Goa recommendations please

Doppelwhipper

Hallo,

In Jaisalmer at the moment and we're making our way towards Goa. I know it's monsoon but will that make a huge difference?

I think ideally we'd like to go somewhere to party for a few days and then off to somewhere more quiet. Any suggestions or advice for same greatly appreciated!

Also I read that the sea is a bit dangerous during monsoon season but is it safe enough if you don't go out of your depth and swim on calm days?

Thanks

GoanCanuck

Yes it makes a big difference. The beaches are deserted, the hotels are either closed or empty and in general people are hibernating.

It is not a bit dangerous but very very dangerous. Going for a swim is nothing short of suicidal. Even if it is not raining on a particular day the sea currents are extremely strong.

BenJay

Hello everybody

I'm planning to go to Goa in mid August - I'm fully aware it's not the best time, but Uni holidays are when they are and I couldn't take three months off any other time.

So two questions basically, I've read the "Getting put off about going to Goa" thread and noted the less touristy/ less drugs beaches. I think I have enough names to be guessing along with, but any specific recommendations for this time of year and what I'm looking for would be nice if you've got time:

I'm looking for a little bit of partying - my idea of a good party is one or two or maybe three beers, most probably no other drugs, and just easy going cheery music, no 'hardcore' anything. I will give 'Goan Trance' a go, but I think I'm more likely to get on with reggae. So maybe Palolem with one party a week would be suitable, cos I don't want noise all night every night. Also I'm travelling alone, but I don't really like being alone, so where would I be more likely to find other friendly not-too-stoned people to hang out with this time of year in Goa?

Also I really like swimming and mucking about in water in every way, so really how strong are these undercurrents? I'm used to swimming in N Devon and Cornwall where some beaches also have pretty strong undercurrents - but (when I remember) I just go out to waist depth, or not too far anyway if it drops off steeply, and check how easily I can swim back before going any further. One time in N Devon I forgot to check first and had to swim as hard as I could to get out again, but I was ok.

So how strong is 'strong' - are we talking i) pulls you sideways towards the rocks quickly if you take your feet off the ground, but ok if you stay in your depth, ii) hard to stand up, iii) impossible to stand up ...? Also, is there anywhere you can do waterskiing?

Also, usually different beaches have different riptides and undercurrents, and some are better. Which ones, perhaps near Palolem, have less undercurrents?

Thankyou very much in advance

Kester

GoanCanuck

"Strong" is a combination of (ii) and (iii).

Waterskiing is not available in the month of August.

The other thing you should know is that during the months of June, July and August the sea water extends further up the beach and the actual area of the beach is reduced by anwhere between 30%-60%. This means there is less space on the beach to walk or sunbathe. Thanks to global warming the sea water is advancing further and further every year and some people have expressed the fear that one day these beaches could become extinct.

BenJay

Anyone know which beaches have relatively least undercurrents and still have enough sand all day this time of year?

Maybe one in a more concave bay would have less of the sideways currents? And more shallow angled beaches usually have less of the riptides.

BenJay

Hiya

how about Andaman Islands or Lakshadweep, what are they like this time of year? Same problems with undercurrents and high tides covering up most of the beach or not?

Thx

BenJay

Consider the above deleted, as I read by RG and realised it would be too expensive to get to/ stay on either.

BenJay

Hi again

one more question:

Is it usually necessary to make reservations in August or not?

My RG recommends making reservations months in advance for the high season, but what about August?

Thanks
Kester

GoanCanuck

No need for reservations.

Doppelwhipper

I see. So Goa would probably be crap then.

Maybe we could go to Kerala instead? We had decided on Goa because we wanted somewhere that we could escape the stress of the north but since we're going to Nepal after (probably overland from Varanasi), we wanted to cut down on traveling time.

Thoughts? And thanks for the advice so far.

BenJay

I got a reply from River Valley, Palolem, and he said they have to rebuild the bamboo/leaf/grass huts every year after the rainy season, and they're only allowed those simple natural buildings on the beachfront at Palolem and Agonda, so basically they don't open till October. But some of the 'solid' guesthouses further away from the beach are open all year.

anjunaangel

hi we are in anjuna at the moment and yes the sea is too rough to swim in FOR SURE
its raing at the moment and has been all day.there are a few places open to eat ,really quiet here just as we expected but the monsoon makes everything so so green and goa looks so diferent from the season time.there are definately no parties here at the moment lol

BenJay

Thanks

green and peaceful sounds good enough to me now. I've been in India 7 weeks so far and have another 5 to go, but so far the heat and constant sicknesses (giardia twice, fever four times, bacterial D&V 2, just D 4-5 times, lung infection constantly but now on antiBs for it) have outweighed the good bits and I'm not really enjoying it. Maybe if Goa is more familiar with foreigners it'll be easier to find safe food.

I hear you about the sea, but I'm probably going to give it a go whatever anyone says, although very carefully just up to my waist. Maybe if I get a rope and tie one end to a tree on the beach and the other round my waist? I know I'm mad...

I'll be there in about a week if all goes to plan.

Thanks
Kester

ananda2193

Whats you name? I'd like to take a life insurance policy out on you.

Honey Bee

Hope you have holiday insurance. Candolim/Sinquelim Beach has been badly hit by the monsoon, yesterday 8" rain adding to The Marquis hotel loosing the Shiroda house, only the statues remain.
Kingfisher Villa has lost its steps to the beach. Sea defences collapsed at the Taj Hotel, and you want to go swimming. Tie yourself to an elephant, the currents are horrendous some days in the season. This is not Newquay Cornwall.
Have a good holiday.