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Vincent Vanderveken.com

Take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

Goa

Palolem and the beaches of South Goa

by Vincent January 16, 2010
by Vincent January 16, 2010 4 comments

The last portion of my trip took me to the southern part of the state of Goa. Having read a lot and then experienced first hand how grinding traveling in India can be at times the best antidote is to leave yourself some space for a short vacation within your vacation to unwind at the beach. For me this took place around the sleepy town of Palolem that is known for having one of the most beautiful beaches of India.

Tourists going on a fishing trip

Surrounded by mountains on each sides, the kilometer long crescent shaped beach gives way into the calm and idyllic Arabian sea which you can walk up into about a hundred of meters or more depending on the tide. Due to a ban on permanent development the beach is filled six months a year with an unbroken line made up of hundreds of temporary shacks offering the usual bamboo and palm leaf huts accommodations, restaurants and bars.

Cows enjoying an afternoon at the beach

Those in need of a bit more luxury or visiting out of season can find concrete air-con style guest houses a few streets back in town all year long. The mood is definitely laid back and those looking for a party atmosphere should skip Palolem and head up in North Goa as loud music is banned past 10 o’clock here. Though there is  somewhat of an alternative as on certain nights they open up silent discos parties where wireless headphones allow people that want to party into the wee hours of the night to do so while no one else is bothered.

Colomb Beach

A good thing to mention is that the whole state of Goa has an unusually easy going attitude towards alcohol that you will find freely available everywhere and at cheap prices being that this is the only state in India to have tax-free beer.

Pictures of Palolem and the surrounding beaches of  Patnem, Agonda & Colomb :

[Show as slideshow]
Having a stroll along on Palolem beach
Shallow waters of Palolem
Kayaks for rent on Palolem
Making friends with the natives
Brave new capitalism
Indian Boats
Rock formations at the tip of Palolem beach
Indian Spices
Cows at the beach
Palolem beach
On the road again in Goa
Colomb Beach Cove
Accomodations on Colomb Beach
Colomb Beach Cove
Rickshaws flying by
Accomodations on Colomb Beach
More typical Goan scenery
At the tip of Rajbag Beach
Rajbag Beach
Rajbag Beach
Cows relaxing on the beach
Rickshaw on a break
Kingfish
Palolem beach from seen from my sea kayak
Tourists on a fishing trip
Indians-enjoying-a-sunset
Boats-on-Palolem-beach
Sacred cows just living life
Palolem beach from seen from my sea kayak
Rainbow on Palolem beach
Kingfisher-beach
Sunset at Palolem beach
Hearty sea food mixed platter
Goan houses
Cows at the beach
Souvenirs shops of Palolem
Crossing on the other side of Palolem
Rickshaw
Palolem beach
Palolem beach at low tide
Cows in Agonda
From one end of Palolem beach
Agonda Beach
Seagulls on Agonda beach
Agonda Beach
Native at Agonda Beach
Agonda Beach Huts
Beach-dog
Agonda Beach Huts
Main street of sleepy village of Agonda
Building up the bar
Agonda Beach
Agonda Beach Huts
Agonda Beach

While the beach was not too crowded and still felt largely unspoiled when I visited in November I am sure some might find it to be a different story in the high season of  December and January. Those looking for a more quiet and secluded getaway can walk down south from Palolem and check out accomodations in Colomb and Patnem Beach or take a 10km Auto rickshaw ride to peaceful Agonda with it’s three-kilometer-long beach. I am sure that like countless others with a bit of a loose itinerary you’ll find it’s very easy to stay here for far longer than you  initially intended enjoying the lazy beach lifestyle.

AgondaAsiabeachbeaches of IndiaGoaIndiaPalolemPatnemRajbagSouth AsiaSouth Goa
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4 comments

helene vermote January 22, 2010 - 2:14 am

Je viens de revoir tes photos de Palolem et je les trouve vraiment magnifiques.
Quelles belles plages de rêve (Rajbag, etc…), j’ai aimé la photo des épices, le grand bazar, les petits plats appétissants…quand aux vaches, elles ont beau être sacrées, on ne peut pas dire qu’elles reçoivent beaucoup de nourriture…mais il faut avouer que la majorité du monde qui les entoure ne sont pas bien gros non plus…c’est donc bien équitable ! J’ai déjà bien hâte de découvrir celles qui vont suivre en avril prochain….

Reply
Mike January 22, 2010 - 4:53 am

Great photos, brings back a lot of memories, especially the cows on the beach.

Reply
Klasina February 6, 2010 - 3:39 pm

Hallo Vincent,

Ik heb erg genoten van je verhaal, mijn dochter in nu momenteel in Colomb beauch ergens huurt ze een hutje van Povi,de eigenaar van een kleine baai, ook op een stil plekje ver van het nachtelijke leven.
Zij schrijft hetzelfde als jij. Ze geniet daar erg en is blij dat ze daar is, de vissers wonen daar vooral.
Ik was een beetje aan het zoeken, hoe het daar is en vandaar kom ik op jouw site.
Dankjewel nu heb ik een beeld hoe het daar eruit ziet, erg mooi.
Zelf ben ik in 1998 in Panjim geweest, bij fam. van een vriendin van mij.
Zie nu dat ik meer had kunnen zien, misschien later…..

Met vriendelijke groet,

Klasina

Reply
Rajiv July 26, 2017 - 9:51 am

Goa is famous for beach, babes, and bikinis, Nightlife.

Great post about South Goa beaches. Goa is one of my favorite destination for a vacation, Even Goa is a top tourist destination in India.

If you want to visit the White sand beaches and less crowded then visit the Ashwem beach (North Goa).

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