Palolem beach lies in the Canacona taluka of the southernmost tip of Goa. It is about 40 minutes from Margao, the district headquarters of South Goa, and is within 2.5 km of the market town of Chaudi. Palolem beach stretches between two magnificent headlands and the beach is lined with towering coconut palms. This beach is about a mile long and it provides seclusion and idyllic scenery. The tourist season kicks off in late October. In 2017, Palolem was placed 3rd among Asia"s top 10 beaches ranked by the TripAdvisor Traveller"s Choice Awards.
Climatic Condition of Palolem Beach
The average temperature in Palolem varies between 25 ° C and 30 ° C. It has a maritime climate with moderate temperature throughout the year. Palolem receives rain from the southwest monsoon winds from July to August, and most places on the beach close down during this time.
Tourism in Palolem Beach
Palolem is a small beach town which offers both relaxation and adventure. One can view the entire beach from either end on this crescent-shaped bay. Until a few years back, it was among the virgin beaches of Goa. However, now it is visited by a number of tourists throughout the year. Although a few developments have taken place, the beach still has a soothing aura to it. Dolphin cruises and the fishing trips are the popular attractions of the beach. Palolem also offers a wide range of activities like scuba diving, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing and trekking tours.
A popular tourist destination is the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Palolem, which is known for its dense forest of tall trees consisting of moist deciduous trees, semi-evergreen trees and evergreen trees. A special feature of the sanctuary is a treetop watchtower positioned 25 metres above a watering hole where animals go to drink. The best times to visit the watchtower are dawn and dusk when animals are most likely to be visiting. Another major tourist spot is the Camo de Rama Fort which is in close proximity to Palolem. Legend says Cabo de Rama is where Lord Rama took refuge during his exile. In the recent past though, the fort has traded hands between Hindus, Muslims, and Portuguese and has witnessed various battles fought for its position.
At the top of the island, there is a stone sculpture called the Money Stone, erected by an American Conceptual and Land art artist named Jacek Tylicki. The sculpture states the lines "Give if you can- Take if you have to". It has now become a pilgrimage destination, where people can leave or take money at their own will.
Palolem Beach used in Popular Culture
In the 2004 Hollywood blockbuster movie, The Bourne Supremacy, Palolem beach is used as the Goan residence of Matt Damon"s character, Jason Bourne. The initial footage in the movie gives a good idea of the natural beauty of the beach. It shows the distinctive tree covered rocks at one end, known locally as Monkey Island - to which tours are run and the beach shacks are added attraction.
Visiting Information for Palolem Beach
The nearest airport is Dabolim Airport which is about 67 km away. The Canacona railway station is at a fair distance from the Mandgoan junction which is about 30 minutes away. While travelling by roadways the Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) Bus Depot is at Canacona.
