Hello,
@Shilpa! Welcome to the forum!
There are 52 beaches in Goa in total. These beaches can be divided into two sides: the North Goa beaches and the South Goa beaches. In essence, the beaches in North Goa are more commercialised and thus, has more crowds. The good thing about them though is that they have lots of accommodation options, ranging from cheap to expensive. The beaches in South Goa are less commercialised and thus, more secluded. Although these beaches are better in terms of cleanliness, accommodation options are more expensive and has less variety.
Beaches in North Goa
- Pernem - Arambol Beach, Ashvem Beach, Kalacha Beach, Mandrem Beach, Morjim Beach and Querim Beach.
- Bardez - Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Candolim Beach, Chapora Beach, Coco Beach, Kegdole Beach, Ozran Beach, Sinquerim Beach and Vagator Beach.
- Tiswadi - Bambolim Beach, Caranzalem Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Miramar Beach, Siridao Beach and Vainguinim Beach.
Beaches in South Goa
- Mormugao - Baina Beach, Bogmalo Beach, Cansaulim Beach, Grandmother's Hole Beach, Hansa Beach, Hollant Beach and Velsao Beach.
- Salcette - Arossim Beach, Benaulim Beach, Betalbatim Beach, Betul Beach, Cavelossim Beach, Colva Beach, Majorda Beach, Mobor Beach, Sernabatim Beach, Utorda Beach and Varca Beach.
- Canacona - Agonda Beach, Cabo De Rama Beach, Canaiguinim Beach, Cola Beach, Dharvalem Beach, Galgibag Beach, Kakolem Beach, Palolem Beach, Patnem Beach, Polem Beach, Rajbag Beach and Talpona Beach.
The northernmost beach of Goa is Querim Beach, which is in Pernem. The southernmost beach of Goa is Polem, which is in Canacona.
In
North Goa, here are my
top five beaches that you must visit:
1. Ashvem Beach - This is the fourth to the last beach in the northernmost part of Goa. The sands here are powdery white, although there are some rocky parts in the shores. The water is crystal clear, especially if you compare it to the more popular beaches of Baga and Calangute. Because of its location, the beach does not see a surge of tourists which is why I recommend it. It's practically a virgin beach, untouched by commercialism. The waves aren't that high as well so you can enjoy swimming in the water. There are some resorts near the beach but make sure you book in advance especially during peak tourist season. In case they are all fully booked, you can opt for the guest houses or home stays which are quite many within the beach. There are also a few beach shacks from the beach, selling mostly fresh seafood dishes. Water sports are not available here though.
2. Morjim Beach - This beach is famous because this is one of the nesting grounds for the Olive Ridley turtles. The beach has soft, dark, almost black, sands but very clean water. The water is shallow enough to be enjoyed. There are probably two to three beach shacks near the shores which serve delicious local cuisines. The only water sport you can do here is surfing, if you have the equipment for it. Otherwise, it's a fairly quiet and secluded beach, away from the noise of the other beaches. There are many luxury resorts and hotels nearby the beach. But there are also budget accommodations here.
3. Dona Paula Beach - This beach is in Panaji, on the confluence of the Zuari River and the Mandori River. There's a statue on the cliff near the beach, which is dedicated to Dona and Paulo. According to local stories, Dona and Paulo were lovers of different castes and nationalities. Thus, their love was a forbidden one, hence they committed suicide at the cliff to finally be together. But more than this story, this rocky shored beach attracts tourists because of the lovely views from the hillock located here. Sunsets are best viewed from here. Water sports like parasailing, jet skiing and windsurfing can also be done here. Outside the beach, you can explore the nearby churches and Portuguese structures in Panaji. There are a number of luxury resorts and hotels within the beach. There are also guest houses, beach huts and home stays for the budget conscious.
4. Coco Beach - This beach is located next to the mouth of Nerul River. The main attraction of this beach is the boat rides that take you around the islands, landmarks and take you deeper into the sea to view the dolphins. The boat tours you around the Aguada Fort, Central Prison and Palace of Jimmy Gazdar. Dolphin sightings are very frequent here as well. The beach though is not suitable for swimming although some do enjoy doing some water sports around it. It's also better to just stay at Panaji as resorts around the beach are sparse.
5. Sinquerim Beach - This beach has golden sands with clear, blue water. Again, I chose this beach because it's comparatively quiet and clean than the other northern beaches in Goa. For the adventurers, lots of water sports can be done here like jet skiing, parasailing, speed boating, banana boating and water scootering. Fortunately, prices for water sports here are negotiable and quite affordable. From the beach, you can also view the famous Fort Aguada, which is just a few minutes away. There are also some beach shacks here selling snacks and beverages. The five-star hotel Vivanta By Taj also has a branch near the beach. There are also plenty of guest house options nearby.
In
South Goa, here are my
top five beaches that you must visit:
1. Hollant Beach - This beach is located in Bogmallo, about 7 kilometres way from Vasco. This is a very small beach but has shallow water. The water is very clean and bluish in colour. Because of the shallow waters, the beach is popular amongst families with small children. However, accommodation options nor beach shacks are very few. It's best to visit this beach during day time and just go back to the main city before evening comes. Do visit it before sunrise as this is the only place in Goa where the sun rising can be viewed.
2. Betalbatim Beach - This is perhaps the best beach in South Goa. It's uncrowded, clean and very serene. The sands here are white in colour and very fine. The waves in the water are calm enough to enjoy a swim. It's another perfect beach for families, as kids can enjoy building sand castles on the shores or picking up the sea shells scattered along it. There are some beach shacks here as well that sell meals and snacks. There are also two five-star hotels located along the beach, Beleza by the Beach and A Sterling Holidays. For the budget travellers, don't worry, because there are also many guest houses around.
3. Palolem Beach - This is one of the most popular beaches in South Goa. It was once a deserted long stretch of white sand beach though. Now, it's a popular getaway because of the clear waters and white shores of the beach. There are numerous hotels, resorts and guest houses around. You won't also find the area short of restaurants and beach shacks. Kayaking is the only water sport that you can do here. However, some choose to go for boat rides for spotting dolphins.
4. Mobor Beach - This is one of the most secluded beaches in South Goa. There are only two hotels/resorts near the beach, which are both luxury ones. The sands here are powdery white and the water is clean. It's well-maintained because not much tourists throng to the beach. The water of the beach can be quite deep though so be careful. If you have the money to spend, do consider this beach and staying in the luxury hotel here. It can definitely relax you and rejuvenate your spirits.
5. Cola Beach - This beach is located in Canacona. Reaching the beach is quite difficult, as the roads going through it are a bit patchy. The best way to reach the beach is through a motorcycle or by foot. The unique feature of this beach is its blue lagoon, formed by the confluence of the river into the sea. This lagoon is separated from the sea by only a narrow patch of sand. The beach is fairly small but very clean and secluded. There are only a few beach shacks in the beach so do bring your own food if you'd like. Most of the bigger resorts are a few kilometres away from the beach. There is one resort with a sea-facing restaurant though called Blue Lagoon.
There you go. I hope this helps you even a bit!
