Popular North Goa Beaches
1. Calangute Beach
One of the most popular beaches of Goa lies in Calangute town. It is also the biggest beach of North Goa. Termed as the Queen of Beaches, Calangute is the first choice for every tourist that lands on the soil of Goa. The Calangute beach has stretched its boundaries in the northeast of the capital city of Panaji. Being regarded as the largest beach in north Goa, this tourist spot remains crowded for the most part of the year.
The beach is wide with soft sand but the sea is rough. Watching the sunset and sunrise at Calangute Beach is a mesmerizing experience. During the months from June-September visitors refrain from visiting the place due to rough sea and tides which make it dangerous to swim but locals believe that Calangute is at its best during the monsoon months. Most suitable occasion to visit this beach is Christmas and New Year eves while it welcomes enough rush. It also witnesses large number of tourists representing many age groups visiting in the summers.
2. Baga Beach
Baga Beach is a popular tourist attraction of Goa. This beach is entertaining from sunrise to sunset. As the sun sets down, party mode is switched-on around this beach. Baga Beach starts right where Calangute ends. Named after the Baga Creek that merges into the Arabian Sea on the northern part of the beach, this is one of the most popular among Goa beaches. The clean golden brown sandy beach is also great for long, leisure walks.
Baga beach is famous for water sports like parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking and much more. Baga beach is also popular for its spectacular sunsets and fishing. A large number of fishermen in their traditional attire can be seen with their daily catch, especially in the mornings and evenings. Baga Beach can be visited anytime of the year.
3. Anjuna Beach
This beach is located north of Baga and Calangute, and close to the South of Vagator and Chapora. The white sands of the beach and the red laterite rocks create a unique arrangement. It is one of the best beaches in Goa. Anjuna beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty with coconut trees and soft powered white sands. The moon light rave parties are well known all over Goa and the world, and attract foreign travellers as well as domestic tourists, especially during the time of New Year and Christmas.
The beach is adjacent to Chapora fort. The Albuquerque mansion located nearby is another attraction. The Anjuna flea market on every Wednesday is also very popular with tourists and local Goans. This area offers pleasurable shopping experience with quality products at reasonable prizes. The waters here are safe for swimming and the beach is ideal for sunbathing and relaxing which attracts a lot of foreign tourists to Anjuna Beach.
4. Vagator Beach
Vagator Beach is situated in North Goa, near Chapora Fort. It is among the top places to visit in Goa. Vagator Beach is a part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian Sea that begins at Fort Aguada and ending at Chapora Beach and Fort. It is covered with soft white sand, dotted by coconut trees and huge black rocks. The sea at Vagator turns from aquamarine to emerald green with the movement of the sun.
Vagator Beach is divided into Big Vagator or North Vagator, Middle Vagator and Little Vagator or also called as Ozran Beach by a few rocks. To reach the beach one has to climb down a hill. The Big Vagator Beach is a long white sandy beach located 1.4 km from Ozran. This beach is more crowded than Ozran Beach. The famous Chapora fort overlooks the beach. Vagator Beach situated 3 km north of Anjuna, attained popularity because of its seclusion and the nearby Chapora Fort. Big Vagator Beach is considered safer for swimming than the Ozran Beach. Lifeguards are available at big Vagator Beach but not at Ozran Beach. It also offers a very beautiful sunset view.
5. Morjim Beach
Morjim Beach popularly known as the Turtle Beach is located in North Goa. Morjim Beach is situated on the northern side of the Chapora River and south of Ashvem Beach. One can see the beautiful Morjim Beach from the Chapora fort. The part of the beach directly opposite the fort is usually deserted. A few palm and Casuarinas pines can be found on the beach. Morjim Beach has earned the label as Little Russia due to the concentration of Russian tourists visiting and residing in the beach town. Morjim Beach is a quiet and secluded beach unspoilt by tourism.
The Morjim Beach is most renowned for the Olive Ridley turtles that have their nesting ground here, which are an endangered species. The sight of the tiny hatchlings, turtles and crabs makes your experience at the beach an unforgettable one. However, touching the eggs or hatchlings is a punishable offense. During the nesting season from November to March, the beach is closed to the general public so that the turtles may not be disturbed. The Morjim Beach is also the spot in Goa where one can see a lot of net pullers who make their living from the fish they catch after they dry it and sell it as palm tree fertilizers. The beach is also recommended for viewing sea birds.
6. Arambol Beach / Harmal Beach
Arambol Beach also known as Harmal beach is a pristine and secluded beach situated in North Goa. It is one of the most beautiful among Goa beaches and also a relatively less crowded beaches in North Goa. Arambol is a sandy beach which offers its visitors a peaceful and relaxed experience. Tourists can relish the amazing view of beautiful sunset with boat rides.
The Arambol Beach extends over 16 km and consists of two beaches. More popular is the Harmal beach contains long stretch of curving sand and it is good for swimming. It is a perfect place for people looking for peace and tranquility. The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the rocky stretch and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep cliffs on both sides. It is a rocky as well as sandy beach and has a fresh water lagoon which extends along the bottom of the valley into a thick jungle. The lake is fed by boiling hot springs and is lined with sulphurous mud which people love applying on their body to do wonders to their skin.
7. Ashvem Beach
Ashwem beach situated south to the Arambol beach is another isolated beach in Goa where one can see vast stretches of sands. Ashwem Beach is one of the Goa best beaches which is a clean sandy beach and not much crowded. The waves are gentle and the sea hardly ever gets choppy. A perfect place for those looking for privacy, it is safe for swimming. Ashwem beach is also the nesting place for the Olive Ridley Turtles which is a rare species. The nesting season is between September to February which also happens to be the peak tourist season of Goa.
Ashwem beach is also a little rocky beach. There are no water sports at Ashwem Beach, unlike other beaches of North Goa. However, visitors can take a lovely morning walk on the 1.5-km long beach, enjoy sunset views and explore the area in the evening. Swaying palm trees line this 1.5 kilometer beach – the touch of greenery making the landscape look prettier.
8. Mandrem Beach
Mandrem Beach is an isolated beach with vast stretches of empty sand that has very little shade and is located in North Goa. It is one of the secluded and less crowded beaches in Goa. The Mandrem Beach is situated to the north of Ashwem Beach towards the Arambol Beach. It is a continuation of the Ashwem Beach and very similar to it. This beach is quite secluded to the other beaches. Being a serene beach one can see white bellied fish eagles that live in the casuarinas trees at Mandrem Beach. Sometimes even the famous Olive Ridley turtles have their hatching nests over.
The beauty of Mandrem Beach is especially during the High Tide time when the sea water rushes into the Mandrem Creek or River. This Mandrem creek runs parallel to the beach which swells with water during the high tide and hence access to the beach is facilitated by means of a bamboo bridge during the season. Mandrem Beach is also famous for its spectacular color full sunsets.
9. Keri Beach(Querim Beach)
Keri beach also known as Querim beach, is a quiet beach located to the north of the Arambol beach. It is the northernmost beach of Goa that is backed with palms and casuarinas trees. The white sandy beach is one amongst the lesser-crowded beaches of Goa and is a serene and calm place to spend a beautiful holiday.
Across the riverbank one can also see the famous ancient Portuguese fort known as the Terekhol Fort. There is a ferry service available that takes you to Terekol every 30 min. From the Terekol fort the Keri beach has an exotic view. The beach however is not safe for swimming and one should avoid swimming near the mouth of the Tiracol estuary.
10. Sinquerim Beach
Sinquerim Beach is known as the first tourist beach of North Goa. The Sinquerim Beach is a beautiful beach that has a spectacular stretch of sand. It is located at the south of the famous beaches like Baga, Calangute and Candolim. It is an ideal place for swimming and one should not miss visiting this beach when on their travel to Goa for holidays.
The Sinquerim Beach is a semi circle shaped beach lies adjacent to the Aguada Beach. The lovely beach of Sinquerim is one of the oldest preserved beaches in Goa. The famous fort Aguada is located near the beach. It is a very popular tourist attraction and the massive Sunburn Music Festival happens here. Sunburn is the largest music festival in Asia and among the top 10 on earth.
11. Candolim Beach
Candolim Beach is positioned between Sinquerim and Calangute beaches. Candolim Beach is another relatively busy soft sandy beach that due to erosion can be narrow in some places. Candolim Beach is a part of a long extension of beach coastline along the Arabian Sea that begins at Fort Aguada and ends at Chapora Beach in North Goa.
The bulk ore carrier River Princess ended up being grounded some 100 m from the beach during the 2001 monsoon. Despite numerous pledges by both local and central government, she still lays rusting. Fishing is an activity for those who love peaceful and quiet environment. Yoga and meditation has also gained popularity here because of the idyllic atmosphere.
12. Dona Paula Beach
Dona Paula Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Goa and offers a marvelous view of the Mormugao harbor. Located 7 kms away from the Panaji, this beach has become one of the most happening beaches of the Goa. It is snuggled on the southern part of the rocky headland where the Mandovi and the Zuari rivers meet the Arabian Sea.
The beach is very popular as lovers paradise because of a myth attached to this place. As per the legend, Viceroy`s daughter Dona Paula de Menezes jumped off the cliff after facing objections from her family due to her love affair with a son of a fisherman. So, the beach is popular by the name of Dona Paula. Relish the wonderful view from above the hillock and relax in benches along with taking pleasure of the evening sea breeze and sunset.
13. Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach is also known as `Gasper Dias Beach`. The name of the beach is derived from the word `Miramar`, which in Portuguese stands for `viewing the sea`. Miramar Beach is the place where the Mandovi River meets the blue water Arabian Sea. One can see migratory birds such as gulls and plovers at the beach from November to March.
It is a golden beach fringed with palm trees. The soft sands of the beach makes it the best site for evening walks. The Miramar Beach is said to be one of the cleanest beaches in Goa and it offers the opportunity to view the stunning sunset. The beach is indeed a big pleasure to one`s eyes and a perfect spot to hangout for bird watchers too. Whatever it would be like seclusion, sightseeing, or tourist destination, you will not feel like looking beyond the Miramar beach in Goa.
