Goa Holiday Rentals

There is a belief that Goa is one long beach, whereas the reality is that Goa has seven rivers, so what with that and the towns and roads, Goa is in reality several beaches on its 125 km coastline.

The beaches in fact cover 83km of the coastline, and almost wherever you go, you can choose your water sports, shop, eat remarkable food, and drink exotic cocktails and beers, all at an amazingly cheap price.

Somewhere there is a beach for you, just waiting on you to arrive and explore, and your options are summarized below:

The Aguada Bay is between two promontories the Cabo and Aguada. Parts of the bay are known as Caranzalem and Sinquerim Bay. Here you will find 40 lovely beaches, nearly all are very clean and unpolluted, but not necessarily safe for swimming. The most popular would be the Calangute, Baga and Anjuna strip in The Bardesh subdivision which is north of Panaji.

Go north for the untouched unspoiled beaches, these are found in the Pernem subdivision and the names to watch for are Keri Beach, Arambol[Harmal], Mandrem which has two little beaches Lemos and Asvem, and Morji. Up here you won’t get so much hassle, although the accommodation tends to be in thatched huts.

The previously discussed Bardesh subdivision is bordered by the Chapora River, and this is where you will find the following beaches. The Chapora, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Sinquerim and an inner rocky beach called Quegdevelim, which is worth visiting for shell collecting.

The Tiswadi subdivision off the Mandovi estuary there are small tranquil beaches here worth trying.

Other beaches worth mentioning are Caranzalem, marvel, Dona Paula, Bambolim and Siridao, they are close to Mormuga harbour and the Mormugao sub division where you will find truly excellent beaches with names like Bogmalo, Cola, Issorcim, Pale, Velsao, and Cansaulim. Seafood is particularly good in this area, but be warned the Vasco da Gama beaches of Cumberthi and Baina are very polluted.

You will find in the Salcete subdivision Goa’s widest and cleanest beaches, so look out for names like Gaudalim, Colva, Benaulim, Mobor, Varca, Carmona, and Cavelossim, although it is now the home to far too many new hotels.

If you travel further south you will find more primitive beaches again, probably most suited to young adventurers, who don’t mind camping. They are in the sub division of Canacona, which is where Goa ends, and here you will find the Palolem, Colamba, Talpona, and Galgibaga beaches.

There are so many beaches Goa you can’t possibly visit them all, but you can give it your best shot.

By: Ken English

Ashwam beach.

Anjuna Beach

Anjuna Beach, GoaWith 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.

Dona Paula

Dona Paula, GoaAt the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagao Harbour. 7-km from Panjim, nestled on the south side of the rocky, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, this former fishing village and today's commercialized beach resort makes an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe.

Calangute Beach

Calangute Beach, GoaA 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.

Cavelosim 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.

Chapora Beach

Chapora Beach, GoaCrouched 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.

Bambolim Beach

It is situated at the mouth of river Zuari and has a narrow access to the small clean and exciting beach. The floor of this beach is full of broken shells, broken pearls and lot other variety of shells and hence is the place to be for shell collectors.Bambolim provides a perfect spot for a quiet and cozy picnic. One can also enjoy the Beach restaurant for that wonderful Goan cuisine.

Sinquerim Beach

Filled with clean white sand and having the historical asset of Fort Aguada, this place is another one in the list of the top beaches in Goa. This place is for the ones looking to savor some Portuguese architecture and style.One can travel easily from this beach to the Candolim beach and further to Baga beach.There are ample shacks here where one can quench the thirst for some chilled Goan beer.

Candolim Beach

This is the place to be for every tourist as it is not too crowded, have complete tastes of Goan cuisine and little apartments to stay in. This place is also the birth place of Abbe Faria, who was a Goan Freedom Fighter.

Arambol Beach

Located a few kilometers from the city of Mapusa within the Pernem administrative region of northern Goa.
One section of the beach has a fresh water lake close to the sea, enclosed between low hills that hide a spectacular Banyan tree. The beach attracts many international tourists, particularly Israelis, mainly during the winter season between December and February. Arambol has a distinct bohemian feel which is no longer found in areas such as Calangute and this inevitably attracts many hippie travellers.
Fresh Water Lake in Arambol

Currently no major hotels exist in this area due to local pressure and consequently rooms are available at very reasonable rates when compared to tourist laden beaches such as Baga and Candolim. Arambol beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa, amongst many other popular locations including Vagator, Anjuna and Palolem.

The majority of the locals are either Christian or Hindu. The Church of 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel' serves the religious interests of all the Catholics in the area. Mother Mary is referred to as 'Saibinn Mai' in the local Konkani language.

As in many other parts of Goa, both soccer and cricket are popular sports with the people of this area.

Other beaches in Goa not mentioned above.

Life on the Beach.

When it comes to hanging around on the warm and sensuous beaches of Goa are Shacks. Located on the beach side these shacks provide accommodation to those who want to stay here and enjoy their vacations lying on the frisking on the beaches of Goa.

These shacks are usually in the form of huts and are found near to the beaches. They are present in almost all the Goa tourism guides and have become a major hub of all the tourists activities. They were initially started as the family business of fishermen. Today, these shacks have become the charm of the Goa tourism. Goa beach shacks have come out with the wide variety of services, putting tourists at the maximum comfort.

The cost of living is low, meaning excellent value for money and prices which have to be seen to be believed. Not quite the Deluxe hotels, these shacks gained the impeccable services and are giving good competition to the big hotels and restaurants. They are equipped with all the facilities like any other classy restaurants that include beach beds, music, umbrellas, towels etc. while staying at these shacks you will feel close to nature : the warm sand, the hot sun, and the azure waters.

Along with the accommodation facilities, one gets to enjoy the untrammeled pleasure of walking tour followed by the exciting water sports facilities on the beaches. When the travelers are bored of the day long excursion, they come to the shacks for the relaxation. The food here is another one of the many reasons why you would put this high on your list of places to visit, cooked in the traditional way, no fancy restaurants here. You will love to have the scrumptious Goan sea food, some great continental cuisine at dirt cheap prises and some not so memorable meals.

The happening beach shacks are known for the night parties. The whole atmosphere stirs up with the waves of the electrifying music. These shacks are becoming increasing popular with the tourists. You will love to spend whole day on the beach enjoying the facilities provided by these shacks. You will surely come back to this place again and again again what fetches you back is the fresh sea food and the laid back environment

Manjari Singh is an eminent travel writer, she have authored websites like :

www.travellinginindia.com

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