Myanmar is a country endowed with historical, cultural, and natural resources. Endless miles of idyllic coastline with untouched and unspoiled beaches add much glory to her interest.Seven beaches are waiting for visitors to come and relax. Among them, Ngapali, Chaung Tha, and Ngwe Saung beaches are famous for both local and foreign visitors. The rest of the beaches still need to be promoted. Since Myanmar beaches are striking in their natural and unspoiled beauty, both local and foreign visitors like to relax there. Generally, the beach-goers turn out in their multitudes between mid-October to mid-April.

Visitors marvel at the beautiful sunsets as they relax on or near the white sand. Since the majority of beaches in Myanmar face west the spectacle is stunning. Visitors can fully relax in the quiet environment at the beaches as there are no speedboats, no crowds, no hawkers, and no masseuses. Traditional bullock-cart riding, horseback riding, cycling or simply walking along the shoreline will give you pleasant memories which will last a lifetime. Instead of the loud noise from restaurants and crowd, you’ll hear the rubbing sound of the coconut plants and the rhythm of waves lapping at the shore.

You will not see discarded tins and plastic bags on the beach shore, only seashells spread on the ground, waiting to be picked up as a momento. Relaxation at beaches in Myanmar is not just to sit on the white sand and splash around in the sea – there are so many other things to do.

Ngapali Beach
Ngapali, probably the best-known beach of Myanmar, is in Rakhine state, on the long and narrow western coast of Myanmar, divided by high mountain ranges from the mainland. The name Ngapali came from a popular story, which says that a homesick Italian who lived here for a while told everyone the beach reminded him of beaches near Naples.

Though visitors can go to Ngapali both by car and by plane, most prefer to fly as it is faster. Yangon Airways, Air Mandalay, and Myanma Airways fly to the beach every day during the high season. After a 45 minutes flight from Yangon to Thandwe airport it is just 20 minutes by car to the beautiful beach and the blue, inviting water. Ngapali beach stretches over 3 km, backed by swaying palms and casuarinas. Six private hotels are licensed to accept foreign visitors, so it is now possible to find a room at Ngapali year round.

Bayview Resort Hotel, Sandoway Resort Hotel, Silver Beach Hotel, Linn Thar Oo Lodge and the Baptist Guest House are just some of the hotels and guesthouses. Bayview Resort Hotel and the Sandoway Resort Hotels have very good restaurants, with a mix of international and Myanmar cuisine. "Some visitors choose to visit the islands nearby, so we have a boat to accommodate 15 passengers. Foreigners usually go to islands for snorkeling, sea kayaking, and to pearl island to watch the pearl production project .We also have catamaran sailing boats and boards for wind surfing," said  U Than Oo, the managing director
of Bayview Resort Hotel to Myanmar Times. Bayview Resort has 33 deluxe bungalows, swimming pool, 24-hour healthcare service, air-conditioned rooms, and IDD telephones.  Visitors can enjoy not only swimming but also excursions to nearby villages to watch the production of traditional earthenware pots, the production of Rakhine longgyi, and famous pagodas.

Chaungtha Beach
Adventurous travellers that want to enjoy sightseeing by automobile choose Chaungtha beach, near Pathein, Ayeyarwaddy division. Visitors can go to Chaungtha by private car or public transport as it is only 5 hours’ drive from Yangon (149 miles). Whether by public or private vehicle, visitors have to cross the Pathein River by ferry. The ferryboat runs daily from 6 am to 6 pm.

The beach is about one mile long and extends from the main village along to over a dozen hotels. Kyaukpahto, at one end of the beach near a cluster of boulders, is a large rock that has been carved into a cave shrine. Two islands can be seen offshore, Theinbyu and Hpogala. "The travelling cost to Chaungtha is cheaper and more convenient compared to other beaches. So, visitors are coming even in rainy season," said U Kyaw Khaing, the managing director of Golden Beach Hotel. "As for businessmen, they can relax and keep on doing their business at the same time in our hotel, as we have built a separate business center for them," said U Zaw Zaw, the managing director of Hotel Max, to Myanmar Times.

"Our facilities include facsimile, internet and IDD phones in the business centre, as well as a mini-golf course, tennis court and swimming pool," he said.  "We will arrange visitors to be able to go to Ngwe Saung Beach directly from Chaungtha by road or by sea, so visitors can enjoy the two beaches at the same time," said U Zaw Zaw.

Ngwe Saung Beach
Ngwe Saung is a new beach destination in Myanmar, which is also situated in Pathein Division on the west coast of Myanmar. Ngwe Saung is nearly 10 miles long. It can be reached by road or river cruise on the Ayeyarwaddy Delta Queen.  By driving, visitors can see the nature of the delta region up close. Elephant-lovers can stop on the way and visit to the elephant camp in unspoiled jungle at a low mountain range 10 miles from Ngwe Saung Beach. Many hotels are established at present. Myanmar Treasure Beach Resort, Palm Beach Resort, Sony Beach Resort, Ngwe Saung Beach Resort are some of the new hotels. Some resorts, like Myanmar Treasure Beach Resort and Palm Beach Resort are managed by European Management and are of true international standard.

"I had heard a few negative reports about Ngwe Saung Beach, but they were all wrong – it is a very special beach," said Mr. Oliver Soe That, the general manager of Ngwe Saung Beach.  Ngwe Saung Beach features new resorts, eco tourism, sailing club and elephant camp. It remains the responsibility of the hotel owners, visitors and villagers to participate in environmental protection to preserve these gifts from nature so that future generations can enjoy them as we have.