A Guide to the Beaches of North Goa
There’s no doubt that Goa is known for its beach and shack life, but just the beaches of North Goa are enough for you to experience the lively vibes that this ‘party capital of India’ is known for. These places feature a diverse mix of tourists. From local to international tourists, backpackers to hippies, right to the elite cosmopolitan crowd, we have them all.
Baga, Calangute, Vagator are among the most popular beaches in North Goa, where you’ll be able to spot many family tourists enjoying water sports along the beachside shacks. If you go further north, you will find Anjuna beach lined with some of the best cafes of North Goa. Further north, we have more pristine beaches of North Goa including Morjim Beach and the Arambol Beach. This blog brings to you the most enchanting beaches of North Goa for your vacation, starting from the most crowded beaches to the more serene ones.
Candolim
Candolim is one of the first beaches of North Goa approached by tourists from the capital city of Panaji. Previously host to the infamous Sunburn music festival (Asia’s biggest music festival), this beach has featured famous electronic artists such as Axwell, Afrojack, David Guetta,and many more. Majority of the area is acquired by beach facing resorts, one of which is the Marquis Beach Resort, known for its luxury stay and warm hospitality. This beach is also known for Parasailing and Water skiing facility, besides other sports available here. Slightly less crowded than the other beaches, this is a must visit if you visit Goa with your family.
Calangute
Calangute beach, known as the ‘Queen of Beaches’ is the largest beach in North Goa.
Now become one of the most crowded beaches, this expansive stretch of water attracts both tourists, as well as local Goans. All the travel agencies and tour operators have a base here from where bookings are done for most of all the other beaches. Several souvenir stalls, shacks and other stalls selling everything from trinkets to beer line the beach. Despite the crowd, it’s also one of the best beaches for swimming and is always flooded during the day with both tourists and locals looking to have a good time.
Baga
Baga beach is one of the most popular beaches of North Goa or the whole of Goa for that matter. Located close to Calangute beach and close to Marquis Resort in Candolim, too, this place is popular for its nightlife with some very famous clubs such as Brittos, Titos and Mambos. If you’re feeling adventurous and looking for some thrill to add to your vacation, then this place has a range of water sports for you to keep that adrenaline pumping. Baga Beach is often considered to be the extension of Calangute Beach itself since both lie on the same stretch of sand. Lined with an array of tattoo parlors, tarot and palmistry shops, spas, sun decks, and some really amazing food and drinks shack, Baga Beach gives you a chance to live out your perfect and adventuresome holiday in Goa.
Anjuna
Anjuna Beach is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian sea that begins at Fort Aguada through to Sinquerim Beach, then to Candolim Beach and merges into Calangute Beach and then to Baga Beach and then Anjuna Beach and then to Vagator Beach, finally ending at Chapora river and Fort. This beach opens itself up to visitors through its happily swaying palm trees, soft sand, and the eccentric rocky formation extends up to the sea. This place is also popular for hosting full moon parties, especially during New Year and Christmas.
Ozran Beach or Little Vagator
This beach is where the famous Shiva rock sculpture is located. It is believed that this Shiva confront was etched by a remote traveler who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Famous for its natural landscape and the Fort of Chapora, this rocky beach does require little effort in climbing a small hillock, but the final destination is definitely worth the climb. Even if one cannot make it down the path, the view of the horizon from the top of the hillock is quite a sight, and to watch the sunset, even better! Not as crowded as the other beaches, the location is often chosen for shooting movies such as Bollywood blockbuster ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and is a paradise for stargazers. The beach is also called Little Vagator as it is located a little distance away from Vagator Beach. If you’re into psychedelic or trance music, then this beach has a few places lined up across the shore for you to unwind at.
Morjim
Morjim Beach, located along the Pernem district, is among the quieter and cleaner beaches of North Goa there is. This beach is also a famous turtle nesting site for the Olive Ridley turtles. During this nesting season, huge numbers of volunteers gather together to guard the nests and help the hatchlings return to the sea safely. Over recent times, this place has gained popularity by the Russian tourist community and is known as ‘Little Russia’. Apart from the many Russian signboards to this place, one also finds restaurants, shacks, and guesthouses run by Russians here.
It does not matter what kind of traveler you are, you will definitely find something that suits you among the beaches of North Goa alone. In other words, these beaches promise to make your holidays memorable, especially when coupled with a stay at Marquis Beach Resort, Goa.
