INDIALINE
Complete India Travel Guide

Vagator Beach

Vagator Beach, Mapusa- Goa

About the beach

When it comes to scenic beauty, Vagator beach is undeniably one of the best beaches in the world. Twenty four kilometers from capital city, Panaji, this beach is the north most beach of Bardej Taluka. Perfect for a romantic holiday destination, a red laterite cliff looks down to soft white sand dotted with black lava rocks. A lush green landscape full of swaying palm trees and water turning aquamarine to emerald treats eyes. There is no beginning and no end to the beauty of Vagator beach. The icing on the cake is the five hundred year old Portuguese fort.

The beach is split into two by seaside headland, to the north is North Vagator Beach and towards the south is Ozrant beach or the mini Vagator beach. And in the center is a tiny beach cut off from Ozrant down the cliff. This is Middle Vagator beach also called the Tel Aviv Beach. All three beaches are popular with tourist particularly British and Israeli tourists.

Inseparable from Vagator is the Chapora village inhibited by a predominantly fishing community. The village gives the beach an old world charm.

Things to see and do

What holds and beholds the charm of Vagator is difficult to say. A perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in spite of the hustle bustle of the tourists. Vagator is a relaxed tourist destination and fairly undeveloped or one rather say untouched. Its a perfect getaway if you plan to spend your holidays in calm surroundings reuniting with yourself. A face of Lord Shiva has been carved on a sea side boulder by some unknown sculptor, don't miss to take a snapshot. Swimming is fairly safe in North Vagator Beach.

Vagator Springs

Fresh water springs are interesting feature of Vagator. There are two fresh water springs in Vagator, one is at North Vagator beach past the rocks where the beach seems to end at the foot of the hill. The other one is in Ozrant and a bit difficult to locate. It's called by the name of zor which means spring in Konkani. Take a shower in the clean water of springs to wash off the salt after a swim in the sea.

Shopping and eating

Though Vagator doesn't boasts of any big shopping complex but one thing you will get here in abundance is fish in the local market. One can also buy some candelabras of exquisite china, woven baskets and earthen pots. As for food, a sweet Goan delicacy available here is Bebinca, made from tender coconuts.

Some sight seeing

Chapora fort

Remember that scene from the movie Dil Chahta Hai where the three actors sit atop a fort facing a picturesque sea. Welcome to Chapora fort. Built in 1717 by Goa's viceroy to protect Bardej from Marathas, Chapora fort is a delight to those who manage to climb it. But the journey paved by lava bedecked black rocks is advisable only for the fit. Once you manage to do that, then the view from the fort will spellbind you beyond expression. The sight of sea, coconut covered hills and rice fields from such height is just awesome.

Chapora village

Rather difficult to believe but true, even watching rural life of Chapora is an attraction for tourists. Though the village has no beach still it is quite popular with the tourists. There are houses of Portuguese era also. Tiny cottages with gardens full of lemon, purple and fuchsia colour give this village a honeymoon like feeling. Watch the fishermen venture out into sea in their traditional attire and in the evening the womenfolk and children gather in colorful attire to welcome them and celebrate their catch. The simple life which the people of Chapora lead takes you far away from the maddening hustle of the urban cities.