South Goa
Beaches in South Goa:
Arambol Beach: 
(50
Kms) A unique beach in North Goa, is both rocky and sandy beach and much sought
after. It has a sweet water pond right on the store.
Vagator Beach: (22 kms) It is popular beach dominated by Chapora Fort
to the North, on its imposing headland. To the South of Vagator is Calangute
beach.
Anjuna Beach: (18 kms). A popular beach area adjacent to Chapora Fort.
In Anjuna there is magnificent Albuquerque mansion built in 1920, flanked by
octagonal towers and attractive Mangalore tiled-roof.
Calangute: (16 kms) is the most popular holiday resort in Goa. Excellent
accommodation facilities are available, particulary at the tourist resort and
cottages.
Miramar: (Gaspar Dias), 3 Kms. A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled
with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, is the nearest to Panaji.
Dona Paula: 7 kms. An idyllic picturesque spot. Command a fine view of
the Zuari River and Mormugao Harbour. Water scootering facilities are available
here.
Colva Beach: About 6 kms. from Margao. Colva beach is the pride of Salcete
and the only rival to Calangute by its scentic spelndour. Here, sand, sea and
sky blend in enchanting natural harmony unspoilt by men. Has good accommodation
facilities particilary at the tourist cottages.
Agonda: (About 37 kms. from Margao). A small picturesque and secluded
beach much sought after for its serenity.
Palolem: About 37 kms. from Margao. Just west of Chaudi in the Southern
Taluka of Canacona is one of the most enchanting beaches in Goa relatively desserted,
with backdrop of Western Ghats.
Places of Interest in South Goa
Aguada
Fort: 18 kms. Built by the Portuguese in 1609-1612, to command the entry
into the river Mandovi, in order to protect Old Goa from potential enemy attacks.
A spring within the fort provided water supply to the ships that called there.
The fort houses presently the central jail. A lighthouse is situated nearby,
the visiting hours for it being 16.00 to 17.00 hrs.
Arvalem Caves: The celebrated caves of Arvalem, belonging to a remote
era, are in a westerly direction not far away from the temple of Rudreshwar
and are of archaeological interest. A mythical background is attached to these
caves. Some are of the opinion that these caves have been carved by the travelling
Buddhist monks. An inscription is noticed on a Shivalinga with a circular top
in cave No.2 Its is in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters of the 7th century
A.D. It reads as Sambalura-vasi Ravih.
Arvalem Waterfalls: Leaving the temple of Rudreshwar, one can descend
the staircase to look at a majestic waterfall shedding its exuberant silvery
showers. The beautiful fall, with a head of about 70ft., forms a sizeable lake
at the bottom which offers a temptation to seasoned swimmers. The fall is best
seen when in full flux, just after the copious monsoon, when it presents a raptures,
ravishing and riotous aspect.
