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Maungmagan Beach
Dawei is the capital city of Taninthayi Division in the costal
region of southern Myanmar Maungmagan is a seaside village ten miles
from Dawei. Most of the villagers carry out fishing at sea as a
living tradition.
Boats are vital requirements for fishing at the sea. Various sizes
of fishing boats are used in this work but Boatmahlay is the most
useful in manageable fishing of a family. It is a small wooden boat
built without any iron or steel.
The smallest Boatmahlay is 18 feet long which is used for fishing
within nautical 10 miles from the coast.
The construction of Boatmahlay is wonderful. It is built with
Bantbwae wood planks attached with small wooden sticks into the
holes on either sides of the boat.Two planks used for building the
boat are joined together by keeping small wooden sticks into the
holes on the sides of the planks. Yaynyantha wood is kept between
the two planks to prevent water seepage into the boat. Then the
ropes are tied around the planks to keep them tight together. All
the Botema boats are built in this way though there may be
differences in size.The fishermen of Maungmagan village load their
boats with food supplies and other needs for one or two days fishing
at the sea.
The fishermen go out to the open sea by boats depending on the
weather. They would joyfully return to their village after
sufficient amount of catch at the sea. Their housewives would put
the fish on sale at the market.There are various kinds of fish
Kettabaung sharks, Ngakunshut (mackerel Ngaleikkyauk and at
maungmagan fish market in the morning.
Maungmagan Beach is thus alive with the fisherman and their fishing
boats returning after a night’s fishing at the sea and carrying out
preparations to go out to the open sea again in the evening.Thus the
fishermen of Maungmagan are familiar with the majestic sea while
happily carrying out fishing skillfully as their living by
tradition.
Setse Beach
It lies 24 km south of Kyaikkami and 16 km south-west of
Thanbyuzayut, Mon State. It is a very wide, brown-sand beach that
tends toward tidal flats when the shallow surf-line recedes at low
tide. The beach is lined by waving casuarinas trees. Vendors sell
fresh young coconuts full of juice, and restaurants serve seafood.
It is one of the noted beaches in Myanmar.
Ngapali Beach
Do you like peace and tranquility, and visit places "far from the
madding crowds?" As many of us now live in crowded cities with the
stress and strain of over-population, we need periods of relaxation
away from urban areas, and go back closer to nature.
Situated about 7 km away from Thandwe (Sandoway), one of the ancient
Rakhine (formerly Arakan) towns. It is said to have been named after
the Naple of Italy by a homesick Italian. It is famous for its
natural and unspotted beauty up to this day. The beach stretches
about 3 km with soft white sand fringed by coconut palms. It serves
as the best ground for sunbathing and recreation such as beach
strolling, cycling and so on. Unlike today's beaches of Asia, it is
free of noisy beachside bars, crowded people and hawkers persuading
you to buy their things. There are only natural scenic beauty of the
blue sea, white sand and the lovely sun. The sea is cobalt blue,
without any dangerous marine animals and clean.
The water here is transparent and the sea is tranquil. Bicylce tours
are arranged to visit the nearby villages. The villagers usually sun
dry their fish, shrimp and coconut. These products are transported
to Yangon and and over the country. The best time to visit this
beach during October and May of every year.
Undoubtedly one of the best places for a relaxing holiday is Ngapali
Beach near Thandwe (Sandoway ) in Rakkhine (Arakan) State,on the Bay
of Bengal. Ngapali Beach is one of the loveliest places in Myanmar;
it is also one of the most unspoilt beaches in the world, with miles
of pure white sands skirting the crystal clear waters of the Indian
Ocean.
Actually, Ngapali is not one single beach. but a series of beaches
interspersed with small fishing villages stretching from Mazin where
the airport is located, to Lontha on Mayo Bay where coastal steamers
dock in a sheltered anchorage. A small winding tarmac road snakes
its way along the coast for about twelve miles from Mazin to Lontha,
passing through Ngapali village, Shwewa Gyaing, Myabyin, Lontha and
several other small villages nestling between the beaches and the
hills along the coast. A golf course next to the road near Ngapali
village is being upgraded. The road is also being widened, from two
lanes to four lanes, and the airport will be extended to take bigger
planes. A new terminal building has already been constructed. The
private Mandalay Air and the government Myanmar Airways fly to
Ngapali on alternate days throughout the week. It takes only 45
minutes flying time from Yangon.
After resting on the beach under the clear blue skies, the more
energetic tourist or traveller has the option of exploring the range
of hills behind the Strand Beach Hotel.Once you are on the small
hills you will find a peaceful lake, which is actually a reservoir
with blue waters where you can fish but not swim. In the winter
months this lake is the haunt of migrating water fowls, wild ducks,
teals and others which come down from the far north, beyond the
borders of Myanmar.
Ponies are available for riding along the beaches. Fishing boats
with motors can be hired for trips to some of the islands off the
coast or just to fish near the reef. Some travelers like to go on
what is known as" side cars ", trishaws, peddled by local village
men with two back to back seats for passengers at the side. Local
buses ply between the villages and also to Thandwe, the district
centre about seven miles away from the hotel. The best and cheapest
way is to hire a bicycle to go around.
Ngapali is accessible by flight which takes about 45 minutes from
Yangon, by car about 14 hours drive along the Rakhine Yoma mountain
range. Ngapali has an international 18-holes golf resort, where you
can relax.
Ngapali Strand Beach Hotel has about forty-four single-storey
bungalows, with comfortable two bed-rooms with bathrooms attached in
each building. There are also three modern double -storey buildings.
The hotel which first opened about thirty-five years ago is now
being upgraded with modern facilities.
If you are looking for a peaceful holiday with time to read and
reflect, Ngapali with its lovely beaches is the place to visit.
There you will find serenity and peace of mind amidst beautiful
scenery.
Kanthayar Beach
Myanmar’s long coastline on the Indian Ocean stretching from
about 29 north gives haven to many lovely beaches which nestle along
the shores of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Many are as yet
"undiscovered" by tourists; unspoilt by over development they are
only now being opened up as little havens of peace and quiet. The
long coastline of 1,385 miles, or about 2,000 kilometres, goes
through about 20 of latitudes from tropical to cooler climates. Most
of the coast face west giving spectacular views at sunset.
One of the most recent beach resorts to be developed for tourists
and local visitors is aptly named Kanthayar, or Pleasant Beach
Resort. It is located in the Rakkhine (Arakan) State about 16 miles
north of the small town of Gwa.
Like its more famous neighbouring beach resort of Ngapali 65 miles
farther north Kanthayar was developed with the initiative and active
co-operation and help of the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar army. Ngapali was
transformed from a quiet fishing village to a popular beach resort
during the military Caretaker Government Period of the late 1950’s.
Kanthayar was "found" and named for development on the initiative of
the Commander of the Western Command whose Headquarters are at
Sittwe (Akyab) farther north on the same coast.
Kanthayar Beach Resort was officially opened on 24th March 1995 by
Lt-Gen. Tin Oo, Secretary (2) of the then State Law and Order
Restoration Council, to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Armed Forces
Day which falls each year on 27th March. The beach resort was opened
three days ahead as one of the main events to commemorate the Golden
Jubilee.
How to Get There
The most convenient way to get to Kanthayar is by car from
Yangon. The road from Yangon goes across the new Bayinnaung Bridge
in West Yangon to the new town of Hlaing Thayar and from there it is
only about an hour’s drive to Nyaungdon where you have to cross the
main Ayeyawady River by Z-craft, car ferry, taking about 45 minutes.
The third bridge across the Ayeyawady called Bo Myat Tun Bridge,
connecting Nyaungdon and Setkaw is now being built and will be
completed towards the end of 1998 cutting down the travel time and
making it much more convenient to visit the towns on the Ayeyawady
Delta as well as the Rakkhine Coast where Kanthaya is located.
From Setkaw on the west bank of the Ayeyawady River, the road goes
through the flourishing deltaic towns of Pantanaw, the birthplace of
the late UN Secretary-General U Thant, Kyaung-gon and Ye Kyi, and
across the bridge spanning the Nga Wun or Pathein (Bassein) River at
Nga- thaing Gyaung. Soon after leaving Nga-thaing Gyaung the road
climbs across the southern end of the Rakkhine Yoma ridge of hills
for about 47 miles till it goes down to the coastal town and fishing
centre of Gwa in Rakkhine State. From Gwa the road is along the
lovely coast between the sea and the ridge of hills, northwards for
about half an hour till Kanthayar is reached.
Altogether it is about 125 miles from Yangon to Kanthayar, and the
road is fairly good as it is being upgraded each year. If you do not
have to wait for the car ferry, the total travelling time by road is
only about six hours; the road passes rice fields, orchards and
tropical bamboo forests, going through peaceful, pleasant villages
all along the way. The scenery changes from low paddy land, lakes
and rivers to hills and forests and finally to the blue ocean and
sandy beaches, some lined with small islands.
For the more adventurous there is an alternative route to get to
Kanthayar, combining it with a visit to the popular seaside resort
of Ngapali. From Yangon you can go to Thandwe or Sandoway airport by
jet in about half an hour and from there hire a car to get to
Kanthayar, a three hour-drive on roads all along the coast.
Chaung-Thar Beach
 Located 40 km to the west of Pathein (Bassein) in Ayeyarwaddy
Division. It is about 5 hrs drive from Yangon to Chaung-Thar Beach.
It is an attractive wide beach with a muddy delta look. Not only
coconut palms but also casuarinas trees can be found at the back of
the beach. Two small islands can be seen offshore. The crab dishes
of Chaung-Thar Beach are also delicious and well-known. Fresh
coconut juice will make relax here.
There are bungalow type hotels along the beach with modern
facilities. Myanmar, owing to its natural environmental diversity is
rich in many sites that feature untouched coastal areas, calm and
peaceful ocean waters and wide stretches of unpolluted sandy
beaches.One beach resort that has gained fame and popularity since
the latter half of 1990 is the Chaungthar (pleasant Stream) Beach
Resort. Located some 154 miles from the Capital City of Yangon and
only 34 miles from Pathein, Chaungthar is the nearest ocean resort
available to foreign tourists, being easily reached from Yangon in
half a day by road.
There are 13 top class hotels in Chaungthar to cater to their every
need. Those who find the atmosphere of cities stifling, the
pressures of work stressful and the responsibilities of modern life
becoming burdensome, may shed their manifold worries for a while by
visiting and enjoying a restful holiday interlude at Chaungthar.
While listening to the whispering of the wind in the trees and among
the palm fronds and to the regular sleep inducing beat of the
oceanbreakers as you relax in your rattan chair amidst the balmy
breezes you will find yourself visibly relaxing and your cares and
tensions slipping away.
Those who wish to engage in play activities on the beach may wish to
take a dip in the ocean and ride the ocean waves or take a
traditional bullock cart ride along the extensive stretches of the
sandy beach.
Others may prefer to stroll along the seashore and visit nearby
villages to sample the local cuisine, and buy trinkets and ornaments
fashioned from sea shells, cowries, mother of pearl, huge
rock-shrimp and crabs, fossilized marine flora and unusual coral
formations etc. to take back as souvenirs or presents upon their
departure.
On the return journey to the hotel you will be entranced by the
magnificent flaming sky that serves as a fitting backdrop to the
setting of the blood-red orb as it slowly dips into the blue waters
of the Indian ocean.
Chaung Thar's nearby Islands
The’ Phyu Island — There is a temple. 20mintues engine-boat ride
for 500K/person.
Pho Kalar Island — There is a temple, a monastery and many coconut
trees. You can drink fresh coconut juice for 70K/coconut. 5minutes
engine-boat ride for 50K/person.
Kyaut Maung Nhama — There is one temple. You can take a walk (takes
about 3 hours) or ride a bicycle (takes about 2 hours).
Ngwe Saung Beach — The newly developed beach. You can rent an
engine-boat for 8000K and takes about 1.5hours.
Play with the mermaids — The team of Nagani.com wishes you luck with
that!.
Ngwe Saung Beach Or Silver Beach
 Ngwe Saung Beach Resort, opened in the year 2,000, is one of the
loveliest and most pleasant beach resorts in Myanmar. Located in the
Ayeyarwady Division, some 48 kilometres from the town of Pathein,
Ngwe Saung, with a beach frontage on the Bay of Bengal with its
clear blue waters, its white crested waves, sandy beaches and
unspoiled and pollution-free natural surroundings, is indeed one of
the best places to select for a holiday interlude of rest and
relaxation.
From Zee-Maw: Village in the north to Majee-Maw: Village in the
south, Ngwe Saung’s silvery beach stretches in an unbroken line for
some 15 kilometres.Included among Ngwe Saung’s natural attractions
are its blue waters, its extensive beaches, its silvery sands, its
scenic and occasionally rocky shoreline, all set against a backdrop
of tropical rain forests and the towering Rakhine mountain range.
The shoreline is dotted with bungalow-type eco-friendly hotels
staffed by well trained personnel who are trained to take care of
your needs. These bungalows provide quality service to foreign
tourists and domestic visitors and provide a quiet haven of peace
and relaxation. For those wishing to engage in fun and games on the
beach, or in the ocean, life-buoys and speedboats are provided, as
well as facilities for speedboat trips, bicycling along the shore
and horseback riding.
The need for occasional rest and recuperation from the cares and
worries of the world of work is an absolute necessity of the human
beings. The periodic recharging of one’s batteries and a
replenishment of one’s reserves of energy and vitality are universal
needs. What better setting is there for this than a seaside resort
in the convivial company of family, friends and companions?
Ngwe Saung extends its warmest welcome to all visitors who wish to
relax amidst the waving palms and balmy breezes of a truly memorable
ocean resort.
Letkokon Beach
It is the nearest beach from Yangon, a distance of just under
three hours drive, after ferry-crossing the Hlaing i.e., Yangon
river. Letkokon village and Ywa Thit Kone village just a kilometre
further away are small fishing villages. Fresh and delicious seafood
and juicy tropical fruit of the season can be enjoyed to your
contentment. A Sunbath under the shady coconut groves sipping tender
coconut milk under the sunny sky would be a pleasant time to pass.
The one and only hotel, the "Letkokon Beach Hotel" with a number of
Chalet type bungalows is located at the end of the driveway leading
from the beach. Poor road, electricity supply, tele-coms,
accommodation, fresh clean water, modern conveniences and other
facilities are limited. Over a century old monastery of teak logs
and planks and another about half a century old are in the vicinity
of Ywa Thit Kone. The Ayeyarwady River, which branches into several
rivulets in the Delta Region before entering into the sea deposits
fertile silt to form the Delta, where nutrient and fragrant rice
cultivation, thrives on the rich soil. During the monsoon and
highwaters the sea is rather muddy. The Chaung Tha Beach further
west, the Kan Thar Yar Beach and the Ngapali Beach in the north-west
on the Rakhine Coast where the sea water is clear for swimming and
surfing. Facilities are better.
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