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Beaches in Goa

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Beaches in Goa

With an area of 1736 square kilometers, North Goa is one of the two districts in the state of Goa. Bounded by Kohlapur and Sindhudurg Districts, belonging to the state of Maharashtra, from east and north respectively, by South Goa from the South and Arabian Sea from the west. The administrative headquarters of North Goa is the capital city – Panaji. The district of North Goa is divided into four subdivision namely – Panaji, Bicholim, Mapusa and Ponda.

With a coastline of almost 125 kilometers, the beaches in Goa are mainly divided into two parts – North Goa and South Goa. While South Goa beaches are more laid-back and relaxed, the beaches in North Goa are more commercialized and crowded with budget and low priced accommodations. However, if you want to experience the true nightlife of Goa, then North Goa is place to be during this season. Most of the beach shacks in North Goa play great music and offer delicious seafood and inexpensive liquor.

North Goa and its Beaches

During the tourist season in Goa, which is mainly from the month of November to the month of February, all the beaches in North Goa are crowded and filled with tourists from all over the world. These are the best months to visit Goa since the entire North Goa is seen celebrating and just having a merry time. Moreover, the weather is quite pleasant and comfortable, which makes it the perfect time to relax and have a good time.

The beaches in North Goa begin from Fort Aguada, just outside the capital city of Panaji and moves upwards towards the border of Maharashtra. Starting from the historic Fort Aguada and the popular Fort Aguada Beach Resort, lies an endless stretch of white sands, tourist filled beaches and party animals. Here are some of the most popular beaches that come under North Goa district:

Candolim

North Goa and its Beaches

Candolim beach starts from Fort Aguada and is the first beach that can be approached from the capital city of Panaji. Located in Bardez Taluk, Candolim is one of the longest beaches in the state of Goa. Merging with the popular Calangute Beach towards the end, Candolim Beach is very peaceful and quiet as compared to the next beach. The main road – Candolim Calangute is filled with shops and restaurants offering discounted souvenirs and delicious food. An interesting feature of this beach is the ship – River Princess, which has been stuck at this beach since 2000. Candolim Beach is mostly famous for its water sports such as Parasailing and Water Skiing.

Calangute Beach

North Goa and its Beaches


Located about 15 kilometers from the capital city, this seven kilometer long beach is one of the most crowded and popular beaches of Goa. Often termed as the ‘Queen of Beaches’, Calangute Beach is the first place tourists visit when they land in Goa. Therefore, naturally this beach is crowded during both tourist and off season. One can find a number of tourists sunbathing, shopping, relaxing and dancing in one of the many clubs over here. This beach is a paradise for adventure lovers as most of the water sports like parasailing, windsurfing and water-skiing are offered here.

Baga Beach

North Goa and its Beaches


Named after the Baga River, this beach is bounded by the famous Anjuna Beach from the north and Calangute Beach from the south. One of the most popular and happening beaches in the state, Baga Beach consists of endless rows of beach shacks, restaurants and shops. Unlike Calangute Beach, the nightlife in Baga Beach is very vibrant. The famous Tito’s Lane, consisting of some of the best clubs in the state, is also situated here. Water Sports like kite surfing, parasailing, windsurfing and so on are offered here at a very reasonable price. Dolphin spotting boat trips are a must-try on this beach.

Anjuna Beach


North Goa and its Beaches


Located about 18 kilometers from Panaji, Anjuna Beach is surrounded by the beautiful Arabian Sea and majestic hills. The entire beach is packed with gorgeous swaying palms, soft white sands and natural beauty. Anjuna Beach is famous for its many trance parties during the tourist season. The popular flea market, held every Wednesday, is a must-visit in Goa. One can find many products like fruits, jewelry, clothes and electronic devices at good discounted rates. 

Vagator Beach

North Goa and its Beaches


A more laid back beach, Vagator Beach is mostly visited by the western tourists and backpackers, who come here to watch the breathtaking sunset through the rocks. The beach is divided into two main parts – North Vagator Beach, which is filled with restaurants and shops selling trinkets and Little Vagator Beach. Nightlife in Vagator Beach includes a number of popular clubs playing trance and EDM music. Some famous clubs situated over here include Nine Bar and Hilltop in Little Vagator and Primrose in North Vagator Beach. Moreover, there are also many small cafes near Vagator Beach offering delicious Mediterranean and Indian cuisine.

Chapora Beach


North Goa and its Beaches


Located about 10 kilometers from Mapusa in the northern part of Goa, Chapora Beach is perfect for those tourists who love serenity and stillness. Surrounded by swaying coconut palms, lush greenery and soft white sands, Chapora Beach is a mixture of both North and South Goa. One of the most interesting features about this beach is the way the water changes its color from aquamarine to sea green as the day progresses. Tourists can either shop at the many shops near the beach or enjoy a delicious Goan meal at one of the many restaurants and food stalls over here. Chapora beach is also home to the famous Chapora Fort, built about 500 years ago with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and sea. 

South Goa is a part of one of the two districts in the state of Goa. It bounded by North Goa from the north, Arabian Sea from the west and the state of Karnataka from east and south.

The district has three main sub-divisions namely Margao, Quepem and Mormugao (Vasco De Gama) and six taluks – Salcete (Margao), Mormugao, Quepem, Sanguem, Canacona (Chaudi) and Dharbandora with its administrative headquarters at Margao.

While the beaches in North Goa are more lively and crowded, the beaches in South Goa are very laid-back and relaxed. They are perfect for just lazing next to the shore or having fun family picnics. One can even try out all the exciting water sports in South Goa without having to wait a long time in the queue.

South Goa consists of some of the best beaches of Goa; here are some popular beaches in South Goa:

Palolem
One of the most beautiful beaches in the state of Goa, Palolem beach is truly a paradise filled with white sands, rocky cliffs and a thick forest filled with coconut trees. Located about 70 kilometers from the capital city of Goa, Palolem Beach has a number of beautiful beach huts that provide inexpensive accommodation with modern facilities. There are also many beach shacks and restaurants at the beach that offer some of the most delicious Goan cuisine.

South Goa and its Beaches


This beautiful crescent shaped beach with its clear water and blue sky is perfect for both adventure seekers and honeymooners. North of this beach, there is a small beautiful island called Butterfly Island, which is a must visit while visiting Palolem. Many Dolphin Spotting boat trips are also offered over here at reasonable rates. Moreover, for tourists who love shopping, there are many small local shops selling souvenirs and trinkets in Chaudi, just 2 kilometers from Palolem. The nightlife in Palolem is very lively with many discos that are open 24 hours. It is known for its Silent Noise Parties, which is held every Saturday at the popular resort Neptune Point.

Agonda Beach
Agonda Beach starts where Palolem Beach finishes. It is a long stretch of white sands, coconut trees with hardly any crowd. Since it is a secluded beach, there are hardly any restaurants and beach shacks over here. Nevertheless, Agonda Beach is famous among adventure seekers as it makes the perfect place to camp out in the night and listen to the soothing sounds of waves crashing at the shore. However, make sure that you carry all the essentials with you, as there are no shops near the beach.

South Goa and its Beaches


Agonda Beach is also famous for the popular Cabo De Rama fort, named after Lord Rama from the legendary Hindu mythology Ramayana. It is believed that during their period of exile, Lord Rama and his wife took shelter here for a while. The best way to reach this place is to either hire a taxi or drive down to the beach.

Colva Beach
One of the most important beaches of South Goa, Colva Beach is located 8 kilometers from the administrative headquarters of South Goa – Margao and 40 kilometers from the capital city of Goa – Panaji. The entire beach is well equipped with modern facilities such as luxury resorts, beach huts, clubs and pubs, beach shacks, shopping stalls, guest houses and so on. Colva Beach is a beautiful beach covered with white sands and coconut palms. One can also find numerous rows of fisherman boats and drying mackerels on the beach.

South Goa and its Beaches


It is also home to one of the most popular tourist attractions in Goa – The Church of Our Lady of Mercy and its statue of Menino Jesus. Founded in 1630, it is believed that the statue of Menino Jesus has healing powers. Every year in the month of October, a religious event called ‘Fama of menino Jesuse’ is held where the statue is removed from its vault and dipped in water after the march. Some pilgrims even take the water with them as a token of good luck. Even though Colva Beach is less famous than Calangute or Anjuna Beach, the nightlife over here is more vibrant than any other beach in Goa. There are many clubs in the area that are known for rave parties and loud music, which starts every night from 10 pm onwards.

Benaulim Beach
Located about two kilometers from the famous Colva Beach, Benualim Beach is known for its tranquility and peacefulness. Benaulim Beach is one of the few undiscovered beaches in Goa where one can easily relax and enjoy the sun and ocean without being disturbed by the crowds. There are also several restaurants and small eateries located over here that offer delicious Goan food. This beach is also known for its unique handicrafts and rosewood furniture.

South Goa and its Beaches


For entertainment, tourists can enjoy the thrilling bull fighting that takes place over here from 4 pm onwards between the months of October and May. Benaulim Beach is also home to the Church of St. John The Baptist, which is a must-visit in Goa. During the annual Feast of St. John the Baptist (Sao Jao), young men wearing leaves and fruits go around the beach singing for gifts. One can also visit the famous Beach Bonanza Fair that takes place every Sunday between the months of Mid-April and May.

Cavelossim Beach
One of the most interesting beaches of South Goa, Cavelossim Beach is located about 20 kilometers from Margao, situated between the Sal River and Arabian Sea. Cavelossim Beach is a long elegant stretch of soft sands and black lava rocks. It is also one of the cleanest beaches in Goa with crystal clear waters and light blue sky. Perfect for vacationers who just want to relax and have a good time, there are also many restaurants and eateries offering delicious seafood and other Goan delicacies.

South Goa and its Beaches


Cavelossim Beach is renowned for its exciting water sports, which includes speedboats, racing, diving, swimming, Para gliding and other thrilling water activities. Dolphin watching boat trips and sunset cruises are also offered here at reasonable prices. For tourists who love shopping, there is a small market located nearby that offer great discounted handicrafts, artifacts, souvenirs, aromatic sticks and various decorative products such as mirrors, shells and so on. Cavelossim Beach also houses some of the best luxury resorts and hotels in Goa with special sea facing rooms.

Majorda Beach
Located about 5 kilometers from the famous Colva Beach and 4 kilometers from the administrative headquarters of Goa – Margao, Majorda Beach is another popular beach in South Goa where one can easily relax and rejuvenate. Majorda Beach is renowned for Goan Toddy, which is a sap from the coconut trees used in fermenting bread. It is over here where the Goans first learnt the delicate art of producing soft Europeans breads.

South Goa and its Beaches


The beach is famous for its natural surrounding beauty, soft white sands, swaying coconut trees and translucent water. It is the perfect place for tourists and honeymooners who want to stay away from the crowd. There are also a number of beach shacks and restaurants offering sumptuous seafood, steaks and Schezhuan food. A wide range of shops is also located here selling beautiful Kashmiri handicrafts, jewelry, silks and wood furniture. For adventure lovers, there are many water activities on this beach such as waterskiing, parasailing and so on that they can choose from. Moreover, it is completely safe to swim over here due to a large number of lifeguards and a good security system on this beach.

Arambol Beach

Best Beaches in Goa

With soft sands and swaying palms, Arambol Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in North Goa. Once a fishing village, this beach has become a new hotspot for hippies. Famous for water activities like Dolphin Spotting, travelers can also enjoy various therapeutic therapies like yoga, meditation, reiki and tai chi. The nightlife of this beach is very relaxed with a few jam sessions and live music. Currently there are no major hotels located over here, however many beach shacks and guesthouses set up over here during the tourist season.

Sinquerim Beach


Goa's Best Beaches

With a grand 17th century fort over here, Sinquerim Beach is one of the best beaches in Goa. This beach has it all; from world class facilities for water sports like water skiing, fishing, para-gliding and scuba-diving from up market restaurants offering delicious food. Some luxury hotels like Taj Holiday Village, Fort Aguada Beach Resort and Aguada Hermitage are also located here. This beach is perfect for those who want the class of South Goa but the fun and excitement of North Goa. Located about 13 kilometers from Panaji, this beach is the ideal place to start a long scenic beach walk to Baga Beach.
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