A Guide To Baga Beach, Goa

Things to do

Enjoy water sports

Water sports activities at Baga Beach are aplenty. Boat rides, kite surfing, wake boarding, parasailing and jet-skiing, there’s lots you can do here. Look out for a small, box-like ticket counter at the beach to purchase tickets for each of these activities. The rates start from 5 USD, depending on the activity, duration, and sometimes the number of participants (especially for the banana boat and bumper rides). Water sports essentials, such as life jackets are provided, so you need not carry a thing along.

Relax at the beach

You’ll find several masseurs and masseuses at the beach. They offer fantastic massages (back, legs, arms, full-body, or just the feet). You can hire one of them, lay back at the beach chair and leave yourself to relax, whilst enjoying a fab ambiance of soothing air and azure waters. Remember that there are no set rates for these hawkers, so bring your haggling game strong if you feel you’re being ripped off.

Indulge in snow-based activities

Yep, you read that right! Although not the typical beach attraction, there’s also an indoor snow park at the beach. This has a play area, a dedicated sledding area, and even an ice bar, along with several other snow-based activities. This place is quite a hit among kids, but appeals to adults, as well. It is open from 11am - 8pm. You can purchase admission tickets on site or a third-party tour that includes admission as well as essential gear.

Get your groove on

Baga is the hub of Goa’s party scene. Head to Tito’s Lane and you’ll find the famous Club Tito’s, Cape Town Cafe, Cocktails and Dreams, and Cafe Mambo’s, along with several other party places. The vibe at all these party places is quite something, we say. If you want a slightly slower paced chill scene, Cavala is your spot. It hosts live music nights everyday and band performances on Fridays.

What to eat

While sipping on some fresh coconut water from local vendors is a quintessential beach thing, there are quite a few shacks or food stalls you can hit up in and around the beach, too. Here are some of the top hits amongst tourists:

Go With the Flow

Perched along the beach’s outer perimeter, Go With the Flow is global in terms of its fare as well as neon-lit decor. You’ll find a fine selection of African, European, and Asian specialities here, among which the cauliflower popcorn, signature pork belly, chermoula grilled fish, African-inspired spicy prawn rice, and death by strawberry and chocolate top the charts. For an all-round experience, you can also go in for one of their tasting platters.

Britto's

You’ll find Britto’s on all the lists that talk about Goa’s smashing food scene and luckily, it is at the northern end of Baga Beach itself. While their drinks’ menu is probably lengthier than the food menu, the place boasts quite a bomb of a selection. Their seafood specialities are fantastic and the drinks make for the perfect accompaniments to wash down zingy flavours. They also host a Sunday roast lunch, which starts at about 6 USD per person.

Shining Star Beach Shack

This is another one of tourists’ favourites. Unlike the other two eateries here, Shining Star Beach Shack proud itself for its mind-blowing local and Indian delights. Try their Goan fish curry, chilli-fried calamari, or one of their Chindian (Indian Chinese) dishes, you’ll know what we’re talking about.

Things to buy

Owing to Baga Beach’s popularity, there’s quite a happening shopping scene here. You’ll find street-side stalls, hawkers as well as full-fledged showrooms. While you’ll find the hawkers at the beach itself, the stalls and showrooms are located along the road leading up to the beach. Here are a few top things that you’ll find here:

Swimwear

Showrooms at Baga Beach have a HUGE (and we mean huge in every way!) collection of swimwear for men, women as well as children, where you can pick up some of the hottest swimwear from. Two-piece bikinis, swimming shorts for boys/men with funky designs, and just about all kinds of swimwear you can think of.

Jewellery

If you’re a fan of junk jewellery, you’ll not find a better collection than at Baga. Chunky neckpieces, traditional earrings, delicate wristlets, and charming anklets, you’ll find them all here. While the hawkers and street-side stalls selling these are dime a dozen, there are a handful of showrooms that deal in precious and semi-precious jewellery, as well. Again, if you’re planning to buy something from one of the stalls or hawkers, bargain like a pro.

Souvenirs

There’s quite a bit of collection you’ll find here. Keychains, fridge magnets, t-shirts, mugs, and bags that say ‘I love Goa’, et al. There’s no set price for any of these items, unless you’re picking them up from a proper showroom.

For a slightly different experience, you can also head for Mackie’s Night Bazar, which is basically a flea market set up every Saturday, 6 pm onwards. From handicrafts, local foods, trinkets to quirky souvenirs, you’ll find everything here. Plus, a vivacity of Goan hospitality fusing with an indefatigable spirit of cheer among the visitors. Do note that this market is open from November to April only.

Traveller's tips

Be watchful

The beach attracts hordes of tourists, so keep an eye out for your belongings and personal safety. You may even encounter rowdy (or drunk) tourists, so be extra careful, especially at night.

Appropriate dressing

Even though female visitors may be tempted to sport bikinis, we recommend that you avoid it. Baga Beach is wildly popular amongst Indian locals, who are not savvy with a lot of skin show. This may attract unwanted attention and lewd behaviour at times.

Choose the right time

Peak tourist season kicks off around October and continues until March. This is when the hustle and bustle is at its peak. April - August can be a bit of a lull because of the humid weather, followed by rains. Most of the beach huts and night clubs are shut from June - August. You can time your visit, depending on the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Go prepared

No marks for guessing that carrying towels, sunhat, shades, and sunscreen will pay off quite a bit. Plus, wearing beach-friendly footwear and clothes is also recommended. If you’re planning to engage in water sports activities, it is essential that you wear appropriate outfits.

How to get there

Reaching Baga beach is very easy. You can opt in for a mode of transport of your choice and reach there hassle-free.

By bus

Although not the most preferred option, there are several bus services plying to the beach from Panaji and Mapusa. These drop passengers off a little distance away, which can be easily covered on foot.

By two-wheeler

Rented bikes and scooters are the most popular means of getting around Goa. You can rent them from one of the many rental operators available around Goa. The details of these operators are readily available online.

By car

Much like two-wheeler, you also have the option of renting a car in Goa. While you can go in for any sort of a car that suits your convenience, the most popular choice among tourists remains renting a Thar (an open-top SUV). Else, there’s also an option of going in for taxis or Uber. Although, these may be a slightly pricier affair.

Parking information

Just a stone’s throw away from the main beach are plenty of designated parking areas that can accommodate cars as well as two-wheelers. The parking charges are about 0.2 USD per two hours.

Baga Beach information

Baga Beach

Address: Baga beach, Goa 403519, India

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Department of tourism: Goa tourism