Beaches in Goa

Mile after mile of unspoilt beaches fringed by exotic palm trees and lapped by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. By day its sun, sea and surf and by night its fun, fish and feni ( the local firewater ). Whether you are looking for a busy budget consiuos break or a secluded and more sedate sojourn, Goa has it all.

Goa has many attractions, it is its beaches that make it a most sought after destination among tourists. But many people have this wrong impression that Goa is a coastal state that has one long stretch of beach. In fact, Goa has numerous beautiful beaches contesting with each other for supremacy.

Anjuna
This notorious beach is the hippie hotspot with rave parties. The sheer beauty of the beach is indescribable. With its rocky crescent and swaying palms, it's a delight to be here. Visit the beach to have a first-hand experience of how pleasurable it can be.

Anjuna attracts a weird and wonderful collection of over Landers, monks, defiant ex-hippies, gentle lunatics, artists, artisans, seers, searchers, sybarites and itinerant expatriates who normally wouldn't be seen out of the organic confines of their health-food.

In Anjuna there is magnificent Albuquerque mansion built in 1920, flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled-roof. It's famous throughout Goa for its Wednesday flea market where you can get second-hand imported clothes, and handicrafts from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Visit it for the thrills of nightlife. This is a good place to stick around for a while, make some friends and engage in mellow contemplation while the sun goes down.

Arambol
A unique beach in the North Goa, it is a rocky and sandy beach and much sought after. It has a sweet water pond right on the shore. The Arambol beach is just a walking distance from the Keri beach. The Portuguese interpretation of the name of the village "Hamal" gave Arambol its present name.

The beach is an uninterrupted and stunning stretch of curving sand, still unspoilt in comparison to other beaches. The beach is quiet except on Sundays, when a large crowd of local picnickers gather here for holidaying.The villagers are friendly and the place is less touristy allowing you to have a close experience of local life and culture. There is relaxed environment and peace and tranquility attracts many day-trippers from other beaches nearby.

Agonda Beach
Agonda is a beautiful, extremely peaceful beach about 15 minutes from Palolem by bike. At one end a small river joins the sea. At the other end, over a hill is the stunning 'Butterfly Island' - a secluded cove that is accessible only by boat.

It’s long and lonely, fringed with palms and casuarinas and dominated by a large hill to the south. It’s not safe to swim out too far on this beach. Not many tourists frequent visit Agonda beach and you will find no souvenir stalls, no restaurants, nothing. So if you are going to Goa Agonda beach, it is always better to equip yourself with all the necessary items that you might want at Goa Agonda beach and if you are the adventurous type, you can hire a tent and camp the night at the Agonda beach.

Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach also known as Gaspar Dias Beach. This beautiful beach is located about 3kms from Panaji. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian sea.. The word ‘Miramar’ in Portuguese stands for viewing the sea. From the beach across the river is an excellent view of Fort Aguada. On account of its good location, the Miramar Beach of Goa is ideal for evening walks. The tourists can spend a nice time in the Palm shaded area that is quite captivating for the tourists visiting the beach. Silver Sands Factory Stores, encompassing more than 100 designer outlet shops. You could be away from the beach for quite some time.

Palolem Beach-The Paradise Beach
Palolem is the beach in Canacona, This beach lies on the southern coastline of Goa amidst outstanding natural beauty. It’s a beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. There are colourful lampshades in shacks made of rice straw, jute, bamboo, papier mache or plain cloth. The shacks lend colour to the coastline at night.

The major attractions nearby this beach are Agonda and Chaudi. The best time to visit Palolem Beach is November to March. The other attractions on this beach are the Dolphin cruises and the fishing trips.

Dona Paula Beach
Dona Paula is 7-km from Panjim and is different from other Goan beaches in the sense that this is one of the beaches that’s washed by both the Goan sea and the goan riversDona Paula Beach is associated with the legend of the daughter of a Portuguese official who killed herself when she was not permitted to marry the man she loved. Also known as Lovers Paradise, Dona Paula Beach in Goa is a water sports enthusiasts' dream come true, with a range of water sports activities on offer for tourists to enjoy on beach vacations in Goa.

The Dona Paula Beach offers an opportunity to the tourists to have a sunbath and buy cheap seaside goods from local vendors.

Vagator Beach
Vagator Beach is located about 22 Kms from Panaji and is situated in Bardez taluka. This beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone's throw of the sea. But Vagator has little by way of seaside accommodation.

Vagator Beach is split into two main beaches by a seaside headland which holds the car park and lots of stalls selling trinkets, clothes, soft drinks and snacks. As you face the sea, on your right is North Vagator Beach and on your left Ozrant Beach, also called mini-Vagator Beach.
Best places to vist are Nine Bar located just near the beach, they play different types of trance and psychedelic music from different DJ's around the world, mainly from Europe. Its advisable that you have your own mode of transport if you are planing to visit here.

Colva Beach
Colva beach, in south Goa, is a hit with tourists looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of other beaches. It remains quiet and uncluttered for most parts of the year. It is well equipped with all modern amenities like air-conditioned resort complexes, tourist cottages, discos, seashell artefact stalls, refreshment stalls, eateries, guest houses, expanding the village enormously. You can savor a quiet stroll on the silvery sands of the Colva Beach on a moonlit night or a sunbath on the golden sands of Colva on sunny morning. That certainly makes your stay at Colva an utterly romantic experience.

Calangute Beach
Calangute Beach is only nine miles north from the Goan capital, Panaji.It is known as the “Queen of Beaches”, it is the most famous of all beaches in Goa. This idyllic fishing village with its beautiful coconut tree lined, pristine beach was said to have been discovered in the 1960 s by the hippies. Excellent accommodation facilities are available, particularly at the tourist resort and cottages. The beach is filled with average sun worshippers and their children. Fresh seafood is everywhere on sale. But it s definitely the choice of the extrovert, and not for those seeking solitude. Sightseeing .