Beaches of South Goa’s Canacona District

Even though North Goa is known for its parties, flea markets, adventure sports and more, I find the beaches of South Goa to be more picturesque, serene,  endowed with natural beauty and less crowded. Below is a list of my top beaches (have ranked them: 1 being the best) that come under the Canacona district of South Goa. I thought I should share this list given that the Goa season is fast approaching.

1. Galgibaga Beach This is definitely the cleanest beach in Goa and may be, the whole of Indian mainland. I call it the turtle beach since the Olive Ridley Turtles come to nest here. Accommodation options may be less here, but that helps in preserving this natural beauty.

2. Cola Beach A very remote beach that has its own river, a small lagoon and the sea to itself. This is ideal for those who prefer a very quiet beach and would like to enjoy those serene sunsets with their loved ones. The freshwater body also adds a special charm to this beach.

3. Agonda Beach This is a popular beach next to the Agonda river estuary that is frequented by those who wish to stay around for long periods of times. One can find houses and shacks on rent by the month here. Sunsets here are legendary. For those staying here, the Cabo de Rama Fort is not too far away.


4. Palolem Beach The Palolem Beach is the most happening beach in the Canacona district with a lot of facilities. Ideal for families with great choice available in food.

5. Honeymoon Beach This is a pristine beach that is located on an island. One can get here in the early hours of the morning with packed food, enjoy the beach to themselves and then return to Palolem by evening. Great place to spot dolphins too.


6. Butterfly Beach A very small island beach that is about a 15 minute boat ride from Palolem. Ideal for those who are interested in climbing up the small hillocks of the hill, soak in the stunning Arabian Sea views, take a swim in the waters, have a relaxed afternoon and then return to Palolem in the evening. Watch out for the tides here.

7. Patnem Beach This is the beach that is most preferred by the foreign tourists as it is real close to the party zone that happens all night. Thursdays and Saturdays are the happening nights. It would be difficult to find a domestic tourist staying here.


8. Rajbaga Beach This is the beach that is right in front of the Lalit Intercontinental property. The Talpona river separates it from the Galgibaga beach. Ideal for those luxury seekers and those who wish to indulge in some adventure sports.

9. Colomb Beach This beach next to the Patnem Beach is known for its cove. Has an equal mix of domestic and foreign tourists. The beach is really small, but the waters can be real gentle here.

I hope that this list helps in planning your upcoming South Goa holiday.

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Indulge in some Parasailing at Rajbaga Beach, South Goa

The exotic tropical destination, Goa, is the land of many personas. It has the wavy beaches, the pristine waters, the chilled out lifestyle, the bustling nightlife, the beach facing coco huts and many more. But, the one thing that is fast catching on in Goa is water sports, which ranges from scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing, banana boat rides to jet ski.

 
Most of these water sports are fiercely popular with the local and foreign tourist population as there are a lot of adventure operators catering to the needs of these adrenalin lovers. The one adventure sport that is easily accessible to all adventure lovers, is affordable and is accessible across all age groups and health levels is parasailing.

 
Parasailing is an adventure sport, where the tourist is strapped onto a parachute in a body harness and is then pulled by a long rope that is connected to a speed boat. As the speed boat opens throttle and heads off into the open waters, the adventure lover is lifted high into the air along with the parachute.

 
This is a sport where you are totally airborne without your feet being on any surface. It is the easiest way to fly, let yourself loose, feel the adrenaline rush and enjoy the views of the wide open seas all at once.

 
There is no certification or practice required to participate in this sport, though a basic training session is provided by the instructor before the adventure activity begins. This adventure sport is generally organized during the afternoon hours when the gentle sea breeze blows in towards the land. None of the operators offer this sport during rough weather conditions.

 
A typical parasailing session lasts about 5 minutes and costs around 800-1500 rupees per person. Though, when in flight, the adrenalin rush is so high that the 5 minutes seems like 30 seconds and people often complain that the high gets over too soon. Parasailing is offered at many beaches in Goa along with other adventure sports. But, the operators at Rajbaga beach in South Goa are more reliable and have trustworthy equipment.

 
So, if you seek that adrenalin rush and are planning that holiday in Goa, then you know where to go and what to do!

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Corta’s – The In-House Beach Restaurant of the Plush Intercontinental Resort at South Goa

If you happen to be holidaying in South Goa and wish to indulge in some lip-smacking Goan cuisine, you should definitely drop by Corta’s, the beach facing restaurant of the Intercontinental Resort, a five star luxury property run by the Lalit Group.

 
This restaurant is located on the Rajbaga Beach in Canacona district and in front of the Intercontinental Lalit Goa Resort area. The entire restaurant is very tastefully designed with a wood and haystack theme. This beach shack restaurant is also voted as the finest beach restaurant in Goa.

 
During the months of November through April when this restaurant is open, one can experience the frolic of local cuisine of Goa along with an exotic range of sea food and grills made from daily fresh catch and vegetables. The food served here offers a wonderful mix of food styles from all over the world.

 
The kitchen at Corta’s is influenced by the Portuguese and European cuisine,  with a rich use of tomatoes, potato and cashew nuts. However, the local coconuts are a favourite here and can be found in many dishes.

 
The few delicacies offered at Corta’s are Chicken cafreal, pork sorpotal, chorizo, Pao, Lobster peri peri, pomfret rechado and prawn belchao. In terms of desserts, they offer the Alle Belle, Jenie’s port wine poached, Banana trifle, Bowl of fresh fruits with coconut whipped cream and Portuguese Custard Pie. Out of the dessert menu, my personal favourite is the Alle Belle.

 
Overall, the menu is pretty well rounded with options for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian eaters. The menu spans Appetisers, Soups, Preparations from the Clay Oven, Rice, Noodles, Pasta, Breads, Grilled Food, Brew and Desserts.

 
The restaurant offers 64 covers and is open for both lunch and dinner and offers special sun downer cocktails. This restaurant offers its guests a wonderful mix of great ambience and delicious cuisine.

 
It’s rustic, yet creative look and its proximity to the sparkling Rajbaga Beach and the lapping waves of the Arabian Sea make it a wonderful and unique venue for a great dining experience. In terms of price, the place is slightly expensive, but totally worth it.

 
I would recommend this restaurant with two thumbs up, but if such expensive places are not your cup of tea, then you can possibly check out these cheap city breaks.

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Beer, Beach and Sun!

The tropical beach paradise of South Goa offer so much to the global traveller. But, its main charm lies in its simple pleasures within its vast treasures.


There is nothing more relaxing than to sit back under the shade on its pristine beaches with a mug of chilled beer and gaze out into the open sea. And if you want a nice tan, all you need to do is lay out a towel, put your sunglasses on and flip through the pages of your favourite book.


In my mind, ‘BEER, BEACH and SUN’ are some of the most simple and best experiences of India’s hottest beach destination. And if you are this indulging kind, then the beach options in South Goa are aplenty.

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Shimmering Sea views from the coastal roads of South Goa!

The swaying casuarinas, the blue skies, the golden sands of the beaches and the vast blue sea is what comes to mind when one thinks of Goa. But, if I were to add another not so well known dimension, I would say that a ride through the coastal and hilly roads of South Goa offer great vistas.


These roads are not the NH 17 highway, but the road parallel to it and one that kisses the coastline. These roads are small and quiet, but are very well paved. They cross innumerable rivers and streams and offer splendid views of estuaries and fishing villages.


In the middle of all this, these roads take you up and down through winding hills overlooking the sea. It is at such hilly sections that one gets to see the shimmering seas. This shimmering view is so pristine that one can gaze at it for hours together.


In addition, these coastal roads move through waves of mangrove forests and coconut palms making it a very scenic drive.


The best part about these coastal roads of South Goa is that it gives you the opportunity to explore the various beaches of South Goa, namely, Galgibaga, Rajbaga, Patnem, Colomb, Palolem, Agonda, Cola, Cabo De Rama Fort and others.


So, if you have a two wheeler and if you have a week or more to spare, you can comfortably explore and enjoy South Goa at your own pace.

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