Location : Near Mapusa Road, North Goa
Nearby Attraction : Anjuna Beach, Chapora Fort
Best Time To Visit: September To March

Barely a couple of kilometres of cliff tops and parched grassland separate Anjuna from the southern fringes of its nearest neighbour, Vagator, a desultory collection of ramshackle farmhouses and picturesque old Portuguese bungalows scattered around a network of leafy lanes, the village is entered at the east via a branch off the Mapusa Road, which passes a few small guesthouses and restaurants before running down to the sea.

Dominated by the red ramparts of Chapora Fort, Vagator's broad white sandy beach - Big Vagator Beach also known, as "Little Vagator" is undeniably beautiful, just like a picture postcard.

For better, then, to head to the next cove south. Backed by a steep wall of crumbling palm-fringed laterite, Ozran Vagator beach is more secluded and much less accessible than either of its neighbours. To get there, walk ten minutes from Big Vagator, or drive to the end of the lane off the main Chapora-Anjuna Road, from where a footpath drops sharply down to a wide stretch of level white sand.

Climate
Goa has a consistent climate through the year with just meager fluctuations in the temperature. December and January might require light woolens. April and May are warm. The period from June to October brings heavy rain, almost up to 400 cm. The temperature during the summers ranges from 24°C to 32.7°C and during the winters it ranges from 21.3°C to 32.2°C.

Travel Attractions of Vagator Beach
Connosieurs Paradise
Vagator's many cafes and restaurants are scattered along the main road and the back lanes that lead to Ozran Beach. There are also several seafood joints behind Big Vagator Beach, one or two of which serve Indian dishes in addition to the usual fish rich Goan specialties. Nightlife focuses on the Primrose café, out towards Anjuna, which boasts a beefier than average sound system, and a later bar.

At this southern end of the beach, a row of makeshift cafes provides shade and sustenance for a predominantly Israeli crowd. Like Anjuna, Vagator is a relaxed, comparatively undeveloped resort that appeals, in the main, to budget travellers with time on their hands. Accommodation is limited, however, and visitors frequently find themselves travelling to and from Baga every day to find a suitable place to stay.

Peaceful and Uninteruted
The quieter environs of the Vagator beach is pleasant after the lively and activity filled Anjuna Beach. The villages of Vagator have lush green landscapes fringed with coconut palms, soft white sands, black lava rocks and a beautiful sea that turns from aquamarine to emerald green with the movement of the sun. The beaches are overlooked by a 500-year-old Portuguese fort and life goes on peacefully and uninterruptedly here.

Most Photographed Beach in Goa
The Vagator beach is the most photographed beach in Goa. Its northern half fronts a bay that curves from the headland to the hillock crowned by the Chapora Fort. Between the headland and the hillock, surf spreads in skirts of white lace and the palms stand far back from the water. At the tip of the headland are groups of sea-washed rocks popular with honeymooners and others who want to be left alone. To the south of the headland are more outcrops of rocks cupping little pockets of sand and interesting tidal pools. And on the headland you'd find snack stalls, coconut sellers, and persuasive peddlers of trinkets and shells.

Rural Life
The gentle lapping seawater changing colors from aquamarine to sea emerald, the tiny cottages with gardens garlanded by colors of lemon, purple and fuchsia, flags and crosses take one on a honeymoon fantasy.

Life goes on peacefully in Vagator with salty fishermen carrying home their heavy fishing nets and kids playing among the dry docked boats. A bare feet stroll on the beach with the mesmerizing warm setting sun and the gentle breeze carrying little drops of the salty water from the sea; it. s a dream come true.

An unknown visitor has carved out a human face on the rocks, near the Vagator Beach, making it an ideal background for a snapshot pose.

How To Get There
By Road : Buses leave Panaji (a 55- minute ride) and Mapusa (a 30-minute ride) for Vagator every 15 minutes. From the bus stop it is a 1-km walk over a hill to the beach. Most of the accommodation, restaurants and cafes are located in this area. Panaji, Goa is accessible by air from all the major cities of the country. There are adequate train and bus connections also from other cities.

Places To Stay
Accommodation in Vagator revolves around a few family run budget guesthouses, a pricey resort hotel and dozens of small private properties rented out for long periods.


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