Thandwe

Located 7 kilometers away from Thandwe, Ngapali Beach has its name not meaningful in Burmese but come from the Italian “Napoli”, which means the city of Naples. Ngapali is prime choice for beach lovers who dream about tranquility, white sand, the quiet rural surroundings, Rakhine ways of life, and local fishing style. Tourists can enjoy themselves with amazing sunset views, boat trips to Pearl islands, and visit a black sand island called Zalat Htone Island, relax under palm trees, and find unspoiled white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. With the bicycle rental service, you will visit Rakhine ways of life in fishing villages or Kinmaw village with activities of making clay pottery.

In Ngapali, there are also many local restaurants. Pleasant View Islet BBQ restaurant, unique and the only one in Ngapali Beach, is the best choice for its location on the small islet. Drinks are always offered at hotels and restaurants, specially the natural fresh coconut juice. Many resorts have been built, convenient for your stay.

Apart from beach activities, tourists also enjoy themselves in trips to small fishing villages and local markets, or exploring the rural environment by a rental bicycle or on boat to magnificent offshore islands. On the simple wooden boats, you will have a special feel of sailing, above crystal blue water, and no worry about dangerous animals. On the boats, you also have the views of 3 kilometer length of beach with white sandbank and the range of palm trees. Let you come to fishing village in the early morning to view an exotic picture with locals on their works. At the sunrise time, group of boats loaded fishes come back to the beach. The local starts one working day by collecting the gifts of the sea, loading it in oxcarts and ride to the markets. Not same as in other rural villages, one wagon here is pulled by two cows on two sides with a large wooden plate to hold the full fish baskets. There are many huts built under the palm trees, rudiment but enough to cover the sun at the noon. The local children in the traditional dresses play along the beach, bringing travelers a familiar and peaceful feel.

The local market is where you can buy something to memorize your trip in Ngapali. In here, local people from diverse nationalities with their colorful dresses buy and sell all of goods: vegetables, fishes, meats, and all kind of commodities. Handicrafts are also offered as special objects to visitors.

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English Wikipedia describes Thandwe, formerly Sandoway, as a town and major seaport in Rakhine State, the westernmost part of Myanmar, and says it is very ancient and said to have once been the capital of Arakan. It also reports that during the ongoing civil war the Arakan Army seized the town’s prison on 15 July 2024 and took full control of the town the next day. Access and safety here may differ greatly from the older text on this page, which we have not verified. Do not plan travel to Rakhine State without current government advice and written confirmation from your operator.

Sources (read in English, English Wikipedia): Thandwe. Last checked November 2026.

Thandwe: FAQ

What is Thandwe?

A town and major seaport in Rakhine State.

What was its old name?

Sandoway.

Is Thandwe open to visitors?

Check current government advice; the area is in conflict.

Who controls the town?

English Wikipedia reports Arakan Army control since July 2024.

How close is Ngapali Beach?

About 7 kilometers.