South East Asian Trips

Kanthaya Beach is located in the middle of the Rakhine coast on the Bay of Bengal. It is 125 miles north of Yangon, 65 miles south of the Ngapali Beach, and 16 miles north of the small fishing town of Gwa. This beach was developed and up-dated quite recently. The beach is a six hour drive from Yangon or three hours from Thandwe airport.

Myanmar's long coastline on the Indian Ocean stretches from around 29 degrees north and 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, unspoiled by overdevelopment and 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 20 degrees of latitude from tropical to cooler climates. Most of the coasts face west giving spectacular views at sunset.

One of the most quiet beaches is aptly named Kanthaya, or Pleasant Beach. It is located in the Rakkhine (Arakan) State about 16 miles north of the small town of Gwa.

Ngapali Beach is 65 miles farther north than Kanthaya. Ngapali was transformed from a quiet fishing village to a popular beach resort in the late 1950's.

The former name of Kanthaya Beach was Thayar Kan Chei Recreation Centre. These names are all derived from the name of the nearby village of Thayar Gyaing formerly known as Tha Khwe Gyaing. In the local Rakkhine dialect of Myanmar language "gyaing" means a sandy bay or beach and there are many of these "gyaing", one of the most well-known being Shwe War Gyaing on which the Ngapali Beach Hotel is situated. "Thayar" means pleasant, pleasurable or delightful. The official name in English "Pleasant Beach" is a direct translation of the Myanmar name and it is a most suitable one as the place is indeed very pleasant with all the natural beauties of unspoilt nature.

How to Get There

The most convenient way to get to Kanthaya 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 cross the third bridge across the Ayeyawady called Bo Myat Tun Bridge which connects Nyaungdon with Setkaw.

From Setkaw on the west bank of the Ayeyawady River, the road goes through the delta 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 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 you reach Kanthaya.

Altogether it is about 125 miles from Yangon to Kanthaya and the road is fairly good. The total travelling time by road is 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 padi land, lakes and rivers to hills and forests and finally to the blue ocean and sandy beaches, some lined with small islands.

The alternative route to get to Kanthaya is from the popular seaside resort of Ngapali. You can fly to Thandwe ("Sandoway") airport from Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan or Heho and from there hire a jeep to go to Kanthaya, a four hour drive along the coast.