Beaches

‘Spectacular’ is the word that immediately comes to mind when you think of Goa’s beaches. Its long coastline harbors more than fifty beaches – sun-kissed, sand-carpeted, wave- and palm-grove fringed.

For the festive throb of the beaches, head to North Goa. Here, apart from the natural beach attractions, are water sports, late night parties, beach shacks, cafes, clubs, shops, pubs, bars and eateries. Siquerim beach stands out for the imposing Portuguese Fort Aguada and the Sunburn Music Festival (among the world’s top ten festivals) in December; Candolim, apart from its touristic ambience has many sand dunes and lagoons. Further on is beautiful but crowded and fun-loving Calangute with, right next to it, Baga beach, the nightlife capital of India, thrumming to the pulse of late night discos and pubs.

Anjuna’s weekly Flea market is world famous for its great bargains or just for hanging out while the twin beaches of Little Vagator and Big Vagator right next door come with their lofty cliffs, fresh water streams and well developed ambience (though this is not apparent at first look). Among a few others, don’t miss one of Goa’s most beautiful seaside havens at Arambol with its fresh water lake and its sense of spaciousness.

If peace and quiet is what you’re seeking, head down to South Goa. Here are Palolem (where Hollywood’s Matt Damon as Jason Bourne in the 2004 movie, The Bourne Supremacy, temporarily took refuge!) with its lofty headlands, crescent shape and natural bay. Palolem beach, 27 kilometers away, is ideal for a quiet holiday and one of Goa’s quietest beaches and well known for its exotic seafood. Nice, beautiful and clean (but expensive-to-stay-overnight) Rajbagh beach. The kilometer long Talpona beach guards the mouth of the Talponariver. The sea here is quiet, calm, clean and crystal clear!