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With
almost 40 beaches dotting its 131 km-long coastline,
Goa
is a delight for swimmers, anglers, water sport enthusiasts and sun bathers.
Old-fashioned towns with fairy0tale cottages, streets with evocative Portuguese
names, fell-tapping music, fresh sea-food washed down by Feni… a holiday here
promises to be truly unforgettable
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Panaji
Built
on the south bank of the wide
Mandovi
River
, Panaji is one of
India
’s smallest, most pleasant state capitals. It is also your gateway to the superb
beaches of
Goa
.
Miramar
Beach
Visit
the
Miramar
Beach
(3 kms). Then try your hand at water sports at the Donna Paula Beach (7 kms).
There’s water-scooter and motorboat rides, windsurfing, parasailing,
water-skiing, snorkelling, harpoon fishing and yachting.
Fort Aguada & Candolim
Guarding the mouth of the
Mandovi
River
,
Fort
Aguada
was build by the Portuguese in 1612. Sinquerim, the beach below the Fort and
Candolim are popular. Water sports facilities are available at the southern end of
Sinquerim
Beach
. Sinquerim is 14 Km from Panaji.
Calangute & Baga
First
discovered by the flower children in the 60s, Calangute – the Queen of Beaches
– continues to be popular amongst tourists.
Baga
Beach
, with a steep hill in the background, is considered one of the best beaches in
Goa
. There’s a wind-surfing school here.Parasail, water ski and wind surf…water
sports activities start in the afternoon here and go on till sunset.On Wednesdays,
boats leave from
Baga
Beach
to Anjuna.
Anjuna
18
kms from Panaji is the
Anjuna
Beach
– famous for its full-moon parties and colourful Wednesday flea market. The
other attractions are the
Albuquerque
Mansion
and the
Mascarenhas
Mansion
.
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Chapora & Vagator
Yet
undiscovered by tourists, the beaches of Chapora and Vagator are some of the most
beautiful parts of
Goa
’s coastline. Chapora is dominated by a rocky hill on top of which sits the
500-year-old Portuguese Fort. North of Chapora are more picturesque beaches:
Morjim, Mandrem and Arambol. Panaji,
22 kms away from Vagator. |
Colva
Beach
39 kms from Panaji is the long, lovely stretch of powdery sands and pristine
waters of the
Colva
Beach
. 2 kms away is serene Benaulim.
Varca & Cavelossim
South
of Benaulim are the pristine beaches of Varca and Cavelossim with upmarket luxury
resorts.
Palolem
70
kms from Panaji is
Palolem
Beach
: palm-fringed white sand hemmed by rocky crags and a laid-back ambience.Palolem
is 3 kms from Canacona Railway Junction, on the Konkan Railway.
More Beaches beckon…
The
other southern beaches are: Bogmalo, Utorda, Majorda, Betul and Mobor.
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Goa
