
The southern section of this very long beach is split in half by a lagoon with Violin Beach to the north and Grandfather Beach to the south.
While the southern part (Grandfather Beach) is just as beautiful as the northern part (Violin Beach), Grandfather Beach loses a point or two for the tourist facilities (basic food shacks and beach umbrellas) at the southern tip of the beach. The northern part of the beach at the lagoon is the best part and nothing short of heaven on earth.
3. Sin Htauk Beach
Located a short hike over a rocky outcrop north of Violin Beach, Sin Htauk Beach is another gem along the Myanmar coast.
The basic but fairly new Sin Htauk Bungalows are comfortable with ensuite bathrooms. The bungalows are on the beach, facing west into the golden sunsets. Each bungalow has a veranda and large wooden windows which are best kept open all the time. This beach is really beautiful and the location is a perfect base from which to visit Violin and Grandfather Beaches, a short hike to the south.
4. Ngapali Beach
Ngapali is one of the most established and widely promoted beach destinations in the country. It has been popular among the well-off locals and expats for many years. Much of the long main beach is lined with resorts and restaurants.
However, the best part of Ngapali Beach lies several kilometres to the north of the main beach, past the airport. This remote section has limited accommodation and restaurants. It remains unspoiled and pristine and is by far the best part of Ngapali.
5. Gwa Beaches
The long-distance bus from Yangon to Ngapali first reaches the coast at the small town of Gwa. While most travellers stay on the bus for the long journey along the coast north to Ngapali, the wisest get off at Gwa. While the town has little of interest, it recently acquired its first guesthouse licensed to accept foreigners.
Check in, ask for one of the free bicycles at the guesthouse and head down to the harbour for a quick ferry ride across the Gwa River. On the other side, a 30 km (19 mi) series of unspoiled beaches are waiting.
6. Zi Khong Beach
Located north of Gwa on the road to Ngapali Beach is the village of Zi Khong and its nearby beach. The village is not right next to the beach so the waters here are clean and fit for swimming. The only buildings on the beach are the beautiful and authentic Rakhine wooden houses of the impressive Arakan Nature Lodge.
The beaches to the north and south of the lodge are unspoiled and among the most beautiful in the country. Use the Arakan Nature Lodge as a base from which to enjoy this long stretch of beaches.
7. Paradise Beach [San Sa Aw]
South of Grandfather Beach at the southern part of the Dawei Peninsula lies Paradise Beach (Po Po Kyauk) in a protected cove. This is one of the few beaches with accommodation along the peninsula. The only way to reach the beach is by following a long motorbike path that goes up and down through the jungle.
The Myanmar Paradise Beach Bungalows are set back from the beautiful beach under the trees. While the bungalows are quite basic, the location makes up for the lack of comfortable facilities.
8. Wa Ale Island Beach
Wa Ale, a private island in the vast Myeik Archipelago, lies about 110 km (59 nautical miles) to the northwest of Kawthaung at the most southern tip of Myanmar.
The only accommodation on the Island is the new eco-friendly Wa Ale Island Resort. The resort’s 11 luxury tented beach villas and three treetop villas overlook the beautiful beaches. The island is a pristine paradise of primal seclusion which is irresistibly lovely. However, the only way to visit is to be a guest of the Wa Ale Island Resort, and that comes with a hefty price tag.
9. Kyway Chaing Beach
Located north of Gwa on the road to Ngapali, Kyway Chaing Beach is another gem along the Bay of Bengal. The main beach is at the village of the same name where the only guesthouse licensed to accommodate foreigners is the new Beau Beau Beach House.
The beaches here are gorgeous and get even better the further north you walk from the village. Restaurants are very scarce, though the Fishing Cat Restaurant at the southern end of the village can make some tasty seafood dishes.
10. Pa Nyit Beach
Pa Nyit Beach at the northern part of the Dawei Peninsula is a beautiful long beach with a massive gold-painted boulder, pagoda, and small monastery on the rocks at the northern tip of the beach. The beach is lined with conifers which provide a refuge from the sun.
While there is often a handful of fishing boats moored beyond the calm surf, the water seems to be quite clean. Other than a wandering fisherman or the odd fellow beach enthusiast, this area is very peaceful and devoid of any development.
☛ Read more: Posts about Myanmar
☛ Read more: 13 Hidden Myanmar Beaches That You Must Visit
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.