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The North Goa stretch begins from the headland of Fort Aguada
just outside Panaji city and moves up north towards the border
to Maharashtra. Right from the Fort Aguada Beach Resort, there
is an interrupted stretch of sand for tourists, sunbathers.
Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim
and Arambol are the beaches that can be covered in the North
Goa Circuit. |
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Calangute and Baga Beach
This 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 continues as Sinquerim Beach, then as 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 Beach and Fort. Calangute and Baga Beach are situated
to the north of Panaji, near the Malpuca town. These two
beaches stretches for more than 7 kms. of golden sands.
Calangute is the beach to which everyone heads for the moment
they land in Goa. So it is natural that it is overcrowded in
both in peak and off seasons. Calangute beach is the most
popular beach in Goa. This huge seven-kilometre sweep of sand
located 15 kms from Panaji, is called the 'Queen of Beaches'.
In the morning, the tourists can walk along the beach as the
rising sun rays fall upon the sea and wouldn’t be able to know
the difference between the sea and the sands. In the morning,
they will be greeted by the bracing breeze and the sight of
fishermen taking in the morning’s catch. Later in the day,
Calangute witnesses considerable activity as the offshore
stretch from Calangute to Baga beach is dotted with eating
places. In the evening, you can visit any of the eating places
and also discover the ambiance of old style Portuguese culture
merging with modern Goa. The village of Calangute has all
basic facilities like post office, banks, foreign exchange
offices, resort companies, all kind of eateries and medical
facilities, internet cafes. There are no swaying palms nor are
there any traditional boats lying there to add variety. The
waves are bigger and heavier here due to the rapid drop. As
compared to Calangute Beach, it is more quieter and also more
isolated. The Baga beach is a secluded and pleasant beach with
good recreational facilities like river cruises, water skiing,
yachting and fishing. Its scenic beauty, with the creek, the
Retreat House perched on the hill and the lack of local
tourist buses all have contributed to its unique beauty. It is
more popular with western tourists who love to use it as a
base for water sports and fishing in the area. There are
various resorts, hotels and cottages that are located at these
beaches.
Chapora and Vagator Beach
Chapora and Vagator Beach is situated about 3 kms. away from
Anjuna Beach, and 22 kms. from Panaji in Bardez taluka. The
beautiful stretches of sand are strikingly beautiful and
irresistible. A canopy of dense coconut plantations sets the
backdrop for the ramparts of Chapora Fort that dominates the
surroundings from the top of the rocky hill. The beach
adjoining Anjuna is secluded, crescent shaped and situated on
the Caisua bay along the Chapora river basin, in the shadow of
Chapora fort. During the tourist season, it is a favorite
venue for mid night parties. There are a number of buses that
run from Mapusa and Calangute Beach to Vagator.
Anjuna Beach
The Anjuna Beach is mainly known for its free culture. It is
located about 18 kms from Panaji and is situated in Bardez
taluka. Anjuna beach was once the playing ground of the flower
children or fugitives from Western civilization and still
retains memories of those carefree days. This 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 continues as
Sinquerim Beach, then as 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 Beach,
Chapora river and Fort. The Village of Anjuna is a five square
miles enclosure nestling between the Arabian Sea and the Hill
overlooking the beach. the beach is known for its swaying
palms, soft sands, sandy coves and natural beauty. It has an
unusual rocky formation overlying a cove of white sand and
black rock that juts into the Sea.
Sinquerim Beach
The Sinquerim Beach has a magnificent 17th century fort which
has now been converted into a prison. Sinquerim is located
some 13 km from Panaji. It is one of the best beaches in Goa
with international class facilities for water skiing,
parasailing, fishing, scuba diving and wind surfing. The Fort
Aguada Beach Resort, Taj Holiday Village and the Aguada
Hermitage are the various hotels which are situated on the
hillside, overlooking the sea. There is uninterrupted firm
sand from here all the way to north to Baga and if you want a
long beach walk, there cannot be a better place to start from.
Miramar Beach
The Miramar beach is located about 3 kms from Panaji. This
beach is located on the road to the rocky promontory of Dona
Paula. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as
it opens into the Arabian sea. It was originally known as the
"Gasper Dias Beach". From the beach across the river is an
excellent view of Fort Aguada. Apart from its proximity to
Panaji, it is very much commercialized and a large number of
hotels and exclusive homes of Goa's rich and famous stud the
area. The beach is crowded with locals and tourists alike on
most days. The Dhempe College of Arts and Science is located
here and so is the memorial to Goa's first chief minister, the
late Dayanand Bandodkar. A lovely golden beach of soft sand
girdled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the
nearest to Panaji.
Aguada Beach
Aguada beach is almost synonymous with the top-notch Fort
Aguada Hotel complex, a superb hotel that is built on the
cliff, around the remnants of the early 17th century
Portuguese fort. Although access to the beach is not possible
through the hotel grounds, which are private, you can walk
along Aguada beach, for in India private beaches do not exist.
The hotel has been constructed in three parts, consisting of
expensive cottages on the upper reaches of the hillside, the
fort jutting out to sea, and a delightful Goan village, with
individual cottages. Drawn by the clientele of the hotel, Aguada beach has cafes, itinerant vendors of everything from
Kashmiri carpets to massages, and a good range of water
sports.
Terekol Beach
Arambol and Terekol Beach are the northern most beaches of Goa.
The Terekol beach has a wonderful fort which has now been
converted into a rest house and a small church.
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