North Goa -Beaches

North Goa - Beaches

Baga Beach

• Baga Beach in north Goa is one of the most happening beaches on the coast. 
• You'll find everything from water sports to fine dining restaurants there, along with a pulsating nightlife
• The beach contains rows of shacks and fishing boats, and at high tide the beach is narrow.
• The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach
• Baga beach is 9 kilometers away from Mapusa city and 16 kilometers away from Panaji city.
• There are many activities like para sailing, kite surfing, windsurfing and ride on a jet ski or take a ride on a jet ski.
•  Dolphin spotting trips and island trips are other popular options
• However, many people are simply content lazing on the sun lounges in front of the beach shacks all day and feasting on a steady supply of food, beer, and cocktails.
• Many people say that the sand of Baga beach is bountiful of some natural medicinal properties.
•  The swimming is very safe in Baga beach because of it's sand and water both are clean.
• The Baga beach is more of a fishing beach with the tourists from across the world trying to get that big catch.
• The Baga beach shacks serve wide variety of food including Goan cuisine of fish, curries and rice.
• Mackie's Saturday Night Bazaar is located by the river in Baga. 
• The Wednesday flea market at Anjuna Beach and Saturday night market at Arpora are both close by as well, and will satisfy even the best shopaholics.
• The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour's drive away from Baga.
•  The nearest railway station is at Karmali 11 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just half an hour's drive away from Calangute.
• Baga is well known for its commercial nightlife, most of which can be found in and around Tito's Lane -- home to the infamous Club Tito and Cafe Mambo.
• Cape Town Cafe is widely regarded as the best place to party on Tito's Lane

Calangute Beach

• The word CALANGUTE which has become kolngutt or korgott, is derived rom KOLI-GUTT, (or Gudi), which originally meant land inhabited by fisher folk.
•  With the advent of the Portuguese, the word most likely got distorted to Calangute, and has stuck till today.
• Calangute is the largest beach in Goa and is also known for its bustling tourist crowd. It is in close proximity to the famous Baga Beach and both are part of the same shoreline.
• The beach is lined with a row of shacks and restaurant which are great places to relax with a pint of chilled Indian Pale Ale.
• The Beatles who used to come to Calangute in the late sixties to rest and enjoy beach life, this luscious stretch of silvery sand is considered as Goa’s most beautiful and also called “The Queen of all beaches”
• In addition to swimming and sunbathing,  para saiingl, water-sking, windsurfing, snorkeling and water-scootering tourists can enjoy.
• From prawns to kingfish, lobster and squid, all are fresh and always available. Other popular local food is vegetarian Thalli, Balchao (fish in spicy, red sauce), Xacuti (meat or chicken cooked with coconut), Vindaloo (spicy pork curry), Sorpatel (spicy pork dish), Reichado (fish stuffed with spicy sauce), Fish Curry (the national dish) and Bebinca (sweet cake made from coconut pancakes).
• Kerkar Art Gallery is the popular art gallery of Calangute that holds display of sculptures and paintings made by Subodh Kerkar.
• The church of St. Alex, which was founded by Franciscans, is popular among tourists for its architectural beauty.
• Located at Mottant, Medicinal Springs is a stream believed to have curative properties.

Miramar  Beach

•      Miramar beach is situated at the distance of 3 km from the Panaji, covered with bed of soft sand surrounded with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea .
•      Miramar beach is the sort of beach where you sit down and watch the sunset in its entire grandeur.
•      The word ‘Miramar’ in Portuguese stands for viewing the sea.
•        A Roman structure at the entrance gives it a very artistic look.
•      At Miramar beach, one can get pleasure and satisfaction with some interesting activities like fishing, bird watching, shopping, strolling around and taking leisurely walks alongside the seaside.
•      Watersports like scuba diving, jet skiing, water surfing and fishing can be enjoyed.  It is not a safe beach to swim due to strong undercurrents.
•      The beach also provides a kaleidoscopic view of the Aguada fort,
•       The best time to visit Miramar Beach is between the months of November and March.
•        During this time, a large number of migratory birds come to the beach.
•        One can see migratory birds such as gulls and plovers at the beach from November to March.
• Miramar is the place to drench in the ocean and cherish in a dolphin spotting tour.

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