The beaches of Goa are the highlights of travel in this state, making
Goa the premier beach vacation destination. The first beach stop
over in Goa is Anjuna beach also famous for its flea market and
rave parties, then visit Baga and Dona Paula beaches that can make
any beach holiday a memorable one. All in all Goa's 100-km long
coastline gives an enthusiastic beach lover an opportunity to discover
new secluded beach sites every day.
» Anjuna
Beach
With
its fluorescent painted palm trees and infamous full moon parties,
Anjuna, 8-km west of Mapusa, is Goa at its most "alternative".
Since the 7o's the one reason that lure the people to visit this
beach is the dancing and lying on the beach slurping tropical fruit.
While browsing in the area have a day trip to the famous flea market.
» Baga
Beach
If
you like a little isolation to watch the sun go down, Baga beach
is just the place for you. 10-km west of Mapusa, Baga is basically
an extension of Calangute; even the locals are unable to decide
where ends and the other begin. Lying in the lee of a rocky, wooded
headland, the only difference between this far northern end of the
beach with the rest is that this Goa beach is marginally more varied
and picturesque.
» Benaulim
Beach
Named
as Benaulim by the Portuguese, lies in the centre of Colva Beach,
7-km west of Margao. As this place is a like a large fishing joint
tourists can easily become gourmets and try out various culinary
delights of the seafood. Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming,
being generally jellyfish-free, while the village area near beach
side itself boasts a few serviceable bars and restaurants, serving
the most succulent, competitively priced seafood in Goa.
» Vagator
Beach
Barely
a couple of kilometres of cliff tops and parched grassland separate
Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest neighbour, Vagator.
Yet to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life goes
on peacefully, in the background, in Vagator and Chapora. It is
cool rural area, without offering the tourist any big shopping complexes.
»Chapora
Beach
Crouched in the shadow of a Portuguese fort on the opposite, northern
side of the headland from Vagator, Chapora, 10-km from Mapusa,
is a lot busier than most north coast villages. Dependent on fishing
and boat building, it has, to a great extent, retained a life
of its own independent of tourism. The leisure purpose is very
well served by the Main Street, lined with as many regular stores
as travellers cafes and restaurants.
»Cavelossim
Beach
Sleepy
Cavelossim, straddling the coast road 11-km south of Colva, is the
last major settlement in southwest Salcete: its only claim to fame.
When here do plan a visit to Mabor, South Goa largest, and most
obtrusive, package tourist enclave. Crammed together on to a narrow
spit of dunes between the surf and estuary, the holiday inns and
beach resorts combine to create a holiday camp ambience that has
as little to do with Goa as their architecture.
»Calagute
Beach A mere 45 minute bus ride up the coast from Panjim will
take you Calangute, Goa's busiest and most commercialized resort,
and the flagship of the state government's bid for a bigger slice
of India's package-tourist pie. During the 70's and 80's this
peaceful fishing village became the favourite haunt of the hippies.
»Sankhumugham
Beach
Sunset on a beach is always a breathtaking site to see and such
is the site offered by Shankhumugham Beach, a favourite haunt
of sunset watchers. The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram
Airport and Veli Tourist Village.
