Thursday 31 January 2013
Candolim Beach
Candolim happens to be a beautiful beach lying southwards to Calangute in the northern part of Goa. Though the beach is 7km long, it is a part of a long stretch of 30km between Aguada and Keri along the coast of Arabian Sea. In comparison to other Goan beaches, Candolim beach is straight and long and it also happens to be rather serene. The long stretch described above ends at Calangute beach, and being full of sand dunes enjoys much popularity among tourists. The proximity of Candolim beach with Panaji makes it all the more popular as tourists can easily get to all parts of Goa. This is one beach where tourists get a peaceful ambience and privacy that is not there in many of the more famous beaches. As usual, tourists engage in swimming and sunbathing, but they also get a chance to have a glimpse of the fishermen going and coming back from the sea with their catch of fish. The more adventurous ones can indulge in water sports while the ones interested in food can have delicious food items that are there in abundance in the shacks on the beach.
Though there are many shops and eating joints on the main Candolim Calangute road, there are no commercial establishments on the beach. Despite being so close to the more famous Calangute beach, Candolim beach offers great privacy. You wouldn’t find too many people even inside the village surrounding the beach. There are no resorts as such in the area surrounding the beach though one gets the facilities of some nice inns at decent prices.
One attraction of the beach is a ship called River Princess that has been stuck at the shore and lying here for the last decade or so. If you are looking for natural beauty along with privacy, Candolim beach is an ideal beach to have a vacation at. Those looking to practice Yoga or meditation find this beach very peaceful in comparison to Anjuna and Calangute.
Location
Candolim beach is situated in the northern part of the state of Goa in India. One can easily get here from Mapusa or Calangute beaches. This beach is much frequented by foreign tourists. The beach begins from Fort Aguada and continues till Chapora beach. The beach lies very close to the capital of Goa and the best time to come here is during winters between November and April.
How to Arrive
By Air
The airport of Dabolim is just 45km away from the beach. Tourists can easily take prepaid taxis to reach the beach from the airport.
By Rail
Candolim beach is a mere 19km away from Thivim railway station. There are many three wheelers and taxis to take the tourists to the beach.
By Road
If you are coming from Porvorim, there is Mandovi Bridge that is built on the CHOGM road and connects the beach to the nearest road. One can also reach the beach after taking left from the bridge and getting there via Nerul, Verem, and Betim.
Weather Conditions
Candolim has a hot and humid climate round the year with only the winters being a little cold. Being near to Arabian Sea, Candolim receives much precipitation. The temperatures are down during the months of December, January, and February when it is ideal to make a visit here.
Summer Time
Summers are long and sultry in Candolim and one can expect high temperatures of up to 36 degree Celsius in May with a lot of humidity. However, average temperature remains at 29 degrees during summers.
Rainy Ceason at Candolim
Candolim receives lots of rains during June and September. One can also expect a few thunderstorms because of nearness to Arabian Sea. The area receives 288 cm of rainfall on an average during a year.
Winters
Winter is rather short and warm with average temperatures between December and January being 16 to 28 degrees.
Attractions
Fort Agauda happens to be the major attraction for the visitors coming to Candolim beach. This fort was built by the Portuguese to keep an eye on advances into the river Mondovi by enemy troops. Tourists get a chance to have a bird’s eye view from here of all the beaches running close to the state of Maharashtra. Quincy Corner is another popular joint of the tourists where they let themselves loose to the tunes of western music amidst a wonderful setting of palm trees and coconut trees. Coco beach is also frequented by the tourists. This is a beach lying on an estuary which is ideal for swimming. This place is close to some Goan villages one of which is called Nerul. It is a beautiful village surrounded by Mondovi River on one side and rocky hills on another. Tourists come to this peaceful village to have salt water bath for therapeutic reasons.
Things to Do
If you are the adventurous type, you can take part in many water sports here such as jet skiing, water skiing, fishing, dolphin spotting, parasailing, and catamaran sailing etc. You need not be a pro as there are expert guides to make you enjoy these sporting activities. One can also take part in beach excursion or practice yoga and meditation if you want some private and relaxing moments.
Water Sports
Tourists coming to Candolim beach get a chance to indulge in many different water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, catamaran sailing, and dolphin spotting. One gets help and assistance of experts who can be found all over the beach. Backwater cruises are quite popular among the tourists that are organized by operators found on the beach itself. These cruises have many themes such as crocodile safari.
Para Sailing
Para sailing is a water sport that finds ideal conditions in Candolim beach. Tourists can be seen enjoying themselves being dragged by speeding boats tied with a parachute.
Water Skiing
Water skiing is another popular water sport that is enjoyed by the tourists at Candolim beach. This is rather easy water sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. People play games similar to snow skiing and also take part in other water sports such as jet skiing, surfing, and scuba diving.
Dolphin Spotting
Candolim beach has ideal conditions for dolphin spotting and operators organize cruises to take tourists close to dolphins in the Arabian Sea. Morning and evening walks around the beach are very pleasing and great times pass for the tourists.
Hotel Acommodations
Candolim beach is situated on a long stretch along the Arabian Sea coastline in the northern part of Goa. The closest beach is Sinqueriom Beach. Candolim beach is not very famous but provides peaceful and relaxing moments to the visitors.
The following is a list of hotels and resorts around this beach that are available at affordable prices.
Aldeia Santa Rita
This is a beautiful hotel made in a style that reminds guests of being inside a Portuguese village. It is painted in several colors making it look very appealing.
Casablanca Goa
It is hard to believe but the sprawling Casablanca Beach Resorts are just a hundred meters away from Candolim beach. This hotel is connected to nearby cities of Mapusa and Panaji through road.
Dona Alcina Goa
Dona Alcina Goa is a decent hotel that is situated alongside Candolim beach. It is well connected with both airport and railway station being just 45 km from the airport and 15km from the railway station. The resort is a mere 18km away from Panaji.
Lemon Tree Resort
This is a hotel that is situated in front of the beach and captures the essence and elegance of times when the Portuguese were here.
Marquis Goa
This is a beach resort that is situated on 4 acres of sprawling greenery. Marquis resort is well connected as it is just 2km aaway from Calangute beach, and just 4km away from Baga beach. The hotel lies just 12km away from Panjim.
Nizmar Goa
Nizmar Resort is a stone’s throw away from Calangute beach being just 500m away from it. It is also close to Maragao railway station, being just 50km from it. Tivim is also close by, being just 23km away. Nizmar is only 16kim away from Panaji.
Phoenix Park Inn
Phoenix Park Inn is a stylish and elegant resort near Candolim beach that reflects the true spirit of Goa. The hotel lies close to the famous Sea n’ Sand.
Santana Goa
This is a hotel that is relatively new, having been started in only 2005. The resort is a walking distance away from the Arabian Sea. It is also close to a road that takes one to hotel Taj Holiday Village.
Sodder’s Gloria Goa
Started only a decade ago in October 2002, Sodder’s Gloria Anne is situated just half a km away from Candolim beach and lies in a prime area that contains lots of restaurants and shops.
Sonesta Inns
Sonesta Inns have a perfect location on the sandy beach of Candolim. The hotel presents a mesmerizing view having been built around a huge pool with a gently sloping ground taking one straight to the Arabian Sea.
Victor Exotica
Started just 13 years ago in 1999, Hotel Victor Exotica lies in the heart of North Goa near the Candolim beach. It has a reputation of being a family hotel with attractions for everyone in the family.
Nightlife
There are plenty of shacks in and around Candolim beach that remain full of customers round the clock. Geoffrery’s Pub and 10 Downing Street happen to be especially popular among the tourists for their hectic nightlife. Both these joints lie close to Taj Holiday Village. These joints play loud music and serve drinks that continue till the early hours of the morning.
Restaurants
There are several cafes on Candolim beach that serve high quality food and drinks. These cafes are few notches up the ordinary stuff of the shacks that dot up the entire Candolim beach area. There are many restaurants on the main road serving seafood and continental cuisine. La Fencie, Bob’s Inn, and Peacock Pub are just a few to name some nice restaurants serving Italian and English food items. There are also Viva Goa and Stone House that are famous for serving the Goan cuisine. Tourists can expect royal stuff at the restaurants in Taj Holiday Village and Taj Aguada Beach Resort.
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