The beaches of Goa are speckled with quaint little
beach shacks that serve ice cold beer and spicy Goan cuisine. The list
below includes some of my favorite Goa beaches. You won't find any of
the more popular, overcrowded beaches here - like Colva and Calangute
beach - that are done to death in every Goa travel guide or information
brochure. These are only the best beaches to visit, some a little off
the beaten track.
Candolim Beach
Candolim is the birth place of Abbe Faria, a Goan Freedom Fighter and
the Father of Hypnotism. When we stay at Candolim, we usually book one
of the rent-back apartments a stone's throw away from the beach. There
is little or no shelter close to the beach, but you can hire out a beach
umbrella, sample the good food available at the beach shacks that dot
the beach, and sun yourself in solitude. This Goa beach is very popular
with package tourists, but is still not too crowded.
Sinquerim Beach
Sinquerim beach has clean, white sand, and is close to the historic
Fort Aguada, the early 17th century Portuguese fort that was built by
the Portuguese to control the entry into River Mandovi and to protect
old Goa from enemy attack. You can take a long walk from Sinquerim beach
all the way up to Candolim beach, which continues all the way north to
Baga.
Baga Beach
Baga is a small fishing beach with a grove of shady palms close to the
water's edge. There are few buses that come all the way to the beach's
edge, but none after dark. It's a long walk to the Calangute taxi stand
from the beach, so if you plan to stay after sundown, make sure you have
your own transport. Baga is really an extension of Calangute beach. But
unlike Calangute, which is crowded, steep and marred by dangerous
undercurrents, the beach at Baga is flat, safe for swimming, and has
clean, white sand.
Bambolim Beach
Bambolim beach is a small, clean, largely undiscovered beach, in a
shaded spot before the mouth of the river Zuari. The entrance to the
beach is easily missed and lies along the hill between Goa Medical
College and the Goa University. The road goes all the way down to the
Bambolim beach resort from where you can make your way to the beach. The
beach is carpeted with broken mother-of-pearl and other shells, which
makes it a haven for shell-collectors. Thick coconut groves line the
beach and provide shade and privacy. Its a beautiful beach for a quiet,
cozy picnic.
You can enjoy lunch at the Bambolim Beach Resort restaurant, serenaded
by one of the local singers or bands. When you decide to head back home,
take the road that goes to the beautiful Goa University all the way up
to Dona Paula. A little off the road before Dona Paula just before the
National Institute of Oceanography, is a restaurant called White House.
It serves excellent seafood and has a view of the bay to die for.
Arambol Beach
Arambol Beach is near the traditional fishing village of Arambol and is
an isolated stretch of beach known for its rocky and sandy terrain.
Until recently Arambol was a favorite Goa beach for hippies and its
claim to fame was the wild parties it was host to. The main beach is
relatively good for swimming. To the north are quiet bays where you can
take long walks with starfish underfoot. There's a hot spring near the
main beach that runs into a freshwater lake. Sporty types can enjoy
activities like dolphin watching boat trips and paragliding.
Vagator Beach
Vagator is one of the more beautiful white sand Goa beaches. To reach
the beach, you have to walk down a steep cliff. The sea here is not safe
for swimming, but during the tourist season, it has an active nightlife.
The south beach is fairly spread out and more secluded. A little further
south of the main beach you'll find the quiter Little Vagator or Ozran
beach with a fresh water pool. You can also visit the nearby Chapora
Fort. Accomodation is not always easy to find because there are few
hotels here.
Benaulim Beach
My strongest memory of Benaulim is that of being bitten by a stray dog.
But I also remember all of us - the entire family - feasting on a
delicious meal of shellfish we dug out in bucket-loads from the sand.
Benaulim beach is more peaceful and serene than Colva and still rather
undiscovered by domestic tourists.
According to Hindu mythology, this is the place where the arrow of Lord
Parsurama landed when he created the state of Goa. Known in Sanskrit as
Banali, it was changed to Benaulim by the Portuguese. The main
attractions on this beach are the dolphin cruises. The church of St.
John the Baptist on the hill is a wonderful example of Goan Christian
architecture. With the first drops of the Indian monsoon, the village
breaks into a celebration of thanksgiving for the Feast of São João.
Palolem Beach
Palolem beach, situated in the Canacona district, is also known as "Paradise
Beach". Until a few years back, it was among the virgin beaches of
Goa. It is a fishing beach popular for its dolphin cruises and fishing
trips. At the northern end of the beach is a tiny, island in the middle
of a fresh water stream that can be reached by swimming across at low
tide.
Agonda Beach
Agonda is a virgin stretch of beach twelve kilometres from Palolem and,
until recently, was undiscovered by tourists. It is sometimes frequented
by day picnickers. The waters are crystal clear and its easy to see the
bottom of the shore while swimming. Watch out for the sharp barnacles if
you decide to climb any of the rocks there.
Mobor and Cavelossim Beaches
Cavelossim Beach is a small stretch of beach eleven kilometres south of
Colva beach. South of Cavelossim beach is the Mobor beach that currently
boasts of five star resorts like the Leela Beach Resort. Both beaches
are relatively isolated and there are few beach shacks here. Mobor has a
fishing village with a small lagoon near the mouth of a river, and its
fun to watch the seagulls that come to feast on the fish drying on the
sand.
