As a visitor to Goa for many years, it’s super easy to remain fixed at one point along its 105 km coastline and enjoy a perfect beach location. If you are new to this ever-popular Indian destination, take a calming dip into this article, which offers abundant choices for those looking for a chilled holiday vibe.
Beaches in Goa can be hectic or eerily quiet, but they offer exactly what a holidaymaker desires. So here’s a review of the beaches in the north of the state.
North Goa
To the north of this sunshine state are a plethora of beaches. At the remote end are Morjim and Ashwem, where you’ll be astounded by their spectacular views and sunsets. These beaches are also a popular spot for nesting turtles.
Arambol Beach retains an old hippie charm as it was a hot location for those who decided to turn on, tune in and drop out for a few months and years across the 1960s and ‘70s and enjoy a peaceful experience. While the 21st century has nudged in new visitors, it still retains that slightly wild but chilled-out view of the world. There are restaurants and shops in the area, but it’s just finding the time to drag yourself away from your beach pod and explore them.
Further down the northern spine of the state is the popular triumvirate of beaches: Baga, Calangute and Candolim. Baga beach is probably the liveliest of the three ‘central beaches’ given that many foreign residents and tourists tend to hit the beach here. It is also the centre of markets, bars, restaurants and shops, with a beautiful beach to boot.
As with most beaches, there are shacks to keep you topped up with liquids, homemade meals, as well as water sports for all. If you can lever yourself out of your sun-worshipping spot, then you’ll likely be heading for Saturday night market, where you can buy all manner of trinkets and treasures.
Heading south of Baga is Calangute beach, one of the longest stretches of sand and one of the most popular for Goan and Indian travellers. The ‘gute, as many call it, is also a fantastic place just to sit and people-watch from your shack location.
Naturally, Calangute is a thriving location with all-day market stalls and eateries to suit everyone’s tastes. If you want the buzz of a party vibe for your holidays, then Baga and Calangute can offer you enough distractions.
Even in laid-back Candolim, life can be as hectic or as chilled as you want. However, the quieter vibe may well have left, given the construction of hotels that have gradually eaten into this once backwater in recent years.
Nevertheless, if you want sand, coconut palms, shacks and the odd cow joining you for lunch, then Candolim is a happy meeting of minds.
If you ever get bored, you can easily walk the length of the Candolim, Calangute and Baga stretch within a few hours while dropping into a shack for refreshments. You can then get on a local bus to return to your holiday accommodation.
For those who have the spirit of adventure and want to explore the far north, then a mix of beaches awaits. As many Goa destination obsessives attest, Anjuna is the Goa of decades previous. There are some beach bars and a market, but it is a world away from the bustle of Calangute.
For others, Vagator is probably the best beach to wonder and wander at. However, it has become a magnet for Russian holidaymakers in the last decade, so it can be just as overrun and commercial as Baga. However, it still hangs on to its Goan vibe.
Whichever beach you land on, ensure that it is a safe, secure, and, ultimately, sunny experience
In our next piece, we’ll focus on the delights and attractions in South Goa.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
