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Beaches
BEACHES IN GOA
Goa's over 104 km. long coastline, is a sequence of beaches separated
from one another by rocky headlands, bays and estuaries of rivers.
Mythology says that Goa was the
celestial playground of the voluptous Gods. While Geomorphologists say Goan hills on the
eastern side succumbed to the effect of erosion and fractured, while those on the western
side stayed more or less stable. Between myth and science stands a glorious reality - 40
pollution free beaches. Though most of them are not safe for swimming and bathing they are
very alluring for any sea loving person. Towards the north of Panaji are the most famous
and popular beaches in Goa. These are Calangute and beach segment in the Bardeshi
subdivision. In the Pernem subdivision are the delightfully primitive and untouched
beaches of Keri,Anjuna,Arambol, Mandrem and Morji. Bardesh also treasures
Chapora,Baga,
Candolim,Bogmalo and Sinquerin beaches. One of the few rocky beaches in Goa, Quegdevelim
is a shell collector's paradise. Little beaches of Tiswadi subdivision are both tranquil
and well connected. In close proximity to the Mormugao harbor are the beaches of
Caranzalem, Marvel, Dona Paula, Benaulim and Siridao. Dona Paula gives an excellent view
of the Zuari estuary. A lovely beach close to the capital Panaji is being developed. This
beach has golden sands to attract the sea loving people.
Sooner or later the coastal stretch between Goa and Mumbai is going to be the scene of
much treasure hunting. At least 200 ships wrecked on the coast in the last two centuries
alone. Though the voyage list of most of the ships are mysteriously laconic about the
cargo on board, it is known that at least six ships carried treasure consisting of the
nobel metals - the old terminology called silver and gold - and possibly gems and stones.
The 200 ships must be worth a fortune in terms of sunken cash chests alone.
Some of the most famous beaches in
Goa are:
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Anjuna Beach :
 
Anjuna beach attracts a weird and wonderful collection of
overlanders,
monks, defiant ex-hippies, gentle lunatics, artists, artisans, seers, searchers,sybarites
and itinerant expatriates who normally wouldn't be seen out of the organic confines of
their health-food emporia in San Francisco or London. It's famous throughout Goa for its
Wednesday flea market, and has retained an undeniable, if somewhat shabby, charm. This is
a good place to stick around for a while, make some friends and engage in mellow
contemplation while the sun goes down. Full moon, when the infamous parties take place, is
a particularly good time to be here if you want to indulge in bacchanalian delights. Only
a Brit would think about raving about the main beach, but it's worth the walk to the
small, protected sliver of sand at South Anjuna where the area's long-term house-renters
tend to gather.
Arambol Beach :
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Some years ago, when the screws were tightened at Anjuna in an attempt
to control what local people regarded as the more outrageous activities (nudism and drug
use) of a certain section of the traveling community, the die-hards cast around for a more
sympathetic' beach. Arambol, north of Chapora, was one of those which they choose.
Initially, only those willing to put up with very primitive conditions came here. Things
are a little more comfortable these days, but development has, so far, been minimal. The
village remains tranquil and friendly - just a few hundred locals, mostly fishing people,
and a couple of hundred Western residents in the November to February high season. The
coastline lacks the palm-fringed exotic clichés of the southern Goa beaches but it has
plenty of character and is pretty in its own kind of way. The main beach has adequate
bodysurfing and there are several attractive bays a short walk to the north. Beyond an
idyllic, rocky-bottomed cove, the trail emerges to a board strip of soft white sand hemmed
in on both sides by steep cliffs. Behind it, a small freshwater lake extends along the
bottom of the valley into a thick jungle. Fed by boiling hot springs, the lake is lined
with sulphurous mud, which, smeared over the body, dries to form a surreal,
butter-coloured shell. The resident hippies swear it's good for you and spend much of the
day tiptoeing naked around the shallow like refugees from some obscure tribal initiation
ceremony - much to the amusement of Arambol's Indian visitors.
Bagmalo Beach :
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Immediately south of the airport, the Mormugoa peninsula's sun-parched
central plateau tumbles to a flat-bottomed valley lined with coconut trees and red-brick
huts. The sandy beach at the end of the cove is even more picturesque. Pricey café-bars
have crept up the beach, while the clearing below the hotel is prowled by assiduous
Kashmiri handicraft vendors. The beach is clean and not too crowded, the water reasonably
safe for swimming, and there are plenty of places to eat, drink and shop at Bogmalo .
Benaulim Beach :
According to Hindu mythology, Goa
was created when the sage Shri Parasurama, Vishnu's sixth incarnation, fired an arrow into
the sea from the top of the Western Ghats and ordered the waters to recede. The spot where
the shaft fell to earth, known in Sanskrit as Banali and later corrupted by the Portuguese
to Benaulim, lies in the centre of Colva Beach, 7km west of Margao. Only a decade ago,
this fishing and rice farming village, scattered around the coconut groves and paddy
fields between the main Colva-Mobor road and the dunes, had barely made it onto the
backpackers' map.
Either side of the village's
sand-blown beach front, the gently shelving sands shimmer away almost to the horizon,
littered with photogenic wooden fishing boats that provide welcome shade if the walk from
the palm trees to the sea gets too much.
Varca
: Just 5 kms South of Benaulim and in a 10 km strip of Beach full of
up-market resorts.
Cavelossim
: Seven kms South of Varca and more developed.
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Calangute Beach :
16kms from Panaji is the 7 kms. long 'queen of beaches'.Being a popular
holiday resort, the small houses amidst the coconut groves behind the beach are always in
constant demand.
Duna Paula Beach :
7 kms from Panaji near the rocky point between the Mandovi and the
Zuari is a secluded bay with a fine view of the Marmagao harbour - an idyllic spot to
relax and sunbathe.
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Miramar Beach :
A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees - is almost
part of Panaji. It is one of the most popular beaches.
Palolem Beach :
It is one of the most enchanting beaches in Goa and relatively
deserted, with backdrop of Western ghats.
37 km from Margao.
Chapora
:
Very interesting
and beautiful part of the coastline of Goa. Coconut Palm Grooves. A rocky hill
on whose top is an old Portuguese fort, but well preserved.
Vagator Beach :
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