The beaches in south Goa extend from Vasco da Gama and Bogmalo to Palolem Beach.
The stretch includes Bogmalo, Velsao, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Betul,
Canaguinim, Agonda and Palolem etc. Apart from Bogmalo which is a bay at the top
South Goa. It’s basically one long beach (about 15 miles), with the beaches
named after the nearest fishing village. This area is commercial and is
dominated by about 15 large hotels spread out at several mile intervals. You can
walk far miles without seeing anybody, try it at sunrise and it will remain in
your mind forever. It offers wonderful food and hospitality of the locals.
BAMBOLIM BEACH
The Bambolim beach is located near Panjim. The beautiful beach has been
converted to a beach resort, called as Bambolim Beach Resort. The resort was
started in 1989 and is one of the prime stay options in Goa. The Bambolim beach
resort has all the excellent facilities of a five star hotel. The beach has
excellent facilities for water sports like surfing, sailing and scuba diving.
The water is very clear and blue. The conditions here are almost lake-like . The
light and steady morning breeze works just right for learners; while stronger
winds that set in during the afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more
experienced surfers. A four-hour high-speed boat ride takes you the world-class
dive site of Angria Bank, 120 miles away from Bambolim Beach Resort. This island
offers an amazing wealth of coral and fishes to the scuba divers.
DONA PAULA BEACH
Dona Paula, is 9 K.M south west of Panaji on the south side of the rocky hammer
shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries. The views from the
top of the peninsula over the Miramar beach and the Mormugao harbor are quite
pleasant enough. Another attraction is the old fishing jetty which shuttles
across the bay to the Mormugao harbor four times a day, this twenty minute ride
is pure fun There are regular buses from Panaji till 9 p.m dropping the
passengers at Institute of Oceanography, where you can usually pick up an
auto-rickshaw into the town. There are lots of water sport activities in this
beach.
BOGMALO BEACH
Bogmalo Beach is much closer to the airport. Here it is easier to swim in the
sea, more protected from the currents and tides by the natural bay. The more
adventurous can try their hand at any number of water sports at the ‘splash’
water sport center. As the day fades into twig light, what better way to end it
then by sipping a local cocktail at a ‘hut’ like ‘Joets’ while watching the sun
setting on the distant horizon.
Seven kilometers from north of Colva is Utorda, idyllic strip of palm-ringed
shore. Towards the north is Arrosim and towards the south is Majorda Beach. The
entire long stretch of beach is lovely and peaceful.
VELSOA BEACH
Velsoa Beach with the Bogmalo Beach on the north and the Majorda and the Colva
Beach on the south the Velsoa Beach is by for the quietest beach with several
small hamlets inland. Beach shacks are rare and it is very beautiful and
unspoilt. The Velsoa area is ideal for a very quiet, relaxing holiday.
AROSSIM BEACH
Arossim Beach and Uttorda Beach is just south of Velsoa, are also very quiet and
signify the start of the beautiful continuous beach that finishes 15 miles away
by the River Sal. The beach here is wide, beautifully white sandy and extremely
picturesque. The new Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa is located on this stretch,
followed a little further down by the Kenilworth Hotel with about six shads on
the beach, well worth a visit.
MAJORDA BEACH
Majorda beach is one of the most famous of the southern beaches. Today, Majorda,
and a part of Colva and Benaulim beaches, have been replaced by plush hotels,
restaurants, shops and discos. But the beaches are still very beautiful, and
once you get out of the main hangout patches, you are without doubt in a
tranquill, tropical Xanadu. Seafood in one of the several beach shacks on
Benaulim can be a very pleasant experience.
BETALBATIM BEACH
Betalbatim Beach is ideal for independent traveler. You will find yourself in a
pleasantly congestion free, traditional beach belt, which will appeal greatly to
anyone seeking peace and total relaxation. This beach is directly north of Colva;
an approximately 15 minutes walk and dominated by the Nanu Resort.
Colva Beach is quite a busy beach; midway along the stretch of a beach that
bears its name is about eight km west of Margao. It has grown into the biggest
village on the southern coast and is the hub of a string of hotels and
restaurants. The elite of Margoa once used the beach as a summer retreat just
before the monsoons. Beautiful sands, swaying palms and blue waters, it’s worth
visiting early mornings when its is tranquil all around. Probably best to go a
week day if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle. ‘Rohit’s Punjabi Rasoi’
servers consistently good food although it doesn’t look much from the outside.
SERNABATIN BEACH
Sernabatin Beach is a continuous of Colva beach heading south towards Benaulim.
The sand dunes are much higher here and the waves seem to break further out,
making swimming easier. This beach is walking distance from Colva and Benaulim.
It’s a quieter section of beach and the sunset is spectacular. There is nothing
nicer than sitting in beach shacks on the dunes downing a beer (or two), or new
on the menu is an orange, lime or cranberry Bacardi Breeze.
BENAULIM BEACH
Benaulim Beach can be identified when you spot ‘Johncy’s’ and a car park
signifies the end of the beach road leading from the “Royal Palms”. Benaulim
village, immediately south of Colva, is land marked by the hilltop church of St.
John Baptist, which stands above the village about one km inland from the beach.
According to the myth of Parasurama on the creation of Goa, this is where the
arrow fell.
CAVELOSSIM BEACH
Cavelossim Beach has become very popular for the last few years. The only hotel
in this area is “The Leela Palace”. Now the “Holiday Inn”, “The Old Anchor” and
“Don Sylvia”. Today, many accommodation have been built and the area has
developed into a village with lots of shops, bars and restaurants.
MOBAR BEACH
Mobor Beach is the last section of the beach, separated from the next stretch by
the River Sal as it meets the Arabian Sea. The beach is wide, the yellow, and
there are beach shacks for sustenance. A group of 4 hotels are located here
including the ‘Holiday Inn’, And it is a walkable distance (Quicker by beach)
from Mobor into Cavelossim. This area attracts lots of dolphins and most of the
trips taking holidaymakers to spot then set off from here. This area is
stunningly beautiful and should be high on your agenda of places to visit.
VERCA BEACH
Verca Beach One of the most luxurious and exotic beaches of Goa, Verca is 4 km
south of Benaulim. The cushion soft white sands and the black lava rocks are
much cleaner and offer much more solitude and peace than most of the renowned
beaches of Goa. Explore a little to find places which offer you dolphin-watching
and boat trips on the River Sal, with an ample opportunity to see dolphins
swimming in the seawater. The beaches are quite clean, and all in all, a
relatively peaceful getaway.
CANACONA’S BEACHES
Canacona’s beaches – a series of crescent – shopped sweeps of sand separated by
headlands and backed by hills one heavenly, superb, untouched beaches and tiny
fishing villages attracts only the most determined Traveller. The hills, given
to the Catigao wildlife Sanctuary are one of Goa’s great escapes and
dramatically different from the pastoral scenes of the central provinces. If you
are in search of the ultimate beach experience Canacona will live up to your
expectations of complete peace, relaxations and exotic beauty.
AGONDA BEACH
Agonda Beach is another relaxing find of great beauty. Dominated by cliffs and
the Portuguese Cabo de Rama Fort is the little village of Agonda lying on the
stretches of South Goa costal line. This beach here is simply gorgeous and
totally unspoilt
PALOLEM BEACH
Palolem Beach is also known as “paradise Beach” and is very picturesque. About a
mile long, the beach curves to an island-like promontory with coconut palms
bordering the sand. Palolem just a few years ago was very quiet but it has
changed. There are now hundreds of shacks, shops bars and small accommodation
and although this beach was earlier known as idyllic and peaceful, it is
livelier than we have ever seen it before. The party scene has definitely found
Palolem, it is popular, full of life, people and music.
The beaches in south Goa extend from Vasco da Gama and Bogmalo to Palolem Beach.
The stretch includes Bogmalo, Velsao, Majorda, Colva, Benaulim, Betul,
Canaguinim, Agonda and Palolem etc. Apart from Bogmalo which is a bay at the top
South Goa. It’s basically one long beach (about 15 miles), with the beaches
named after the nearest fishing village. This area is commercial and is
dominated by about 15 large hotels spread out at several mile intervals. You can
walk far miles without seeing anybody, try it at sunrise and it will remain in
your mind forever. It offers wonderful food and hospitality of the locals.
Majorda beach is one of the most famous of the southern beaches. Today, Majorda,
and a part of Colva and Benaulim beaches, have been replaced by plush hotels,
restaurants, shops and discos. But the beaches are still very beautiful, and
once you get out of the main hangout patches, you are without doubt in a
tranquill, tropical Xanadu. Seafood in one of the several beach shacks on
Benaulim can be a very pleasant experience.