38 Best Beaches In Goa

This is the ultimate guide for Goa beaches that you'll ever need!

Goa. How many bells does this word ring? How many plans have been run down?

Goa is an emotion, not just another tourist destination in India. With 125 km of long coastline and a rich Indian and Portuguese culture, Goa attracts beach lovers, party animals, water sports lovers, trekkers and people hunting for a peaceful and serene holiday. Renowned for its fun-filled vibe and enjoyable culture, Goa is considered to be the best place to spend a vacation despite the season. From party beaches with all-night revelry to hidden sun-kissed coves where you won’t see another soul, Goa beaches have something for everyone.

While north Goa beaches are filled with tourists and water sport lovers, south Goa beaches offer more peace and tranquility. However, there are plenty unchartered beaches, secret, hidden locations that are still unexplored, stretched by the ends of the map of Goa.

If you have been wondering about the best goa beach, here is a list that will give you the answers to all your goa beaches questions. Hop on the boat, and lets row across the shores.

Best North Goa Beaches:

Also known as Keri Beach among locals, this Goa beach gives a splendid view of the Tiracol River meeting the Arabian Sea. Though not suitable for swimming because of high waves, it provides a perfect escape into the lap of nature. This beach is still not commercialized, attracting tourists searching for a calm and quiet beach destination. Exquisite seafood in the shacks, perched on its white sand, is not to be missed.

Kalacha Beach is among those Goa beaches with good paragliding options. The beach is famous for a small lake nearby that is fed by a Sulphur hot spring considered to have healing activities.

15km long unexplored stretch surrounded by cliffs on its two sides and a fresh water lake, Arambol is divided into two beaches: Arambol and Harmal. This Goa beach is a retreat for many tourists, especially foreigners. Besides dolphin watching and a peaceful walk on the beach there are many adventure sports. It also has a bohemian vibe to it.

Ashwem Beach is a continuation of Mandrem Beach. A beautiful and soulful beach with rocks in between and long stretches of sand, it has started gaining popularity among national and international tourists. Ashwem Beach is revered among conservationists as Olive Ridley Turtles come to its shore to lay their eggs.

Dotted with beach shacks perched on the white sand, this is one of the most beautiful Goa beach. You can opt for the exciting dolphin spotting trip or go for Paragliding. Olive Ridley turtles make occasional visits to the beach. If you're looking for something offbeat, explore the Mandrem Village.

Home to a large number of Russian immigrants, Morjim beach is a secluded paradise among North Goa beaches. It's one of the best beaches in Goa to spot a variety of birds and Olive Ridley turtles.

Beautifully hemmed-in between the cliffs and white sand all over the beach with coconut trees stretching vast, Vagator Beach is a refuge for those seeking tranquillity.

Insanely popular for its nightlife and vivacious party culture, Anjuna also offers an equally popular flea market. There are a number of parties and themed events that occur along the coastline at Curlies, UV Bar among others, for a fun night out. For foodies, the German Bakery is a great place to unwind and offers varied delicacies in meals and desserts.

Baga Beach tops the list of best Goa beaches in that sense. Be it Titos Lane where you can walk at night aimlessly and go pub hopping, or Britos at the beach where you can have a hearty meal, Baga Beach has it all. From water sports for the adventure seekers to beach shacks with good food and music, hosting beach parties, karaoke, and some even offering accommodation - Baga Beach has everything.

The hip and lively nightlife of this place makes it prominent worldwide. Usually, locals, hippies and foreign holidaymakers dance the night away in Calangute Beach. Shacks and picturesque huts make up good choices on the beach. Several unique items like small trinkets and numerous types of handmade items are available in the open market here. This is one of the best Goa beach for shopping.

Candolim beach offers various water-sports activities-right from parasailing to water-skiing, wind surfing and fishing. The laid back beach also has Aguada Fort overlooking the sea. It is one of the most serene Goa beaches. There are a lot of makeshift bars and restaurants on Candolim Beach. Tourists can also try feni here, a locally brewed drink made from cashew or coconut.

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The soft sand of the beach makes it one of the best beaches in Goa for evening walks. Tourists here get to enjoy the magical and unsullied waters of the Arabian Sea. Fort Aguada is very closely located to Sinquerim Beach. Tourists can also stay at luxury resorts here: Taj Vivanta and Taj Holiday Village Resorts, to name a few.

Best Central Goa Beaches:

Miramar is the nearest beach to Panjim which has resulted in its commercialization. The beach is famous for local streets shops, chats and restaurants. Compared to the rest of the Goa beaches, this beach is not that clean. In fact, it’s a crowded beach frequented by the locals from Panaji and towns nearby. This is among the best Goa beaches to get acquainted with the locals.

Boasting a beautiful love story of Dona and Paula, this beach is a must-visit for a beautiful evening and sunset. Slightly less crowded than other Goa beaches, Dona Paula is bound to grow on you with its mellow ambience. Calm sea with rocky shores, water sports, and a few beach shacks to cloy your food cravings - this beach is a paradise for travelers looking to lay off their stress.

Most of the area of this rocky beach has been privatized by resorts and hotels. It's also known as a shell collector's paradise.

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In the colonial days, Colva Beach used to be the resting area for Margao's high society, who would visit Colva for their "Mundanca" or change of air. Colva's nightlife is livelier and more vibrant than anywhere else in south Goa. You can hire jet skis, indulge in beach sports, swim and sunbathe in the specified zones.

One of the most beautiful beaches of Goa, this beach provides a picture-perfect view from Cabo de Rama fort. Though a little trekking is required to reach here, every step is worth viewing this splendid beauty. Cabo de Rama is a show stopper as it offers a setting similar to a Bollywood song location. The remains of a 17th-century fort that overlooks the ocean and a rocky plateau that opens up to the beautiful Arabian sea is a sight to behold.

Some pristine places are difficult to reach. Cola beach is pristine and beautiful, hence it both difficult to find and even difficult to reach. But it is totally worth the effort you put in to reach here. You'll have to rent a motorbike or a car to get to this beach, but it'll be well worth it. Cola beach is still a lesser-known beach in Goa. However, its USP is that you can stand on the beach and have the gorgeous Arabian Sea roaring on one side while a serene lagoon sits quietly on its other side.

Situated 37 kilometers away from Margao, towards the north of Palolem beach is this hidden gem with a beautiful name. Butterfly beach has a small stretch and is totally unexplored by tourists, which makes it a private spot for couples to access. Since the beach lies amidst a dense forest, there’s no accessibility through roads. But, there’s an option of renting a short boat ride from Palolem or Agonda to get here.

Justifiably tagged as the ‘ Paradise Beach', Palolem is one of the best beaches in Goa. Because the beach is not extravagant in terms of size, it is easy to explore on foot. However, mopeds and bicycles are available for hire on the main street. It offers both relaxation and adventure. This is one hell of a gorgeous Goa beach to witness the most surreal sunsets. It exemplifies a long stretch of white sand coast that is surrounded by lush palm groves. Silent night parties are often hosted on the beach, maintaining its tranquility and helping it rank high in the list of best beaches in Goa.

This secluded beach is a nesting sight for the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles and hence no commercial activities are allowed here, making this beach a haven for all those seeking a perfect time, aloof from the entire world. The beach itself is a pristine stretch of golden brown sand, fringed with coconut palms. This is one of many peoples favorite Goa beach.

Also known as the tiger beach, this is one of the many hidden Goa beaches. There are no resorts in and around this beach, so it is perfect for a quick visit by the sunset or early sunrise.