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Goa Beaches Tour
Strung
along Goa’s 60-mile (100km) coastline, like a lace frill on the edge of a
colorful, skirt are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world- dazzling
stretches of golden sand edging the aquamarine expanse of the Arabian Sea.
Goan
beaches are magnificent and you will find them extremely difficult to leave. The
only problem is which one to head for.
An unbroken four-mile (7km) crescent of
sun-drenched sand marks the twin beaches of Candolin & Calangute, north of
Panjim and the Aguada headland.
Calangute became almost a traveler’s cliché in
the '60s and early'70s and tourist literature is fond of referring to it as the
'Queen' of Goa's beaches’. |
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Baga, a little further north, is a better beach and a
more relaxed place to stay. Despite the concentration of resorts, hotels, beach
huts, bars, restaurants, and souvenir stalls, there is innocence here, a
freshness of childhood mornings. Farther north, past estuaries of the many
streams that gurgle through the land, are a series of secluded beaches.
In South
Goa at a distance of mere two kilometers are the Colva and the Benaulim beaches.
The slow paced beaches are breathtakingly beautiful. The Dona Paula beach,
Vagator and Chapora are other beaches worth visiting
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Anjuna - 18 km
from Panaji and adjacent to Chapora Fort, it was the haunt of the flower
generation in the sixties and still popular with the younger generation.
A key
attraction here is a magnificent Albuquerque Mansion built in 1920, flanked by
octagonal towers and an attractive Mangalore tile-roof.
Agonda - 37
kms from Margao, it is a nature lover's delight. Secluded and picturesque, this
beach is ideal for lazing around in the sun. Agonda is the place if you are
looking for peace and solitude.
Arambol
- About 50 km from Panaji, this is an unique beach in north Goa. It is both
rocky and sandy and the most sought-after beach by foreign visitors. |
Baga - It is a secluded and pleasant beach with good recreational
facilities like river cruises, water-skiing, yachting and fishing. Staying here
is no problem as there are many lovely, small cottages available.
Betul
- A virgin beach untouched by tourism, it provides a stretch of silvery
sand, alongwith the secluded wilds. Betul offers total seclusion, and magical
beaches and a wonderful view.
Calangute - 16 kms from Panaji, this 7
km-long 'queen of beaches,' is a popular holiday resort. The small houses amidst
the coconut groves behind the beach are always in demand.
It is the most popular
holiday resort in Goa and a hit with foreign tourists. Colva - 6 km.
from Margao, it is the pride of Salcete and rivals Calangute in scenic
splendour.
Here sea , sand and sky blend in enchanting natural harmony, weaving
their magic spell on the visitors. The beach offers good accommodation
facilities.
Dona Paula - 7 km from Panaji near the rocky point
between the Mandovi and the Zuari is Dona paula, a secluded bay with a fine view
of the Marmagao harbour. |
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This is an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe. Water
scootering facilities available. Miramar - A lovely golden beach of
soft sand girdled with palm trees, Miramar is one of the most popular beaches.
Less than 3 km from the Panaji city centre, it is just where the Mandovi meets
the sea. From here one has an excellent view of the Aguada fort just across the
river.
Palolem
Beach - A relatively deserted beach, Palolem is about 35 Km from Margao. It
is one of the most enchanting beaches of Goa with a backdrop of the Western
Ghats.
Polem - Goa's southernmost beach, a few kilometres from the
Karnataka border, is Polem. This is an absolutely spectacular beach which is
completely untouched by tourism. The only thing to be done here is swim and
sunbathe in complete isolation.
Vagator - 24 km from Panaji, this is
a popular beach dominated by the Chapora Fort (which marks the entrance to the
bay) in the north and Calangute beach to the south. It's a free-and-easy mood at
Little Vagator beach where a young, hip crowd and nude sunbathing are the norm. |
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