Located in north Goa, Candolim beach lies just next to Calangute beach. On a sunny day, when the blue sky melts into the Arabian sea, the golden sand of Candolim beach creates a mesmerizing beauty across the shoreline. Relax on the loungers and sunbeds available by the shacks or enjoy the adventurous water sports- Candolim has everything. Sounds thrilling? Let’s explore more!
Highlights of Candolim Beach, Goa
| Location | North Goa |
| Attractions | Less crowded and beautiful sea beach, water sports, nightlife |
| Suitable For | Couples and families |
| Best Mobile Networks | Airtel, Jio |
| ATM Availability | Yes |
| Nearest Railway Station | Thivim (20 Km), Karmali (24 Km), Madgaon (48 Km) |
| Nearest Airport | Dabolim (34 Km) |
| When To Visit | October to February |
| Entry Type | Free |
Attractions & Things To Do At Candolim Beach
When planning the itinerary to visit north Goa, we heard that Candolim is the best alternative to Baga and Calangute to avoid the crowd. In reality, when we finally visited, we found the rumour true. However, this does not make Candolim beach less enjoyable. Let’s see the adventurous and fun activities you can do here.
1. Swim Safely
Candolim beach looks very similar to Calangute beach, with golden sands and surrounded by coconut trees. You will surely fall in love with Candolim if you love sea beaches with waves dancing on your feet.
Like other famous sea beaches in Goa, Candolim beach is also properly marked with safe and unsafe swimming zones, with coastguards monitoring the situation all the time. The sea waves are comparatively stronger here, but you can swim and enjoy riding them.
2. Enjoy A Walk & Relax On The Sea Beach
While swimming is exciting at Candolim, we found it good for leisure too. There are many beach-facing shacks where you can chill out and spend quality time relaxing on the sunbeds. Enjoy the splendid beauty of Candolim sea beach while listening to the gushing waves.
3. Participate In Water Sports
Goa has no dearth of water sports, and Candolim is no exception. Jet skiing and parasailing are the two most popular water sports on Candolim beach. Apart from them, banana riding, speed boating, bumper boat riding and snorkelling are also available if you want to explore more exciting activities. However, you should note that the cost of water sports is reasonably higher than it is at nearby beaches like Calangute and Baga.
4. Try Delicious Food And Drinks
Visiting Candolim beach and not trying the delicious seafoods? That’s impossible if you are a non-vegetarian like me!
Don’t miss Mackerel Recheado, Goan Prawn Fry, Calamari Masala Fry and Crab Xacuti from the seaside shacks and restaurants. If you don’t like seafood, you may also try various recipes made of chicken and vegetables.
Candolim has no shortage of drinks either. Be it wines, cocktails, smoothies or simple fruit juices– you can have them all during a candlelight dinner by the sea beach. This experience is unmatched while enjoying the sea breeze under the moonlight.
5. Shopping At Local Market
Unlike Baga, Anjuna and Calangute beaches in north Goa, Candolim does not have a flea market. However, you can visit Newton’s supermarket to buy groceries, food, drinks, and all other essential items. Apart from it, there are also several branded shops around the sea beach where you can go shopping.
Candolim Beach Map
How Can You Reach Candolim Beach?
Candolim beach is very well-connected to other parts of Goa, as well as India. While travelling by train is the cheapest option, travelling by air is the fastest option to reach Candolim. Here are the best options to reach Candolim beach in Goa:
- By Air: Dabolim, the only international airport of Goa, lies just 38 Km away from Candolim. If you prefer travelling by air, hire a prepaid taxi from the airport without any hassle. It will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach your destination if there is no significant traffic jam. It is the best option for international travellers.
- By Train: Candolim is also well-connected to the rest of India via railway routes. Apart from the famous Vasco-Da-Gama station, you can reach the sea beach from Thivim, Madgaon and Karmali railway stations located at a distance of 38, 20, 44 and 24 kilometres. Read the guide to train travel for a smooth experience.
- By Road: Candolim beach is connected to the other parts of north Goa via Calangute-Anjuna road, Pilerne-Candolim road and Nerul-Candolim road. Travelling by car is the best option if you are a domestic traveller from the adjacent states of Maharashtra or Karnataka. Otherwise, stick to air or train travel.
Best Hotels and Resorts in Candolim, Goa
While north Goa is synonymous with late-night parties and water sports, Candolim is no exception but is comparatively costlier in terms of accommodation. However, if you are planning a luxury trip to Goa, stay at the 4-star or 5-star hotels and resorts nearby Candolim beach. Here is a list of the top places to stay at Candolim:
- Novotel Goa Candolim
- Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa
- Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Candolim
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
- Holiday Inn Goa Candolim, an IHG Hotel
- Evoke Lifestyle, Candolim, North Goa
- Lemon Tree Hotel Candolim, Goa
- Resort Acron Candolim Regina
- Kyriad Candolim Goa by OTHPL
Is Visiting Candolim Beach Worth It?
The worthiness of visiting any tourist attraction depends on various factors. Those include how much you enjoy, how comfortable you stay, food quality, etc. Before visiting, we heard many stories about Candolim. Now we have explored almost every option and found the following pros and cons of visiting Candolim beach. Check them out and find out if those match your travel requirements.
Pros
- Candolim has all facilities of watersports, good food and nightlife like Baga and Calangute beaches, but it is much less crowded and more serene. It is a perfect option for tourists planning to visit north Goa but avoid the excessive crowd and prefer quietness.
- The sea beach is safe for swimming with marked zones and lifeguards.
- Candolim has excellent facilities for relaxing on the sea beach and sunbathing.
- Transport is readily available near Candolim beach. You can even rent a scooter and go on a sightseeing trip.
- There are lots of accommodation options available at Candolim.
- It is a perfect tourist attraction for couples and families.
Cons
- The cost of accommodation and food at Candolim is more expensive than most other beaches in north Goa.
When Should You Visit Candolim Beach?
Like other sea beaches in Goa, Winter is the best time to visit Candolim beach for the pleasant weather, comfortable temperature, clear sky, blue water, and what’s not! Though you can visit the sea beach any time, the months from October to February are most preferable. At this time, activities like swimming and participating in water sports are perfectly safe things to do.
However, during this time of the year, the cost of accommodation, food and transport reaches its peak. If you prefer a budget-friendly tour, visit Candolim during the months of April-June. However, I recommend avoiding monsoons as the sky remains unclear and the sea beach is not very safe because of rain and thunder.
Tips to Visit Candolim Beach
- As Candolim beach is relatively costly and if you are on a budget-friendly trip, consider cheaper accommodations available near Baga and Calangute.
- If you are staying elsewhere and visiting Candolim beach as a sightseeing destination, ask your driver to drop you near the main beach area. If you don’t know the right spot, it won’t be worthy.
- Always swim inside the safe zone and follow the instruction of life guards.
- Planning your trip early and booking the hotels in advance will help you make your Goa trip memorable and hassle-free.
- Almost all restaurants, shacks, pubs, resorts and hotels have options for online payment. So, you won’t need to carry a lot of cash.
Places To Visit Near Candolim
- Calangute Beach: Located on the northern coastline, Calangute beach is the closest beach to Candolim beach. Both beaches have a similar landscape with little difference in popularity, activities, staying options and food.
- Baga Beach: It is the most popular sea beach in north Goa, just 5 Km away from Candolim. Baga beach is famous for adventurous watersports, dazzling nightlife and mouth-watering foods available at various restaurants, pubs and clubs.
- Anjuna Beach: Yet another sea beach in north Goa, Anjuna, has a rocky landscape and is less preferable for swimming. You can rent a scooter or hire a car to drive 10 Km to reach Anjuna from Candolim.
- Sinquerim Beach: While the previously mentioned sea beaches are on the northern side of Candolim, Sinquerim beach is located south at walking distance. It is another offbeat sea beach with less crowd and more serenity.
- Aguada Fort: This fort is located right beside the Sinquerim beach, just 5 km from Candolim. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey Of India, this is the most popular fort in Goa, with historical significance and a fantastic view of the sea.
- Dolphin Point and Sinquerim Jetty: Besides water activities at Candolim, you can reach the Sinquerim Jetty and rent a boat for dolphin sightings. Dolphin point is another viewpoint from where you can get a magnificent view of the Arabian sea.
- Candolim Church: Our Lady of Good Hope Church is a famous church to visit at Candolim, Goa. The beautiful architecture, decoration, peaceful and calm ambience, and cleanliness make it a must-visit place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Candolim beach is serene, picturesque and peaceful. It is the best alternative sea beach to Baga and Calangute in north Goa. Surrounded by rows of coconut trees on one side and the Arabian sea on the other side, this beach is an excellent destination for leisure, adventure, water sports and food. The best thing about Candolim is it is less crowded than other beaches nearby. If you want to avoid chaos and do not mind a little costly accommodation, Candolim is the perfect place to visit and stay for you.
Inferno, Fisherman’s Cove, Cafe Jazz, De Candolim Deck Restaurant & Bar, Tomato’s Garden Kitchen And Bar, The Mango Grove Bar & Restaurant, and Karlton’s Horizon Grill are the best restaurants at Candolim where you can get varieties of food and drinks during your travel. Apart from them, you will also find several beachside shacks where you can have delicious snacks and dinner.
Dudhsagar waterfall is located at a distance of 81 kilometres from Candolim, which takes approximately 2 hours to cover. You can hire a taxi or drive a scooter to reach the falls easily. You will also find some travel agencies at Candolim that arrange Dudhsagar tours at a price of ₹1500-₹2500.
Like other popular beaches in north Goa, Candolim is also marked with safe and unsafe zones for swimming. While most of the beach is shallow, the landscape is a bit steep in some areas, especially the one before Sinquirem beach. But overall, Candolim beach is perfectly safe.
The distance between Candolim and Colva beach is approximately 42 Km. If you are travelling by car, it will take around 1 hour to reach your destination.
