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North Goa
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Blessed by nature’s beauty and abundance. Fueled by festivity and fun.
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Walking the Beaches
Goa has incredible variety of beaches for such a small state, and each area has its particular character. From the wild and empty beaches of the very north, through to the more popular and busy tourist destinations, right down to the beautiful, quite beaches of the south. There’s a beach in Goa that is just right for you. Read on, Goa’s beaches are to be explored……
The Wild North - Tiracol to Morgim
Tiracol Beach is at the very north of Goa, reached by crossing the Tiracol River. You can crossed 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 is at least three miles long. From the Tiracol Fort you can see paraglide circling the clouds at the for end of the beach which added to the magical feeling. At 4pm 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.
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 jewellery 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. If you venture round to the right, a makeshift pathway has been created through the rocks. 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.
Mandrem Beach is discovered as the road from Arambol emerges through the cashew trees to run parallel with the beach for a short amount of time. Mandrem beach is most beautiful and unspoilt of the northern beaches. It’s at least three miles long and as wide as two football pitches in places. Walk down the beach and have a look of the Goan fishing canoes, beautifully pointed with names like 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.
Avsem Beach is reached as you turn off the main road, through the winding village lanes bordered by beautiful Hindu temples. We passed the villagers with their water buffaloes, some had red painted horns that must have had some significance but we regret we don’t know what it is? It’s sheltered by the hillside and shaded by coconut trees, the usual collection of shocks lines this long, sandy beach and we noticed an unusual hotel: 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 winter. One can see many happy holidaymakers who were escaping Western Europe’s cold and grey climates for the guaranteed sunshine and blue skies.
Morgim 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 strike as somewhat familiar. With names like ‘Harry Ramsden’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 very long and once away from the shacks, is the perfect beach for a long walk with almost guaranteed solitude.
The Popular North - Vagator to Coco Beach
Vagator Beach is overlooked by Chapara Fort. From the Cliffside car park, which has become a bit of a bazaar, you get a spectacular view of the sandy beaches which lay between the rocky headlands and shady palms on either side below. It’s a steep climb down and on the left-hand beach there are lots of huts to choose from and a very relaxed lifestyle. At the end of this section is where the face caved in the rock can be found. Many travelers come down from Europe and spend the whole winter just living on Vagator Beach. It can get very busy at the weekend.
Anjuna Beach is one of the most colorful beaches in Goa. This beach continuation of Vagator around the rocky headland and on interesting place for meeting people or just watching the world go by. There are two sections to this beach; one is very small and rocky below a cliff top with small restaurants and stalls selling curios. The other is a sandy, walk able boy and this is where the famous Wednesday flea market is held. This is not to be missed Anjuna, in a sense, is where East meet West You get hippies selling their wares, Indian ladies selling their colorful sarongs and bedspreads, alongside fruit and puppet sellers. This is probably the most interesting market in Goa. Also worth a visit is the splendid Albuquerque Mansion which was built in the 1920’s a large Portuguese villa still partly inhabited.
Baga Beach originally was a fishing village at the northern end of Calangute is now one of the most popular party destinations in the world. It is bordered in by a hill on one side and has a quaint creek running alongside, giving it delightful ambience. Crystal blue waters attract a large number of swimmers however its uncertain currents must be taken into account. Water sports in almost every form are popular here. In the night the beach transforms itself and its most famous landmark, club Tito’s is the place to be Café Mambo’s on the other side is a favorite’s haunt of all the party regulars too.
Calangute Beach has become nearly as popular and busy with holidaymakers as Baga, with miles and miles of sandy beach but with fewer coconut trees. Walking along with from Baga Beach, the stretch of sand continues to both is very long and alternates between busier sections can be identified by some big, wide steps which lead t the souvenir shops and iced Beer stands near the Calangute roundabout. As you continue past the steps in the direction of Candolim, it become quiet again and more relaxing. The beach is rock-free though swimming in the waters is not advised as the currents can be tricky.
Candolim Beach is the longest and quietest part of this northern stretch. At this point the beach is as deep as a football pitch, and the beach bars and shacks are set back on the sand dunes. The fishing community with their huts on the beach, still fish as they have always done, most locals eating fish curry and rice on a daily basis. The oly difference from their Grandfather’s day is the fact that they have an outboard motor on the back of their ancient craft!
Sinquerim Beach 13km from panjim is the largest established and more ‘sophisticated’ end where the Fort Aguada Resort, Taj Holiday village and Aguada Heritage are all situated. Some of the beach peddlers here wear Nike trainers! It’s little more expensive and a little more international. The view from above the Hermitage up the coast is really quite spectacular. Sometimes water sports are available here, one of the few beaches where you can enjoy water activities.
Unfortunately the ‘River Princess’ still remains, a large bulk carrier that had managed turn aground, it’s become quite a tourist attraction. Thanks to its multitude of cultures and religious the Goan people celebrate a number of festivals all through the year. The pride of Goa’s legacies is her tradition of solidarity and harmony. The festivals are celebrated by everybody regardless of religion or background Festivals like Christmas, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid are community festivals.
Coco Beach is at the estuary of the Mandovi River just over the headland from Candolim and Sinquerim beaches. It’s the most southerly of the northern beaches and a hidden jewel. 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.
Friendly Locals
Goa has been ruled by Portugal’s for more than 450 years and thus, naturally acquires much of the Portugal’s influences in the culture, architectures, cuisine and lifestyle. Often knows as “The romance of the east” it is perhaps the most westernized of all the states in Modern India and majority of the Goans are very bohemian in their way of life. With a typical tropical lifestyle, they are easy-going in nature. Indulging in ‘siesta’, usually from 1 pm, dance and music, food, drama, and ‘feni’ is what Goans are known for.
Goa is also a land of crafts and craftsmen. Excellence in poetry, music and the fine arts give Goa its distinct identity. The ancient tradition of exquisitely carved rosewood and teak furniture, the unique gold jewellery designs, the terracotta figurines and the classic brass items along with the folk paintings of Goa are some of the most cherished legacy of Goans.
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