There may be many things on your list to do in life. But visiting Goa beaches at night and enjoying the sun, surf, and sand is still a must. Goa is a beach destination everyone should visit, whether they live in India or are visiting for the first time. There are many beaches here, and each one is a beautiful, clean gem that suits different tourist tastes. There are many great beaches in Goa. Here is a list of some of the best beaches.
List of the 10 Most Famous Beaches in Goa
1. Varca Beach
In the southern part of Goa, Varca Beach is very close to Benaulim Beach. The beautiful views of nature, abundant sunshine, palm trees for shade and the sound of waves can help you relax. In South Goa, Varca Beach is one of the most visited places.
Varca Beach is a great place for fishing and relaxing in the sun. If you want to have more fun, take a boat to see dolphins in the water. Watching the sunset from the water is a real treat for the eyes. At Varca Beach, you can learn more about sailors and their way of living.
How to Reach
- By Air – Get down at Dabolim airport and drive 25 km by taxi to reach Varca Beach.
- By Train – Get down at Panaji and take a link train to Madgaon. Varca is 12 km from Madgaon, the nearest railway station.
- By Bus – Madgaon bus stand is the nearest bus stop from Varca.
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2. Vagator Beach
Don’t miss the chance to view the beach from the Chapora Fort built by the Portuguese 500 years ago. The beautiful view of the beach filled with coconut trees will take your breath away. Tourists often visit there as it is the starting point for many other beaches in Goa.
The beach of Vagator is in the northern part of Goa. There are two streams with fresh water here. One is in Ozrent and the other is on the North Vagator beach. People from all over the world come to this beach to enjoy the beautiful views. If you have extra time, visit the nearby town of Chapora to learn more about the people who live there.
How to Reach
- By Air – From Dabolim take a prepaid taxi and travel 22 km to reach Vagator.
- By Train – The nearest railway station is Karmali, which is 11 km from Panaji.
- By Road – Mapusa bus stand is 9 km from Vagator. From Mapusa lot of buses go to Panaji and the neighbourhood places.
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3. Palolem Beach
People know Palolem Beach for its thatched houses. In any season, you can choose to stay in a bamboo hut close to the beach and sand. There are a variety of thatched houses here, some are basic and won’t break the bank, and some are fancy with private bathrooms. Go on a cruise along the beach to watch dolphins moving along with the sound of the water.
Palolem Beach is lined with tall coconut palms that give you shade and a cool breeze. If you head to the northern end of Palolem Beach, the pure water current will leave you enthralled. At a reasonable price, you can do a lot of different water sports. Palolem is also known as the “Paradise Beach” because of its beautiful views and serene atmosphere.
How to Reach
- By Air – Goa’s international airport, Dabolim is 67 km from Palolem. Go for a prepaid taxi or else you will lose more money.
- By Train – Canacona railway station is 3 km from Palolem beach. This station is well connected to the neighbouring states of India.
- By Bus – Margao is 40 km from Palolem. Several local buses ply from Margao to Palolem.
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4. Miramar Beach
Miramar is a village located 3 km from Panjim. It is the closest beach to Panjim and is where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea to form a harbour. Miramar is home to a huge cluster of palm trees. Spend quality time with your family and friends under the shade of the palm trees.
The birdlife of Miramar Beach is very popular. In winter, every stretch of the beach is teeming with more than 500 different birds from all over the world. The 2-kilometre stretch of soft, white sand and the sound of the waves make it a great place for a stroll at sunset.
How to Reach
- By Air – Get down at Dabolim and travel 28 km to reach Miramar Beach.
- By Train – The nearest railway station is 13 km from Miramar.
- By Bus – From Kadamba bus terminus Miramar is just 3 km. You can have a lot of link buses from Kadamba to go to Panaji.
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5. Majorda Beach
Majorda Beach has white sand that has never been used before. This place in Goa is known for its baked goods. It is believed that the Jesuits used the sap of the coconut palm to make delicious baked goods.
Majorda Beach has white sand, a few palm trees, waves lapping around and not many people. Majorda Beach is a quiet place where you can read your favourite book without anyone else in between. Take a long walk along the water with your loved ones. Listen to the sound of the waves to learn more about nature.
How to Reach
- By Air – It is only 19 km from Dabolim airport. You can pick up a taxi or bus to reach Majorda Beach.
- By Train – The nearest station is Madgaon station; from there hire a taxi to reach Majorda.
6. Dona Paula Beach
“Lovers’ Paradise” is another name for Dona Paula Beach. Dona Paula Beach is where the Mandovi and Zuari rivers meet. It is believed that the daughter of the former viceroy had a love affair with a fisherman, and both of them gave up their lives for the love of the Dona Paula cliff. If you like birds, you should visit the bird refuge, which is 9 km from Dona Paula.
If you like to be alone and in a quiet place, then Dona Paula is the best place for you. Tourists do not visit this beach very often. The white beach, orange sun, blue-green water and no one around will take you to paradise. Apart from lying in the sun, you can do many other things, such as motoring, flying, skiing and windsurfing. There are always places to eat nearby that can satisfy your hunger.
How to Reach
- By Air – Dona Paula can be reached by bus or taxi from Goa’s Airport.
- By Train – The nearest railway station is Karmali from where you can get link trains to reach Panaji and Goa.
- By Road – From Panaji which is 7 km from Dona Paula, you can avail of a lot of bus transport.
7. Colva Beach
Goa has many beaches, but Colva Beach is the largest. It is the most popular spot for foreign tourists, stretching for more than 20 kilometres. There is a small fishing village called Colva on the Arabian Sea. If you are visiting Colva in October, you should check out the festival and fair held at the Church of Colva.
The weather is great for people in Goa. This beach is one of the longest beaches in the world, but many stretches of its white sand are still unexplored. Colva Beach has become more popular in recent years, but there are still many miles of unexplored land. You can relax by the water and listen to the sound of the waves, or you can take a boat ride among the waves.
How to Reach
- By Air – Dabolim, the international airport is 70 km away from Colva. You can hire a taxi or auto to reach Colva.
- By Train – Get down at Madgaon railway station taking a local train from Panaji, the capital city. From Margao take a bus or taxi to reach Colva (8 km).
8. Chapora Beach
Chapora is a very remote beach, so not many people go there. The fully grown coconut trees, the sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun, all of these will give you a lot of new energy. In the town of Chapora, fishing is the main job. Many fishermen risk their lives every day to feed their families. You can see their lives here.
When the sun shines, the colour of the water turns emerald green and when the sun sets, it turns yellow-orange. You can take your time and watch the sunrise and sunset without anyone else. Take a walk to see the Portuguese fort, which has been there for more than 500 years. Throughout the year, the weather in this area remains the same. But from December to February, bring light woollen clothes with you.
How to Reach
- By Air – Get down at Dabolim, the Airport at Goa, and take a taxi to reach Chapora.
- By Road – Within India, a lot of buses are available to reach Panaji. From there take a taxi or local bus to reach Chapora.
9. Cavelossim Beach
Goa has more beaches than any other state in India. Cavelossim Beach is one of the most famous places for tourists in Goa. There are many places on the Cavelossim beach where you can see black lava rocks. The water and sand are left alone and they are clean and clear. The blue water, sun and cool breeze make it a good place to relax. Visiting the Cavelossim beach can give you and your family new energy.
The beautiful Cavelossim beach is just around the corner of the Sal River. It is a sure thing that you can watch the sunset from the boat on the beach of Cavelossim. It is a great experience to watch the beautiful Sal River flowing behind you through the palm trees. You can also take your kids on a dolphin trip instead. Many stores can fulfil your food needs.
How to Reach
- By Air – Cavelossim is 35 km from the International Goa Airport.
- By Train – The nearest railway station is Karmali which is 11 km from Panaji.
- By Road – Bus facility is available from Madgaon near Panaji. Get down at the Panaji Bus stand and take a taxi to reach Cavelossim.
10. Candolim Beach
Candolim Beach is 7 kilometres long, so you can take your time to enjoy the water. The famous Fort of Aguada, built by the Portuguese in the 1600s, is located here. From this fort, you can view the beach beautifully. There are plenty of fun things to do in the town of Candolim.
From this beautiful beach in North Goa, you can visit other beaches in this coastal town. To visit, you can swim in the water, rent a boat or lie down in the warm sun on the golden sand. There are many water sports for your family to enjoy. There are still many places unexplored by people in this 7-kilometre-long stretch. You can find peace and relaxation on Candolim Beach as it is not as busy as Calangute.
How to Reach
- By Air – Candolim is situated 45 km from Dabolim, the international airport of Goa.
- By Train – Candolim is located 14 km from the Panaji Bus stand. Take a local bus to reach Candolim.