Goa often called as 'the pearl of the east', is known for its gothic churches, palm fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. Of the 80 miles of coast line in the Indian State of Goa, over 50 miles of it is beach. In fact many people think of Goa as synonymous with beaches, sun and golden sand, food, wine and old churches. The state of Goa in India, was a Portuguese colony until 1962, and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture. Goa's beaches reflect its colorful mosaic of history.

Beaches of Goa

Palolem is Goa's southernmost beach, about 35 miles south of the capital city, Panaji. The beach is white sand on a blue bay hemmed in by two headlands. Locals will offer to take you out in small boats at watch the dolphins. Palolem pops up, as a favourite beach destination in Goa because its crescent shaped bay lined with a swaying curtain of coconut palms, is irresistibly photogenic. From accommodation point of view, there are beautiful beach huts and family room to choose from in Palolem.

Agonda Beach is just north of Palolem. It is edged by palms and casuarinas, a large hill sits to the south. You'll find no shops or facilities here.

Mabor Beach is nearby - one of South Goa's most clean and beautiful beaches.

Colva Beach is another broad, beautiful stretch of sand north of Palolem and Mabor beaches. It's nothing short of paradise, with 40 Km of uninterrupted white sand fringed with coconut palms along the whole of its length and a warm, calm sea. Go a little way in either direction from Colva village and you will find the nearest thing to a deserted beach. A brook bubbles across it and the beach is sheltered by palm trees. It is a popular beach, with shops, restaurants, and something of a carnival atmosphere. It is a place where vacationing Indians come to lay in the sun and sand while their children dog-paddle around in the waves.

Bogmolo Beach, is amongst the safest beaches for swimming south of Panaji. It was among the first of Goa's beaches to be discovered by tourists. Fishermen also work the beach. Palms are plentiful. Bogmolo Beach, when compared with Calangute Or Colva, Bogmalo still seems a small-scale beach resort, still there's something about seclusion that one finds over here that makes one visit this beach area every time one visit's Goa. Beside this beach site is a reasonably safer site for swimming and have quite good eating joints and shopping options in Goa.

Miramar Beach, Inside the Goan capital is only about 3 kms from the center of the city. The beach lies on the way to Dona Paula, 1-km ahead of the confluence of the Arabian Sea and Mandvi River The beach is popular with the public, but it is not really considered safe for swimmers. It is a lovely golden beach of soft sand griddled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea.

Benavali Beach - A tiny, relaxed resort a few miles South. It has a handful of budget hotels, excellent seafood restaurants& a verdant village inland

Varca Beach is the next south Goa’s pricey paradise, Varka continuing into Kavlesi (Cavelossim) also known as Leela Beach. If one is staying in Benaulim, one is bound at some point to visit Varca. Do check out the row of beached wooden fishing boats 2-km south of Benaulim that belong to its community of Christian fisher folk, whose palm thatched long houses line the foot of the grassy dunes.

Benaulim Beach lies in the centre of Colva Beach, 7-km west of Margao. As this place is a like a large fishing joint tourists can easily become gourmets and try out various culinary delights of the seafood. Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming, being generally jellyfish-free, while the village area near beach side itself boasts a few serviceable bars and restaurants, serving the most succulent, competitively priced seafood in Goa.

Dona Paula Beach near Panaji is a land of water scooters and speedboats. Here two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagao Harbour. 7-km from Panjim, nestled on the south side of the rocky, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, this former fishing village and today's commercialized beach resort makes an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe. Dona Paula beach resort is a boating paradise, with speedboats and pedaloes for hire. Water Scootering facilities are available here.

Calangute Beach is located not far north of Panaji. A mere 45 minute bus ride up the coast from Panjim will take you Calangute, Goa's busiest and most commercialized resort, and the flagship of the state government's bid for a bigger slice of India's package-tourist pie. This was the first of the hippie resorts back in the 60's and 70's. The hippies left, though, when mainstream tourism over ran Calangute. It is small, crowded resorts area today and does a thriving business in the holiday season. Despite the crowds and popularity of the beach, it is long enough to allow some privacy.

Anjuna Beach is located further north of the Calungate Beach, 8-km west of Mapusa. It was once the most celebrated of Goa's beaches.

Baga Beach is just the place for you. 10-km west of Mapusa, Baga is basically an extension of Calangute; even the locals are unable to decide where ends and the other begin. Lying in the lee of a rocky, wooded headland, the only difference between this far northern end of the beach with the rest is that this Goa beach is marginally more varied and picturesque.

Vagator Beach is situated not far from Anjuna Beach. Barely a couple of kilometres of cliff tops and parched grassland separate Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest neighbour, Vagator. Steep slopes of run down into a picturesque bay protected by small rocky peninsulas on each end.

Chapora Beach is crouched in the shadow of a Portuguese fort on the opposite, northern side of the headland from Vagator, Chapora, 10-km from Mapusa, is a lot busier than most north coast villages.

Arambol Beach (50 Km) - A unique beach in the North Goa, it is both rocky & sandy beach & much sought after by foreign tourists. It has a sweet water tank right on the shore.

FYI: Swimming is hazardous throughout Goa. The coast has some strong undercurrents. Speak to the lifeguards before you go out into the waters.

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