Vagator and Chapora Beaches - Goa - वागतो एंड चपोरा बेअचेस

Co-ordinates 15.598299, 73.729033
State Goa
Nearby Stations Karmali
Nearby Places Panaji, Madgoan
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The soft white sands, the black lava rocks, the coconut palms, the lush green landscape, nature playing its own music, and the sea turning from aquamarine to emerald green-Vagator and Chapora, overlooked by the 500-year-old Portuguese fort, leaves each visitor awestruck. Yet to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life goes on peacefully, in the background, in Vagator and Chapora. The world-famous Anjuna Beach lies to the south of Vagator.

Vagator Beach is considered to be a most stunning beach in Goa. It is conveniently separated from another gorgeous beach called Anjuna by cliff tops and parched grasslands. Dotted with numerous dilapidated farmhouses and beautiful Portuguese bungalows, Vagator Beach Goa is a picture perfect place to bask in ideal holiday mood in Goa. On Vagator Beach, Goa famous Chapora Fort is also situated. Its invincible red ramparts very beautifully grace the white sandy expanse of the beach. This apart, Vagator Beach in Goa has a very pristine and relaxed ambience. Hence it is again a good place to throw party and enjoy unrestrained hours of revelry.

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.Whanever you see a picture of a beach typically dotted with plam 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. For more info on Vagator.

Although Vagator beach cannot match upto the popularity commanded by its illustrious neighbours, the secluded nature of the beach makes it the perfect destination for a tranquil holiday with only sun, sand and sea for company. The confluence of golden sand doted with black lava rocks and swaying coconut and palm trees provides for an idyllic getaway. The red-laterite structure of the 500-year-old Chapora Fort located nearby presents an enchanting backdrop.

Tradition

Vagator and Chapora are rich with rural life. Chapora is a fishing village. So a large number of fishermen in their traditional attire can be seen. Anyone patient enough to listen to the numerous stories of the sea, they have plenty of them. Colorful women can be seen haggling and hocking fish by the roadside.

Key Attractions

Chapora Fort: Hiking up, the lava-bedecked black rock stepping-stones lead to the 500-year-old Portuguese fort, popularly known as the Chapora Fort. It utters the reminiscence of the old Portuguese times giving a splendid view of the sea and hills covered with coconut trees and rice fields. The remaining battlements and fortifications take one down the memory lane, into the times when Royalty ruled the Vagator hue.

Chapora is a fishing village. Vagator is a popular beach with the tour operators. However, a little further south of this main beach is a more sedate beach known as Little Vagator or Ozran beach. This beach accommodates a fresh water pool. Little Vagator also has a number of good eating-places. What is the trademark of Goa is very well reflected in Vagator - one of the most beautiful of the soft white sand beaches that Goa is famous for. On the northwest corner of the city are the remains of the Chapora fort, well preserved, offering some splendid views from its ramparts. The inhabited area around this beach is lush green, dotted with coconut palms, friendly farmhouses and pictorial Portuguese bungalows.

Chapora Fort is on a hill at the northern end. Now in ruins, the fort stands on the southern bank old the Chapora River. It was originally made by Adil Shah. Later on the Mughals and Portuguese used it. It is an ideal place for people with small budgets but lots of time with them. It is an attractive little bay between rocky headlands with a series of small beaches with shady palms.

Rural Life

The gentle lapping seawater changing colors from aquamarine to sea emerald, the tiny cottages with gardens garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia, flags and crosses take one on a honeymoon fantasy.

Life goes on peacefully in Chapora: with salty fishermen carrying home their heavy fishing nets and kids playing among the dry docked boats. A bare feet stroll on the beach with the mesmerizing warm setting sun and the gentle breeze carrying little drops of the salty water from the sea; it's a dream come true.

An unknown visitor has carved out a human face on the rocks, near the Vagator Beach, making it an ideal background for a snapshot pose.

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.

Other Facilities

There are a number of late night bars and dance floors in Vagator and Chapora.

Security Precautions

Swimming is dangerous at most of the beaches because of the strong undercurrents. Consulting the lifeguards is a must before venturing out into the waters.

Do's And Don'ts

Drug trafficking is against the Indian law. Anyone found in breach of the law could be awarded a lifetime imprisonment.

City Info

Situated on the western coast of India in the coastal belt called Konkan, Goa is popularly called by different names such as "Rome of the East", "Tourist Paradise" and "Pearl of the Orient". All these phrases stand true for Goa as it has so many things to offer to its travelers and visitors. Its mesmerizing beaches, Portuguese architectures, ancient monuments, holy Hindu temples and renowned churches are simply the ones that define the elegance and vibrancy of the state.

Best Time to Visit and Weather

Climate

Goa has a consistent climate through the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens. April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 400 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C to 32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.

Travel Direction

Location

Vagator Beach Located 22 km from state capital Panaji, the Vagator beach is a popular beach in Goa. The Vagator beach is part of a 30 km stretch of beach coastline along the west coast of Goa that is home to some of the top-notch Goan beaches such as the Calangute beach and the Anjuna beach.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is just 22 km away from Vagator.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is at Karmali, just 11 km away from Panaji.

By Road

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 Beach. To get here from Panaji, you must first take a bus to Mapusa. The bus stand for buses to Mapusa is on the main road which is about 1 km from the beach. The nearest interstate bus station is at Mapusa, the KTC bus station. To get here from Calangute or Baga, it is best to take a taxi or a motorcycle taxi as there is no direct bus.

Accommodation

There is not too much of choice for staying at Vagator and Chapora, except a few guesthouses, or houses on rent. During the peak tourist season, one might find trouble finding an accommodation here, and so, at that time, Calangute and Baga can be a better bet.

Places Where You Can Stay

It is hard to find a room during the high season, and you may have to settle for whatever you can get until a vacancy opens up. If you plan to stay awhile, it is best to arrive in late September or October to begin the search. Many houses are rented to the same people year after year. Hotels in Vagator are very few. But there are guesthouses that are run by families over there and these are also rented out for long periods.

Nearby Places and other Beaches

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.

The beach adjoining Anjuna is secluded, crescent shaped and situated on the Caisua bay along the Chapora river basin, in the shadow of Chapora fort.

Vagator, like Anjuna, is a relaxed and fairly undeveloped place. It has an excellent, hassle-free atmosphere. If one wants to have a good time on the beach and want to party to the maximum, this is definitely the place to go. To reach this beach, you have to walk about a minute down a steep cliff. It is actually two beaches divided by rocks going out into the sea. The northern part of the beach is smaller and more crowded. The south beach is fairly spread out and more secluded and free.



Photo by : vasunb1 in webshots

Photo by : amitabho in webshots


Photo by : vasunb1 in webshots

Photo by : harshal_place in webshots


Photo by : Vojta Srejber in panoramio

Photo by : Vojta Srejber in panoramio