30 Best Beaches of Goa, You Can’t Miss

September

28

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Goa is the place where you can find both- the party spot and the tranquility at the same place. Neatly tucked into the Western shore of India, Goa shorelines are popular among the people around the world. Soak in the amazing beauty of the region, walk through the sandy beach and watch the sunset with your beloved enjoy the colorful hue. And at night, you will be surprised what these scenic beaches have to offer to you.

 

1. Ashwem Beach

Located about 30km away from the capital city of Panaji and about 19km away from Calangute, Ashwem Beach is one of the most popular tourist spots in North Goa. The beach offers delightful ocean vistas fringed by the green fronds of the sway coconut palms that pepper the shore to enjoy a quiet vacation soaking up the sun, sand, and surf. 

The Ayurvedic massages in this area are known to be a very high quality and technique. Although there are no water sports and other adventure activities available here, if you’re looking for a peaceful day at the beach, surrounded by scenic beauty then Ashwem is the place for you.


 

2. Galgibaga Beach/ Turtle Beach

 

54km away from Margao, the cultural capital of Goa, the beach is located in the deep south of Goa, on the banks of the Galgibag river. 

The quiet Galgibaga beach is South Goa is perhaps one of few hidden treasures that Goa has left. It is also known a Turtle beach as the northern portion of this beach is protected as the turtles nesting grounds. 

Since Galgibaga is one of the least frequented beaches in the South of Goa, there are no beach shacks.

The seas in the area are known to be quite rough and not always safe to swim in so be safe you are planning a dip.

 

3. Patnem beach

 

40km away from Margao, Patnem beach is located in the South of Goa, near the more famous Palolem beach. It is one of the quietest and most secluded beaches of South Goa and is known for its peacefulness and beauty as well as the succulent seafood that is available in the area.

There are a number of Goan beach shacks known for their delicious seafood delicacies and authentic Goan cuisines.



4. Bambolim Beach

 

Located near the little seaside town of Bambolim which is about 7km from Panaji, the capital city of Goa, this peaceful little beach is a haven for those who want to enjoy the sand and surf without the crowds.

The Bambolim beach is not cluttered with vendors and shacks lining the shore cheek, instead, it is a stretch of golden sand interspersed with rocky outcroppings, swathes of swaying coconut palms, which provide a cool and shady place to relax, and of course boarded by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea.

 

5. Calangute

 

Located 15 km from Panaji, Calangute is called the ‘Queen of Beaches’. Calangute is the most popular beach with thousands thronging it in both the peak and off-season. All the travel agencies and tour operators have a base here from where bookings are done for most of the other beaches and The village of Calangute has all basic facilities like banks, post office, foreign exchange offices, resort companies, all kind of bars and restaurants, besides medical facilities. 

You can buy exquisite handicrafts from Kashmir, Tibet, Indonesia, Rajasthan and other exotic places and can enjoy parasailing here.

 

6. Baga beach

 

The Baga beach starts where the Calangute beach ends and is quieter and also more isolated, compared to Calangute. The Retreat House, the Creek, perched on the hill, and fewer tourists, all contribute to its unique beauty. Baga is known as a beach for rocking nightlife in Goa marked by places like Tito’s and Mambo’s café and a night time stroll by Baga can get pretty great.

Enjoy the thrill of extreme water sports or go fishing in the sea, speed boating is a definite must try, so is the Bumpy Ride.

 

7. Vagator Beach

 

Situated on the Caisua bay along the Chapora river basin in the shadow of Chapora Fort, adjoining Anjuna, Vagator is secluded and is the most photographed beach in Goa.

This beautiful arc of sand is located about 22 km from Panaji and is a favorite venue for midnight parties.

8. Anjuna Beach

 

18 km from Panaji, the village of Anjuna is nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Hill overlooking the beach.

Anjuna beach is known for its soft sand, breeze-catching palms, and the unusual rock formation overlying a cover of whitish sand and black rock that juts into the sea.

It is now famous for its weekly Flea Market where bargains can be had on apparel, footwear, jewelry, footwear, chess sets and yak cheese.

 

9. Sinquerim Beach

 

13 km from Panaji, the uninterrupted stretch of firm sand will help you experience a temptingly long walk along the beach. Sinquerim is one of the finest beaches in Goa, and you can enjoy international class facilities for water-skiing, parasailing, fishing, scuba-diving, and windsurfing.

Keep your camera close by as you cruise to Sinquerim beach in North Goa and look out for playful dolphins and other aquatic creatures. 

There is a magnificent 17th-century fort which has now been converted into a prison.

 

10. Candolim Beach

 

13 km from Panaji, Candolim is the nearest beach to the city of Panaji and is a gateway to the other more famous beaches. This beach is one of the lovely sandy shores in Goa amongst north Goa beaches. Despite the visitor traffic, the Candolim beach is clean. You can enjoy water sports like parasailing; catamaran sailing, jet-skiing, banana rides.

You can visit the Aguada Fort which is a Portuguese fort built to resist invasions from the Dutch and Maratha warriors.

11. Aguada Beach

 

The Aguada Beach is arranged in North Goa. You will see a lot of tourist rushing towards Aguada Beach, Goa to get the stunning perspective that the well known Fort Aguada offers of the ocean and the shoreline. Apart from the Fort there are various lovely churches that you can visit. Feel the thrill as you reach the top of the lighthouse from where you can witness the whole place from a different angle. You will get a great perspective of the brilliant view of the golden beaches running exactly up to the boundaries of the Indian state of Maharashtra.

 

12. Morjim Beach

 

This is the favorite beach of Russian tourists and you can find signboards and menu cards in Russian! This place is also colloquially called ‘Little Russia’. The beach is blessed with scenery and greenness and is famous for the Olive Ridley turtles that come to nest here helped by a group of volunteers who guard the nests and help the hatchlings get into the sea.

 

13. Arambol Beach

 

Located 50 kilometres from Panaji, Arambol beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. From being a fisherman village to a tourist destination, the Arambol beach has a distinct look and feel to it. Arambol thrives with a music scene like no other and you might witness Gypsie-Fusion bands performing in an open-air ambiance at the beach. People come here to participate in meditation and yoga classes as well.

14. Miramar Beach

 

Located 3 km from Panaji, adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian Sea you will find this beautiful ‘urban’ beach. Originally it was named as Gasper Dias Beach’ after Gaspar Dias, a prosperous landlord and where a Portuguese fort once stood at the fag end of the 16th century.

It is also a hot spot for fitness freaks and walkers. A memorial to Goa’s first chief minister, the late Dayanand Bandodkar is also located here.

 

15. Palolem Beach

 

70 km away from Panaji, the late discovered Palolem has a few shacks selling seafood snacks, souvenirs, and clothes of the bright, informal kind. This is also a fishing beach and you could try and persuade one of the fishermen who also offer to take you out to spot dolphins. Palolem is also famous for its ‘Silent Noise’ parties which mean wearing your own set of earphones, you can dance away to different genres of music played by versatile DJs.

 

16. Agonda Beach

 

If you are looking to get away from the crowd and want to relax and spend some time alone, then Agonda Beach is perfect for you. You can stay in a simple hut right on the beach, and enjoy the stillness and nature. 

You can visit the Fort Cabo de Rama which is named after Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. According to the local belief, Rama stayed here with his wife Sita during the period of his 12-year exile.

 


17. Varca, Cavelossim and Mobor

 

The trio of the most beautiful beaches of south Goa is much cleaner and quieter than most of the other more famous beaches of Goa. You will find many beach shacks offering a variety of seafood and Goan dishes. There are also facilities for Dolphin watching up the River Sal.

18. Betalbatim Beach

 

31 km south of Panaji, Betalbatim Beach is the combination of the golden sand and the greenery which makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa. The beach is called the Sunset beach as it offers the most stunning sunset. You can also go for dolphin spotting or just watch the fishermen pull out their fresh catch. You can also visit the famous church of St Thomas.

 

19. Colva Beach

 

39 km from the capital Panaji, with 20 km of virgin white sands, palm fringed, sun drenched beaches, Colva is one of the most loved beaches in Goa. It is famous for the oldest and longest beach in Goa. The Church of Our Lady Of Mercy in Colva is famous for its miracle statue of Menino Jesus. 

The village is well developed with plenty of budget hotels, beach shacks, food stalls, and small restaurants and bars.

 

20. Majorda Beach

 

This small stretch is filled with several hotels and the most important being the Majorda Beach Resort. Majorda is the village where the Jesuits, discovered the best Goan toddy and thus Majorda is the place where the Goans were first trained in the delicate art of baking European bread which makes them Goa’s best bakers.

There is also some belief that Lord Rama was kidnapped as a child and brought up at Majorda.

 

21. Dona Paul Beach

 

Dona Paula shoreline was named after the Portuguese Viceroy’s little girl Dona Paula de Menezes. This youthful, young lady became hopelessly enamored with a Goan fisherman. Obviously, this match was inadmissible to the Viceroy who disallowed his little girl Dona Paula to meet her young sweetheart again. It was said that his daughter committed suicide and in her memory the Viceroy named the beach after her. Dona Paula is known for the fashionable residence of the rich and famous of Panjim.

you should visit the remains of the Cabo Fort, raised in 1540. The Cabo Raj Niwas is a standout amongst the richest governor’s residences in the entire of Goa.

 

22. Querim Beach

 

Querim Beach also called Keri shoreline is a sunny haven of sand, ocean, and tranquility in the northern piece of Goa. There are also a lot of temples, old forts and notable Goan houses which you should definitely explore during your vacation in Goa. Touch base at dawn to take photographs of the shoreline on the practically forsook shoreline. Stroll along the 2 kilometers of tranquil shoreline and sit down under the pine trees to recover in the shade. After a refreshing splash in the rolling waves, find a tranquil setting for sunbathing.

 

23. Chapora Beach

 

Bowed in the outline of a Portuguese fort Chapora Beach is located on the northern side of the Vagator, which is at the distance of 10 km from Mapusa. It’s outstanding amongst other shorelines of Goa that touches a harmony in the core of visitors with its white sandy unfurl, dark basalt, sapphire field, and palms. The beach is also famous as the most isolated and quiet shoreline in Goa, which brings bunches of shacks and resturants all around.  

 

24. Mandrem Beach

 

Among the best beaches in North Goa, Mandrem Beach is another beach which will definitely make your evening special. Mandrem Beach is known for fine Goan feni and master stone carvers. The white sand shoreline of Mandrem lies between the twin shorelines of Ashwem and Arambol. The magnificence of Mandrem Beach is particularly amid the High Tide time when the ocean water hurries into the Mandrem Creek or River. This Mandrem river moves parallel to the waterline.

 

25. Hollant Beach

 

7 km away from Vasco city and 31 km south of Panaji, Hollant beach is one of the hidden gems of Goa. The shallow water draft of this beach makes it safe for swimming. It is usually less crowded and is very clean. There is a small path from the beach that will take you to the nearby Cansaulim Beach.

26. Bogmalo Beach

 

It is a favorite among the elite classes and has an air of exclusivity as it is just 4 km away from the Dabolim airport. This beach is cut apart from both the North and South beach circuit. 

The main water sport on this beach are Windsurfing and water skiing.

 

27. Benaulim Beach

 

Benaulim Beach is in the south of Colva Beach, but there’s a huge difference between the two. The beach is known for its fishing industry. You won’t find any wild parties there, but water sports and dolphin sightseeing trips are on offer. Head a bit further south down the beach and the quietness will be restored.

The Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill beyond the village and worth a visit. On the arrival of the monsoon, the Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as thanksgiving.

28. Betul Beach

 

Blessed with natural beauty, Betul beach is among the best beaches in the state. the beach has silvery white sand and is surprisingly unknown to the world and is remains deserted.

Near this beach is the hill of Cabo De Rama where the Portuguese built a Fort and from here a beautiful view of sunset can be seen.

 

29. Colomb Beach

 

Colomb lies towards the South end of Palolem and you could just walk there. There’s small climb up a few rocks and you get a magnificent view of Palolem.

 

30. Talpona Beach

 

As you move South, you’ll see a decrease in the number of people frequenting the beaches. But that’s the beauty of it. Talpona is more of a beach which you can ride past and marvel at, than sitting and having beers. It just has one open restaurant with limited snacks and beer.

 

I hope you find this list useful. Please comment and tell us how you like it.

About the author, Liya James

Hi, I am Liya!! I first traveled the globe when I was four months old when we immigrated to the United States from Indonesia, and I have been roaming the world every chance I get ever since. I've been to 15 countries and counting. I am passionate about experiencing new cultures and sharing my adventures with others. I believe that travel is the best education, and I am excited to continue learning and sharing these adventures with you.

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