Best Beaches In Goa for a Great Time in the Sun

Morjim is one of the most secluded beaches in North Goa. It is a great place to spot a large variety of birds and Olive Ridley Turtles, hillocks and good food. Morjim is also known as mini-Russia due to a large concentration of Russian immigrants. It is located on the northern bank of the Chapora River estuary and is a fairly quiet place owing to the nesting ground of the endangered species. Late night parties and loud music is banned here.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Situated 15 km from Panjim, Calangute Beach is the longest beach in North Goa, stretching from Candolim to Baga. Popular as the "Queen of Beaches", it is among the top ten bathing beaches in the world. The Calangute Beach is known for its water sports activities like parasailing, water surfing, banana ride and jet-skiing.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

Palolem Beach, located in the South Goa is one of the most beautiful beaches of Goa. Mostly unspoiled, the beach is often flocked with foreign tourists. It is popular for white sand, long stretch of serene beach, palm groves, and beach shacks. Also known as Paradise Beach, Palolem is considered the safest beach for swimming. Beach activities at Palolem include canyoning, kayaking and scuba diving.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Located around 7kms from Panjim, Dona Paula is one of the most popular tourist hangouts in Goa famous for its vast stretch of beach. The small beach is also popular as the Lover's Paradise and features a jetty (Dona Paula Jetty) adjacent to it, which provides an ethereal view of the Arabian Sea and Mormugao harbour. Another attraction here is the whitewashed statue, called 'Image of India', depicting Mother India and Young India.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Quiet and calm beach, Vagator is one of the best beaches of Goa. It is beautifully set amidst the cliffs with soft and white sand and is perfect for relaxing. It has vast stretches of coconut trees and the Chapora fort as a nearby attraction. Vagator beach is located 21 km north of Panaji.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Anjuna is situated 21 km north of Panaji and 7 km from Baga. Known for its unparalleled natural beauty, glowing soft white sand and swaying palms, Anjuna Beach is a hot spot for tourists both domestic and foreign. The full moon beach parties are what attracts the crowd the most. The main attractions at Anjuna are Curlies and other beach shacks, peaceful seashore, and flea markets.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Situated in the south of the famous Arambol Beach, Ashwem Beach is popular yet unexplored by local tourists. Characterised by rocks and vast coastlines, it is visited by a handful of foreign tourists just enjoying the water and the beautiful beach. This beach is mainly famous because it is the place where Olive Ridley Turtles come to shore to lay their eggs. 

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

One of the most happening beaches in Goa, Colva Beach is mainly renowned for its romantic evenings, great seafood and the most happening nightlife in South Goa. Among other things to enjoy are the beach shacks, water sports in the peak seasons, sandy beach and amazing sunsets. Another major attraction nearby is Our Lady of Mercy Church Colva beach is located 6 km north of Margao.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

One of the most popular beaches in North Goa, Baga Beach is located close to Calangute beach, around 30 Km North of Panjim. Baga is the perfect destination to witness the dazzling nightlife of Goa as signature places such as Britto's, Tito's and Mambos are located in the vicinity. Being one of the most visited beaches in the North, Baga also offers a vast range of water sports.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Just 2 km away from the tourist hub Colva of South Goa lies the serene Benaulim Beach. With its long stretch of empty sands dotted with inviting beach chairs, this scenic beach in Goa is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. Rather unexplored beach, it offers tranquil evenings, good food, local markets, and is particularly famous for bullfighting events and the Church of St John the Baptist Benaulim is located 6 km south-west of Margao.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Head to one of the offbeat beaches in South Goa which has golden sand, cold pine trees, unexplored serene stretches, trips to spot dolphins, good seafood and laid-back evenings. Betalbatim is located 10 km north of Margao.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

Beautiful and serene, Arambol Beach is counted among the best beaches of North Goa unexploited by tourists. A 16 km long unexplored beach surrounded by cliffs on two sides, with a Fresh Water Lake and chirpy markets nearby, Arambol is a perfect place for people looking for solitude. It also hosts night parties, has a rich music scene and is also good for water sports.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Calm shore, beautiful sea beach, water sports, beach shacks along the coast make Chapora Beach one of the most loved beaches of Goa. The white sand along with black lava rocks and the Chapora Fort overlooking the sea make for an endearing sight. One can also explore the Chapora village nearby which is 24km north of Panaji.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

This laid-back Candolim Beach hosts the Sunburn Festival in December. It has the Aguada fort overlooking the sea and is one of the best and longest beaches in Goa. It lies around 15 kms ahead of Panjim towards North Goa. The beach is very popular among the tourists owing to the scrub dunes present on the shore. Another highlight of Candolim beach is the ship River Princess which got stuck at the shore since 2000 and now has turned into a tourist attraction.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Sinquerim Beach is a small yet popular and clean beach with dolphin spotting trips, shacks with good food and chilled beer and the Sinquerim Fort overlooking the sea. It is located 13 km north of Panjim, close to Aguada Fort and Beach. The stunning beach lures you into its landscape with its gorgeous setting of the golden sands lined by green palm trees.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

Cavelossim is an aesthetic beach, with white sand and black lava rocks, beach shacks, Goan dishes and seafood, water-sports, local markets, and dolphin spotting trips. There are lots of accommodation options near the beach as well. Cavelossim beach is located 15 km south of Margao and is considered to be among the better beaches of South Goa.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Agonda is a quiet beach in Goa ideal for chilling, swimming, walking, eating and just generally doing nothing. Situated 37 km from Margao, it is not very popular among tourists and hence relatively quiet and less crowded. This palm-fringed beach is also extremely popular as a nesting ground for olive ridley sea turtles. Agonda Beach is an ideal place to enjoy the romantic side of Goa and a great spot for sunbathing and relaxing.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

A little to the south of Palolem in Cancona region of Goa lies the Butterfly Beach. This beach, also known as Honeymoon Beach, is in the form of a small cove surrounded by dense trees. One of the most secluded and lesser-known beach of Goa, the butterfly beach is mostly accessible by a boat (ferry) ride from the nearby beaches, which only adds to the charm. It is a good place to spot fishes, crabs and even dolphins. 

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Cabo de Rama Beach is a beautiful beach located in Margao and is one of the lesser-explored beached in Goa. The beach is secluded owing to its distance from major towns and cities. Overlooking the beach is the Portuguese Fort called Cabo de Rama. From the fort, one can witness mesmerising sunset and sunrise.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

Mandrem is white sand peppered with beach shacks and famous for Dolphin spotting trips. Junas and Ashvem are the two main beaches with shallow and calm waters which make it a great place to swim. During high tide, water rushes up the Mandrem creek which runs parallel to the shoreline. A lot of bamboo bridges are spawned across this creek making it a great place to spend romantic evenings with your feet dipped in the water. 

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

One of the rare party beaches of South Goa, Mobor Beach is considered an extension of the adjoining Cavelossim Beach, located towards the southern side by the confluence of the delightful river Sal with the Arabian Sea. This beach is a prime destination for the active tourists of Goa, offering a whole range of watersports like jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, and biking on the beach. Mobor Beach is situated 17km south of Margao.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Bambolim Beach, which is located 7 km from Panaji is considered one of the unexplored beaches of Goa. Since there are no major hotels or shacks, not many tourist visit this secret beach and it remained deserted for the most part.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

A perfect mix of natural beauty and commercial space, Bogmalo Beach in Goa has a lot of shops selling local handicrafts. It has clean water ideal for swimming with the Goa Institute of diving located there. It is also famous among BITS Pilani Goa Campus. Bogmalo Beach is located 14 km south of Panaji.

Water Activities: Not Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

An idyllic beach in South Goa, the landscape and tranquillity of Varca Beach are its most attractive features. With its golden sands seamlessly transitioning into a reddish magenta shade as it meets the turquoise blue water of the Arabian Sea, this beach finds itself home to many famous and luxurious resorts. The palm and casuarina trees against the deep blue sky increase the beach's picturesque feature.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Majorda Beach is a calm unexplored sea beach with long stretches of clean sand, clean water ideal for swimming, lush green countryside, and lovely bakeries. It also houses Martin’s Corner: a restaurant famous for its Goan dishes, drinks and nice music. Don’t miss the Goa Christmas Carnival if you happen to be here in December. Majorda is located 11 km north of Margao.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Miramar Beach of Goa is a popular and crowded beach, frequented by locals from Panaji and nearby towns for its local street shops and restaurants. The beach is located 3 km south-west of Panaji. The Goa Science Centre and Planetarium is located here which is known for its interactive 3D exhibits and a 3D movie theatre.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

A quieter alternate to Palolem beach, Patnem Beach is among the most beautiful and serene beaches in Goa, located 39 km south of Margao. Situated in South Goa, Patnem beach is fascinatingly soothing with its calm vibe and alluring demeanour. Its old-school atmosphere is complemented by the idyllic and quiet nature. 

Water Activities: Not Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Cola Beach, also known as 'Khola' beach, is one of the rare beaches of Goa that offers travellers the most tranquil of surroundings, with a location hidden from the mainstream view, showcasing the natural beauty of Goa at its finest. Unspoilt, clean and quiet, this beach hosts a hidden gem of a surreal and pure blue lagoon, created by the flowing of the river into the Arabian Sea, separated by a narrow strip of glimmering sand.

Water Activities: Not Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Also known as Keri Beach or Kerim Beach, it is the northern-most beach of Goa and located close to Tiracol fort. This beautiful beach in Goa has an Old Portuguese Fort and a 17th-century church. The fort, now converted to a hotel, can be reached by ferry which plies every half an hour. A picturesque scene not to be missed are the fishing boats which line up on the beach at 6:00 PM every day to go out in the sea and come back the next morning at 5:00 AM. The beach has paragliding and other water sports. 

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Just north of the famous Majorda lies the quiet Utorda Beach, home to soft white sands and fantastic palm vegetation that fringe its sides. The strip of the coast comes equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas for travellers looking to laze by the beach as they admire the sight while sipping a refreshing beverage as the day goes by.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

Coco Beach is a scenic shoreline located on the Mandovi estuary lined with tall palm and coconut trees and offers an exciting escape for beach lovers. The beach falls on the mouth of River Nerul and is perfect for boating, water sports and spotting dolphins. It is quite a commercialised attraction and is often explored on River Cruises. It has a number of restaurants and a bustling marketplace to promote tourism.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

This quiet beach in Goa is ideal for people looking for solitude and some alone time. A small lagoon, a river flowing nearby, a 17th-century fort and a Baradi Cross church make it a picturesque venue. Located in South Goa, about 24 km from Margao, Betul Beach is also secluded because of its far location and not many people know about this village. If you're a nature lover or just looking for a quiet place to just relax and watch the sun setting in the sky, this is the place for you. 

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

One of the offbeat beaches of Goa, this 1.5 km long sandy beach has a calm and serene environment. The swaying Palms and Casuarinas make it a philosopher's retreat. Located 52 km south of Margao, it is one of India's cleanest silver sand beaches. Highly recommended by all tourists, this beach is also a home to Olive Ridley sea turtles to lay their eggs in the month of December- February. 

Water Activities: Not Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

An isolated beach with a calm and serene coastline, golden sand, fishermen village and a couple of beach shacks, Talpona is located 44 km south of Margao. Those looking for quiet and relaxing beach vacation need look no further than the Talpona Beach. With a kilometre long shoreline, pure golden sands populate the beach, framed by swaying palm and pine trees.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

Southernmost beach in Goa, this is a secluded beach with stretches of white sands and rocks, unspoilt and clean water -ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Migratory birds and dolphins could also be spotted sometimes. Polem is around 60 km south of Margao.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

This one is a shell collector's paradise. It is a rocky and sandy beach and its most famous attraction is the Chapel of Jesus Nazareth Siridao Beach is situated around 12 km south of Panaji.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes

One of the most isolated beaches of Goa also known as the ‘Tiger Beach’, Kakolem is located south of Cabo de Rama beach. It is difficult to reach this beach by foot as it will require to climb up many steps and pass through narrow paths. It is easier to get here by boat or a motorboat. Due to the complexity of reaching the place the people who go here are really less mostly it is either nature lovers or adventurers. 

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: No

Rajbagh Beach is one of the cleanest beaches in Goa. The golden stretch of sand extends for about a kilometre. The pristine waters are apt for beach lovers and swimmers. Rajbagh Beach is primarily famous for the luxury  Lalit Resort, which is located on the coast and offers 5-star accommodation for tourists.

Water Activities: Available
Good for Swimming: Yes