Beaches
Goa's prime attraction to holidaymakers, both Indian and foreign, is its 106 kilometre long palm fringed coastline. Goa's coastline has lovely stretches of beaches studded with luxury resorts, charming beach shacks and secluded coves. All have fine stretches of silver sand. The longest stretch is about 20 kilometres in length and streches from Velseo to Morbor in south Goa. It is called the uba dando.
North Goa
Arambol, Chapora, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Sinquerim. This stretch comprises some of the most popular beaches in Goa. They have beautiful scenery and are easily accessible from the apartment. This is also the most popular part of Goa. Along the shore beach shacks serve fresh seafood and equipment can be hired for water sports such as paragliding, sailing, water skiing, wind surfing, and diving.
Arambol (Harmal) Beach
About 50 kilometres northwards from Panji, the capital city, is a quiet beach with a fresh water lake right on the shore.
Vagator Beach
Dominated by Chapora fort on the northern side, is still a hippie's haven. It comprises of two sandy bays north of Anjuna the hangout of the hippies and the flower children of the 1960s retains its informal atmosphere and has a weekly flee market every Wednesday.
Anjuna
Anjuna beach is well known as the hippy hangout of the 60's and 70's and for the full moon beach parties, and of course the Anjuna flea market that takes places on Wednesdays during the season October to April. Anjuna is about a 20 minute taxi ride from Candolin and there are two beaches to visit. The south Anjuna beach is past where the flea market is located and also where parties still rave into the night at full moon at the beach shacks there. This is the beach you will arrive at if you take a boat trip to the flea market on Wednesdays. The north Anjuna beach streaches from just past the flea market to the right and ends at the Anjuna cliff. Here there are several beach restaurants with sun beds.
Baga
The next beach on this stretch. Is very popular. Here a fresh water rivulet of the same name meets the sea. A popular tourist resort. Comfortable accommodation and good quality restaurants are available at a short distance from the beach which is clean, white sand.
Calangute
One of the most popular beaches in Goa. Is about 16 kilometers from Panji. In the woods and coconut groves behind the beach, hide small houses with family holiday accommodation. It is Goa's most crowded beach. Filled with all kinds of places from beach shacks, to restaurants. Picturesque fishing boats dot the seascape.
Candolim
Is the next beach. This beachfront is almost as broad as it's long. Some good refreshments shacks are found here.
Sinquerim
The first beach. North of the mandovi river, is also the site of Fort Aguada. One of the best preserved Portuguese coastal forts. Fort Aguada beach resort one of the cluster of three Taj Group of hotels is also here. Just beyond the fort is the lighthouse built in 1864. A new lighthouse outside the complex replaced the function of the original.