Which are the best beaches in Goa? Is it in North Goa or South Goa? If you have exactly 3 minutes, I am about to help you find the answers through my experiences. I explore my experiences of the things to do in Goa across the beaches, and also help you find the right beach for your enjoyment. So go ahead, and let me know if this piece helped you plan your Goa trip.

Goa is this little paradise on the south west coast of India that has lovely beaches, pristine forests, thundering waterfalls and a lot of other cultural places that showcases the long historical past of the Goan Hindus, recent Portuguese remnants and the lovely fusion food that has evolved over the years. Goa was initially called Govapuri or Gopakapattana. After the Portugese invaded the Bijapur dynasty’s rule in the place, they renamed it to Goa Velha.

I first went there in 2006 and have kept going to the place over the years to find peace, contentment, excitement and a sense of freedom. I have listed the numbers/rankings of the beaches, and have listed the reasons for that right below. Lets cut to the chase, shall we?

Best Beaches in North Goa

• 1) Keri/Querim Beach

Keri Beach as seen from Terekhol River/Tiracol Fort side

The beach here is quiet, does not get too many visitors owing to the distance. Public transport is available and so are taxis to/from Keri Beach. Also the lack of great stay options means the tourist has no business here except for a quick day trip. The beach has lifeguards, great food and interesting people to meet. If you are here in Goa to enjoy a quiet day by the beach, this should be on your list. If you also like to minor treks and walk inside the village, this village is truly reminiscent of Goa in the days of yore.

View of Keri Beach in North Goa (Getting to Querim Beach from Calangute takes 60 mins to cover 32 kms)

You can meanwhile catch a quick grab of the 20 things you can do in North Goa, around Keri/Querim Beach

Keri Beach is home to many people who just enjoy a sunset in peace

Hippie Goa! Keri and Arambol usually have a few hostels which brings diverse backpacker crowd to interact with

Querim Beach/Keri Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 2/10

Food Options- 7/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 1/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 8/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 9/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 8/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 9/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 9/10

Night Life and Parties- 1/10

• 2) Arambol Beach

Things to do in Arambol Beach- Get a Sea side facing Goan Beach Hut, in Arambol Beach Cliffside

Arambol Beach NightLife- Active and Colourful and the beach sleeps only at 5 am. Cafes, Cakes, Alcohol and Butter Chicken are available all night

Arambol Beach- Beautiful Beach that has a lengthy coastline extending to Mandrem, Aswem and Morjim. Sea depth is not very high for 500 metres into sea, so very safe for swimming. A portion of the beach is also used for Surfing in Arambol. Arambol is slowly becoming a commercial destination like Baga and Calangute

Arambol Beach Huts and Resorts are available in plenty now, with the beach becoming a commercial destination like Baga and Calangute

Arambol Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 3/10

Food Options- 9/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 4/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 7/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 9/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 9/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 9/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 4/10

Night Life and Parties- 5/10

• 3) Kalacha Beach/Paliem Beach-Sweet Water Lake Mountain Beach Near Arambol

Goa Beach Huts are Simple. Some Wood, Some Leaves and you have a little home on the hill to wake up to the sea view in Arambol’s Kalacha/Sweet WaterLake Beach

Arambol Sweet Water Lake Beach is the most calming influence on your body during the heat outside. Bliss is here

Arambol Sweet Water Lake is surrounded by Mountains and has a beautiful beach with a few Goan Beach Huts dotting the landcsape

Arambol Sweet Water Lake is beautiful because of all the greens and trees near the lake. The bliss comes from here, apart from the cool waters of the lake

Arambol Sweet Water Lake is doused in a series of greens that shield you in a little cove!

Arambol Sweet Water Lake Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 2.5/10

Food Options- 5/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 0/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 8/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 9/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 7/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 9/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 3/10

Night Life and Parties- 1/10

• 4) Aswem Beach

Aswem Beach in north Goa, 20 km’s from Calangute (40 mins)

This part of Goa has some decent luxury resorts like Roccoco, right on the beach with an infinity pool. There are other places next to Roccoco that has a tree house shaped roof structure that is blissful to spend your afternoons over a lazy brunch. Also the image of the slanting palms by the little pond (high tide water) is a beautiful sight to see.

Lesser People, Expensive Resorts, Quiet Beaches that are not easily accesible means you have a peaceful beach. You may encounter Nude Sun Bathers or Topless women in this part of Goa.

Aswem/Ashwem Beach has quite a few rocks like Anjuna. Makes for a peaceful place to sit and watch sunsets

Aswem Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 4/10

Food Options- 6/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 8/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 8/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 9/10

Activities/Things to do nearby-4/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 6/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 5/10

Night Life and Parties- 1/10

• 5) Vagator Beach overlooking Chapora Fort

View of Vagator Beach as seen from the Hill Fort of Chapora Fort (If you are wondering “Which is the fort shown in Dil Chahta Hain”

Vagator Beach North Goa. Famous for its proximity to rave parties, flea markets

Vagator Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 9/10

Food Options- 7/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 7/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 6/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 7/10

Activities/Things to do nearby-8/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 7/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 7/10

Night Life and Parties- 9/10

• 6) Morjim Beach

Morjim Beach- North Goa and 15 kilometres from Calangute Beach(30-40 mins by bike)

Morjim beach is famous for turtles, lagoons and hordes of Russians

Apart from the beach, Morjim is also home to a beautiful mangrove lagoon, of which tours are conducted by Konkan Explorers

Morjim Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 6/10

Food Options- 7/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 7/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 7/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 8/10

Activities/Things to do nearby-7/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 6/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 6/10

Night Life and Parties- 3/10

Best Beaches in South Goa

• 1) Cola Beach

Cola Beach- Is it the most beautiful beach in Goa?

You can also choose to walk across and head to Chota Cola, if you have the time. The beach gives a lot of quiet time and privacy, away from the crowds. So if you fancy reading a book, without any hawkers disturbing you, but still staying 5 minutes away from food/drinks at Cola, this beach stretch should be your pick.

Cola Beach- Stunning Beach and Sweet Water Lagoon by the Hills in South Goa

Cola beach can be reached via a trek from Agonda. Discover the feeling of what it feels to suddenly see Cola beach’s beauty from the top.

Meandering Lagoon leading to the Arabian Sea in Cola Beach-South Goa. This is in the direction of Palolem beach from Panjim(66 km) and Airport(54 kms)

Cola Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 1/10

Food Options- 5/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 8/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 8/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 10/10

Activities/Things to do nearby-8/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 3/10

Crowded Beach (More number Lesser Crowd) – 3/10

Night Life and Parties- 1/10

• 2) Butterfly Beach

Boats arriving at Butterfly Beach-South Goa-India

Butterfly Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 1/10

Food Options- 0/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 0/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 6/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 10/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 7/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 6/10

Crowded Beach (Less Number More Crowd) – 9/10

Night Life and Parties- 1/10

• 3) Agonda Beach

You could read some of my older detailed posts on Agonda, as you find out why Agonda beach is rated so highly. It has a beautiful beach with peaceful vibes, and is a hub to visit some interesting beaches nearby like the following

A trek from Agonda across a lake and a hill to get to Cola Beach

Life across 2 interesting hotels to stay in Agonda. Manveer’s Kitchen (Earlier called as Forget-Me-Not Resort) and Jardim-a-Mar

You can plan an interesting day trip to nearby coastal villages in Goa/Karnataka through the passenger train dotting the Konkan Stretch OR visit the incredibly desolate butterfly beach by a boat, which also passes by Honeymoon Island or you could go by road to the beach

You could saunter around Agonda to discover Fatima’s for breakfast

You could choose to get on a 2 wheeler to explore beached beyond Palolem further south of the state like Rajbaga-Talpona (with a pitstop at the artsy ‘The Space’), the beautiful and serene villages of Sadolxem-Galjibaga OR find yourself exploring a  fort called ‘Cabo De Rama’, where Rama and Sita spent some time during their exile. Near the fort is a beautiful hotel right below the mountainous plateau called ‘The Cape’, post which is a beautiful beach called Cabo-De-Rama beach.

Aye Aye Captain- We sail to Sea

Agonda Beach in Goa, as viewed from the Arabian Sea

Palm Tree Garden Beach Hut at Jardim-A-Mar in Agonda (Goa)

Agonda Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 3/10

Food Options- 9/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 8/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 9/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 8/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 9/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 8/10

Crowded Beach (Less Number More Crowd) – 5/10

Night Life and Parties- 6/10

• 4) Galjibaga Beach

Galjibaga Beach- One of the Things to do in South Goa, if you enjoy a clean beach and watching turtle nesting

The route to Galjibaga is through some quiet Goan villages, and if you enjoy a scooty drive through serene landscapes, you should try the route that goes through Rajbaga-Talpona, Sadolxem before arriving in Galjibaga

Galjibaga Beach-7 km’s from Palolem Beach and 20 minutes away from bike

Galgibaga Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 1/10

Food Options- 3/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 1/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 9/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 9/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 4/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 2/10

Crowded Beach (Less Number More Crowd) – 1/10

Night Life and Parties- 0/10

• 5) Palolem Beach

How is Palolem Beach? Is Palolem Beach Safe? How do you get to Palolem Beach? Usually these are the top 3 questions people ask, and I have one answer for all of them YES. Its worth your time to drive down from Panjim/Calangute, though it might take upward of 2 hours. You don’t want to miss the view of the palms in a semi-circle closing down on the sea

Palolem Beach- The land of beautiful sunsets by the sea

Palolem is not quite a morning place, but its beautiful to see slowly how the beach springs to life as the sun’s rays warm up the beach

Palolem Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 4/10

Food Options- 9/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 8/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 7/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 8/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 9/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 8/10

Crowded Beach (Less Number More Crowd) – 7/10

Night Life and Parties- 7/10

• 7) Cabo De Rama Beach

Cabo De Ram Beach in South Goa

Cabo De Rama Beach is in South Goa, 45 minutes away from Palolem and 30 minutes away from Agonda

The Cabo De Rama fort overlooks the beach. Rama and Sita have said to be staying here during the historical time of 4000 BC. Portugese wrested control from the Hindus and developed the church and fort subsequently

Cabo De Rama Beach is isolated and beautiful to spend a day in South Goa

The route to Cabo De Rama Beach from Agonda Beach, is very scenic. You should refer this blog that talks about the experience of reaching it early morning in season. There is another experience of travelling there towards the fag end of the monsoon season, which is coming up soon.

Cabo De Rama Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 3/10

Food Options- 9/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 8/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 9/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 8/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 9/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 8/10

Crowded Beach (Less Number More Crowd) – 5/10

Night Life and Parties- 1/10

• 8) Talpona Beach

Talpona Beach- Directions are 20 minutes south of Palolem Beach adjoining Patnem and Rajbaga Beach in South Goa

Talpona Beach Guide (Higher numbers better)

Accessibility/Time to drive from Panjim/Baga/Calangute- 1/10

Food Options- 5/10

Semi Luxury Properties and Hotels by the beach- 9/10

Kid Friendly Clean Beach- 9/10

Couple Friendly Beach- 9/10

Activities/Things to do nearby- 4/10

Budget/Solo Travel Options- 6/10

Crowded Beach (Less Number More Crowd) – 4/10

Night Life and Parties- 3/10

Here are some other lists of travels, organised by the monsoon and popularity. While there is not much literature on Kakolem Beach, it promises to be a good exploration, if you want privacy. Abby from Winged fork discusses about the beach in this post

Best Beaches to Visit Goa in Monsoon

• Betalbetim Beach
• Candolim/Sinquerim Beach
• Vagator Beach/Chapora Fort
• Baga Beach
• Calangute Beach
• Velsao Beach
• Vainguinnim Beach

Tanyesh talks about how he found Velsao and Vainguinnim among other beaches, that are a good closely guarded secret in Goa

Orange Wayfarer finds Patnem and Morjim as some of the quieter beaches in Goa

Popular but Crowded Beaches in Goa

• Baga Beach

Lavinia D’souza speaks about her experience with Goan food between Souza Lobo and Estrela Do Mar in the Calangute-Baga belt

Parnashree Devi talks about how she found pleasure in snorkelling at Bat Island

Srinidhi Hande lists’s a few villas you could try in the belt between Mormugoa and Baga

• Calangute Beach
• Candolim Beach
• Colva Beach
• Anjuna Beach

Abhinav Singh from “A Soul Window” recounts his experiences around Anjuna and Calangute Beach, and tells you why he thinks your next party ought to be here. He also lists 63 things one can do around Palolem

• Mormugoa Beach
• Majorda Beach
• Palolem Beach
• Arambol Beach
• Bogmalo Beach (Closest to Airport)

Popular Blogger couple Sandy and Vyjay list their experiences at the most accesible beach near the Goa airport at Bogmalo

If you are looking for itineraries for Goa during the Christmas 2019 weekend for 2 days, 3 days, 4 days and a week long, these are coming soon on this blog