Okay, we have to accept that most of us (especially the millennials) are addicted to social media. And when we visit a destination, we do more for the gram rather than ourselves, which is neither right nor wrong. Lately, people (influencers in particular) visiting Goa had been bombarding our social media accounts with their pictures of them sitting and facing the heart-shaped lake.
With this in mind, I visited the heart-shaped lake to witness how it looks. But, what I see is nothing as compared to what I see in the pictures. The cliff point where the photos of the lake (with heart shape being prominent) could be clicked, is now a private property. It meant I could not trespass at a certain point.
You must be thinking that I must have felt heartbroken. Well, that did not happen. Despite the cliff point not being accessible to me, I decided to go down the other path cause for only one reason - I do it more for myself rather than the gram.
How to reach the heart-shaped lake
It is a little tricky to locate the exact location of the lake. If you are using GPS, it would most likely keep driving you around the same area. So, take the help of the real people. I have divided the route into three checkpoints to make it easier for you.
First checkpoint - coast guard colony, Chicolna region
You would be able to reach this area with the help of GPS.
Second checkpoint - Indian Coast Guard (Ministry of defense)
Ask people around if GPS does not help you reach the checkpoint. After crossing the second checkpoint, ask the watchman sitting at the gate the direction to the heart-shaped lake.
Third checkpoint - The signboard indicating private property
A watchman sits under a tree and guards the private property there. The path from there leads up to the lake forks, one leading down and the other leading up. Take the one going downwards, and you will reach the lagoon, which is only a few meters away from the coast.
And what I see there is something I did not anticipate, which made me write this post on the reasons why you should visit the heart-shaped lake.
1. To enjoy the lesser-known heart-shaped lake in Goa
Fortunately or unfortunately, the heart-shaped lake is still hidden away from the tourist crowd. And that means that you would have the opportunity to have the lake and the surrounding coastal area to yourself.
Good to know: The area is quite secluded. So, avoid spending too much time there, particularly if you are alone or in a very small group.
Good to know: The person guarding the private area near the fork also told us that a few days back, a fisherman had claimed that he had seen a leopard near the dense bushes. That being right or wrong, take the utmost care.
2. To witness the panoramic coastal scenic beauty
The heart shape of the lake looks clear from the cliff point. The photos captured from that point have been bombarding our social media accounts. However, the area near that cliff is private property now, and therefore general public is not allowed there anymore.
But, you do not have to lose heart.
When you go down the fork, a panoramic scenery would welcome you with the wide coastal line. I bet that you would love to spend some time there.
Good to know: You might find people (if at all you find any) climbing down the rocks towards the sea, and sit there. Avoid seconding them if the place is isolated.
Good to know: Please be a good citizen (of whichever country you are from), and avoid dirtying the place. I could see beer bottles and lays wrappers lying here and there during my visit. It feels disgusted to see that some people do not have the very basic hygiene quotient.
3. To watch the yon orange sunset near the heart-shaped lake
Watching the sun setting in the sea on one side and the rocky mountains on another would surely give you some chills.
Good to know: As mentioned above, the site is still quite non-touristy. Therefore, avoid waiting there until the sunset if you are alone or a couple.
If you still are adamant to watch the sunset, I would suggest renting a two-wheeler for that day as you can drive it all the way downwards near the heart-shaped lake.
4. Do it for the gram
You knew this was coming, am I right? People have been storming Instagram with photos of the heart-shaped lake. Now, it is your turn. You could post pictures of the coastal scenery and make them wonder where this place exists in Goa.
Good to know: Remember that the experience comes first, and then the gram/ photos.
5. To get an idea of how Grand Canyon National Park feels like
You must be thinking that I made up that one. However, I made it up only partially. Because, when I saw those rocky mountains, it did remind me of the Grand Canyon National Park. It is only that the rocks had to be a little reddish. But then, what are Instagram filters for?
These were some of the reasons why you should give a visit to the heart-shaped lake in Goa. Though well known, the lake is thankfully less visited by tourists, and its unique charm is still intact. You can take in the serene atmosphere as you watch the waves crash against the rocks and enjoy the tranquility.
If you are putting up in North Goa, it would be close to 50 km to reach the lake. However, the beauty of the coastline, and the gorgeous sunset there, are worth all the trouble.
It is only that the shape of the lake is not that "heart" from that point. I did try many angles to capture the heart shape but could not succeed. If you discover one, please do let me know too.
