Benaulim Beach is one of the evergreen destinations of Goa, which is also popular as paradise for the tourists. It has the whole thing, right from captivating beaches, deluxe silvery sands, to nightlife and parties. It begins with the end of the Colva beach. It is generally crowded in weekends and on evenings. The place is also special for Christians as it`s the birth place of the respected Father Joseph Vaz.
Location of Benaulim Beach
Benaulim Beach is located in south Goa on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It lies 41 kilometres away from Panaji, capital of the Indian state of Goa. This beach is 2 kilometres from Colva beach.
History of Benaulim Beach
According to Hindu mythology, Goa was formed when the sage Shri Parasurama considered as Lord Vishnu`s sixth incarnation, fired an arrow into the sea from the top of the Western Ghats and ordered the waters to recede. The spot where the shaft fell to earth was known in Sanskrit as `Banali.` The term was later corrupted by the Portuguese who pronounced it as Benaulim.
Things To Do In Benaulim Beach
The Benaulim beach is one of the best beaches to laze the day off basking in the sun. The huge palm trees shading the beach make it one of the ultimate beaches for relaxing through day and night. The either side of the sand blown beachfront remains littered with wooden fishing boats that welcome the tourists for a ride on the sea. Moreover, the sea is safe for swimming and the village itself boasts a few serviceable bars and restaurants. The sea beach is often visited by hawkers, and other vendors offering an array of food items.
Apart from the beautiful Benaulim beach, the Church of St. John the Baptist is also located on a hill beyond the village. On the arrival of the monsoon, the Feast of St John the Baptist (Sao Joao) is celebrated as a thanksgiving ceremony. Young men wearing crowns of leaves and fruits tour the area singing for gifts. This ceremony is celebrated to commemorate the movement of St John when he was in his mother`s womb and visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus. A large number of travellers gather at this place during weekends.
The beach has lots of beach activities ranging from water sports, sightseeing to other shopping activities. Water activities like jet skiing, snorkelling, parasailing, and windsurfing are here. There are plenty of refreshing outings in Benaulim like sailing tours, swimming with dolphins or travel around the nearby islands to see the sights of some beautiful beaches. Nossa Senhora de Merces (Our Lady of Mercy) Church is famous for its yearly religious occasion Fama of Menino Jesus which attracts a large number of people. The bull fight at Benaulim is celebrated every year from the month of October to May.
Visiting Information of Benaulim Beach
The nearest airport of Benaulim Beach is Dabolim, which is 27 kilometres away. The nearby railhead is Madgaon, which is 5 kilometres away from Benaulim and the other railhead is Karmali which is 41 kilometres away. Regular buses run from Colva to Benaulim beach, which is 2 kilometres away from Benaulim beach.
