Goa Beaches

Play on the seashore,
And gather up shells,
Kneel in the damp sands Digging wells..

If you are adventurous, a water baby or just a beach bumthen coming to Goa is the best option that your mind can suggest because life is beach in Goa. The land is located on the west coast of India and has become a top liner laid back for tourists from all across the globe. The crazy parties, hippie joints, refreshing Spa's and Ayurvedic massage centres are the major specialties of the place. From miles and miles of sunny beaches, to the splendours of its quaint cities, towns and cobbled alleywaysGoa is no less than a magic and indeed a dream come true. Whether it's fun adventure, sunshine, spirituality or just plain relaxation, you don't need to look beyond the magical land of Goa.

Goa – Beaches On MiND
If you wish to discover the real India, Goa is the best relaxing break and is lavishly gifted by nature. The mesmerising beaches of Goa is one thing you really cannot resist. The beaches of the place are much ahead of other beaches in terms of popularity and comforts that they offer. All the pleasure of sun, sand and surf can be experienced at the pristine beaches of Goa. So get ready to shake your legs for some time with a glass of feni and beer around the midnight bonfire on the beach.

Sinquerim Beach
The Sinquerim Beach of Goa is located at a distance of 13 km from Panaji. The clean, white sand of the Sinquerim beach is a sight of great delight. The 17th century Portuguese fort, Fort Aguada lies close to the beach. There is uninterrupted beach, starting from here all the way up to the north of Baga and if you want a long walk on the beach, there cannot be a better place to start than from here.

Anjuna Beach
There is a surreal quality about Anjuna. All kinds of people from eccentric millionaires to bums on the dole, from barely literates to double PhDs, all enjoy the beauty of this beach to its fullest. The charm of the beach cannot be described in words, in fact it needs to be experienced preferably on a full moon night. The surrounding of the beach is truly appropriate for a happening beach party.

Calangute Beach
Huge chunk of people throng to this beach in great numbers. The variety of people make it one of the biggest cosmopolitan coast on a 7 km stretch. The beach is also known as ' Queen of Goa's Beaches' and was discovered by hippies in the late 1960's and has become the playground of Goa's visitors ever since the 1980's. Glimpses of saris, swim suits, shacks and handicraft stalls is only the tip of the iceberg that this beach provides to one and all.

Baga Beach
The Baga Beach is a small fishing beach enveloped with shady palms close to the water's edge. In fact Baga is an extension of the Calangute Beach. However there are great differences between them as Calangute Beach is crowded, steep and marred by dangerous undercurrents, the Baga Beach is flat, clean with white sand and is too safe for swimming.

Bogmalo Beach
Bogmalo is one of Goa's most attractive beaches. The green hills that surrounds the beach from all the three sides, the grainy golden sand and big surf make Bogmalo a place worth memorable. Bogmalo offers a comprehensive water sports experience. One of Goa's two PADI diving centres is based here. The beach also has been the venue for two Enterprise class world sailing championships.

Bambolin Beach
This beach is not so very popular as compared to other beaches of Goa. This small, clean and largely undiscovered beach lies in the shaded spot before the mouth of the river Zuari. The beach is adorned with sea shells, which makes it a haven for shell collectors. Thick coconut groves line the beach and offers a refreshing delight for all those who want to enjoy a cosy picnic.

Arambol Beach
The beach of Arambol lies close to the traditional fishing village of Arambol. The beach is known for its rocky and sandy terrain. It is one of the favourite beaches of hippies and is quiet famous for its wild parties for which it turns to be the host. The main beach too good for swimming. There's a hot spring near the main beach that runs into a freshwater lake. Sporty types can enjoy activities like dolphin watching boat trips and para gliding.

Agonda Beach
The beach of Agonda lies at about twelve kilometres from Palolem. The beach is very new and recently got discovered by the tourists. The water of this beach is clear like a crystal and makes it feasible to see the bottom of the shore while swimming. There are good accommodation facilities around the Agonda beach.

Palolem Beach
Palolem is the beach of Goa's southern most town of Canacona. Sprinkled with white sands and coconut palms the beach comes out as a heavenly beauty. At the northern end there lies a tiny island which you can wade out to at low tide.
Other Attraction
While nature has been so generous to Goa, man too has contributed a lot to Goa's beauty. The strong Roman Catholic community, with the active support of the erstwhile Portuguese rulers, has had a number of churches built in this picturesque locale. In Panaji, one must visit the church dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception, and the Chapel of St. Sebastian. The Goa State Museum, the Secretariat, the Statue of Abbe Faria in the capital is a must see for lovers of art. The largest of the churches in Goa, the Se Cathedral is in Old Goa and is flocked by thousands of tourists every year. The holy shrine of Basilica of Bom Jesus, also in Old Goa, houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is a famous pilgrimage center among the Roman Catholic world.

Fort Aguada is worth a visit to savour the nostalgia of the Portuguese regime, especially in its lighthouse and the Aguada jail. Terekhol Fort in the Arambol Beach has been now converted to a hotel. The Museum of Christian Art in Rachol Seminary and Church and the Braganza House near Margao are also worth a visit. Besides these, to get a glimpse of the Hindu population in Goa, one has to visit Ponda

Access
Air: Goa (Dabolim Airport) is connected by Indian Airlines and Air India to Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad. Private airlines also operate flights to Goa.
Rail: Vasco-da-Gama and Margoa are connected by train with Bangalore, Belgaum, Hospet, Hubli and Hyderabad and via Miraj to Mumbai, Delhi and Agra.
Road: Panaji, the capital of Goa, is connected by road to Bangalore-598 kms, Belgaum-157 km, Mumbai-594 km, Gokarn-154 km, Hospet-315 km, Hubli-184 km, Karwar-103 km, Kolhapur-246 km, Malwan-150 km, Mangalore-371 kms, Mysore-696 kms, Pune-458 kms, Ratnagiri-263 kms, Vengurla-73 kms etc.

Come to Goa and check out for yourself that there is no place like Goa that can be so warm, inviting to make you feel at peace with the universe.