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VAGATOR BEACH

Location : 10 km from Mapusa
Famous As : Holiday Beach Destination
What To See : Chapora Fort, Ozrant Beach, Chapora Village
Best Time To Visit : October - March

Vagator Beach - Where You Are Either on A Roll or A Reel

Vagator Beach , Goa
Vagator Beach, Goa


It was never so easy to be on the silver screen. The dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore with two fresh springs bubbling within a stone's throw of the sea surely creates a picturesque backdrop at Vagator. Bardez Taluka's northernmost beach, Vagator is adorned with the magnificent Chapora Fort at its northern end and bordered by Anjuna Beach to the south. All these together with the umbra of swaying palm trees, the black lava rocks, ramshackle farmhouses and colorful women hawking fish by the roadside surely encourages film-makers to capture this stretch of soft white sands. Vagator Beach is also a good option for those who need a tight pack of sightseeing along with their sand bumming.

Get A Heady Elixir of Sun, Sea and Sand

Vagator is split into two main beaches by a seaside headland with the restaurants on the front lines and the hotels bringing up the rear. Dominated by the red ramparts of Chapora Fort, Big Vagator has the least number of shacks and action. This towering fort at the northern tip of Vagator, marks a regal welcome to the heartland of Goa's rave party scene in the season. Originally built by Adilshah, the fort was rebuilt in 1717 by Goa's erstwhile viceroy, the Count of Ericia, to guard the entrance to the Chapora river. Present, only the ramparts survive, but still they are strong enough to provide a magnificent view of the phosphorent waves. Apart from the sea, the sweep of Morjim beach in Pernem Taluka across the Chapora river is breathtaking, as is the vista of the river going inland. You can even spot peacocks, wild hare and jackals on the wooded slopes on the slightly rocky path that slides from the fort upto the fort. Descend past the rocks where the beach seems to end. Here you can ask for directions to the 'zor' (spring, in Konkani), situated at around 100 mt from the beach. Wash the salt off your body here after a swim in the sea.

Continue past the excited spring that winds its way around the base of the hill, all the way to take you to the fishing jetty at Chapora Village. During the curing season, you can find tourists at par with the local residents, crowding in this charming palm-fringed fishing bend of Goa. What can be its secret? Well there are many - excellent accommodation facilities, plus the sands of Vagator Beach and the nightlife of Anjuna, just a short bike ride away. Shop for exotic vegetables, incense sticks and speaciality breads. Don't forget to visit the Chapora fishing jetty and watch the fish being unloaded from trawlers. You can also try your hands in angling in this jetty.

As you face the sea, on your left is the Ozrant Beach, also known as the mini-Vagator Beach. The beach is a host to huge numbers of Israeli and British tourists, reflected in the many shop signs and restaurant menus in Hebrew and English. Walk further south from Ozrant and you can see an impressive stone face of Lord Shiva carved into a seaside boulder by an unknown sculptor from the hippie era. One can also see traces of fluorescent paint adorning the raucous rocks, a sign of raver's psychedelic full-moon parties.

Hot Tips For A Cool Holiday

North Vagator Beach is fairly safe for swimming though Ozrant is not, as the rocks here create an unpredictable undertow. You can find a car park on the headland and lots of stalls selling trinkets, clothes, soft drinks and snacks. Refresh yourself before you blend yourself with the roars of the Arabian Sea. Nestling at a distance of mere 10 km from Mapusa, the beach is well connected by pre-paid taxi services. Take a Siolim bus and get down at Vagator Junction, then take a motorcycle taxi to the beach, about 2 km away. The nearest airport is the Dabolim Airport (50 km) and the nearest railhead is aat Thivim Station (17 km). If you plan to come from Panjim (32 km), take NH 17 across the Mandovi to Mapusa, then turn left to Anjuna vis Assagao. Just before you enter Anjuna, ask the locals for directions to the Police Station. Go past it and turn left. Follow the signs at every crossroad, and make sure you don't end up in the fishing village of Chapora instead.

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