Beaches
of Goa
Chapora
Beach: This is one of the most interesting parts of Goa's coastline, and
a good deal more attractive than Anjuna for either a short or a long stay. 10
km from Mapusa, the old fort of Chapora is more easily accessible from the Vagator
side of the hill. At low tide, one can opt to walk around the bottom of the
headland, via the anchorage, and the secluded inlets beyond it, to big Vagator,
then head up the hill from there. The village has managed to keep the tourism
industry from becoming its chief occupation and keep up the traditional profession
of fishing and boat building alongside the bustling travelers' cafes and restaurants
that line the main street and mainly owned by the Westerners. Nestled away under
a impenetrable canopy of shady trees on the muddy shores on the south of a river
estuary, there is little space and white sands that attract tourists to Calangute
and Colva.
Bus Chapora and Vagator are well connected with Mapusa, Panaji and adjoining
areas. Bus service to and Panaji is a bit less frequent, otherwise the service
is frequent. You can catch the bus at the stand near the road junction in
Chapora village. Taxi service is readiles available to and from Mapusa and
adjoining areas. This another option and an exploratory one. Most of the hotels
and restaurants provides information on renting a motorcycle.
Colva Beach: With 20 km of virgin white sands, palm fringed, and sun
drenched beaches, Colva is the most loved beach of Goans. The oldest and largest
of South Goa's beach resorts, Colva is marked by 'Vaddos', or wards, colonial
style villas and dilapidated fishing huts. The beachfront is studded with concrete
hotels, souvenir stalls and snack bars. Swimming is safer here and away from
the crowded beachfront, one can find clean and soft sands strewn with beautiful
shells. Young package tourists have added new attractions to Colva's nightlife,
the major ones being in the dunes south of the beachfront area, especially,
ones with big MTV satellite screens and floor-smashing music and the late night
watering holes. He dance floors are as popular among the tourists as the cool
breeze and the dancing sea waves on the beach.
Dona Paula:(9 kms from Panaji) takes its name from a viceroy's daughter
who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman.
Dona Paula divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries and provides pleasant views
of Mormugao, the port city of Goa. Due to its proximity to Panaji, Dona Paula
is a popular stop for the sight seeing tours. There are boating facilities for
those who dare to venture in the waters.
The official residence of the Governor of Goa, Known as Cabo Raj Bhavan is situated
on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula. Along the road leading to this place lies
the ruins of the small military cemetery the British built during their brief
occupation of the Cabo, to deter the French from invading Goa
Miramar:(3
kms from Panaji)A lively golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees
facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji.
Pololem Beach: The picture-perfect beach of Palolem has a beautiful crescent
shaped bay fringed with a swaying palm trees. If you drove in from the southern
state of Karnataka and wanted to discover the nearest, reasonably well-known
Goan beach, the chances are that you’d be directed to Palolem. Palolem
is a beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. The little
wooded islands on the northern headland look interesting but as we’ve never
ventured onto any of them we don’t know what landing on them would be like.
If you’re interested, try to persuade one of the fishermen — this
is also a fishing beach in Palolem Goa— to ferry you across. They do offer
to take you out to spot dolphins. Tourists have discovered Palolem and so there
are a few shacks selling seafood snacks, souvenirs and clothes of the shapeless,
bright, informal kind. Panaji, the capital, is more than 70 km away from Palolem
Goa.
Palolem is just 3 km away from Canacona Railway Junction, now on the Konkan
Railway. You can hire taxis and auto-rickshaws to reach Palolem beach from
Margao, 40 km away. There are regular buses from Margao to Palolem that would
drop you at Canacona village.
Vagator:(22 kms from Panaji) is a popular beach dominated by Chapora
Fort to the north, on its imposing headland. To the south of Vagator is Calangute
beach.
Varca Beach: VARCA beach is about 2 kms south of Benaulim Beach in South
Goa. One of the most luxurious and exotic beaches of Goa. The major attractions
around here is the Benaulim Beach, Margao etc. Varca, Cavelossim, and Mabor
are the most beautiful
beaches south of Benaulim The best time to come to this place is from November
To March. One staying in Benaulim, one is bound at some point to visit Varca
the row of beached wooden fishing boats 2-km south of Benaulim belong to its
community of Christian fisher folk, whose palm thatched long houses line the
foot of the grassy dunes. This is one of the most impressive and beautiful beaches
in South Goa. The hotels over here are also equally impressive with fountains
and sweeping ceilings as well as the highest levels of courtesy and service.
As Varca Beach is very close to Benaulim, a traveller who comes to Benaulim
has to visit Varca also. Explore a little to find places which offers you dolphin-watching
and boat trips on River Sal with an ample opportunity to see dolphins swimming
in the seawater.
There are plenty of transportation facilities available to reach these beaches
from Margao. From Cavelossim village, Margao is 18 km away and buses and autos
are available easily. You can also hire taxis from Dabolim Airport (41 –
48 km) to reach the beach resorts here. To move locally, use cycles and scooters
that are available on hire.
Beaches
of Goa
Festivals
of Goa
Churches
of Goa
Baga
Beach 
