Beaches of Myanmar
Having pretty long coastal line at a
distance of around 2000km, Myanmar unsurprisingly
boasts some of Southeast Asia’s finest beaches,
yet little known to the outside world seeking
for the well beaten ones. There are a couple
of developed beaches with westward views
in Bay of Bengal, along the coastal lines
of Rakhaing State & Ayeyarwaddy Division,
while several unexplored beaches in Andaman
Sea and the Mergui Archipelago. Here are
some of recommended beach destinations in
Myanmar:
Ngapali Beach
 Ngapali
Beach is probably the most well-known in
Myanmar and by the tourist. It is located
in Rakhaing State of western Myanmar, closed
to the ancient city Thandwe (Sandoway to
the British), facing the Bay of Bengal.
The fine grains of white sandy beach stretches
for around 11 kilometers (7-miles) is fringed
by the swaying coconut palms, and rimmed
to the cobalt-blue waters. The pristine
peaceful beach line is free from noisy bars,
souvenir vendors, smoky traffic, and the
crowd except the occasional bullock carts.
The huge coral reef prevents dangerous marine
animals, while the water is clean and quite
inviting. And of course, Ngapali is also
famed for the fresh, tasty seafood, where
the most dishes you taste is from their
daily catches, not from the frozen stock.
Apart from the sea, sun, and the sand concept,
visitors can enjoy bicycle tour to the traditional
fishermen villages and the ancient town
Sandoway, boat tours to nearby islands,
snorkeling, fishing or golfing. With the
establishments of several eco-friendlies,
seductive 5-star hotels, the beach relaxation
in Ngaplia beach is nothing but the experience
of paradise! Ngapali can conveniently be
reached by flights from Yangon, Bagan, and
Inle Lake or any days of the week; a few
scheduled flights from Sittwe. By road from
Yangon or Bagan via Pyay is also possible
but it will take around 14-hours on the
poorly paved up/down hill road across Rakhaing
range. The best time to visit Ngapali is
from October to April, since the monsoon
hits the entire coastal line by the first
week of May and last until end of September.
During the monsoon season, most of the hotel
may not be functioning.
Ngwe Saung Beach
 In
the year 2000, Ngwe Saung was added to be
Myanmar’s newest beach destinations. Literally
means “Silver Beach”, the 9-mile (14.5km)
long beach facing Bay of Bengal has indeed
unspoiled natural beauties and pretty attractive
white sandy beach, gentle slopes, clean
& clear blue water and complete privacy.
There are over 20-hotels, from simple, basic
chalets to spa boutique resorts that would
suite to any budget and luxury sought. Ngwe
Saung beach can be reached by 6-hour drive
from Yangon, traverse the vast delta region
via Pathein, a provincial capital and an
ancient port town in 11th century, is a
great way to study the diverse delta culture.
There are a few flight connections to Pathein,
30-mile (48km) from Ngwe Saung, from Bagan
and Heho depending on the days of the week
and the seasonal demand. There are several
activities visitors can enjoy – snorkeling,
scuba diving, fishing, boating, surfing,
village & island tours, and bicycling. And
needless to say, do not miss to try tasty
fresh seafood.
 Chaung
Thar Beach
Although less attractive then Ngapali
and Ngwe Saung beaches, Chang Thar is still
one of the best beach destinations in Myanmar.
In fact, Chaung Thar is located just north
of Ngwe Saung, about the same distance,
and direction from Yangon via Pathein to
Ngwe Saung. There are several standard beach
bungalows and chalets and a couple of upscale
hotels. The sandy beach has silvery look,
sometimes brownish but the water is clean,
clear and attractive enough.
Mergui (Myeik) Archipelagos
 Myeik
(Mergui) Archipelago features over 800 pristine,
jungle-clad, unspoiled virgin islands scattered
throughout the Andaman Sea of the coast
between the towns Myeik (Mergui) and Kawthaung
(Victoria Point), like emeralds on the blue
carpet. There are marine parks, blue & turquoises
coral gardens, rare and endangered bird
species, the sea gypsy (Mokens) culture,
silver-white powdery sandy beaches, glass-clear
water, rich marine and land wildlife where
the entire archipelago virtually untouched
from the humans are some of the points that
draws attention to the sea adventurers and
those who’d like to escape completely from
the hectic human society at least for a
moment. Contrary to its enormous potential
tourism, there are very limited beach resorts
and exploration options to be chosen due
to the slow and extraordinary concerns of
bringing up the area to the tourism.
For those who would like to take advantages
of being pioneers to the world’s lost paradise
can have two options:
- Beach Resort Stay at “The first
one island one resort in Mergui Archipelago”:
Myanmar Andaman Resort
Or
- Live-aboard explorations taking
you into the breathtakingly beautiful
islands where you could lost yourself
on the silvery powder of sandy beaches
only you and your footprints, or sometime
share with the occasional monkeys… discover
world-class dazzling underwater parks,
go kayaking around the islands over
the glass-clear waters, jungle safaris,
hiking, or explore on the mangrove rivers
and soak up with the nature, or go birding…
all sort of leisure and adventure activities
are possible.
|
