THE BEACH is promoted as the “gap” between Georgetown and the Number 63 beach on the Corentyne. But while it stretches for miles from both ends, Novar Beach is not well-known to many.
The beach is located aback Novar village in Mahaicony on the West Coast of Berbice. To find the beach, one has to make a few queries from villagers as regards its location since there are no visible signs on the public road to provide an indication of its existence.
Last weekend this publication ventured into the Mahaicony area in search of the beach. Once at Novar, some 45 minutes from Georgetown, checks with a pedestrian provided some indication of where the beach is located. After turning into a street on the northern side of the roadway, a few more inquiries led down a roadway with lush, green mangroves on both sides.
A few goats nibbled at shrubs along the roadway while a few lay on the road occupying the afternoon‘s minutes. Further up, a cow yanked some grass out of the ground while the roadway led to a few turns into the direction of the sea.
Five minutes after leaving the public road, there appeared a clearance in the mangroves ahead and the sea was now visible. A few washed up empty receptacles could be seen among the bushes while the relatively well-kept roadway led to two plots of space, presumably for the parking of vehicles.
Then suddenly, the beach appeared. A family sat in the opened minibus, absorbing the afternoon breeze while sipping light and alcoholic refreshments. In the distance two children played in the water as the family watched with keen eyes.
“Well, we come here in search of somewhere to relax,” Prem , the patriarch of the family told the Guyana Chronicle . He said that his son mentioned the name of the beach to him once and as such he decided to travel to the area along with his family. “Me live Barbados for years and it nice to come out with the family to the beach and this one is the only one near here,” he said of Novar’s beach.
Prem noted that while the beach provided a natural setting for enjoyment, much work needed to be done to upgrade its standard. He said that having experienced the beach atmosphere in Barbados, there is no doubt that Novar Beach can match those in the islands.
“It need some benabs , some regular activity to make it popular,” he said of the beach. In addition, he noted that there was need for signs along the roadway which could identify the beach. ”The public roads don’t have anything to say where this beach is,” he said.
In addition, he noted that lots of games such as cricket and even beach football tournaments could be hosted at the venue. “It got space,” he added, noting that rangers could also be employed to maintain the general upkeep of the area.
Looking east, long swathes of land were visible along the beach as both sand and hardened clay lined the entirety of the beach. West of the entrance to the beach, the landscape appeared much more vegetative, as green mangrove branches hung over the sides of the beach.
Last year the West Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce promoted Novar Beach as a Tourist destination. In November last year, a day of activities was hosted to commemorate the re-branding of the Chamber from West Berbice Chamber Industry and Commerce to Region 5 Chamber at the beach.
Beach cricket, jet ski racing and locally-made boats provided activities at the venue.
Novar Beach is described as a hidden adventure and is considered an ideal venue for family relaxation.
Last year, president of the West Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Imran Saccoor, said the beach would provide greater opportunity for patrons in and around the area to have calm and relaxing beach days.
The folks from near and far are waiting with bated breath.
