Vagator Beach is the northernmost beach of Bardez Taluka, Goa. It is located on the opposite bank of the Chapora River from Morjim in Pernem. To the south of Vagator is Anjuna, one of the first hippy haunts of Goa.Located in North Goa.This beautiful beach is located about 22 Kms from Panaji and is situated in Bardez taluka. This is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa by the arabian sea that begins at Fort Aguada continues as Sinquerim beach, then as Candolim beach and merges into Calangute beach and then to Baga beach and then Anjuna beach and then to Vagator beach finally ending at Chapora beach and Fort. Situated close to the Anjuna beach.
Vagator Beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone's throw of the sea. But Vagator has little by way of seaside accommodation.
The Vagator beach adjoining Anjuna is secluded, crescent shaped and situated on the Caisua bay along the Chapora river basin, in the shadow of Chapora fort. During the tourist season, it is a favorite venue for mid night parties. Vagator beach is famous for its soft white sands, the black lava rocks, the coconut palms and the lush green landscape.
Vagator Beach is split into two main beaches by a seaside headland which holds the car park and lots of stalls selling trinkets, clothes, soft drinks and snacks. As you face the sea, on your right is North Vagator Beach (Big Vagator)and on your left Ozran Beach, more commonly known as Little Vagator Beach.
The climate of Vagator Beach remains hot and humid except in winter and receives heavy rain due to the proximity of Arabian Sea. Best season is winter when temperature stay pleasant.
Summer at Vagator: Usually, this season persists for a long times (late-February to June) at Vagator Beach. Temperature may reach up to 36°C with a high humidity in May. Average temperature during this season is about 30°C.
Monsoon at Vagator: Usually, monsoon is continued from June to September at Vagator Beach. Due to the proximity of Arabian Sea this city receive heavy rainfalls and some thunder storms during this season. Average annual rainfalls of Vagator are approximately 290 cm.
Winter at Vagator: Usually, winter season of Vagator Beach persists for a short terms (late-November to February) with a pleasant temperature. Average temperature during this season varies from 16°C to 28°C.
Summer at Vagator: Usually, this season persists for a long times (late-February to June) at Vagator Beach. Temperature may reach up to 36°C with a high humidity in May. Average temperature during this season is about 30°C.
Monsoon at Vagator: Usually, monsoon is continued from June to September at Vagator Beach. Due to the proximity of Arabian Sea this city receive heavy rainfalls and some thunder storms during this season. Average annual rainfalls of Vagator are approximately 290 cm.
Winter at Vagator: Usually, winter season of Vagator Beach persists for a short terms (late-November to February) with a pleasant temperature. Average temperature during this season varies from 16°C to 28°C.
About The Beach
What is the trademark of Goa is very well reflected in Vagator which is one of the most beautiful of the soft white sand beaches that Goa is famous for. Whenever you see a picture of a beach typically dotted with palm trees and sea green water with people in water clothes and having fun in water, you will see all this and much more in the Vagator beach. This beach is just like one out of a picture postcard.Vagator beach boasts of pure white sand, doted with black rocks and swaying coconut and palm trees. This beach is less crowded giving you the ideal opportunity to slip away into a quiet reunion with yourself as the waves reach out to caress you.
You can also witness the seawater changing colors from aquamarine to emerald, tiny cottages with gardens garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia. This beach is also made special by the fishermen community residing along its shores. So while you are here, you will come across the fishermen in their traditional attire getting ready to venture into the sea or coming back with their day's catch.
While the men return home, the women, and children also dressed in colourful local attire eagerly wait to greet them, to celebrate their catch. If you wait to talk to them, they will be quite excited to fill you up with the details of their catch and if you are nice to them, they might even take you out with them the next time they go for fishing.
One can enjoy in Shopping in nearest markets. The local market offers excellent shopping opportunities where you can buy local handicrafts such as cane baskets and earthen pots.
Anjuna - for tourist traffic and the Wednesday Anjuna Markets
Mapusa - is the nearest town for provisions and shopping. This is where the locals shop.
Chapora - is the nearest village. In the evenings, the fishing boats come into the jetty, and locals and tourists can buy fish straight off the boats.
Tivim - is the nearest railway station.
Things To Do
Beach Activities : Swimming is a good option in the calm waters of the Vagator beach where life guards and trainers are also available to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming session. The beachside snack shacks sell unique Goan delicacies made from coconuts.
Further, the younger and enthusiastic group of people can be seen having pleasure of different sports like volley ball, basket ball, frizz bee and so on. Visitors also enjoy making sand castles on the coast line.
Swimming:
The north vagator beach is considered safe for swimming. However, lifeguards are always present at the beaches.
Water Sports
Tourists and travelers can engage in various water sports activities in Vagator Chapora Beach. Water sports enthusiasts can engage themselves in jet skiing, ringo riding, para sailing and wind surfing. Along with these, travelers can go for dolphin watching and crocodiles spotting.
Goa is a paradise for water sport lovers. Adventurous individuals who love to be on the edge and love the risks needed to enjoy the speed of life may find scooters a very thrilling experience. Water scooters are high-speed water sports. The scooter accommodates two people and zooms through the water surface at great speed. Usually used by the water guards it is also a popular form of sports in Goa.
Boat excursion
Boat excursion with Stephane as you cruise down the Chapora river for a leisurely trip through the mangrove with sightings of crocodiles, eagles and other exotic birds, old churches and fishing can be done with the help of the local fishermen available on the beaches for catching fishes.
Sight Seeing
Chapora Village :Unlike the other beaches which offer a variety of water sports, Vagator has less such opportunities. The small fishing village known as the Chapora Village is worth visiting. Far away from the maddening crowd, you can interact with the villagers face to face. The houses resonates the strong Portuguese influence on Goa. The village roads are adorned with several small bars, cafes and shops that sell exotic items. A walk along the fishing jetty is an experience in itself. Besides visiting the Vagator beach, many visitors head off to Chapora village to catch a glimpse of the charming rural life. There are plenty of old styled shops that remind one of the colonial life. The well built roads and quaint surroundings are excellent for an evening walk.
Chapora Village :Unlike the other beaches which offer a variety of water sports, Vagator has less such opportunities. The small fishing village known as the Chapora Village is worth visiting. Far away from the maddening crowd, you can interact with the villagers face to face. The houses resonates the strong Portuguese influence on Goa. The village roads are adorned with several small bars, cafes and shops that sell exotic items. A walk along the fishing jetty is an experience in itself. Besides visiting the Vagator beach, many visitors head off to Chapora village to catch a glimpse of the charming rural life. There are plenty of old styled shops that remind one of the colonial life. The well built roads and quaint surroundings are excellent for an evening walk.
Vagator springs
Vagator boasts of two fresh water springs. The first one located at the end of north Vagator. Just about 100 meters away from the main beach, you will come across a small beach with two shacks and the fresh water spring tucked away at the base of the hill.
Shiva Carving
If one moves towards the south from Orzant, one will come across an impressive stone face of Lord Shiva.
Chapora Fort
Fortifications of the Chapora Fort, marks a regal welcome to this beach. Originally built by AdilShah, the fort was rebuilt by Count of Ericia, in order to guard the Chapora river entrance. One can climb up the fort from the seaside and move down from the roadside. The sweep of the Morjim beach across the Chapora River makes a breathtaking view.
Apart from the Chapora beach, there are a number of other beaches located within the proximity of Vagator Chapora Beach. The Baga beach, Anjuna beach and Calangute beach can be reached easily from Vagator Chapora Beach. All these beaches provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy a lifetime moment amidst breathtaking beauty of Mother Nature. Some other tourist landmarks are Chapora Fort which is some 500 years of age, Chapora Village that makes a perfect display of the local life and Vagator springs, tucked at the foothill of north Vagator beach.
The trance parties that are arranged almost regularly in Vagator Chapora Beach are something that cannot be missed. Nightlife in this beach is full of life with parties.
The trance parties that are arranged almost regularly in Vagator Chapora Beach are something that cannot be missed. Nightlife in this beach is full of life with parties.
Shopping
Another most interesting and engaging activity that women especially like is shopping.It is cool rural area, without offering the tourist any big shopping complexes. But there is a market nearby where fish is plenty. One can buy artifacts like candelabras made of exquisite blue china woven baskets and earthen pots. People with sweet tooth get the chance to enjoy coconuts, bananas “Bebinca”, a Goan delicacy made from tender coconuts.
Close to the Vagator at Anjuna, a wonderful Wednesday flea market is organized. In this market visitors can find handicrafts, vividly colored dresses, jewelry and much more. Every item conceals the true essence of Goa, and thus no one can resist going back without any purchase.
In addition to this, there is the Saturday night market at Arpora. It is the most happening markets of North Goa. Similar to the Wednesday flea market, this Saturday bazaar lures tourists with various articles portraying the Goan culture.
Nearest towns from Vagator Beach
Anjuna – for tourist traffic and the Wednesday Anjuna Markets
Mapusa – is the nearest town for provisions and shopping. This is where the locals shop.
Chapora – is the nearest village. In the evenings, the fishing boats come into the jetty, and locals and tourists can buy fish straight off the boats.
In addition to this, there is the Saturday night market at Arpora. It is the most happening markets of North Goa. Similar to the Wednesday flea market, this Saturday bazaar lures tourists with various articles portraying the Goan culture.
Nearest towns from Vagator Beach
Anjuna – for tourist traffic and the Wednesday Anjuna Markets
Mapusa – is the nearest town for provisions and shopping. This is where the locals shop.
Chapora – is the nearest village. In the evenings, the fishing boats come into the jetty, and locals and tourists can buy fish straight off the boats.
Vagator Night Life
Vagator's many cafes and restaurants are scattered along the main road and the back lanes that lead to Ozran Beach. There are also several seafood joints behind Big Vagator Beach, one or two of which serve Indian dishes in addition to the usual fish rich Goan specialties. Nightlife focuses on the Primrose café, out towards Anjuna, which boasts a beefier than average sound system, and a later bar.
HillTop in Vagator is popular for rave parties. New year tends to be the most chaotic with crowds easily in the thousands attending a party at Hilltop. Hill Top has a party every Sunday evening in the tourist season. DJs from Germany, Sweden, England, France, Italy, India, Russia and Israel are regular performers at Hill Top. Hill Top has a nice restaurant and rooms for rent. It has an internet cafe open till early morning and also has a sister restaurant called Mango Tree, which is also popular with the tourists.
There are other number of places playing to a dance & trance crowd during the tourist season. These include: Nine Bar located just above Little Vagator, Hilltop (a little back from Little Vagator) and Primrose back towards Big Vagator beach, they play different types of trance and psychedelic music from different DJ's from around the world. Disco Valley of Vagator Beach is a place that used to be the place for Goan trance parties starting from early 1980s.
What To Eat
There are a number of restaurants, increasingly catering to both Western and Indian tourists. Some of these are only open in the tourist season.
The various eating joints of Vagator Chapora Beach guarantee the travelers and
tourists to delve into really lip-smacking gourmet delights. There are a number
of popular restaurants in this beach that serve Chinese and French dishes. In
the beach shacks, tourists can select from mouthwatering delights.
Also there are a number of Mediterranean and Indian Cafes/Hotels serving a variety of food and drink. The tourist traffic is predominantly Western backpackers, however it has also become popular with Indian tourists, who particularly come to watch the sunset from the rocks.
Mezcal, Vagator (opposite Vagator Football Ground, on a road to Ozran Beach). Mexican restaurant. Salt n Pepper Restaurant & Guest House, (a 10-minute walk from Ozran Beach), A family-run restaurant.
Scarlet's, Chapora. A well known place among travellers for fruit juices and fruit salad.
Thalassa, Vagator (on top of the cliff overlooking Ozran Beach),. Wonderful, authentic Greek food. This open air restaurant has amazing views of Ozran Beach and the sunset. Thalassa is almost always full. In order to have a seaview table you have to book a table in advance.
Drink
Bars
Mango Tree Bar & Restaurant, Vagator Beach Road (a 15-minute walk from Vagator Beach), . Racism is often just a construct of the mind.
Open air clubs
There are a number of places playing to a dance & trance crowd during the tourist season.
Hilltop, Vagator (a little back from Ozran Beach). Hill Top has a Rave or Trance party every Sunday evening in the tourist season.
Primrose, Vagator (back towards Big Vagator beach). They play different types of trance and psychedelic music from different DJ's from around the world.
Nine Bar, Vagator (between Big Vagator Beach and Ozran Beach, just above Ozran Beach). Good music, cheap booze. People start here and then go to other places.
Parties
Disco Valley. Outdoor parties, but now only at Christmas and Sylvester.
How To Reach
The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just 22 km away. If you are travelling by road, this beach is at a distance of 9 km from Mapusa, and 22 km far from the state capital Panaji. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Vagator.
There are a number of buses that run from Mapusa and Calangute Beach to Vagator. The nearest interstate bus station is at Mapusa, the KTC bus station.
Air : The nearest airport is at Dabolim (29 km away from Panaji), around 50 kms from Vagator. Panaji is 22 km away from Vagator. Indian Airlines, Air Deccan, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Spice Jet and Kingfisher Airlines operate regular flights from Dabolim to major cities in India.
Rail : The nearest railhead is at Karmali (11 km away from Panaji), 45 kms from Vagator. The two major railways stations in Goa are Margao is the Southern Central railway terminus and Vasco is the Konkan railway terminus.
Rail : The nearest railhead is at Karmali (11 km away from Panaji), 45 kms from Vagator. The two major railways stations in Goa are Margao is the Southern Central railway terminus and Vasco is the Konkan railway terminus.
Road : Vagator is at a distance of 9 km from Mapusa, and 22 km from the state capital Panaji. There are a number of buses from Mapusa, head quarters of Bardez Taluk; Panaji, the state capital; and from Calangute Beach to Vagator. The nearest bus station is at Mapusa. Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC), MSRTC (Maharashtra) and KSRTC (Karnataka) operate buses from Panaji, Vasco, Margao to various towns and cities in Goa as well as other states.
Where To Stay
Vagator beach provides all kinds of accommodation options, from huts to luxury rooms with all the mod-cons to make your stay comfortable. Sterling Vagator Resort, located on the north Vagator beachfront offers over two dozen beach cottages. Other quality hotels and resorts in the vicinity are Siddeshwar Rest House, Garden Villa, Jackie's Daynite, Leoney Resort, Shettor Villa Guest House, Mahalaxmi Guest House, Dolrina Guest House, Alcove, Le Bluebird, Olga's Guest House and Pushpa's Palm Grove.
During the peak tourist season, one might find trouble finding an accommodation here, and so, at that time, Calangute Beach and Baga beach is a better option.
Accommodation in Vagator revolves around a few family run budget guesthouses, a pricey resort hotel and dozens of small private properties rented out for long periods.
Accommodation in Vagator revolves around a few family run budget guesthouses, a pricey resort hotel and dozens of small private properties rented out for long periods.
- Sterling Vagator Beach Resort
- Hotel Goan Clove Goa
- Leoney Resort Goa
- La Gulls Court Hotel Goa
- Evershine Guest House
- Julie Jolly
- The Village Square
- Casa Vagator
- Thalassa Huts
- Paradise Hut
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