A white sand paradise on the southern tip of Goa, Palolem Beach is approximately 38 km from Madgaon in Cancona and is among the most favourite destinations for travellers seeking peace and quiet. No wonder then that it sees endless hordes of foreign as well as domestic travellers that make the quaint thatched roof cottages on the shore, their home.

The mile-long shoreline presents you with opportunities to eat, relax and chill in one of the beach shacks or spend some time with your loved ones in the water. It can be noted that while families mostly stick to the northern end of the beach, backpackers and solo tourists occupy the central and southern part of the beach, which is known for its beach parties and entertainment. Although the party scene isn't too big on this stretch of the beach, the Silent Noise Parties held at Neptune Point draw quite considerable crowd.

Until the 1980s, Palolem was a relatively virgin and unexplored destination. However, the beach soon gained popularity due to its serene beauty and almost white sands. Cossetted within lofty highlands on either side, the Palolem Beach is adorned with tranquil surroundings. One of the most common attractions on Palolem Beach is the ferry rides that take visitors to witness dolphins and the elusive Butterfly and Honeymoon Beaches.

Activities at Palolem Beach

A hub of outdoor activities, Palolem is a fun-filled destination in Goa. Its location and the diversity of its marine life ensure that visitors have a great time exploring the beach as well as the activities around.

Swimming : If you are looking for a good swim, the northern end of the beach is perfect. The surface is quite shallow and the current isn't too fast either, an average swimmer too can have fun exploring. However, don't swim out too far as the depth of the ocean floor gradually increases making way for strong currents and unsteady slopes.

Scuba Diving : How wonderful would it be to find yourself right in the midst of the vibrant shades of blue? Palolem Beach is one of the few beaches in the country where this activity is enjoyable and fruitful. Try your chance and dive into the waters of Palolem as you visit the beach.

Kayaking : As the beach finds itself in a cove, the waters here are quite peaceful hence you can have a great kayaking adventure. Moreover, it's always useful to explore the sea. A quick suggestion, hire a kayak during the morning time so that you get a chance to experience the tranquillity of sea in its best form. Usually, the cost of Kayaking is INR 300 per hour.

Dolphin Spotting : Try your luck, hire a boat and go for Dolphin spotting. An hour trip costs INR 800, so it would be feasible to tag along with a group. Again, visiting in the morning might bring you some fortune!

Shopping at Palolem Beach

Watch out as you hover around the beach, Tibetan jewellery and beachy clothes might be a threat to your pocket! The Palolem market undoubtedly deserves the words of appreciation. Comparatively bigger than that of at other beaches, the market here showcases Tibetan handicrafts, showpieces made of sea shells, and quite an excellent collection of cool clothes. The market is lively and attracts many tourists irrespective of the season. Furthermore, the music, spice, and garment shops here would surely give you some hippie feels. So now you have this beautiful beach with a silent night party and some amazing stuff to shop!

How to Reach Palolem Beach

You can take a bus from Margao Bus Stand to Canacona or Palolem. After reaching the Canacona bus station, you can take a taxi or an autorickshaw to reach Palolem Beach which is situated only at a distance of 3 km.

If you want to make your journey more exciting you can hire bike or mopeds to move around through roads surrounded with lush green palm trees.