G.B. International ::- India Tours ::- Goa
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NORTH GOA BEACHES
Goa, although a small state, has
incredible variety of beaches, and each area has its particular character. The
beaches of North Goa are charming, attractive and bubbling with life. The North
Goa beaches are the main beach attraction in Goa. The beach activities here
involve adventure sports, rave parties, shopping bazaars, carnivals, and many
other activities. Considered to be main tourist attraction, the North Goon
Beaches can be said to be the finest beaches in India. The coastline of North
Goa starts from Fort Aguada and extends up to Rambo, consisting of a 30 km
stretch of beautiful beaches. The beaches starting from Fort Aguada are:
Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, Morjim and
Arambol etc. There’s a beach in Goa that is just right for you
CALANGUTE BEACH QUEEN OF BEACHES
Goa Calangute beach is also called the 'Queen of Beaches' because the beauty you
find there in Goa cannot be found elsewhere. Under the shade of palm trees,
bathes the Queen of Beaches-Calangute. Goa's Calangute seems to be a distortion
of the local vernacular word-'Koli-gutti', which means land of fishermen. Some
people connect it with Kalyangutti (village of art) or Konvallo-ghott (strong
pit of the coconut tree) because the village is full of coconut trees. With the
coming of the Portuguese, the word probably got distorted to Calangute, and has
stuck till today. In a green semi-circle, the villages of Arpora-Nagoa, Saligao
and Candolim enhance the divine beauty of Calangute. There are picturesque agors
(saltpans) at Agarvaddo, Maddavaddo is full of madd (coconut trees), Dongorpur
skirts a bottle-green hillock and Tivaivaddo laces the beach. In Gauravaddo
lived the gaudds or milkmen ran dairies.
BAGA BEACH GOA
Baga Beach to start with was a fishing village at the northern end of Calangute
and has now become one of the most popular party destinations in the world. 10
K.M west of Mapusa it is basically an extension of Calangute. Lying in the
rocky, wooded headland, the only real difference between the two is that the
scenery here is little more varied and picturesque. A small river flows in the
sea at the top of the village. Most of the action revolves around the sandy
square and the bus park close to the river mouth, below a broad spur of white
sand. Baga has developed more rapidly than anywhere else in the state and now
the main road running across the village is lined with gaudily lit bars,
tandoori terrace and handicraft shops. Popular spots in Baga for the tourist to
visit is the flea market, held here on Saturday on the headland beyond the box
bridge from around 4 p.m and lasts till 11 pm. All the usual handicrafts,
jewellery and snacks stalls are to be found and there's temporary stage for the
visiting local musicians. Baga's nightlife is the liveliest in Goa. Here you
will find the perfect blend of Western and Goan culture.
SINQUERIM BEACH GOA
The first tourist beach of North Goa is also the site of Aguada Fort, one of the
best preserved Portuguese coastal forts. West of Reis Magos, a long laterite
Peninsula extends into the sea thus drawing the end for the seven kilometers
long Calangute beach. Fort Aguada which crowns the rocky flattened top of the
green headland is the largest and best preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa.
Built in 1962 to guard the northern shores of the Mandovi estuary from the
attack by Dutch and Maratha raiders, its name derives from the presence inside
of freshwater springs-the first source of clear drinking water available to the
ships arriving in Goa after long sea voyage from Lisbon. Now it is largest
prison in Goa's.
CANDOLIM BEACH GOA
Candolim Beach is the longest and quietest part of this northern stretch.
Candolim at the far southern end of Colangute beach is a surprisingly sedated
resort. Now with the increase in tourism the beach has been slightly affected,
to some for the best, to others for the detriment. To the south of Candolim,
Aguada Fort, which crowns the rocky flattened top of the headland, is the best
preserved Portuguese bastion in Goa. On the north side of the fort, a rampart of
red-brown laterite juts into the bay to from a jetty between two small sandy
coves. This picturesque spot is Sinquerim Beach.
COCO BEACH
Coco Beach is at the estuary of the Mandovi River just over the headland from
Candolim and Sinquerim beaches. Most of the visitors to Coco Beach have been
there on numerous occasions and love it. The water is shallow and although the
sand is grayish, the swimming is superb. At the far end of the beach is a Goan
fishing village that has been there for generations. The dug out canoes with
their painted bright colours of green and yellow are like beached whales on the
shore.
TRACOL BEACH
Tiracol Beach is at the very north of Goa, reached by crossing the Tiracol
River. You can cross on an ancient Goan ferry with trucks, motorbicks,
3-wheeler.The Tiracol fort was captured by the Portuguese in 1776 and from the
battlements you can look across to Querim Beach. Tiracol is unspoilt, stunningly
beautiful and ideal for bird watchers or anyone looking for a totally secluded
beach.
QUARIM BEACH
Quarim Beach is at least three miles long. In the evening at 4 pm one can
fascinated to see the fishermen in the estuary in their canoes. The canoes are
dug out of jackfruit trees or teak and are handed down through the generations.
The estuary is a haven for bird-life; you can see three birds of kingfisher,
brown eagles and an endless list of wading birds. Quarim is remote and beautiful
and an ornithologist’s paradise.
ANJUNA BEACH
A favorite haunt of the backpackers in Goa, Anjuna beach is the most popular
joint for tourists to visit. The beach is known for its Wednesday Flea Market.
It is also famous for the beach sports, parties, and shacks. Anjuna beach, there
is the magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920, the Mascarenhas Mansion
and the Chapora Fort, for a tourist to visit. The Mascarenhas Mansion is an
architectural delight with rich and classic balconies. It has some of the finest
stained glass floral etchings. The Chapora Fort gives a splendid view of the
nearby Anjuna and Vagator beaches. The fort has been well preserved except for a
few interesting ruins. Once, it was a domain of the Muslim rulers before the
Portuguese wrested it.
VAGATOR BEACH GOA
It consists of 2 km cliff tops and parched grassland and separate Anjuna from
the southern fringes of its nearest neighbor, Vagator. Dominated by the red
ramparts of Chapora fort, Vagator's broad white sandy beach known as Big Vagator
is no doubt beautiful. Next it is better to proceed towards south. Backed by a
steep wall is Little Vagator beach is more secluded and much less accessible
than either of its neighbor. At the southern end of the beach, a row of
makeshift cafes provides shade and sustenance for the predominantly Israeli
crowd. Nearby, a sculpted Shiva face stares contemplatively out of a rock, and a
fresh water spring trickles through a lush tangle of vegetation into a shady
pool at the foot of the cliff which is ideal for washing off the salt after
swimming. Like Anjuna, Vagator is relaxed, undeveloped resort that appeals to
the travelers on tight budget.
MANDREM BEACH
Mandrem beach is the most beautiful and unspoilt of the northern beaches. It’s
at least three miles long. Walk down the beach and have a look at the Goan
fishing canoes, beautifully termed as Gracey. There, beauties come alive at
around 4pm to take their master for another night’s fishing. Try and visit
Mandrem….the sand stretches for as far as the eye can see…it’s beautiful and
unspoilt..
ARAMBOL BEACH
Arambol Beach is a popular retreat for foreigners and many stay in basic
accommodation here for months on end. Arambol has a very busy little community
and pathway down to the sandy beach is lined by many stalls with ethnic
clothing, bedspreads and jewelry in bold and beautiful colors. The beach itself
is split in two, one larger bay which you stop onto initially with approx. 25
eating places, huts to sleep in , and a few sun beds and umbrellas. It’s well
worth the walk to find many more eating places and a more secluded beach which
hosts the landing of Para glider and is backed by the “sweet” freshwater lake.
AVSEM BEACH
Vase Beach can be approached as you turn off the main road, through the winding
villagelanes bordered by beautiful Hindu temples. As you go along one can pass
the villagers with their water buffaloes, some of these buffaloes with red
painted horns that must have had some significance but one is not sure what it
is. ? It’s sheltered by the hillside and shaded by coconut trees. It consisted
of 16 beach huts on bamboo stills with
coconut palm roofs. This is the sort of place that travelers visit and spend the
whole vacation
MORGIM BEACH
Megrim Beach is special in that
it provides the breeding ground for turtles. Signposts show it as a Government
protected habitat and eco tourism area. On arrival, the names of the shacks as
you approach the beach appear to be somewhat familiar. With names like ‘Harry
Rams den’s’, ‘Hard Rock café’ and ‘Planet Hollywood’, it is quite amusing and is
difficult to decide which one to go into, especially as they are right next door
to each other! This beach is well stretched and once away from the shacks, is
perfect for a long walk with almost guaranteed solitude.