SINQUERIM TO BAGA
From Fort Aguada at the South end and Baga headland at its northerly point is the 7 km stretch of beach which takes its name from various villages along its length: -

SINQUERIM At the South end. Home of North Goa's Five Star Hotel. Water Sports can be found here. Access points - Fort Aguada Hotel, Dando Vaddo.

CANDOLIM Busy section of beach -famous for some notable beach shacks such as Frank Zappas, and Jacksons. Access points - Holiday Beach Resort, Health Centre, Whispering Palms, Xavier's.

CALANGUTE The place to sit and watch the Indian tourists watching the foreign tourists watching them! Walk a few 100 yards in either direction to find peaceful sunbathing. Access points - Calangute Centre. Additional access, Goan Heritage /Golden Eye.

BAGA Here the beach is narrower and busier and therefore of more interest if you require more of a beach than just a place to sleep, read and watch the sunset with cocktail in hand. Here you will see foreign tourists and Indian tourists in equal numbers and find some of the more "trendier" shacks.

ANJUNA - TERACOL
North of the Baga Headland are the rocky coves and sand beaches of Anjuna, Vagator & Little Vagator.

ANJUNA BEACH Avoid this beach on Wednesdays if you aren't interested in shopping 'til you drop. Anjuna Beach is home of the now legendary weekly Flea Market. Other days it's peaceful.

VAGATOR AND LITTLE VAGATOR . These are more rocky coves than the wide open beaches around Candolim and Sinquerim. A popular spot for Indian tourists and the start of the "hippie trail".

Further north is the Chapora River, crossed by ferry only. As a result, the beaches from here are pristine, uncrowded and undeveloped although more intrepid tourists are discovering them. Try: -
MORJIM - miles of nothing
MANDREM - miles of even less
ARAMBOL - famous for nude hippies and fresh water lake
TERACOL - the last beach in Goa before the Teracol River. The River can be crossed by ferry or private kayak to reach Teracol Fort which is now being run as one of Goa's "Heritage Hotels".

NERUL

COCO BEACH
Actually located at the mouth of the river Mandovi Coco Beach is sheltered from the prevailing sea breezes and has calm water that is excellent for swimming especially in early season when swimming off the main beach is not recommended.

SOUTH GOA

MAJORDA - CAVELOSSIM
In the South the beaches are long, empty and have fine powdery sand. The majority of Goa's five star hotel complexes are dotted along their length.

From Mormugao to the Mobor Peninsula there is 25 Kilometres of beach. Lined by a broad band of coconut plantations, the beach sweeps endlessly to the horizon. Several beach areas have been developed for tourists such as Colva but if you want your own private piece of beach just take a picnic and choose your own private spot. If you want to go where there are beachshacks and sunbeds head for a beach near a hotel such as Majorda, Benaulim, Varca, or just walk across the road and sit on your own beach at Cavelossim.

CANACONA - PALOLEM
This area has some of the most outstanding scenery to be found in Goa. To the west are the jungle covered Sahyadri Hills (an extension of the Western Ghats) and on the east a string of coves and sweeping beaches follow an indented coastline. Tourism has made little impact on this landscape and the pristine beaches and tropical forest are ideal for exploring. Try Agonda with its deserted stretch of 3kms of beach or find a cove with no name and claim it as your own.

PALOLEM AND BEYOND
Palolem has a perfect crescent-shaped bay, lined with coconut palms and has been called "Paradise Beach". Until recently hippies were the only foreign tourists that came to this village. However, it has now been discovered by the tourists on day trips from the North. In spite of this Palolem has remained a traditional village and the local council has fought to prevent the building of hotels on the beach. Only temporary structures are allowed which take the form of bamboo huts or tents. These are well equipped and have electricity and proper beds with mattresses. There are toilet/shower blocks reminiscent of camping and caravan holidays in England - only much warmer! Great for a few nights "away from it all"

There are more small coves to explore -Rajbag and Colom, Galijbag and finally Polem, which is Goa's southernmost beach, and within a stone's throw of the state border.