Benaulim beach Goa

Benaulim is a census town in South Goa district in the state of Goa, India. It is a beach town a little south of Margao in Goa, India.

It is a town of immense natural beauty, located along the scenic south goa coastline. Legend has it that Lord Parashurama, incarnation of Lord Vishnu, shot an arrow from the Sahyadri mountains in adjacent konkan; the arrow (Baan in Sanskrit) landed at the site of this present-day town.Thus it was known as Banahalli or Banavalli (the village of the arrow)before the advent of the Portuguese.Ancient Banavalli had a magnificent temple dedicated to Shiva and Parvati,known as Katyayani Baneshvar ruins, of which can be still found in the village. The deities were shifted to Aversa in Northern Kanara in the 16th century.

Benaulim beach is situated in south Goa on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It lies 41 km away from Panaji, capital of the Indian state of Goa. This beach is 2km from Colva beach. So once you visit here, then the next stop is bound to be Colva beach.

 

 

 

About The beach

This beach is a very quiet beach. This beach in Goa starts where Colva beach ends. The best thing about Benaulim beach is that it is still rather undiscovered by domestic tourists even though it is a famous beach for fishing. This beach gets fairly crowded in the evenings and on weekends. Local visitors often frequent this beach; they get off their buses about a kilometer away and pour onto the beach.

Why Benaulim beach is so special?

One can just laze the day off soaking in the sun. It gives you the pleasure and satisfaction of being in Goa. Benaulim beach is the beach to be, when you just want to relax, relax and relax. Eating joints nearby offer you snacks and drinks as and when preferred and you don't even have to bother about getting up from your comfort zone for such things because there are assistants roaming about through whom you can place the orders and the food or drink is brought to you where you are seated. All you have do is sit and relax. Here you can simply lie on the sand and finally get up with a beautiful tan. But don't forget to carry the sunscreen lotions.

 

Things to do

 

 

This is a very special beach. At Goa Benaulim beach, one can just laze the day off soaking in the sun. Benaulim beach at Goa gives you the pleasure and satisfaction of being in Goa. This is the beach to be when you just want to relax, relax and relax. Nearby shacks offer you snacks and drinks as and when preferred and you don't even have to bother about getting up from your comfort zone for such things because there are assistants roaming about through whom you can place the orders and the food or drink is brought to you where you are seated. So at Goa Benaulim beach, all you do is swim, sunbath, sit, get a nice tan, laze on the beach and relax.

Beach Shacks, Boat Rides, and Water sports

Beach shacks offer great sea food, traditional Indian food, and lot’s of Beer, along with cocktails. Apart from the seafood, you can also catch up with some water activity. A main attraction of this beach is the dolphin spotting trips. The trips are reasonably priced and chances of spotting dolphins fairly high.

Apart from boat rides, there are also options of parasailing, jet skiing and wind surfing available. Windsurfing though comparatively cheap is a tough activity.

 

Sightseeing 

 

 

 

  

Apart from the lovely Benaulim beach, there is the Church of St John the Baptist which is situated on a hill beyond the village and is worth a visit. This church is a classic example of Goan architecture. Built in 1581, the church has a mannerist frontage. The interiors are made out of unstained Italian marble. On the arrival of the monsoon, Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as a thanksgiving. Young men wearing crowns of leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts. To commemorate the movement of St John when he was in his mother's womb and visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus, the young men of this village jump in the wells.
 

 

What to eat

 

There are some very good restaurants in and around Benaulim serving a wide variety of food to suit a wide variety of differing tastes and budgets

Alegria This Goan specialty restaurant .  The variety of menu items makes an excellent introduction to local cuisine. If you want to be adventurous with dessert, try the adsorachem merend, a feni-infused (with cashew or coconut-palm hooch) tender coconut mousse with saffron sauce. 

 

How to reach  

The nearest airport to reach is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji and 70 km from Benaulim. The nearest railway station is at Karmali, 11 km away from Panaji. Panaji is 41 km away from Benaulim. There are frequent buses from Colva, which is 2km from this beach, running to and from Margao (also Madgaon; which is 8km away from Benaulim) from where one can take a bus to Panaji, which is 33 km further ahead  

 

Where to Stay  

At Benaulim beach you will find only few hotels for your accommodation but you can definitely rent a house if you are going to stay for long. The Colva beach, which is situated next to this beach, houses plenty of resorts and low-budget hotels.

Alegria This Goan specialty restaurant is reminiscent of an old-fashioned landlord’s drawing room, with sepia photographs on the walls and carved wooden furniture.

Joecons The interior is spacious – but nothing special – at this Goan restaurant, the chief attraction is getting here – it’s a lovely walk (less than a kilometer) through paddy fields from Benaulim village.

Taj Exotica Here you’ll find undoubtedly one of the most luxurious and attractive places to stay in Goa, on extensive grounds beside tranquil Benaulim beach.