Travel Incredible India » Indian Beaches

Goa Beaches

Anjuna Beach
It is 18 kms from Panaji and is a popular beach adjacent to Chapora Fort. Anjuna beach is popular with the younger generation. No Doubt, Beach Anjuna is one of the best beach in Goa. Nearby Anjuna beach there is magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920 that is flanked by octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled roofs. This is also known as 'Goa Freak capital of the World'. Beach

Baga Beach
Baga Beach is a small yet perfect beach located between its two equally famous cousins, Colva on one side and Calangute on the other. It is a serene place to enjoy some private moments if you don't like the hustle and bustle of Colva or Calangute beaches. The beach is ideal for fishing with international tourists marinating in the sun and domestic visitors paddling the boat. The beach mesmerizes the tourists with its brown sand and palm groves which come fairly close to the water's edge. On one side of beach is the Baga River offering a pleasant diversion for children and water lovers. The meeting point of the river and the sea is bordered by a group of black rocks against which the sea crashes in dramatic explosions of spray.

Bogmalo Beach
In Bogmalo, the Oberoi's manage the restaurant of Trade Wings. The building stands right on the seashore. As the waves lash the parapets of the open-air restaurant, the drone of the restless Arabian Sea lulls to sleep even the most insomniac. Beyond are mysterious little islands, shipwrecks in the silt and, plenty of pleasant eateries around the hotel, each one of them claiming to be Osibisa's favorite.

Benaulim Beach
Benaulim is a quiet and pleasant beach lying at the end of Colva beach. The Benaulim beach is still undiscovered by the domestic tourists which further adds to its charm. Being a fishing beach, it gets fairly crowded in the evenings and on weekends. The Church of St John the Baptist is situated on a hill beyond the village and is worth a visit. On the arrival of the monsoon, Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as a thanksgiving on the beach. Young men wearing crowns of leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts.

Calangute Beach
It is 16 kms from the capital city Panaji and is the most popular holiday resort in Goa. It is also known as "The Queen of Beaches" and consists of excellent accommodation facilities at the tourist resorts and cottages. It is on the shores of the Arabian Sea of North Goa. The name of the beach is a distortion of the local vernacular word, 'Koli-gutti', which means the 'land of fishermen'. Some connect it with 'Kalyan-gutti', the 'village of art' or 'Konvallo-ghott', the 'strong pit of the coconut tree' as the village nearby is full of coconut trees. It is believed that with the Portuguese invasion, it got distorted to Calangute. Once upon a time Calangute was the most haunted beach all hippies during Christmas celebration when psychedelic hell broke loose. The best time of the year to visit this beach is between the months of September and March.

Colva Beach
It is 6 kms from Marmagoa. Colva is one of the most popular beaches in South Goa. This beach is the pride of 'Salcete' and the only rival to Calangute by its scenic splendour. In Colva sand, sea and sky blend in enchanting natural harmony. It consists of excellent accommodation facilities at the tourist cottages. It is evening and weekend days destination for the natives. While driving to Colva from Marmagoa you pass through the large Church of Our Lady of Mercy, Nossa Senhora das Merces, built in 1630 and re-built in the 18th century. It is at heart of the longest unbroken stretch of beach in Goa from Marmagoa to Cabo de Rama. Colva is pleasant and convenient place to stay giving an opportunity to swim safely.

Dona Paula Beach
It is 7 km from the state capital Panaji. Dona Paula Beach is an idyllic picturesque spot and gives a fine view of the Zuari River and Marmagoa Harbour. This is an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe Water scootering facility is very popular at this beach. The beach is near the rocky point between the Mandovi and the Zuari. At the Dona Paula Bay, two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea. The beach is named after Dona Paula de Menezes and is also called the 'Lovers Paradise' due to a myth attached to the place. Cabo Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Goa is situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula.

Miramar Beach
It is 3 kms from Panaji. Miramar is a golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees facing the Arabian Sea and is nearest beach from Panaji. It is one of the most popular beaches in Goa. To watch the sunset from Panaji this beach is the best location, only fifteen minute' walk along the Dayanand Bandodker Marg riverfront avenue. The beach is an urban beach where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea. It is not a safe beach to swim because of the strong undercurrent.

Palolem Beach
It is also 37 kms from Marmagoa. The beach is situated at west of Chaudi. It is one of the most enchanting beaches, but at the same time relatively deserted. It is situated in the backdrop of Western ghats. It has 1.5 km crescent shaped beach and lies on the southern coastline of Goa amidst outstanding natural beauty. It is fast emerging as a popular spot for day-trippers from Colva and Calangute beach.

Vagator Beach
The soft white sands, the black lava rocks, the coconut palms, the lush green landscape, nature playing its own tunes, and the sea turning from aquamarine to emerald green-Vagator overlooked by the 500-year-old Portuguese fort, leaves each visitor dumbstruck. Also, the world-famous Anjuna Beach lies to the south of Vagator. Vagator beach if still rich with rural life. So a large number of fishermen in their traditional attire can be observed on the beach. Anyone patient enough to listen to the numerous stories of the sea can explore their stock of stories.

Kerala Beaches

Kovalam Beach
It is 16 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city. Kovalam is internationally renowned and it consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southernmost, 'Lighthouse Beach', is the most popular one.

Varkala Beach
It is 41 kms from Thiruvananthapuram city. It is a seaside resort as well as an important Hindu cente of pilgrimage. The 2000 years old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions worth visiting nearby the beach.

Cheria Beach
It is 45 kms from Ernakulam city. It borders Bypeen Island, and is ideal for swimming. Dolphins are also seen here quite often.

Tanur Beach
Situated in Malappura District, it was one of the earliest settlements of the Portuguese. St. Francis Xavier visited the place in 1546. One of the oldest temples in Kerala, Keraladeshapuram Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated in 3 kms south of Tanur town.

Beypore Beach
It lies 10 kms south of Kozhikode city. The beach is situated at the mouth of the Chaliyar River. Famous for the construction of the Uru, the traditional, Arabian trading vessel, it was once most sought after place for merchants from Western Asia, for its ship building industry.

Kappad Beach
It is 16 kms from Kozhikode city. Kappad Beach is a historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27 May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels.

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