|
|
|
|
For
most of the people heading towards Goa, it is one long beach.
Of the 75 miles of coast line in the Indian State of Goa,
over 50 miles of it is beach. And while the rest of Goa -
its culture, food, inland scenery, and cities - are all well
worth visiting, Goa's beaches are what makes the state one
of India's major tourist attractions.
Goa's coast faces the Arabian Sea and runs in almost a straight,
uninterrupted line - broken only by the outlets of the state's
seven rivers.
Beaches of Goa are much ahead of other beaches in India in
terms of popularity and the facilities that are available
here. The beaches here have been accepted as a way of life,
there are exotic cuisine backing the pleasure of the sun and
sand, and water sports facilities that include from water
scooters to water gliding. Add to that, you can shake your
legs for some time with a glass of feni and beer, engage in
shopping on the beachside, or have a midnight bonfire on the
beach.
|
|
| |
There are acceptable beaches in the area of Goa's capital, Panaji.
But while the beaches around Panaji are clean and acceptable,
there is no need for a visitor to Goa to settle for beaches
that are simple "acceptable".
Palolem is Goa's southernmost beach, about 35 miles south of
the capital city, Panaji. The beach is white sand on a blue
bay hemmed in by two headlands. Locals will offer to take you
out in small boats at watch the dolphins.
If you're looking for a lonelier beach, Agonda Beach is just
north of Palolem. It is edged by palms and casuarinas; a large
hill sits to the south. You'll find no shops or facilities here.
Mabor Beach is nearby - one of South Goa's most clean and beautiful
beaches. Ignore the warning notices on the beach; the local
hotel would like you to stay away, but all beaches in India
are public property by law and there is no such thing as a "private"
beach. It should be noted that beaches in Goa are usually named
for the closest village. It is the existence of some village,
therefore, and not geography itself which explains why the name
of some beach changes as you follow it up the uninterrupted
coast. |
Moving north from Palolem and Mabor beaches tourists will
find that Colva Beach is another broad, beautiful stretch
of sand. A brook bubbles across it and the beach is sheltered
by palm trees. It is a popular beach, with shops, restaurants,
and something of a carnival atmosphere. It is a place where
vacationing Indians come to lay in the sun and sand while
their children dog-paddle around in the waves.
Among the safest beaches for swimming is Bogmolo Beach, just
south of Panaji. It was among the first of Goa's beaches to
be discovered by tourists. Fishermen also work the beach.
Palms are plentiful.
Inside the Goan capital, Miramar beach (or Gaspar Dias), is
only about 2 miles from the centre of the city. The beach
is popular with the public, but it is not really considered
safe for swimmers. Dona Paula Beach near Panaji is a land
of water scooters and speedboats.
Not far north of Panaji is Calangute Beach. This was the first
of the hippie resorts back in the 60's and 70's. The hippies
left, though, when mainstream tourism over ran Calangute.
It is small, crowded resorts area today and does a thriving
business in the holiday season. Despite the crowds and popularity
of the beach, it is long enough to allow some privacy.
|
|
Further north, if not quite the capital of the hippie world,
Anjuna Beach was at least a leading travel destination for the
Woodstock generation. It was once the most celebrated of Goa's
beaches. Not far from Anjuna is Vagator Beach, where steep slopes
of run down into a picturesque bay protected by small rocky
peninsulas on each end.
A centuries-old Portuguese fort overlooks the mouth of the Tiracol
River in northern Goa. The beaches in this area (the Pernem
district) are the state's least developed. The crowds don't
come here and there are no big hotels. Visitors camp, or rent
one of the small shanties along the beach.
The beaches throughout Goa have an abundance of seas shells.
The local Indians string the small brown and black littorin
shells into curtains. Yellow-tinted conch shell (hemifuses pugilinus)
is common. And a variety of other shells are numerous.
A word of caution: swimming is hazardous throughout Goa. The
coast has some strong undercurrents. Speak to the lifeguards
before you go out into the waters.
Goa's beaches are difficult surpass. |
|
|
|
