Colva Beach
Colva Beach, Goa
What was once a sleepy fishing village and a hippie hang-out in the sixties, is now a resort town named Colva. Crowded with day-trippers and package tourists, Colva Beach located in Goa is a popular spot to enjoy water sports and get some fresh air. It offers a laid-back vibe that lacks in most of the beaches in North Goa. Lined with food shacks and cafes, the main beach is an ideal place to watch the sun go down in the Arabian Sea.
Colva Beach stretches for 2.4 km of powder white sand and is lined with coconut palms which extend as far as Bogmalo Beach along South Goa's coastline. At the town center, Colva Beach Circle is located around most of the hotels, resorts, and shops.
Activities to Do at Colva Beach
Opting for water sports is one of the best things to do in Colva Beach. Visitors can enjoy all kinds of water sports in Colva Beach such as snorkeling, speed boat riding, parasailing, jet-skiing, banana rides, motorboat rides, and even paragliding. Colvá town is a major tourist destination for its beaches, budget guesthouses, beach shacks, restaurants, and bars.
Colva Beach Attractions
One of the popular places to visit near Colva Beach in Goa, the white-washed Our Lady of Mercy Church of Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Merces is a prominent landmark in the area. Founded in 1630, the church houses the Menino Jesus statue. The statue is kept for public viewing in the month of October for the annual Fama festival. Those looking for shopping in Colva should know that the main village market is located behind the church. Overall, the market is about 2.3 kilometers from the beach.
In fact, Colvá has three beaches: the main Colvá beach, the Sunset beach towards Betalbatim, and Baywatch beach at Sernabatim. Constantly monitored by lifeguards, the swimming areas at the beach are marked with colored flags. Being one of the popular beaches of Goa, Colva Beach in Goa known for its adventure activities as well as nightlife.
Colva Beach Shacks
A handful of well-known restaurants and bars offer great music and dance with complimentary drinks. Beach shacks at Colva are often open until midnight. Partying at discos and mingling with fellow travelers in cafes is a great way to enjoy the nightlife at Colva Beach.
Colva Beach Nightlife
Being one of the popular beaches of Goa, Colva Beach is Goa known for its adventure activities as well as nightlife. The beach is home to many hip clubs and electrifying nightlife. The places serve a wide range of drinks and delectable food.
Shopping in Colva Beach
For shopping in Colva, hit the nearby markets to pick up souvenirs such as local dresses, jewelry, jute shoes, and books – all at reasonable prices. The best places for shopping are Margoas Municipal market, Nagoa market, and Queen Nagar Market.
Among popular places near Colva Beach, the Portuguese buildings and villas are a major tourist attraction. The Colva Church is another historical and religious attraction worth visiting. The best time to visit Colva Beach is November through March as the weather during this period is ideal for water sports and local sightseeing in Goa.
Attractions Near Colva Beach
On your way to Colva Beach in Goa, one can also plan on visiting the following destinations:
Bambolim Beach: This beach is one of the serene beaches in Goa. Due to the lesser number of visitors, it often provides a calm and tranquil environment for a weekend trip.
Galgibaga Beach: If you are on the lookout for a beach that is both clean and tranquil, Galgibaga Beach is your place to visit.
Church of Our Lady of Mercy: It is one of the most visited churches of Goa. Located near Colva Beach, it is a tranquil place of worship.
How To Reach Colva Beach
Colva Beach is accessible via road from Goa Airport and Madgaon Station in less than 30 minutes. Colvá is a coastal village in Salcete sub-division of South Goa, on the west coast of India. It takes only 20 minutes to reach from Madgaon Station to Colva Beach via car. It is located 8 kilometres from Madgaon Railway station, which is also the nearest railway station from Colva Beach. The beach is 40 km from Panaji, the state capital of Goa. The only international airport in Goa, which is Dabolim Airport (GOI), is located 21 km away at Vasco da Gama. Car rentals are available for tourists to visit from Goa Airport to Colva Beach. Travellers have to pay about INR 350 per vehicle for Madgaon to Colva Beach taxi fare.
Colva Beach is also accessible from Madgaon by KTC buses. Tourists can find a seat on a Madgaon to Colva bus via Mungul village to visit the beach in just 15 minutes. Private transport options like cabs, auto rickshaws, and two-wheelers are also available for rent.
Colva Beach to Calangute Beach distance: 46 km
Colva Beach to Baga Beach distance: 48 km
Madgaon Railway Station to Colva Beach distance: 8.2 km
Timings For Colva Beach
There are no specific timings to visit Colva Beach. However, it is ideal to hit the beach to watch the sunset
Timings
Monday to Sunday
12:00 pm - 11:59 pm
Tips for Colva Beach
Apply sunblock or wear hats to protect your skin from sunburn
Do not swim in dangerous areas marked for swimming
Travel to Goa between November and March to make the most of your beach vacation
Being a public beach, it can be visited any time of the day