Candolim Beach, Goa

Candolim Beach is positioned between Sinquerim and Calangute Beaches. It is one of the three main areas where most tourists stay when visiting North Goa (the other two being Calangute & Baga). Of the three it is usually the cleanest and quietest. The water can be rough - watch the undertow - and there's little shade here.

Off the shore and within sight is the River Princess (so close that some people - stupidly - swim out to it). The River Princess is a 240-meter (787 foot)-long ore carrier that ran aground off the Candolim-Sinquerim coast in June, 2000. For over 11 years, the state gov't. has not removed or forced the removal of the ship. It sits in the sea rusting away. Now it seems, that less and less beach shacks are up during the season because the beach is eroding. The fact that the beach is eroding should shake the government into action but the River Princess will probably continue to be a running joke for years to come. Such a sad situation.

I spent alot of time in this area (our restaurant) was on one of the beach access roads. Candolim Beach is so convenient (short walk) to plenty of restaurants, shops, etc. New Year's Eve sees it come alive with people celebrating and enjoy the fireworks show provided by the (just down the beach) Taj Hotel. It's one of the "friendlier" beaches.

I'll be visiting again soon and will update with any new info about the beach erosion/shacks.

India is a developed country when it comes to computer technology, and there are some cybercafes in Goa. But the bureaucracy is bad. I had to bring my passport, then sign a receipt with passport number, name, birth date, hotel name and my signature.

Candolim beach is the second largest beach in Goa. Actually it is a continuation of Calangute beach, and it is no visible partition between them. Candolim beach is wide with soft sand. There are several beach restaurants here and a lot of sunbeds, but in contrast to Calangute beach you have to pay for using the beds since the restaurants doesn't have a ownership to the shoreline. It costs from 50-100 rupies depending on how good you are to bargain. There are many beach boys, hawkers and women selling "this-and-that" on this beach. I have never seen anything like it at any other beach I have been to. And they don't take no for an answer. Buy food, beer, softdrinks, clothes and take massage. There are mostly english tourist here and some russians. This beach is the best in North-Goa in terms of the sand/sea quality. It is the second best when it comes to accessibility of restaurants and water activities.

The straight beach at Candolim stretches for a good few kilometres from Fort Aguada in the south to Calangute in the north. This is prime package tour company land but it features less beach shacks and is a bit quieter than Calangute, which will suit a lot of people.

1. Spend a night in Palolem.

Rent a beach hut for 500Rupees. Run along the same beach as Jason Bourne, have a breakfast on the beachfront and have a walk outside the beach area and pick seashells near the fishing boats.

2. Find a favourite beach shack and stick to it. You will get VIP treatment. Our favourite was boat shack, but there must be hundreds of them.

3. Dudshagar Water falls

Take a tour or rent a taxi. A couple of hours ride. The last hour in a 4-wheeler on a dusty dirt track. There are lots of half tame monkeys and huge signs telling you not to feed them although there are even bigger crowds of people selling fruit intended for feeding. A short walk along a track ends up at a pool with clear cool water with a waterfall. A swim in the pool and a shower under the waterfall is just pefect, unless you go in the monsoon peiod. Then it is flooded.

4. An elephant shower
Typical tourist trap to swim with an elephant, scrub it and get a shower from the elephants trunk. But the children loves it....

5. Get a new suit
Lots of tailors. They will probably cheat you but it is a great experience to have a suit or a couple of silk shirts made just for you.

6. Watch the Dolphins
Must be a major attraction since every cab driver wants you to let him take you on a trip.
I had seen dolphins before so...

7. Ingos Market
The no 1. night market. A thousand stalls with things you dont need. Survivors from the 60s flower Power. An excellent food court where you could try nepalese, tibetan, chinese, indian food as well as pizza slices. Music and people smoking small funny pipes.

8. Anjuna Market.
Probably the same people selling as in the night market but here you can see the stuff in day light.

9. Body treatment

I got a shave for 40rs and my wife had massage and manicure.

10. Old Goa

Said to be a must but old churches is not so exciting for us europeans as elephants in the street.

Dol sea beach shack was introduced to us by some friends on our second week last year. and oh boy what a find!!.
Santan the shack owner and his couple of helpers who's names i can not remember made our holiday in Goa.

This is only a small shack in comparison to some others but with a massive welcoming atmosphere.

Santan and his staff are some of the most friendliest people i have ever met and became friends almost instantly.

Santan has several well kept sun loungers for your use and all ways out facing the sun first thing in the morning, and santan himself or his staff will cater to your every need, from chilled water to an ice cold beer. what ever you want or need is never to much trouble.

The food here is also fantastic and very cheap and i must stress very fresh. You should see the size of the RED SNAPPERS he gets!!!!.

This is a simple shack with a 5***** service and quality,and i highly recommended it.
Can not wait to return to chill out and be spoiled by our good friend Santan.

What a great little gem in the crown called Goa.

The beach is not much to say about, the sand is a bit rough and brown, very big waves made it a bit dangerous, but here is not much tourists at all, so if you are in that mode it could be a pleasant stay. Here is hardly no salesmen, only some guys try to sell you a boatride.
A big ship has stranded on the beach, and as far as I know - it have been here for a couple of years now.
It is easy to find accomodation here, serveral options for hotels with pool or without.

This is a long long long beach (more than 30km). If you want privacy and quietness, go there. As you can see on the picture, it's ideal for swimming, suntanning, playing with friends.

There are very few bars or vendor stalls on that beach

The Beach Road is the best place for tourists in Candolim. The road has the nicest restaurants and bars, and the road is not so trafficated.