Beaches In South Goa: A Serene Retreat In A Tropical Setting

An astonishing view of golden sands decked with tall plam trees meeting the azure waters.

Goa, the Party Capital of India is one fine tourist destination, famous for its pristine beaches, beautiful churches, scenic locations, and untouched beauty. With its alluring nightlife and enchanting hippie culture, Goa attracts several tourists and travellers from across the world. Whether you are a beach person or an adventure sports lover, Goa helps you enjoy both. The pristine white sands, clear skies, and turquoise blue waters at the Goan beaches will allow you to unwind and relish untouched beauty of nature. Here is a list of serene beaches in South Goa that you should visit for a tranquil retreat.

10 Beaches In South Goa

Here is a list of top beaches in South Goa that are a tourist’s paradise. From watching serene sunsets to engaging in playful beach activities, these tranquil beaches have something for everyone.

1. Colva Beach

A view of shimmering waters of Colva Beach, one of the famous beaches in South Goa.

Photo: Hamza Shaikh / Unsplash

Colva Beach in Goa is one of the most popular and frequently visited beaches in South Goa. The 2.5 km long stretch of coastline at Colva Beach is known for its pristine white sands, beach shacks, swaying pine trees, and nightclubs for an exciting experience all night around. The beach is also popular for its thrilling water sports and adventure activities like paragliding, jet-skiing, snorkelling, and banana boat rides. You can also set out for dolphin spotting or embrace the beauty of the setting sun while relaxing and soaking in the mesmerising ambiance of the Colva beach.

Location: Colva district, Salcete, South Goa, Goa, India
Highlights: White sands, Water Sports, Sunset view, Beach Shacks
Time Required: 2 – 3 hours

2. Palolem Beach

A serene vista of golden sands decked with colourful houses and tall palm trees.

Photo: Sumit Sourav / Unsplash

Palolem Beach is one of the gorgeous beaches in South Goa. It is located in Canacona district. The vast stretch of the beach coastline is lined with coconut and palm trees and provides a perfect ambiance for a leisurely walk or a relaxing getaway. The semicircular Palolem Beach is known for its picturesque natural beauty and party vibes. With colourful beach shacks, the southern part of Palolem Beach is also known for its water sports, such as kayaking and boat riding. So, if you are planning to venture out with a partner or want to get away for a family weekend, then Palolem Beach should be your one-stop destination.

Location: Canacona district, South Goa, Goa, India
Highlights: Beach shacks, water activities, beach clubs, sunset views
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

3. Agonda Beach

A breathtaking glimpse of the Agonda Beach, one of the quaint beaches in South Goa.

Photo: Frederic Christian / Unsplash

Another pristine beach to look out for in South Goa is Agonda Beach. Comparatively quieter than other beaches in South Goa, Agonda Beach is for those who want to spend some peaceful time away from the chaos of the city. This pristine beach in Goa stretches for almost two miles and has some colourful beach shacks offering some scrumptious food and drinks. It is also famous among tourists and locals as it allows for swimming, boating, dolphin spotting, and relaxing on the white sands, all while admiring the beauty of the nearby Butterfly and Honeymoon beach in Goa.

Location: 5 km from Palolem Beach, South Goa, Goa, India
Highlights: Beach shacks, swimming, boating, dolphin spotting, and sunset views
Time Required: 2 – 3 hours

4. Benaulim Beach

A glimpse of Benaulim Beach featuring a scenic sunset casting its allure on the waters.

Photo: Quino Al / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Looking for an evergreen beach in South Goa, then Benaulim Beach is your go-to destination. An ideal beach, Benaulim Beach is known for its enchanting beauty, silver sands, extravagant beach shacks, and lively nightlife. Loved by hippies in Goa, Benaulim Beach allows for some exquisite late-night parties along with an array of drinks and good food. If you are someone searching for a quiet, peaceful, and relaxing place in Goa, then Benaulim Beach will cover your needs. Borrow a beach mat from the beach shacks and soak in the alluring beauty of South Goa.

Location: Near Colva Beach, 7 km from Margao Railway Station, South Goa, Goa
Highlights: Sunset view, nightlife, beach shacks
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

5. Patnem Beach

The sun setting down at the famous Patnem Beach, one of the top beaches in South Goa.

Photo: Parth Maheshwari / Unsplash

Located to the south of Palolem Beach in South Goa, Patnem Beach is a smaller, quieter, and offbeat destination in the list of beaches in South Goa. Dotted with lovely beach shacks, colorful beach huts, and fishing boats, Patnem Beach is set in a tranquil location and offers scenic views of the Arabian Sea. The surrounding area of Patnem Beach hosts several restaurants and small yet aesthetic cafes that offer a plethora of delectable food to relish for a memorable vacation in South Goa. The main beach road is lined with multiple stalls selling exciting souvenirs ranging from Kashmiri Jewelry, textiles, paintings, and Goan Jewellery items at pocket-friendly prices.

Location: South of the Palolem Beach, South Goa, Goa, India
Highlights: Sunset views, shopping stalls, dolphin spotting
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

6. Majorda Beach

A glimpse of golden sands, glistening waters, lush green palm trees of Majorda Beach.

Photo: mrpixel000 / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Located in the vibrant city of Goa, Majorda Beach is celebrated for its stunning beauty, charming sunset view, vibrant nightlife, and exotic food. Witness the beautiful stretch of white sand and cool breeze while relaxing at the tranquil Majorda Beach in South Goa. According to historical legends, Majorda Beach is the same place where Lord Rama was brought as a child. The beach is famous among tourists for its serene sunsets, peaceful ambiance, and the best Goan food at local eateries. The beach is also known for its bakeries serving some of the best Goan sweet dishes. Majorda Beach also offers a variety of watersports such as jet-skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.

Location: Between Utorda and Betalbatim Beach, South Goa, Goa, India
Highlights: water activities, Goan food
Time Required: 2 – 3 hours

7. Betul Beach

A mesmerising glimpse of the Betul Beach, one of the famous beaches in South Goa.

Photo: Andrew Coelho / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Betul Beach is a serene and scenic beach located next to Mobor Beach in South Goa. Set on the delta of the Sal River, Betul Beach is known for its pristine sands, calm blue waters, gorgeous sea view, and tranquil setting. The swaying palm further enhance the beauty of this beach in South Goa. The tourists can also enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach coastline up to the Betul lighthouse to admire the untouched and unmanned beauty of this wonderful beach in Goa. You can also find colourful fishing boats that give the perfect village vibes for a perfect tranquil vacation in Goa.

Location: Betul Village, Cavelossim, South Goa, Goa, India
Highlights: Sunset views, Betul Fort, Betul Lighthouse
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

8. Cola Beach

A glimpse of the dazzling waves hitting the pristine golden sands at the Cola Beach.

Photo: Viraj Rajankar / Unsplash

Ending the guide with one of the best beaches in South Goa, which is Cola Beach, or Khola Beach. Famous for its pristine golden sands and tranquil atmosphere, Cola Beach is dotted with large volcanic boulders amidst the backdrop of tall, dense forests. The relaxed atmosphere of the beach allows the tourists to relax and unwind, all while soaking in the verdant beauty of the beach. Look out for some beach mats and stay at Cola Beach to witness the beauty of the setting sun for an enchanting experience in Goa.

Location: Lies to the North of Agonda Beach, Canacona, Kola, South Goa, Goa
Highlights: Peaceful atmosphere, emerald lagoon, sunset views
Time Required: 2 – 3 hours

9. Varca Beach

An idyllic glimpse of the Varca Beach, one of the enchanting beaches in South Goa.

Photo: Sohan Rayguru / Unsplash

Get ready to be fascinated by this tranquil yet stunning beach in Goa. One of the most popular beaches in Goa Varca Beach is known for its white sands, untouched beauty, and elongated seashore. The 12 km long stretch of Varca Beach is known for extraordinary beach shacks, swaying coconut trees, and exotic views of the sea. The beach shacks will treat you with a wide assortment of traditional seafood and Goan cuisine that you cannot afford to miss. Set aside to watch the mesmerising sunset, or capture some stunning images of this picturesque and cleanest beach in Goa.

Location: 3.9 km from Benaulim Town in South Goa
Highlights: Tranquil setting, beach shacks
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

10. Butterfly Beach

A scenic view of sprawling cobalt-blue waters and golden shores of the Butterfly Beach.

Photo: Tran Nguyen / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Last but not the least in the list of beaches in Goa is this beautiful Butterfly Beach in Goa. Surrounded by dense forests, Butterfly beach is in the shape of a butterfly and is also known as the Honeymoons Beach in Goa. An ideal spot for nature lovers, Butterfly beach offers a peaceful atmosphere for the tourists to unwind, relax, and gaze at the different varieties of Butterflies found here at the beach. Spend some time at this enchanting beach in Goa located in the Canacona region of South Goa.

Location: South of Palolem Beach, Canacona, Goa
Highlights: Sunset, forest cover, hiking, butterflies, dolphin spotting
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours

Peace, tranquillity, and beauty are some adjectives that describe beaches in South Goa. Quieter than their northern counterparts, these beaches in South Goa offer the best views of the Konkan coast, where you can relax and lay down. Plan your next trip to explore these iconic beaches with TripXL for a thrilling vacation in Goa that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Cover Photo: Asad Photo Maldives / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit the beaches in South Goa is during the cooler months from November to February for comfortable and peaceful sightseeing around Goa.
Budget-friendly accommodations in South Goa include Duck n Chill, Amigo Plaza, Karma Royal Palms, Holiday Inn Resort, Treebo Majestic Palms, Asia by Avim, and many more.
Nearby tourist attractions in South Goa include Cabo de Rama Fort, Dona Paula, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Sri Mahadeva Temple, St. Xavier’s Church, Tambdi Surla Temple, and more.
Goa is dotted with a wide array of exquisite places to visit, explore, and enjoy for a memorable experience that will captivate your heart. A trip of 7-10 days is sufficient for an enthralling vacation in Goa.
Goa is famous for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage.

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