CANDOLIM BEACH

This beach has won the hearts of tourists for its tranquil ambience, adventure sports and other amusement options. The enchanting Candolim Beach is particularly famous for its nightlife which ensures fun and some crazy moments to remember for a lifetime. Interesting adventure sports, spellbinding scenery and a unique festivity makes Candolim Beach one of the best beaches in Goa.

The finesse of Goa lies in beaches flanked with shacks, pubs and interspersed shopping places. Candolim Beach is one of the best places to explore if you want to have an immersive Goan experience. It is a part of the Goan trio of Baga, Calangute and Candolim beaches where all the happening parties take place. 

Located in North Goa along the stretch of Aguada Fort, Candolim beach is about 12.5 km from Panaji. Many foreigners visit the place because it is less crowded than its fellow beaches. The nightlife at Candolim attracts locals and tourists alike. In fact, it is one of the most sought after beaches when it comes to experiencing water sports or other activities like parasailing, bumpy banana ride, snorkeling, boat ride, jet skiing and even scuba diving!

If you are planning your next visit to Candolim, then here is a detailed guide to help you have the best times of your life. 

How To Reach

Candolim Beach is around 12.6 km from Panji, and it takes around 35-40 minutes to reach Candolim Beach from Panji. 

- How to reach Candolim Beach from Panji:

Bus- The bus takes half an hour to reach Candolim Beach, and the bus fare is minimal that ranges from 30-40 INR.

Car/ Taxi- The other traveling option can be your car, or you can even hire a taxi. It takes around 15-20 minutes by taxi to reach Candolim Beach from Panji. 

Also, you can search for a cruise from Panji (if available) 

- How to reach Candolim Beach from Goa International Airport

It takes around half an hour to reach from International Airport to Candolim Beach which can be covered by:

Taxi: You can hire a taxi from the Goa International airport and reach Panji around half an hour. From here, you can straightaway head for Candolim.

Bus: You can take a cab from Goa International Airport and reach the Vasco Bus stand. From the Vasco Bus stand, you can take a bus that will drop you to Panjim, and from Panjim, you’ll have to change your bus to reach Candolim.

Best Time To Visit

You can visit Candolim beach at any time of the year for an enthralling experience, but the month between April to November is the best time to visit this beach. The best time to visit this beach is between 6 am to 6 pm, which is the ideal time for sunset and sunrise. Otherwise, you can visit this beach at any time as it is always open to visitors.

Other Essential Information

Places to Visit near Candolim Beach

Chapel of St. Lawrence: This is located at the proximity of around 5 km from Candolim Beach and is touted as the most important one among all the Goan chapels. The façade of this church is hidden behind a porch, and two huge towers stand behind it. The pillars of the church are decorated with inscriptions from the life incidents of holy St. Lawrence.

Mandovi River: Mandovi river is often touted as the lifeline of Goa as the riverfront bustles with cruises, and you can spot diverse species of birds near the river estuary. This river originates in Karnataka and is called Mahadayi over there, and 2/3 rd of its part transverses in Goa. The ferry services are available across the river by Goa’s River Navigation Department. 

Sinquerim Fort: Built-in the year 1612, this fort is an extension of the upper Aguada Fort. It was built initially to guard Goa against the Marathas and Dutch. The fort stands facing the Sinquerim beach, and it bisects the shoreline into two distinct parts. The lower part of the fort consists of a fortified wall and bastion on both sides. 

Calangute Beach: This is one of the longest beaches in North Goa, stretching from Baga to Candolim. It’s a popular tourist spot for people all across the world due to its sheer size, thrilling water sports activities, and sumptuous culinary fare as it swarms with eating joints. The days here are known for beach fun, and the night calls for rocking parties.

Aguada Fort: This is a well preserved Portuguese Fort located near river Mandodari. This four-storeyed lighthouse is one of the oldest of its kind across Asia. It contains many secret passageways, a formidable citadel, and has the capacity for around two hundred canons.

Places to Stay near Candolim Beach 

Candolim Beach is surrounded with luxury hotels and resorts with outlandish decor and state of the art facilities. Here is a list of some of the best stays near the beach.

De Alturas Resort: This is a four-star deluxe resort located at a distance of 500 meters from Candolim Beach. It has ninety-five guest rooms and deluxe sea-facing rooms. An all-day dining restaurant operates from 7:30 am to midnight serving all kinds of delicacies.

Casablanca: This is a three-star exquisite beach resort designed in an elegant Portuguese and Spanish style. This resort is ideal for a relaxed holiday in Goa, and the rooms are quite spacious, offering an ethereal view of the surrounding. Interiors have a unique blend of bright upholstery, contemporary art, and vibrant hues. 

Ginger Tree Village Resort: This is one of the best resorts that you can find in Candolim for an ideal stay. It has fifteen aesthetically pleasing guest rooms and a multi-cuisine restaurant. The rooms have been equipped with all the basic facilities and hospitality is also excellent. 

360 Degree Beach Retreat: With immaculate sand beaches and lush landscaping, this is a retreat like none other. It has spacious rooms, a beachfront spa, the dining area at the rooftop, and a swimming pool. It maintains the strong cultural roots and ethos of Goan culture in its entire setting.

Holiday Beach Resort: This is a four-star resort located close to Candolim Beach. It offers very spacious and comfortable rooms with lavish interiors and all the necessary amenities. The swimming pool invites you to take a dip in the crystal clear water.

Shacks at Candolim Beach 

The beachfront shacks of Candolim Beach are the most famous attraction for the visitors. These shacks serve lip-smacking food amidst a crazy environment where you can relax and unwind chugging down the drinks. Each beach shack offers a wide range of traditional Goan fare blaring out the lively beats on thumping bass. 

Sanatana Beach Hotel- One of the best beach shacks in Candolim Beach is run by Santana Beach Hotel. Here you can get a wide variety of Goan cuisines and delicious seafood. In the evening this shack becomes the perfect spot for relaxed dining with your feet in the sand. 

Bobby Shack- Bobby shack is another favorite of people, and the best thing is that all kinds of food are prepared over here by using the handpicked ingredients. It is ideal for a happening beach vacation as it provides facilities like pool table, shisha, soundproof nightclub and free wifi for an unforgettable experience. The happening vibes of this place lure you to spend some quality time over here. It is one of the best shacks to wine and dine in a crazy environment by the seaside with your friends and family.

Things to Carry at Candolim Beach

If you want to have ultimate fun at Candolim Beach, then you should never forget to carry these essentials that will turn your entire trip into a breeze. 

Carry mirrored sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while enjoying the beach.

Sunscreen is a must if you want to stay away from sunburn and other adverse effects of UV rays on your skin.

Always carry crocs as they are comfortable to walk on the sandy area of Candolim beach.

If you really want to soak up the sun, then a swimwear should be a must-have before hitting the beach.

Travelers' Tip before visiting Candolim Beach

Avoid visiting Candolim Beach during peak season because you’ll not be able to enjoy to the fullest when the beach is overcrowded with people and the accommodations will also be very costly.

While the Candolim Beach is the greatest attraction of Goa, it might also pose a few risks like sunstroke and sunburn. So it’s important to apply a high SPF before heading into this beach.

There might be cases of a strong rip current in the monsoon season at Candolim Beach. In such a case, red flags are marked at the beach, which means you should restrict from swimming and trying other water sports activities.

Medical Facilities near Candolim Beach

There are many hospitals and primary health care centers near Candolim Beach, where you can always seek medical advice. In case of any complication while trying the water sports activities or rejoicing near the beach the doctors are always ready to provide you the best treatment.

Apart from this, various operators also offer basic medical facilities and first aid kit in case of any health-related complexities while enjoying at Candolim beach.