Miramar Beach

Miramar, a lovely golden beach of soft sand is surrounded by palm trees and is almost an extention of Panaji, since it lies on the outskirts fo the capital town. It is one of the most popular beaches in Goa and tourists are well warned that it can get crowded here, with people from the town strolling over in he evenings. It was earlier known as the Gaspar Dias beach, and is the best location to watch a sunset if you are staying in Panaji. Panaji is just a fifteen-minute walk along the riverfront avenue called Dayanand Bandodker Marg.
Miramar is an urban beach where the Mandovi River meets the Arabian Sea. It is not safe beach to swim here since there is a strong undercurrent here.


Sinquerim Beach and Aguada Beaches

The Sinquerim Beach is the first tourist beach of North Goa and is also where the famous and best preserved of all Portuguese coastal forts, Fort Aguada is located. The Aguada Bay, which is divided into two parts, the Caranzalem Bay and the Sinquerim Bay is formed by two headlands, Cabo and Aguada. The Aguada Bay is dominated by the battlements of the old fort and tends to be more popular with affluent tourists who avail the facilities offered by the Fort Aguada Hotel Complex that is a luxury establishment.
The Fort of Aguada was built by the Portuguese to control the entry of any enemy into River Mandovi and to protect old Goa from any attack. The fortification skirts the seashore, and its center lies a circular lighthouse tower. The Fort is currently the Central Jail, Goa’s largest prison.
The beach is a good and clean stretch of sand and an ideal place for swimming. The Aguada hotel complex is built around the remnants of the fort with the hotel built on the cliff. However, the complex itself is cut off from the beach since there are no private beaches in India. The hotel has been constructed in three parts, consisting of expensive cottages on the upper reaches of the hillside, the fort jutting out to sea, and a delightful Goan village, with individual cottages. Drawn by the clientele of the hotel, Aguada beach has cafes, and itinerant vendors who sell everything from Kashmiri carpets to massages. The complex also offers and a good range of water sports with two or three water sport companies operating from here.The Aguada Beach lies at the southern end of a very long stretch of beach that extends up to the mouth of the Baga River. Individual segments of this extensive stretch of sand have been given separate names as according to the villages that lie behind them, such as Sinquerim, Candolim, Calangute and Baga.

Dona Paula Beach

The Dona Paula Beach is christened after Dona Paula de Menezes, daughter of a viceroy in colonial India, who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. Dona Paula Beach is also referred to as “Lovers’ Paradise.”
The Dona Paula Beach is thronged with tourist fascinated with the myth that Dona Paula is entombed in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhawan and is seen emerging from the moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace. Several tourists as well as locals hang around, hoping for a glimpse of the love-lorn girl. Several movies, including Ek Duje Ke Liye have been shot here and contribute to its being a favorite spot.
There are several places of tourist interest situated near the Dona Paula Beach. These include the Reis Mago, one of the oldest churches built in Goa, and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. The church is dedicated to the three Magi (the wise men of the East)-Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar who, according to a legend, were guided by a star to Bethlehem to greet the newborn Jesus. This church was once the residence of all dignitaries and a mission center of the Franciscan order.
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is situated on the western tip of the island of Choro, along the Mandovi River, about 9 km from Dona Paula Beach. Spread over 2 sq km, this sanctuary is a mangrove forest. Local and migratory birds are found here all through the year. However, permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden is required for visitors.
Two other beaches are also within the proximity of the Dona Paula Beach are the Miramir Beach, which lies 4 km north of Dona Paula, and the Vainguinim Beach, which is situated 1 km west.
The festivals of Janmashtami and the Feast of St. Lawrence are celebrated with enthusiasm on the Dona Paula Beach. In addition, the beach also has a colorful water sports festival in November. The highlights of this festival are the water scooter and cycle races and surfing competitions.There are several shops along the beachside, which sell variety of goods ranging from eatables to clothes. Fishermen-turned-local vendors also sell strsaw hats, lace handkerchiefs, and spices in these shops. Feni and port wine-the two Goan liquor specialties-are a must buy and local liquor is easily available. Indian handicrafts and jewellery are available at the Indian Arts Emporium in Dona Paula. There are a host of hotels, guesthouses, and beachside huts available at the beach that cater to the budgets of different tourists.

Beach

Colva Beach

Colva is the most popular beach among the Goans with its white powder sands on the shores of the Arabian Sea. Colva is Goa’s longest beach with 20 km of virgin white sands that are fringed with palms and drenched with the sun. The small village of Colva is located in south Goa, 39 km away from Panaji (the old name for Panjim) the capital of the state of Goa. Benaulim is 2 km further ahead of Colva.The Colva Beach is broad and beautiful, and has a stream coursing through it. Sadly, its beauty has made it popular and its popularity has cheapened it: its off-beach shops and restaurants, brightly lit and crowded, give it the feel of a funfair rather than a serene, unwinding beach. This is essentially our domestic tourists’ paddling beach.
The Nossa Senhora de Merces (Our Lady of Mercy) Church in Colva is famous for its annual religious event-Fama of Menino Jesuse (Child Jesus)-since the 17th century. It is one of Goa’s most popular feasts when a big fair is held on the occasion.
Bullfights can be seen at Benaulim from early October to late May. The bullfights are usually held in an old rice field with no fences or barricades just outside a village, to the beat of taped Konkani music.
A walk on the beaches is full of delights. Shimmering silver carpets of bangdde (mackerels) lie drying on the golden sands. Fishermen’s motor trawlers lie anchored in a line offshore. Tourists in colorful dresses throng about and several of them can be seen sunbathing in the glorious sun. Trinket stalls and drink stands on the golden sands make a moonlit evening on the Colva Beach utterly romantic.
The Beach Bonanza fair that is held on successive Sundays from mid-April onwards on the Benaulim beach is a must not miss! Frenzied visitors dance in merriment and other entertainment.There are plenty of resorts and low-budget hotels in and around Colva. Benaulim too has a few hotels. Besides it is possible to rent houses for a longer stay