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Best month to visit Goa

Discussion in 'Goa' started by kakka, Oct 26, 2016.

  1. kakka

    kakka New Member

    My family and I are very confused to when the best month to visit Goa is. We were first planning to visit in April. Then we missed the time and after that monsoon arrived. We are now thinking about going in November or December but are not too sure. We are even considering waiting until next year to go in April like our original plan.

    We all want to take part in water sports, go into the sea and also get some good weather and need help in know what month we should go in.
     


  2. briannagodess

    briannagodess Well-Known Member

    Hi there, welcome to the forum!

    Generally, there are three seasons in Goa, namely: winter, summer and monsoon. These seasons offer different activities and landscapes for travellers going to Goa. You have specifically stated your interests, which are swimming, water sports and enjoying the good weather. In a nutshell, the best season for you would be the winter season. Below, I will highlight the differences between these seasons and what type of activities are available during this time:

    Months/Seasons to Visit Goa

    1. Winter Season - The winter season in Goa extends from October to February. Temperatures range between 26°C to 32°C during this season. It is neither too hot nor too cold, which makes it the best season for sightseeing around Goa. Days are usually warm and toasty while nights are a bit cooler and chilly. The water from the beaches are usually calm during this time, perfect for indulging in swimming or even boat trips. Almost all water sports are also available during this time, from parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat riding and water skiing. However, this is also the peak tourist season so do book your hotel well in advance. Hotel rates are higher during this time so a trip to Goa can be very expensive. You have a lot of choices though as most accommodations are open during this season, from luxury hotels, budget hotels and even guest houses. Crowds are also rampant especially around Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Colva and Palolem. But you can still find more secluded beaches, especially in the southern part of Goa. You can also indulge in trekking around the different forest areas of Goa, like the Mollem National Park or bird watching in the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • Best for - Water sports, swimming, sightseeing and trekking.
    2. Summer Season - The summer season is from March to May. Temperatures range between 27°C to 35°C during this season. The winds from the seas add to the cooling effect despite the heat. However, temperatures can also reach the 40°C mark especially during the month of May. The heat coupled with the humidity can be quite difficult to manage, especially if you're not used to the high temperatures. Sightseeing and swimming during day time might prove to be uncomfortable. If you must, do some sightseeing or swimming early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Not all beach shacks and accommodations are open during this time too so that's another downside. The few resorts and hotels, as well as guest houses, that are open have lower rates though as compared to the winter season. Not all water sports are available during this time, except for the likes of knee boarding, wake boarding, paddle boarding, parasailing and fly boarding. But since many resorts are closed, you also cannot find much facilities for these water sports. Usually though, night parties in Baga and Anjuna are still available especially in the most popular clubs.
    • Best for - Saving some money on accommodations.
    3. Monsoon Season - The monsoon season is from June to September. Temperatures remain roughly the same as in summer season but coupled with moderate to heavy rainfalls. Unlike other states, Goa receives much of its rainfall in June, and not in August. The rough seas are not suitable for swimming nor water sports. Most beach shacks and hotels are closed during this time too since not many tourists visit Goa. One activity you can do during this time is white water rafting, either in Mhadei River or Tilari River. The monsoon rains add to the rapids in the river water, which can prove to be a thrilling experience. A few guest houses remain open during this time and you can get great deals from them. If indulging in sightseeing, you're in for a treat as well because the entire region is enveloped in lush greenery. You can try visiting the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary to spot wild animals like Indian bisons and sambars. You can also visit the spice plantations around Ponda during monsoon season. There are also plenty of waterfalls around Goa that become alive during monsoon. Some of the best ones are the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Arvalem Waterfalls and Netravali Waterfalls.
    • Best for - Saving money and enjoying nature.
    So there you go, for you, the best months would have to be from October to February. If you want to avoid the peak tourist season, you can visit during October or November, as these months have pleasant climates yet not as crowded like in the months of December and January. Usually up to March, water sports are available too, so you can also opt to visit from February to March, before the setting in of the heat from the summer season.

    I hope this helps you.:)
     


  3. iamawriter

    iamawriter Member

    Goa has a lush green and fresh look in the rains and is worth experiencing. There is less crowd and hotels offer heavy discounts. The rough and angry seas are worth watching if not swimming in though. There are respites from rain at which time one can take those packages to cover both North and South Goa.