Quick Facts
Location - Located in South Goa, 40km from Margao.
How To Reach - The nearest railway station is Canacona railway
junction, now on the Konkan railway. The busiest town is Margoa, 40km from
Palolem. There are taxis, buses and auto rickshaws available to Palolem.
Where To Stay - There are beautiful beach huts available. Also some
decent budget hotels cater to travelers.
When To Go - November to March
Palolem is the beach of Goa's southernmost town, Canacona, locally called
Chaudi. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Goa; a shallow bay
fringed with white sands and coconut palms, with the village right behind
it. At the northern end is a tiny island. The hillside beyond is thickly
forested. South of Colomb- Patnem Beach. In 1989, Palolem got its first
resort. Within 15 years, there is not a square meter of the beachfront,
which doesn't have a hotel or beach shack on it. Still, despite the crowds,
Palolem retains its charm.
This idyllic beach resort is inhabited by local fishermen and tourists who
escape from the crowd of Margao or Colva. This crescent shaped beach is not
so long with rock jutting out into the sea on either ends of the beach. The
sea here is calm and safe for swimming as the there is not uneven depth and
no strong currents. A nice place for a day outing where unending white sand
kissed by clear azure water.
Sights And Activities
Pandava's Drum
At the southern end of the beach is a stream, turn left here and continue
along the path till you see a large cup shaped rock. This is Pandava's Drum.
People throw stones on the top of the rock. If you hit a particular place,
it gives a resonant sound. This area is full of Mahabharata legends.
Figueredo House
Go a little further along the path and you come to some small coves. Ahead
is a house, built in the early 20th century as a beach house by the
Figuiredo family. It was damaged by vandals, so it's now part of Neptune
Point Hotel.
The Island
At the extreme northern end of the beach is the island. To reach there, you
have to wade across the stream at the north end of the beach, then walk past
the funny shaped rocks till you see what looks like a rock bridge across.
Avoid at low tide just before this bridge. There are paths to follow, and it
can be fun exploring it. Apart from frolicking in the shallow water, there
is snorkeling to be done in the rocks adjoining the island, where you can
see mussels, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and many sea creature. There is a
great view of the sunset from the island.
Dolphin Spotting Trips
There are lots of dolphins in the area, though one need to get out early to
spot them. If you do take a boat trip and go north, don't miss the little
Butterfly Beach in between Palolem and Agonda. It is less than 100m across
and can be reached only by boat.
Patnem - Colomb Beach
Colomb has only a little cove. But the vaddo of Patnem adjoining it has a
fine beach about a kilometer long. The nicest thing about staying at Patnem
-Colomb is that you can enjoy all the nightlife of Palolem.
Water Sports
There are various types of water sports arrangement here. there are canoe
rides and dolphin spotting cruises, also fishermen on the beach organizes
different trips to various places.
