Quiet, tranquil, offbeat, relaxing. These are not the words you would use to describe the “happening” beaches of Goa – would you? Of course, not! Goa is quite the party hub of the country. The place to be with friends over a weekend, the destination for budget travels, the haven of seas and beaches. But Goa is not the place you would associate with the tranquil.
That’s probably the charm of Goa – the happening nightlife, the midnight strolls by the beach, the frenzied parties over feni and prawns! But there is the other side of Goa that is far off from the hustle. The lazy side of Goa, until recently remained unknown. It is only now that travelers are seeking the beaches of South Goa to stay away from the buzz of the North Goa beaches.
If you want to explore this “other side” of Goa and want to plan your itinerary, accordingly, let us help you. We have curated a list of the famous beaches in South Goa that will entice you, lure you, relax you, and will ensure you have the most memorable vacation ever.
Top Beaches in South Goa.
Agonda Beach
If you are looking for a beach to enjoy swimming and sunbathing, Agonda Beach is calling you. With a long stretch of pristine shore, the Agonda Beach is perfect for a secluded getaway. From the Dabolim airport, it is just a 90 minutes’ drive. The beach shacks are welcoming with their live music and chilled ambiance. You can also enjoy windsurfing, paragliding, and many other water sports here.
If you are a nature person, you must visit the Agonda beach as it is the nesting region of the Ridley turtle – an endangered species.
Other the years, several small resorts and hotels have come up around this beach making it quite a traveler’s cozy destination.
If you are looking to stay close to the beach, remember that hotel rooms can be a little over-priced here. But the serenity and the comfort it offers are quite unmatched.
Palolem Beach
Imagine this. You are living in a shack, wake up to see the local fishermen go to the sea, spend the day exploring a few rocky outposts, and the evening enjoying the picturesque sunsets. This is what sums up the experience at Palolem Beach. As one of the most enticing beaches in South Goa, this is where you will invariably feel comfortable, warm, and fuzzy. There is a corner around the beach that is nicknamed the Green Islands because rocky outfits are covered by trees on one corner.
During the day, you can set out for Dolphin spotting! It will be quite an adventure. Alternatively, you can enjoy water sports like scuba diving here.
If the days are quiet, the nightlife at Palolem is quite titillating. The famous Silent Noise Party happens ‘on the rocks’ here. The sunsets here can be memorable too. Do not forget to click a few pictures while you are here.
Colva Beach
Colva Beach is one of the oldest beaches in South Goa and has rightfully earned its place as one of the most exotic yet pristine locations in the area. It is one of the beaches near Madgaon and quite popular as a lovers’ paradise. If you are planning a proposal or a memorable evening with your loved one, you can easily organize a candlelight dinner here. You can be sure to surprise your partner by giving them a memorable and filmy evening – all with violin playing in the background and a secluded dinner for just the two of you.
If the nights are a promise of perfect romantic dinners, the mornings are for sunbathing, skiing, parasailing, and paragliding. The 25-km long beach is perfect for many adventures and thrills!
It is believed that your trip to Goa is incomplete unless you visit the famous Menino Jesus statue near Colva Beach. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Mercês or the Colva Church is a holy destination that you must not miss. The ancient Portuguese houses around the beach are worth exploring too.
Benaulim Beach
According to mythology, Lord Vishnu’s arrow landed on a seashore and that place came to be known as Banavali. But during the Portuguese rule, it was renamed Benaulim – a name that still is prevalent.
Benaulim Beach is a perfect getaway for those seeking greenery and the sea together. Located just 41 km from the capital city of Panaji, this beach is highly recommended for its scenic beauty.
Other attractions around the beach are the spice plantations that can be a heady, aromatic experience for all and the St. John Baptist Church. This church is located atop a hill and the view from there is quite breathtaking.
Many adventure sports can be enjoyed here as well such as parasailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing.
Butterfly Beach
If you are on your honeymoon, you must visit Butterfly beach. There is ample privacy in the many coves and dense trees around the beach that you will surely enjoy! The beach gets its name because of the many species of butterflies that you can find around the area. Many tourists argue that the shape of the beach is that of a butterfly and that’s why it’s so-called. It is one of the beaches near Palolem and can only be accessed by ferry.
Mobor Beach
Mobor Beach is lively. It is a place where tourists gather for lively rendezvous. There is music, partying, and a whole lot of fun that you can enjoy here. Of course, its picturesque location and the 30-km long beach strip make it simply perfect for all festivities. Mobor Beach is located at the delta of the Sal River and is on the southern coast of Goa. The river quite literally envelopes the area making it stunningly beautiful.
Mobor Beach is also part of a National Beach which simply adds to its beauty.
Many areas around the beach are owned by luxury hotel chains thus limiting the crowd to a large extent. If you are looking for a beach that is secluded yet luxurious – the Mobor Beach will be perfect for you.
Varca Beach
As one of the cleanest beaches in Goa, Varca beach attracts a lot of international crowds. The outlandish shores, the incandescent beauty, and the wooden boats (lined up by nearby fishermen) make the Varca Beach a picture-perfect attraction.
Spending hours idly on the beach is possible here. The shoreline is surrounded by palm trees. Far from the bustling crowd of North Goa, Varca Beach is quiet and serene. If you are looking for peace and tranquillity, this is the beach you must visit. Also, this is one of the best places to enjoy delicious authentic Goan food.
You may be lucky to spot dolphins around the beach. You can take a boat ride on the river Sal which is quite an experience.
Majorda Beach
Sandy shore, palm grove, and the beautiful amalgamation of the blues with the green – the Majorda Beach is breathtakingly beautiful. In Hindu mythology, Majorda beach finds mentioned as the place where Lord Rama was kidnapped and kept as a child. As one of the more popular beaches of South Goa, Majorda remains a tourist favorite all around the year.
This beach is famous for its toddy-tapping business. If you catch a sight of the toddy tappers, do not miss seeing how they climb and tap the palm flowers.
Numerous restaurants around the beach are famous for their authentic seafood spreads. Majorda Beach also has an interesting history of baking, and you will easily find some of the best-baked products here.
The beach is welcoming to both budget travelers and luxury travelers. There is something for everyone here.
Betalbatim Beach
Also known as the Sunset Beach, the sultry evenings watching the sun dip into the Arabian Sea is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. The Betalbatim beach is picturesque to describe it simply. The sun and sand along with the coconut palm trees along the fringes of the beach make it an idyllic location for leisure. The well-known St. Thomas church is located in the vicinity of this beach.
Enjoy the food and wine in the many shacks around the beach. The nightlife here is worth enjoying and you shouldn’t miss out on that at all.
Cavelossim Beach
The paddy fields around the beach, the Sal River, and the Arabian Sea and endless time at your disposal to explore and enjoy the tranquillity of nature – that’s what you will enjoy at the Cavelossim Beach in South Goa.
On this shoreline, you will enjoy the black lava rocks juxtaposed alongside the white sands. If on the beach, there are shacks serving authentic Goan meals, on the main roads, just off the beach, market stalls are lined up for the shopping enthusiasts.
The Church of the Holy Cross is located nearby, and you must visit it.
South Goa has remained unnoticed for far too long. Fortunately, it is changing as tourists are willing to explore the quiet and serene beaches of the state. If you too want to go the off-beaten track, visit these South Goa beaches.