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When people think of Goa, beaches and nightlife usually come first. But step a little away from the mainland and you’ll find islands in Goa that most tourists don’t even notice. Some of the islands sit along Goa’s rivers, others just off the coast. Grande Island is the usual starting point for diving trips, with boats heading out from a jetty near Vasco. Chorao is quieter, known mainly for its bird sanctuary and mangroves. Divar is known for its old houses, quiet churches, and simple ferry rides across the Mandovi. Some islands need a short boat ride, some can be reached in minutes, but what connects them all is the sense of being away from the rush.
Top 10 Islands In Goa To Explore
Some famous islands in Goa are known for diving and snorkeling, others for birdwatching, and a few for their villages and river views.
1. Grande Island
Photo: Olha Kolesnyk / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Grande Island is a short boat ride from Vasco da Gama and is often included in day trips. Travellers come here mainly for snorkeling and diving, where coral reefs and a couple of old wrecks sit below the surface. Boats usually leave from Bogmalo or Dona Paula and take about half an hour to get there. The ride itself can be fun, with dolphin sightings along the way. Since the island isn’t inhabited, everything is arranged through tour operators, from diving lessons to fishing trips. Some travellers spend their time in the water, while others just relax on the rocky patches along the shore.
Location: Off Vasco da Gama
Top Highlights: Snorkeling, diving, dolphin sightings
2. Chorao Island
Photo: Bhargav Panchal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Chorao is one of the bigger islands in Goa and is most often linked with the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. A short ferry from Ribandar takes you across, and the ride itself sets the pace for a quieter day. The sanctuary is made up of mangroves and mudflats, which draw a wide range of birds. In the early morning, you’re more likely to see kingfishers, herons, and egrets around the sanctuary. But the island isn’t only about birdwatching. Away from the sanctuary, Chorao has villages with small churches and houses that still reflect Portuguese influence. The lanes are narrow, shaded, and good for walking or cycling if you want to look around slowly.
Location: Near Panaji
Top Highlights: Bird sanctuary, Portuguese churches, village walks
3. Divar Island
Photo: urtimud.89 / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Divar Island is reached by a short ferry ride from Old Goa. The ferry runs throughout the day, carrying locals with their bikes, cars, and bags across the Mandovi. Once you step onto Divar, it feels different from the mainland. Villages are small, lanes twist between old houses, and Portuguese-style churches rise above the fields. The Church of Our Lady of Compassion stands at the center of the village, with a few smaller chapels around it. Walking or cycling through the lanes is one of the best ways to see the island, as there’s little traffic and plenty of shade.
Location: Across the Mandovi River from Old Goa
Top Highlights: Colonial churches, ferry ride, cycling lanes
4. São Jacinto Island
Photo: mittalpatel / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
São Jacinto Island is in South Goa and linked to the mainland by a bridge close to Vasco. People still live here, and the community has kept the island free from large-scale construction. As you walk around, you’ll come across old houses, narrow lanes, and open views of the Zuari River on either side. The Church of St. Hyacinth is the main point of interest, along with a lighthouse nearby. Not far away is a lighthouse that looks out over the river and coastline. São Jacinto is a small island and can be covered quickly on foot. Along the edge, fishing boats are tied up, and the river is still central to daily life here.
Location: South Goa; connected by a bridge near Vasco
Top Highlights: St. Hyacinth Church, lighthouse, river views
5. Butterfly Island
Butterfly Island lies off Palolem in South Goa. It’s a small patch of sand and forest reached by boat or trek. The island gets its name from the butterfly-shaped cove and the butterflies often seen around the area. It isn’t connected by road; visitors usually reach by boat from Palolem or Agonda, or by trekking along forest trails. The beach here is small, ringed by rocks and green slopes, and remains far quieter than the mainland beaches. The shallow waters are clear, making it a good place to swim or try kayaking. Dolphin sightings are common on the way, and sunset views from the island are among the best in the south.
Location: Off Palolem
Top Highlights: Secluded cove, swimming, dolphin spotting
6. Cumbarjua Island
Photo: chinmaykarlekar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Cumbarjua canal is where saltwater crocodiles are often seen. The island next to it doesn’t attract many tourists, though local boats still take people through the water to see the crocodiles and the mangroves. The ride is calm, with fishermen’s boats crossing the same waters as the tour boats. Crocodiles are the main draw here, often seen sunning on the banks or sliding quietly into the water. You’ll also spot a good number of birds along the canal, which makes the ride worthwhile for nature watchers. People live on the island, too, and their boats share the same waters as the tours. In Cumbarjua, the river is central to daily life.
Location: Between the Mandovi and Zuari rivers
Top Highlights: Crocodile tours, mangroves, birdwatching
7. Vanxim Island
Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Vanxim is one of the small islands in North Goa near Divar, reached by a short ferry ride across the Mandovi. Unlike some of the larger islands, Vanxim remains quiet and mostly untouched, with only a handful of houses and fields spread across it. The island has drawn attention in recent years because of proposed development projects, but much of it still feels rural and cut off from the bustle of North Goa. Visitors usually come here to walk around the narrow paths, see the old church, and take in the views of the surrounding river. Vanxim doesn’t have big sights or tourist facilities. What it offers instead is a glimpse of Goa’s slower village life.
Location: Near Divar
Top Highlights: Peaceful village, river views, old church
8. Bat Island
Photo: Jebakumar Samuel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Bat Island, locally known as Pequeno Island, lies off the coast near Vasco da Gama. It’s a small rocky island, often included in day trips that combine snorkeling and fishing. Boats leave from the jetty at Vasco, and the ride takes less than half an hour. Dolphins are sometimes seen on the boat ride out. Near the island, the water stays clear and shallow, which is why many first-time snorkelers are brought here. Coral patches and schools of fish can be seen close to the shore. The island itself doesn’t have facilities or much shade, so most people spend a few hours in the water and then head back.
Location: Off the Vasco da Gama coast
Top Highlights: Snorkeling, coral patches, boat ride
9. St. Estevam Island
Photo: LSPixel / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
St. Estevam, or Ilha de Jua, is a river island in North Goa reached by ferry from Divar or Old Goa. The ride is short, and once you land, the island shows a side of Goa that is quieter and still rooted in farming and fishing. Villages are small, and most of the houses line narrow lanes shaded by trees. Large fields of paddy stretch near the river, and fishing boats are tied up along the banks. Two landmarks stand out here. One is the Fort of Jua, built in the Portuguese period and set on a rise overlooking the Mandovi. The other is the Church of St. Stephen, a central part of the island’s community.
Location: North Goa
Top Highlights: Fort ruins, St. Stephen’s Church, paddy fields
10. Anjediva Island
Photo: Anantha Krishna A / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Anjediva, or Anjadip, is a small island off the coast of Karnataka but historically tied to Goa. It lies in the Arabian Sea and is now under the control of the Indian Navy, which means access is restricted and visits need special permission. Anjediva has long been tied to Goa’s history. On the island are the ruins of a Portuguese fort and two churches – the Chapel of Our Lady of Springs and the Church of Our Lady of Brotas. Both stand in worn condition, shaped by years of wind and sea. The island itself is rocky, and the water around it is open and clear, a sharp contrast to the green river islands near Panaji.
Location: Off the Karnataka coast
Top Highlights: Portuguese fort, old chapels, rocky shores
The islands of Goa may not be on every travel list, but they leave a lasting impression. Each island has its own identity—from quiet farming villages to uninhabited diving spots. Visiting them adds depth to a typical beach holiday. With TripXL, you can explore these lesser-known gems, including river islands, forts, and bird sanctuaries, offering a richer, more authentic experience of Goa beyond its popular coastal scenes.
Cover Photo: Alexey Turenkov / Unsplash
