About Chaungtha

Chaungtha is a village and beach resort located in Ayeyarwady Division, Myanmar(Burma). Chaungtha Beach, as it is more commonly known, is about 5 hours' drive away from Yangon, and is a popular resort with Yangonites from October to April. As it is relatively more affordable than the nearby Ngwesaung and Ngapali beaches, Chaungtha is also more crowded and less cleanly than the two more expensive and better maintained beaches.

Chaungtha received its name from the small stream (Chaung) which flowed at the western part of the village. Tha means pleasant in the Burmese language. Thus, Chaungtha means Pleasant Stream in Burmese.

Chaungtha Beach has clear water and soft, clean white sand and is fringed by palm trees. About 40 km west of the Ayeyarwaddy Division capital Pathein , it is about six hours’ drive from Yangon. Due to its proximity to Yangon it is popular with domestic tourists. Tourists can visit a fishing community on a nearby island where villagers sun-dry their catches of fish and shrimp for their own consumption or for sale. Speedboats are available to visit the small island in the area. Shops in the nearby village sell souvenirs made from shells and there are food stalls and restaurants offering fresh-caught seafood and local cuisine.

A short trip away from the Chaungtha beach is the spit of an island called Sandy Island (Thel Phyu Island), about 20 minutes by boat, 3000 kyats per person for foreigners. Just a Pagoda and nothing else. good place to snorkel and spend time with friends.on the way you could stop at pokala island

Just a few minutes away from chaungtha beach is what the entire area might have looked like before tourism ever came to this place. This tranquil island of fisherman is a walk back in time. There is a Pagoda with a good view of the Bay of Bengal. There are no eating or accomodation in pokala island, but there is a just one hut with some beer being sold.