Even though Goa is one of India’s smaller states, it has more beaches than any other coastal region on the continent. Images of swaying palms, miles of glittering yellow beach, and gentle blue waves washing up on the shore are enough to put you at peace after a day of exploring India. Goa is a popular tourist destination in South India, and it’s only an hour and 15 minutes by plane from Mumbai.
Goa’s coastline offers something for every type of traveller, therefore the state is a great choice for a vacation. Benaulim Beach is a great place to visit with your kids. If you want to try surfing, Agonda Beach is the place to go. Butterfly Beach is a fascinating destination for those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 8 beaches in Goa to help you plan your trip to this little slice of heaven.
How to reach Goa?
It’s possible to go to Goa by a number of different routes, including
- By Air: Goa’s Dabolim Airport is an international airport served by flights from major Indian cities.
- By Rail: Vasco da Gama and Madgaon Railway Station are the two main rail hubs that link Goa to the rest of India.
- By Road: Roads in Goa are well-maintained and connect the state to the rest of India quickly and easily.
The Best Time to Visit Goa
Goa’s tropical climate means it’s a best place to visit any time of year, with something amazing to offer tourists all year round. Goa is a great place to visit with your family, and during the monsoon, you may enjoy some of the water sports that make the area so popular. The weather in Goa during the winter is warm and sunny, which makes it perfect for a day at the beach.
Best beaches in Goa
1. Colva Beach
During the peak season (from the middle of November to around the middle of February), visitors flock to Colva, one of Goa’s most popular beaches. The 2.4-kilometer-long beach in south Goa features a plethora of water-based adventure activities (such as jet skiing, banana boat rides, and parasailing), sand as soft and white as baby powder, and a well established tourism infrastructure that can meet all of your needs. Take a trip to one of the amazing beach resorts in the area and see it for yourself.
Colva Beach is a popular destination for Indian vacationers, so if you want to mix in with the locals, this is the place to go. A more genuine experience can be had by spending the night in a local family’s house.
If the sun is getting to be too much, you can find refuge at Our Lady of Mercy Church, located only a short distance inland. The town square’s whitewashed spiritual centre has a statue of a newborn Jesus with healing abilities from the 1600s. Each October, the site welcomes millions of tourists for the annual Fama festival.
2. Morjim Beach, Goa
One of the most beautiful beaches in North Goa is Morjim Beach. It is located just south of Aswem Beach and acts as a nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles. Thanks to this fact, Morjim Beach now also goes by the name Turtle Beach. The beach stretches for three kilometres, making it perfect for a stroll as the sun goes down. Morjim Beach is popular among tourists who want to relax on the beach for the afternoon.
There are so many Russian tourists that Morjim Beach has earned the nickname “Little Russia” among locals who have lived there for at least a month. So naturally, there are many billboards in Russian and restaurants serving Russian food. Water sports, seeing dolphins, scuba diving with seagulls, and kite flying are just a few of the most popular things to do at Morjim Beach.
3. Vagator Beach
Tourists and adventurers alike can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Vagator Beach in Goa. On the other side of the river Chapora, which begins in Morjim in Pernem, it is located on the very northern edge of Bardez Taluka. Anjuna, one of the first tourist spots in Goa, can be found to the south of Vagator Beach.
Vagator beach features stunning red cliffs that overlook two freshwater springs just a stone’s throw from the sea. The beach is primarily divided by a seaside headland that serves as a convenient location for parking cars and several small stalls that offer clothing, food, and a variety of toys and handicrafts. When looking out to sea from the headland, Vagator Beach, also known as “Big Vagator,” is on the right, and Ozran Beach, also known as “Little Vagator Beach,” is on the left.
4. Palolem Beach
Accommodations in Goa don’t get much quirkier than what you’ll find at Palolem Beach. Every year, people working in the tourism business set up temporary coco huts for visitors to sleep in. The exclusive access to one of Goa’s best beaches, dedicated lounge chairs directly on the sand, and a one-of-a-kind experience that creates a lifetime’s worth of memories more than make up for the rustic accommodations’ lack of luxury.
Take advantage of your visit to beautiful Palolem Beach by taking part in some of the many available activities. In the Arabian Sea, you can go on a dolphin-watching tour. Yoga on the beach is a great way to practice balance poses and find inner peace. And try authentic Goan cuisine at one of the numerous well-known restaurants on Palolem Beach.
5. Sinquerium Beach
After relaxing with your favourite drink, explore this beach between Fort Aguada and Candolim Beach. This is the closest and best place to get away from the city, with a beautiful view of the sea and the fort’s walls and the sound of the waves crashing at the shore. It doesn’t end there! You can shop to your heart’s content at the nearby markets.
The list of things to do is practically unlimited in this area. Some of the most popular things to do at the beach are dolphin watching trips, parasailing, crocodile watching, and underwater photography. For a relaxing vacation, swim in the sea’s shallows, while thrill seekers can try watersports. The beach naturally curves inward, providing a secure area for those who want to explore deeper into the ocean.
6. Calangute Beach
Calangute Beach, 15 kilometres from Panjim, is the longest beach in North Goa, running the length of the region from Candolim to Baga. It attracts tourists and travellers from all over the world because of its size and popularity.
Calangute Beach in Goa, sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Beaches,” is consistently ranked among Goa’s best beaches for sunbathing. One of the most popular and touristy beaches in Goa. Gourmet food, seafood, and alcoholic beverages are served at many restaurants, taverns, and clubs in this neighbourhood. Parasailing, water surfing, banana rides, and jet skiing are just some of the popular water sports that take place at Calangute Beach.
Days are spent at the beach, while nights are spent partying and letting loose. Calangute is a popular place to stay in Goa because of its proximity to the other beaches in the north, including Baga, Anjuna, Candolim, and Aguada.
7. Chapora Beach
Chapora Beach is one of Goa’s lesser-known beaches, located near the iconic Chapora Fort. This coastal jewel is a picture-perfect paradise with its white dunes, turquoise seas, black lava rocks, and palm tree-lined shoreline. Visitors to Chapora Beach can enjoy water sports, swimming, resting in beach huts, and partying.
Relaxing beach activities include surfing, paragliding, jet skiing, and fishing. There are several restaurants, beach shacks, bars, and nightclubs along Chapora Beach, making it a lively and exciting place to be after dark. The Chapora region is well-known among visitors because it is home to some of North Goa’s most affordable hotel options. The Chapora Fort offers a breathtaking view of Chapora Beach.
8. Miramar Beach, Goa
Originally called Gasper Dias Beach, Miramar Beach is a popular urban beach in North Goa. Miramar Beach, Goa’s capital, is perfect for families, friends, and fitness fanatics looking to exercise before or after work. With a selection of exciting water activities, Miramar Beach is a perfect destination for the adventure-seeker. Those who would rather relax on the beach, however, can choose from a wide variety of establishments that offer both delicious food and unique drinks.
Miramar Beach has the Mandovi River estuary as its neighbor, which flows into the Arabian Sea. The beautiful Fort Aguada may be seen across the beach and the river. Among the sights of Miramar Beach is a statue of the late Dayanand Bandodkar, the first chief minister of Goa. During the winter months, when many migratory birds stop by Miramar, the area becomes a popular destination for birdwatchers.
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