The Vagator beach is one of the famous beach destinations of Goa and should not be missed . Only clifftops and parched grasslands extending to a couple of kilometres, separate the Anjuna beach and Vagator beach.
A disoriented array of rickety farmhouses and contrastingly refreshing vintage and picturesque old Portuguese bungalows scattered around a network of green lanes, the village is entered at the east via a branch off the Mapusa Road, which runs through a few small guesthouses and restaurants before venturing down to the sea.
When it comes to scenic beauty, Vagator beach is undeniably one of the best beaches in the world and a natural pride of Goa. Embellished with the red ramparts of the age-old Chapora Fort, Vagator's broad white sandy beach - Big Vagator Beach also known, as "Little Vagator" is undeniably beautiful, just like the various picture shots of it that you might have seen in the unmistakable picture postcard.
The 500-year-old Portuguese Fort at Chapora helps you rewind into memory lane representing the Old Portuguese era. This fort was actually built by the Adil shah of Bijapur and later taken over by the Portuguese. Some love to hike upto this fort and you will have to scale some blackish rocks to reach up. However once up there the tiredness and fatigue will disappear when you begin to digest the stunning view with a wide expanse of greenery and the blue sea to catch your eye
For a secluded feeling of Vagator, the Ozrant beach is more ideal and to get there, you got to head to the next cove south. Backed by a steep wall of crumbling palm-fringed laterite, the Ozrant beach is much less accessible than either of its neighbours. To get there, a ten minute walk from Big Vagator, or better still a drive to the end of the lane off the main Chapora-Anjuna Road, from where a footpath drops sharply would take you to a place down to a wide stretch of level white sand. This place is more sedate and also accomodates a fresh water pool.
Towards this southern end of the beach, a row of temporary makeshift cafes provide shade and sustenance for a predominantly Israeli crowd as Vagator is quite infested with the Jewish population. Being relatively underdeveloped, Vagator is a relaxed, and that seems to be its major appeal to budget travellers who have ample time on their hands to fall in love with the ambience of this wonderful beach.
Accommodation is limited, however, and tourists frequently find themselves travelling to and from Baga every day to find a suitable place to stay.' Goa Living Styles" is a good resource to find appropriate accommodation in Vagator.
How to reach Goa Vagator beach
The only airport in Goa is at Dabolim, which is 29 km away from Panaji. Panaji is another 22 km away from Vagator beach in Goa.
If you are travelling by road, Goa Vagator beach is at a distance of 9 km from Mapusa, and 22 km far from the state capital Panaji. There are frequent buses to Panaji and Mapusa from Vagator.
By train, the Thivim station is the closest station to Vagator
To get here from Calangute or Baga, it is best to take a taxi or a motorcycle taxi as there is no direct bus.
Shopping at Vagator Beach
Fish is abounding in plenty in Vagator and there is a market nearby where you can buy it from. Also plenty of Goan artefacts are also available as also Goan sea shell articles.You are also able to find stuff made out of exquisite blue china, bamboo woven baskets and designer earthen pots. Goan delicacies such as Goan coconuts are in plenty and being the Goan variety the water is very sweet and the coconut - simply delicious.
Eating Out at Vagator
Vagator's has many restaurants and cafes along the main road and the back lanes that lead to Ozrant Beach. There are also some delicious seafood places behind Big Vagator Beach, one or two of which serve Indian dishes in addition to the usual fish rich Goan curry rice. Nightlife focuses on the Primrose café, out towards Anjuna, which boasts of a good sound system, and a later bar. They also have a foreign exchange license as well.
What to do when you go to vagator
The charm and splendour of Vagator is limitless for the avid nature and beach enthusiast. What holds and beholds the charm of Vagator is difficult to say. A perfect place to unwind in spite of the hustle bustle of the tourists, Vagator is a relaxed tourist destination and still fairly virgin in some ways. Its a perfect getaway if you plan to spend your holidays in calm surroundings reuniting with yourself or with a loved one. There is a rocky area where a face of the Hindu Shiva has been carved on a sea side boulder by some unknown sculptor and the sculpture is indeed some good work put in .
Chapora fort - what ,when ,how
A small part of the famous movie " Dil Chahta Hai" was shot here.its the scene where Aamir khan, Akshaye Khanna and Saif Ali Khan , come together on a fort-top facing a beautiful expanse of the sea.
Welcome to Chapora fort. Built in 1717 by Goa's Vicero
Vagator Springs - get in
The fresh water springs are another interesting feature of Vagator which is rare to find on a beach side so close to a beach anywhere in Goa. There are two fresh water springs in Vagator, one is at North Vagator beach past the rocks where the beach seems to end at the foot of the hill. The other one is in Ozrant and a bit difficult to locate. It's called by the name of "zor" which means spring in Konkani. It is a nice feeling to wash off the saltiness of the seawater after a swim and to lie under the flow of the spring for some freshness.
Chapora village - grassroots
The rural life in Goa is always a beautiful sight and is a clean ambience most of the time. Chapora is no different and watching rural life of Chapora is an attraction for tourists. There are many houses of Portuguese era which are worth looking at. Tiny cottages with gardens full of lemon, purple and fuchsia colour give this village a very pleasant feeling. Watching the fishermen venture out into sea in their traditional attire with their chanting is a nostalgic sight and in the evening the womenfolk and children gather in colorful attire to welcome them and celebrate their catch is a delight to participate. The simple life which the people of Chapora lead takes you far away from the hustle and bustle associated with urban areas
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