Just watching the sun go down over the sea is simply a breathtaking experience to cherish at the beaches of Goa.
Do we need to say that Goa is one of the most Instagrammable beach destinations in the world? It is a brainer why it is so! It has miles of the golden stretch of shoreline that includes some of the most popular beaches in India like Palolem Beach – famous for its silent noise parties, Anjuna Beach – famous for its laid-back hippies lifestyle. And the list can go on and on…
The sunshine state of India has beaches of white and golden sands where beach shacks are scattered from the north to south end of the beaches. You can make your Insta feed shots with dolphin spotting tours at the beaches like Ashwem, Vagator, Arambol, Calangute. Those who want to party their heart out like hippies can recharge their souls at the beach bars at the Baga Beach, where parties go till the wee hours.
This is just a gentle introduction to some of the pristine beaches in Goa. Next, flick through the complete list of the gorgeous beaches in Goa that are perfect for couples, backpackers, and leisure travelers.
Recapitulate relaxation at any of these 9 best beaches in Goa in 2024:
- Palolem Beach
- Cola Beach
- Honeymoon Beach
- Colva Beach
- Betalbatim Beach
- Calangute Beach
- Baga Beach, North Goa
- Arambol Beach
- Anjuna Beach, North Goa
1. Palolem Beach, South Goa
Whether you are a nature lover, adventure seeker, or silent party lover, Palolem Beach in South Goa should be your call. The ideal duration to spend at this beach is 2-3 hours (approx.) and indulge in watersports like snorkeling, scuba diving, jet-skiing, kayaking. Palolem Beach is the most photographed beach in Goa because of multiple reasons.
It is where you will find the elite crowd of Goa, mostly Russians, Israelis tourists. However, even the beach shacks at Palolem Beach are destinations in themselves. The crescent shape of Palolem Beach makes it a must-visit beach in Goa throughout the year. Purify your mind by practicing yoga on Palolem Beach in the morning and witness pinkish sunset in the evening.
Distance from Panjim: 2 hr 10 min (71.0 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 1 hr 53 min (64.1 km)
2. Cola Beach, South Goa
If you love exploring unexplored places, you will fall in love with Cola Beach of South Goa. A 16 kilometers (approx.) a hike from Palolem Beach will take you to Cola Beach. And therefore, reaching Cola Beach is not everyone’s cup of tea. But if you manage to reach the beach, the effort is worth it. The gorgeous golden sands with large volcanic boulders make it one of the gorgeous beaches of Goa. a hill separates Cola Beach into two parts – North and South Cola Beach.
If you visit the north side of Cola Beach, you will find a blue lagoon, which will make your jaws drop. From swimming to fishing to kayaking, indulge in many water activities. Cola Beach is wrapped from lush greenery and coconut groves. If you are traveling to Goa with friends to swim on the beach, Cola Beach is a safer beach to swim in.
Accommodation Options: Bungalow and tent house only!
Best Time: Before or after the monsoon, early summer, and winter
Distance from Panjim: 1 hr 59 min (63.8 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 33 min (24.6 km)
3. Honeymoon Beach, South Goa
As the name suggests, it is one of the best attractions in South Goa for honeymoon couples. But Honeymoon Beach is not actually a beach. In fact, it is a halt point on the dolphin viewing conducted at Palolem Beach.
Reaching honeymoon Beach involves only one medium, I e, boat from Palolem. Honeymoon Beach falls along the coast in the direction of Agonda Beach. Couples will love enjoying dolphins in a playful mood at Honeymoon Beach.
4. Colva Beach, South Goa
Amazing sunset views are guaranteed to spellbound you at Colva Beach in South Goa. Plan to visit this beach with your sweetheart if she is also the party animal. Here the beach shacks, restaurants, bars play music and serve mocktails till the wee hours. Swimming is safe at Colva Beach as lifeguards are always on duty. Thrill-seekers could enjoy every kind of watersports at Colva Beach, including parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving, windsurfing, speedboat, and kayaking.
Unlike the other beaches of South Goa that are famous amongst international tourists, Colva Beach is the hotspot for Indian tourists. From parking spaces to shopping places, there is no dearth of life-enriching experiences at Colva Beach.
Accommodation Options: Homestays, beach resorts
Best Time: Before or after the monsoon, early summer, and winter
Distance from Panjim: 57 min (34.0 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 33 min (24.6 km)
5. Betalbatim Beach, South Goa
Foreigners who want to enjoy windsurfing in India stop at Betalbatim Beach. Sandwiched between Majorada and Colva Beach is the stretch of golden sands Betalbatim Beach. It is one of the romantic beaches in Goa for couples because this beach glows in the dark. The water in the bubble produces a bioluminescent effect when you are hanging around the beach at night. The noise of waves is calming whether you visit this beach in the evening or afternoon. Betalbatim Beach has beach shacks to sip mocktails and hear the sounds of the waves after the dolphin-watching excursion.
Best Time: Before or after the monsoon, early summer, and winter
Distance from Panjim: 58 min (31.8 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 34 min (19.2 km)
6. Calangute Beach, North Goa
Your quintessential Goa experience wouldn’t be considered complete without visiting Calangute Beach in North Goa. It is the Queen of the beaches and is the mecca of the yoga academy on the beach. You can see foreigners attending yoga classes early in the morning and hippies enjoying nighttime at the beach shacks, restaurants. Swimming is not a good option at Candolim due to strong undercurrents, but you can pump your adrenaline with watersports like jet skiing, catamaran sailing, banana rides, surfing, banana rides, bump rides, parasailing and paragliding.
Best Time: Before or after the monsoon, early summer, and winter
Distance from Panjim: 37 min (16.9 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 1 hr 7 min (38.1 km)
7. Baga Beach, North Goa
If you want to try windsurfing, kitesurfing in Goa, Baga Beach in North Goa is ideal. Adjacent to the beach is Baga Road which is dotted with a shopping market. If you are a couple looking for a candlelight dinner at the beach, the beach shacks, restaurants, and sea-facing resorts at Baga Beach are soulful retreats. There is a famous Tito’s lane at Baga Beach, which is dotted with commercial nightlife. A parking option is available. However, Baga Beach is a relatively crowded beach in Goa in comparison to South Goa beaches.
Distance from Panjim: 17.3 km
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 42.8 km
Arambol Beach, North Goa
8. Arambol Beach, North Goa
Backpackers – get ready to unlock the Bohemian feel at Arambol Beach, which is located in Arambol Village in North Goa which was once a fishing village. The highlight of Arambol Beach is the silvery white sands, beach huts, and foreigners who flock here to meditate, practice yoga on the beach. It is one of those beaches in Goa that is flanked by sea from one side, and the other side is wrapped with luscious green forests.
Palm trees are fringed across the beach, which is a sight to behold during the dusk hours. Arambol Beach features a freshwater lake that emerges into the sea and is located just a 10 minute (approx.) walking distance from the beach. You will find beachfront accommodations, huts, Airbnbs around Arambol Beach. In addition, we suggest you explore the local market in Arambol Village.
Distance from Panjim: 40 min (18.9 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 1 hr 7 min (38.2 km)
9. Anjuna Beach, North Goa
Tranquil.Psy.Beach.Peace are the few adjectives to describe Goa’s hippest beach, Anjuna Beach. This beach in North Goa has been a magnet for hipsters since 1960 and is flanked by golden sands and palm coconut groves. Live the bohemian energy at the beach shacks of Anjuna Beach. Recharge your night till wee hours at the bars, pubs around the beach and grove on the different music genres.
When you are in Anjuna Beach, visit Wednesday Anjuna Beach Flea Market to buy hip clothes at a cheap price. Due to strong undercurrents, swimming is not suggested at Anjuna Beach. On the brighter side, parasailing, banana boat and speedboat are a few of the watersports at Anjuna Beach you can try. Tuesday PsyTrance at Shiva Valley goes till dawn.
Top Beach Shacks, Pubs, Clubs at Anjuna Beach: Shiva Valley, Pirates, UV Bar, Curlies.
Distance from Panjim: 49 min (22.8 km)
Distance from Dabolim Airport: 1 hr 16 min (42.1 km)
When are you zooming around at the gorgeous beaches of Goa?
See Also: Hidden beaches in Goa | Places to visit in Goa
