Goa, What Beach?

funkyskunky

thanks for this information Sussegadman.

It s abit confusing becuase on other forums and on here the comments about quiet beaches have been contridicting what you say.

I would be keen to find out about the other `quiet` beaches, so if you can message me or email the details, it would be appreciated.

michellew

Hi Amanda,

I am not surprised you are confused - it is confusing!! We were in Goa for 10 days a year ago and after much research decided on Benaulim as according to all the guide books it is quieter and more laid back. We are couple with a then 8 year old daughter. While travelling through India, we met people who had been in Palelom and found it too busy.

Anyway we arrived in Benaulim checked into our Hotel and made our way to the beach. Beach Shacks and sun loungers everywhere - coming from NZ our beaches are pretty quiet with not a sun lounger to be seen also it was dirty - rubbish in the sand. We were also not at all happy with our accomodation but met another couple who had been reccomended a good hotel further down. We headed off to check it out it was nice and way better than where we were. The beach was lovely - clean (although the approach to it wasn't)and only 4 beach huts. We loved it.

It is in a place called Tamborim and is between Varca and Cavelossim which the guides state as where all the upmarket resorts are but there were none but we were only a few minutes by Scooter from Cavelossim when we wanted to live it up a little!! (As much as you can with an 8 year old)

The hotel we stayed at was called Dona Sa Maria (1 star) - quite basic but clean and has a pool and restaurant and only a few minutes from the beach. At Christmas time it is frequented by Brits who all know each other and have been going there for years - pretty hard case really.

Also the guesthouse next door which a couple we befriended stayed in was also very nice and brand new and cheap!! (but no pool or restaurant) I can't remember the name unfortunately!

I recommend you hire a scooter - we had one the whole time we were there - rode like the locals - 3 on one scooter and no helmets. Driving was easy - just had to be on guard.

Anyway hope you work it and anyway if like us you get there and it is not what you want you don't have to stay!

smitra123

... go to Morjim, if you just want quiet. Morjim is definitely my fave beach.

By the way, you don't have to get so freaked out about making this decision. As someone else said, if it doesn't work out, just check out and go elsewhere. It's quite anti-Goa to want everything "just so." In fact, nothing in India can be "just so." But you probably know that.

Relax. I can understand that you're trying to make sure your husband has a good time, but it's quite hard to go wrong in Anjuna. Note that I recommend Anjuna for its combination of location, restaurants, things to do, etc. (In my view the Wednesday flea market is vastly overrated.) The beach at Anjuna is beautiful, but a little bit of a pain to get to/from especially at night unless you stay in a beach shack.

ananda2193

Go to Patnem, which is a little south of Palolem.It's not real busy, but is busy enough where you can meet other travelers. You can walk to Palolem if you choose a more busy scene.

Here's a good place in Patnem,

www.homeispatnem.com

waynekitesurfer

Somewhere that hasn't been suggested yet is Mandrem, just a little further north from Morjim, this beach is very quiet and unspoilt by sunbeds and shacks, it's the place i choose to kitesurf, and will be there again in March, a good portion of the beach can only be reached by crossing rickety manmade bridges over a Channel that runs much of the length of the beach and fills up on high tides or if the waves are big.

We Use a Yoga type retreat called DUNES(they have a web site google it)They have beach huts set back in the palm trees,many of them on stilts with private facilities,and a Shack type restaurant selling lots of different types of health food, along with a more traditional shack menu of local and european dishes, the food here is very good.

The accomodation here is very basic but i'm sure there are other places available locally.

In all the time we spent there at dunes we never once heard any music from the shack whilst we were on the beach,so it is very peaceful. I hope this is useful and i'm sure wherever you end up you will have a good time in Goa.

amandarose

I just wanted to thank everybody for all the useful info on Goa. I know that we will have a great time!!!!Catch ya on the flip side.......

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Liisa

I can warmly recommend Palolem. I was there last month, stayed for 3 nights only but really liked it. There are many cocohuts on the beach, and a few questhouses as well. I haven't been anywhere else in Goa so I can't really compare, but for me Palolem was a very nice place, the beach is beautiful and there are many nice restaurants on the beach, and you can always rent a scooter and go and see other beaches.

Wrldtravler

hi amanda,
i'm a bit of a goa regular.. what your asking for is a double edged sword. Are u sure you wanna be alone for 8-10 days on a beach with a few other people cause it can get boring after 3-4 days. Goa isn't too big a state so staying down south isn't too much of a problem. but it's quite remote and quite. I would suggest irrespective of where u stay u would want to get to fountainhas region in panjim (old portuguese streets very salvador da bahia, brasil) and see some of the churches and culture. It will take u around 1.5-2 hrs from palolem to panjim. Also you definately must see the popular north beaches or goa's gold coast, that's calangute,candolim and baga. some good shopping and fine dining along with local cuisine restaurant.
Anjuna is north of baga and built for parties, vagator is better but both these areas are renowned for their rave music and party favor places.
Then there's Morjim, Ashvem and arambol. Arambol is the new hip area and most of the events are happening there, like the carnival. Arambol has a great small beach town feel, with one main street leading to the beach which has everything and the bars spill onto the beach and are open late night. getting to panjim is around 45 mins from arambol. the gold coast is on the way.. Morjim and Ashvem (my favorite beach in goa) seems just like what you guys want it's close to arambol around 20 mins so u get the best of both. Or you can do it vice-versa stay in armabol and frequent these beaches. You need more info.. just ask.
cheers.

reef_d

For a quiet beach there's Morjim, Mandrem and Arambol

tsk1979

Hi people, looks like Patnem and Palolem beaches are nice.
I am thinking we stay at Patnem, and go around to Palolem etc., for nightlife etc.,?
I also heard about something called dwarka beach resort, where exactly is that?

Going in first weekend of October most probably, is that off season?

inggay

Sussegadman, I am very interested in learning about those quite beaches that are still secrets. Those are always my destinations and I would be very appreciative to learn where they are. Can you help me?

trustindia

Hire a motorbike/scooter/taxi and go exploring. Nice quiet beaches don't stay that way if everybody gives the names over the internet.

tsk1979

Can I have contact details of Turtle lounge at Agonda beach goa