Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Beaches in Goa

Goa is the land of beautiful, attractive, beaches. The wide golden stretch that mixes with the blue water of Arabian Sea. The gorgeous Beaches in Goa not only place to visit but ideal for sun bathing and beach parties. One beach differs from the next one due to their unique characteristics. The beaches always have to offer a new surprise to her visitors, so the tourist visiting Goa never gets monotonic. Every new season in Goa welcomes her tourist with a fresh mind that becomes the true key source of relaxation. The most important is the variety that these beaches offer. Its not only give the water- loving person the scope to enjoy the day, one who want to have ease can easily lay back on the beach beds and have feni and enjoy the sun and the soothing sea breeze. Goa is miles away from hums and drums of busy city. So it relaxes mind and leaves peace and freshness completely.

The 'shoppoholic' will never go empty handed as the local handicrafts have great variety to offer. The beach side stall gives the chance to tourist to enjoy the beach and shopping side by side.

The golden beaches are ideal for the sea bathing, sun-tan and water-sports. The wind-gliding, water scoter, snorkeling, scuba diving occupies the front position of preference. The following beaches are the most common and unique. The glittering beaches attract thousands of tourists every year. Goa beaches not only have domestic appeal but these golden stretches are very common internationally also.

The following beaches are the most common ones:-

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.

Arambol Beach
Arambol Beach is the North Goan Beach. It was the first beach in Pernem in 1980's to be invaded by tourists, who actually were hippies and had come here to get away from the fast commercialising beaches. There are shops selling sarongs and some beach shacks also. Other attraction of the beach is Our lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Baga Beach
If you like a little isolation to watch the sun go down, Baga beach is just the place for you. 10-km west of Mapusa, Baga is basically an extension of Calangute; even the locals are unable to decide where ends and the other begin. Lying in the lee of a rocky, wooded headland, the only difference between this far northern end of the beach with the rest is that this Goa beach is marginally more varied and picturesque.

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.

Mobor Beach
A series of luxury resorts mark this stretch of water front beach which till the 80's was home to just a few fishermen huts. However not all has been touched by the humans, there are still spots such as near the mouth of River Sal which are very picturesque. The beach also has a range of water sports activities, jet skiing, speed boat ride, wind surfing, banana and bump rides. Then there are also available full day tours of River Sal and the Arabian Sea. Or you can also hire a cycle and take a trip of the beach. There are also some casinos and lounges on the beach in case you are looking for some nightlife.

Bogmalo Beach
This beach is very close to airport, you can see the flights literally landing and taking off from this beach. Covered with Western Ghats from three sides, the beach looks very different from other beaches. With golden sand, white waves and a green carpet from three sides, Bogmalo looks pretty beautiful. It is a perfect place for a quick stopover in case you have to take a morning or afternoon flight from Dabolim airport.

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
Crouched 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.

Condolim Beach
Because of good options to stay, many of them tucked away down quiet sandy lanes and offering better value, make this beach site a good first stop if one has just arrived in Goa and are planning to head further north after finding one's feet.

Vagator Beach
Barely a couple of kilometres of cliff tops and parched grassland separate Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest neighbour, Vagator. Yet to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life goes on peacefully, in the background, in Vagator and Chapora. It is cool rural area, without offering the tourist any big shopping complexes.

Varca Beach
Varca is the longest stretch of beach front in Salcete. Its also the loneliest of all. There are few beach shacks here and you can move here around undisturbed. There are quite a few resorts near Varca. There is also a seventeenth century church, Our ladies of Glory church in Varca which you can visit.

Benaulim Beach
Named as Benaulim by the Portuguese, lies in the centre of Colva Beach, 7-km west of Margao. Benaulim Beach, GoaAs this place is a like a large fishing joint tourists can easily become gourmets and try out various culinary delights of the seafood. Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming, being generally jellyfish-free, while the village area near beach side itself boasts a few serviceable bars and restaurants, serving the most succulent, competitively priced seafood in Goa.

Sinquerim Beach
One of the most beautiful stretches, Sinquerim Beach is fast gaining popularity. It is fairly safe for swimming and not very crowded. What makes Sinquerim so special is its golden sands and sapphire waters. Also on the beach is Fort Aguada, a must visit historical monument of Goa.

Arossim Beach
The beach front of Goa's one of the largest and beautiful village Cansaulim is Arossim. The beach is reasonably safe for swimming. The beach front is very beautiful and not very crowded. Once on the beach you can visit the sixteenth century Church of Sao Tome (St.Thomas the Apostle).

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.

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