The Best Beaches in GoaFind the best beach for you in India's beautiful coastal state Goa

Located on a private bay, Cola Beach is an undeveloped paradise in the south of Goa. Offering its visitors a sense of peace and serenity, Cola is cut-off from the rest of the coast and has its own lagoon of calm blue waters. Its soft golden sands boast a backdrop of pretty coconut groves that provide shade from the midday sun. This beach is best reached by boat, making it the perfect place to retreat for some quite relaxation.

Just a 10-minute walk from the busier Palolem Beach, Patnem’s isolated position between two cliffs gives the beach a calm and relaxed vibe, with a peaceful atmosphere making Patnem a great spot for yogis. There are several retreats to choose from, offering classes to suit a range of abilities. There’s also plenty of chilled-out beach shacks plus stalls selling Kashmiri jewellery and trinkets. This really is the best of both worlds: a wonderful place to relax and situated only a stone's throw away from the lively Palolem nightlife scene.

Once a quaint fishing village, Baga now boasts some of the most vibrant nightlife on Goa’s coastline. By day, it has a thriving beach scene and a variety of water sports, but after the sun goes down the entertainment really begins. You’ll find the main strip of clubs running behind the beach, playing everything from psychedelic trance to Bollywood beats. If you head back down to the sands, the beach shacks are serving drinks all night.

Home to some of the best hotels in the north of Goa, Sinquerim is the place to go if you’re looking for a little luxury. Its endless golden sands are studded with bamboo beach shacks, hiring out sun loungers and offering delicious seafood. Close by you’ll also find Fort Aquada, a 16th century fort with stunning views along the coast. Despite its obvious attractions, Sinqueirim has retained a quiet and peaceful feel. Beach vendors aren’t allowed at Sinquerim so you can truly enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Formerly a hippy hangout famous in the 60's for its moonlight rave parties, today Anjuna exudes a slightly different vibe, but its hippy legacy still lingers in its heady beach party scene and the Anjuna Beach Flea Market. Held every Wednesday, the market is ideal for souvenir shopping and sells everything from fruit to clothing. The beach itself is also renowned for its natural beauty, with white sands, red laterite rocks and swaying coconut trees. Numerous funky hostels have opened in recent years, making this a great beach destination for budget travellers and backpackers.

Agonda is a quiet beach offering simple accommodation and a golden arc of powder soft sands. A handful of restaurants serve kid-friendly dishes such as omelettes and pancakes and, being set right on the beach, you can enjoy a drink or two whilst your children play in the sands. There’s also the option of going dolphin watching or hiring a bodyboard or surfboard. At Agonda there’s more than enough activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Also known as ‘Turtle Beach’, it’s no surprise Morjim is most famous for its turtles. As the nesting ground of the endangered Olive Ridley Turtle, the smallest sea turtle species, this beach is the setting for several local conservation efforts. You may be lucky enough to see a mother coming ashore to lay her eggs or even tiny hatchlings as they shuffle down to the water’s edge. There are playful dolphins and a number of seabird species to be spotted as well.

Nestled in a landscape of coconut palms and rice paddies, Arossim Beach offers picture-perfect white sands and a low-key vibe. But aside from its natural beauty, one of its main highlights is its culinary offerings. A scattering of colourful beach shacks and eateries serve deliciously fresh seafood to hungry beach-goers. What's more, after you’ve eaten your fill of fresh lobster or Goan shrimp curry, nothing beats kicking back with a cold beer and watching one of Arossim’s stunning sunsets.

As one of Goa’s most famous and developed beaches, Calangute is well-known for the variety of water sports it offers. From kayaking, banana boating and jet-skiing above the waves, to snorkelling beneath them, you’ll be spending more time in the water than on the beach itself. There’s also plenty of shopping to be had, with Calangute Market Square offering traditional handicrafts, souvenirs and jewellery. For a truly exhilarating experience, why not try parasailing? Alongside the adrenaline rush, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the coast as you soar through the sky.

One of Goa’s most beautiful beaches, Vagator offers extensive golden sands, dramatic rocky cliffs, and a 17th-century fort. Following the release of Bollywood blockbuster movie Dil Chahta Hai, Chapora Fort shot to fame and is now renowned for its incredible sunset views. Simply sit on one of its walls or climb the nearby rocks for the best vantage point. Then soak up the views as the sun sinks below the sea, leaving behind a dappled sky of pink and orange hues.