Goa in Monsoons

Goa in Monsoons
Although Goa is famous for beach parties and casinos, we choose to go on a relaxing vacation. During monsoons Goa turns green over its entire length and breadth. There are many beach resorts in Goa to spend on a relaxing vacation time. We had no plans in mind, but was looking for a relaxing vacation. Even though Goa is a small state but due to the curvy and ghat roads, it takes longer than normal to drive. So it is advisable to plan over North Goa, old Goa & South Goa. Mostly only two of these parts should be planned for a relaxing holiday. So I would advice either choose north Goa or South Goa along with old Goa.

South Goa plan:

Agonda Beach or Palolem Beach
Any of these beaches Cavelossim Beach, Varca Beach, Benaulim Beach, Utorda beach
Bamanbudo Waterfall
Either Dudhsagar Falls or the Old Goa

North Goa plan:

Mandrem Beach or Arambol Beach
Chapora Fort and Anjuna beach or Aguada Fort and Candolim beach
Harvalem Waterfall
Old Goa

Follow the river and you will get to the sea, Bogmelo beach

Mushrooms grown on the tree

There are hundreds of beaches across the coastline of Goa, we choose the less popular ones to avoid the crowd. Bogmelo beach is one such with decent crowd away from the mainland Goa. Bogmelo is very near to Goa international airport at Vasco. The beach is good for romantic walks but not so good for playing in water.

Bogmelo beach, Vasco da Gama

About 15 mins drive from Bogmelo beach is the Naval museum, if your interested in fighter flights and helicopters which is good for kids.

Konkan Railway Bridge as seen from the Zuari Bridge

Dona Paula in Panjim was our next destination, its a small rocky island connected through bridge. It offers amazing panoramic views of the shoreline and the harbor at Vasco.

Amazing view of the coastline, Dona Paula Panaji

On our way to Aguada fort, we stopped at the Miramar beach. The beach seems to be not clean and not suitable for swimming. The attraction which was bringing more tourists here was due to the casino cruise which was abandoned near the shoreline brought by the recent storms.

Abandoned casino cruise "Lucky Seven Panama", Miramar beach

Aguada fort is on the other side of the Mandovi river delta. The fort overlooks the Madovi river delta flowing into the Arabian Sea, is small and not so impressive, Chapora fort might be a better choice for better views of the sea.

Aguada fort

The shoreline from Aguada fort till Chapora fort have many famous beaches like the Baga, Calanguate, but we choose the less crowded Candolem beach.
Candolem beach is less crowded, clean and the waves are suitable for swimming.

The playful waves of Candolim beach

Churches in old Goa are a must visit, more popular one being the Basilica of Bom Jesus. It is one of the oldest church in India built in 1605 AD and designated as an UNESCO world heritage site.