BEACHES OF GOA

Along Goa's 100 k.m. (60 mile) coastline edging the aquamarine expanse of the Arabian Sea are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beaches are so magnificent that you will develop an abiding passion for it. You can walk for miles on these soft sandy beaches without seeing anybody, try it at sunrise and it will remain in your mind for ever. Goa has wild and empty beaches in the North and quite beaches in the down south. Most of these beaches are named after the nearest fishing village and on these beaches are located most of the hotels and resorts of Goa.

North Goa Beaches - It makes 30 km stretch and includes Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Arambol etc. Out of these Calangute is called the queen of beaches.

This beach was haven for hippies along with the Anjuna Beach which is famous for its rave parties and the famous flea market on every Wednesdays where you will find the hippies and the backpackers selling their wares and the goans selling colourful dresses, bedspreads and handicrafts from almost all over India. It was the hippies who discovered these beaches in the late 60's. After this the exquisite beauty of Calangute beach soon spread around, attracting hordes of European tourists.

You can spend your vacation soaked in the serenity of sea, sun and sand. You will find here the hippies busy remembering their good old times and the young and old alike lazing around in shacks.

Candolim Beach in the North is situated on the Candolim village which is famous as the birth place of Abbe Faria, the father of Hypnotism. The resorts on this beach offer variety of water sports activities and also Yoga and Meditation sessions which adds to relief from stress and fatigue.

South Goa Beaches - It includes Vasco da Gama, Bogmalo, Velsao, Majorda, Varca, Colva, Benaulim, Betul, Agonda, Palolem, Dona Paula etc.

Varca Beach is a white - Sanded, Palm Trees - fringed marvel of peace. This the kind of beach you could write poetry on, only to be interrupted by the lap of the blue waves. The facility of dolphin watching is available on this beach. There are boat trips arranged for this special event.

Colva beach in the south is also worth mentioning. This beach is less crowded and here you can just laze around. Gather your collection of interesting books and head for Colva beach. You can enjoy the day reading the books with just whisper of the sea to disturb you.

Dona Paula Beach in the south Goa is famous for the water sports options it offers. Sports clubs here on this beach offer Windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, yatching etc. This beach is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of aviceroy (in colonial India), who threw herself when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias.