Basically an extension of Calangute Beach with clean white sand, Baga Beach offers a beautiful combination of sun and serenity. Located 10 km west of Mapusa, Baga is a small but perfect beach located between Colva and Calangute, its two famous cousins. It's a much better place to enjoy some restful moments. Included among fishing beaches, sun-deprived international tourists tan their bodies in the sun here. The grove of palms comes fairly close to the water's edge. Offering a pleasant diversion for children, Baga River flows down one side of it. Its picturesque beauty, along with the creek, lack of local tourist buses and the Retreat House perched on the hill - all have contributed to its unique beauty. Vacationers from western countries use it as a base for water sports and fishing. Baga has begun a Saturday night market, to counter the importance of the Wednesday flea market at Anjuna. It's very impressive but somehow lacks the charm of the Anjuna market.

Attractions Around Baga Beach

Baga Beach has many excursions worth visiting. One narrow road leading past Bom Viagem Convent along cashew-covered foothills, lead us to the springs at Mottant. It's regarded as an ideal spot for picnics and bathing. Water here is believed to be having medicinal qualities. Placed overlooking the village and Arabian Sea, at Baga hilltop is Baga Retreat House. Dedicated to St Francis Xavier, it was known as Casa de Retiros. Tourists also have a choice to indulge in various activities including motorcycle riding, water skiing, Para sailing, wind surfing and crocodile-dolphin spotting. You can very easily hire a motorcycle or scooter in Panaji and Mapusa. Mandovi and Zuari Rivers are the best places to enjoy backwater crocodile and dolphin spotting. Banks of these rivers are densely forested with mangrove trees and crocodiles inhabit the swamps in this area. Dolphins can also be spotted here at the open sea at the mouth of the Mandovi River.


Adventure Activities around Baga Beach

Baga beach is not only famous for its quiet atmosphere and isolated location but also for several water sports and adventure activities. These adventure activities attract thousands of domestic as well as foreign tourists from all over the world. Baga beach is more popular with western tourists who love to use it as a base for water sports and fishing in the area. Tourists also have a choice to indulge in various activities including motorcycle riding, water skiing, Para sailing, wind surfing and crocodile-dolphin spotting. Water skiing, para sailing and wind surfing at the beach starts here in afternoon when the wind blows just in the right direction and goes on till sunset. Mandovi River to Zuari River is a favorite pastime for travelers to enjoy backwater crocodile and dolphin spotting.

Where To Stay

Dotted around the fishing village of Baga, rough-and-ready places have enough space for accommodation. You may also choose any of the reasonable budget houses and rooms for rent available on the quieter north side of the river. Some of the most beautiful hotels and resorts of Baga beach are:

Sun Village Resort (4 Star)
Maizon Star Resort (3 Star)
Hotel Mello Rosa (3 Star)
Cavala Resort (2 Star)
Ronil Beach Resort (2 Star)
Colonia Santa Maria Resort (1 Star)
Hotel Baia Do Sol (2 Star)

Where to Eat

The fishing village of Baga has arguably the best range of restaurants in Goa, from standard beach shacks to swish pizzerias and terrace cafes that serve real espresso coffee. As there is stiff competition among all of them, prices are normally reasonable and the quality of cooking is very high. You can try either a traditional Goan meal at the eccentric Casa Portuguese or a splurge, splash out on a candlelit dinner at J & A's Riverside Trattoria.

Nightlife at Baga Beach

Baga's nightlife is the liveliest in the area as the droves of predominantly British package tourists prefer to stay here. Major chunk of revelers end up at Tito's. It also has the only dance floor and hefty sound system outside a big hotel for miles. Stag entries and couples have to pay whereas women are allowed in for free.