Activities in Goa
-
A
Anjuna Flea Market
Without doubt the most important date in the Anjuna diary, market day sees scores of local and expat vendors descending on the market site at the far south of the beach, to haggle the day away over clothing, jewellery, souvenirs and a good deal, these days, of usual tourist tat. Pick through the rubbish (underfoot, quite literally) to seek out treasure, including sparkling ceiling hangings, dancing dolls, and posh frocks made from dazzling saris. Even if you don’t come home loaded with shopping, it’s an unmissable event, where you’ll find Goa’s old faithful hippies mingling with I Heart Goa–clad Indian tourists, package-holiday Brits and Russians, and young backpackers in…
reviewed
-
B
Sunset Boat Cruise
A host of floats sets out each evening just before sunset to ply the Mandovi waters and entertain tourists with nothing more sophisticated than the view, a beer or two and a dash of traditional Goan dancing. A number of companies run competing tours from the Santa Monica Jetty, with the GTDC’s being the most serene and least raucous of the bunch. Head to the jetty to compare watery offerings and pick up your tickets.
reviewed
-
Children Walking Tall
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
Children Walking Tall was founded in 2004, and helps Goa’s street and slum children, with its day-care centre, medical, educational, nutritional and all sorts of other, essential aid. Volunteers can fill a variety of roles, as teachers, childcare assistants and outreach workers, while there are also positions available for qualified doctors and nurses. Check Children Walking Tall’s website for complete details.
reviewed
-
C
Barracuda Diving
The closest beach to Panaji is at Miramar, 3km southwest of the city along Dayanand Bandodkar Marg. It's far from the cream of Goa's beaches but is a pleasant enough place for a sunset stroll and a good place to aim for on a short bike ride out the city. On the way you'll pass the Goa Marriot Resort, where you'll also find Barracuda Diving, one of the state's most professional diving operations.
reviewed
-
D
Andy’s Tattoo Studi
If you’re looking to embellish yourself while in town, try Andy’s Tattoo Studio, attached to San Francisco Restaurant, where the Anjuna cliffside slides down to meet the beach. Drop in to make an appointment and receive a price quote for your permanent souvenir.
reviewed
-
E
Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre
On the sand dunes of Arambol Beach is Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre, which runs five-day courses in hatha yoga from mid-November to mid-March. This is the winter centre of the iyengar yoga school in Dharamsala, and is run by the same teacher, Sharat Arora. Five-day courses for new and more-experienced students cost Rs1800, with additional days of instruction available at a reduced rate. Booking and registration must be done in person at the centre on Tuesday at 2pm. Courses start on Friday. There are also intensive two- to three-week courses for more experienced hatha yoga devotees and special short courses combining yoga with ayurvedic treatment.
reviewed
-
International Animal Rescue
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
International Animal Rescue is an internationally active charity, helping Goa’s furry and feathery sick, unwanted and strays. It runs its Animal Tracks rescue facility in Assagao, near Mapusa, in North Goa. Visitors and volunteers (both short and long term) are always welcome, and IAR’s website includes a ‘Needs List’ of things you might be able to fit into your backpack and bring from home, including antiseptic ointment, flea powder and puppy toys. You’ll also find a downloadable PDF of info for willing volunteers. If you find an animal in distress in Goa, call the shelter for help.
reviewed
-
El Shaddai
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
El Shaddai is a British-founded charity that aids impoverished and homeless children throughout Goa and beyond, running a number of day and night shelters, an open school and children’s homes throughout the state. Volunteers (who undergo a rigorous vetting process) able to commit to more than four weeks’ work with El Shaddai are encouraged to contact James d’Souza ([tel] 9225901266). This is an undertaking to arrange in advance, since it can take up to six months to complete the vetting process. You can also sponsor a child: contact El Shaddai in Assagao for details.
reviewed
-
Full Moon Cruises
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
Despite the name, these boat trips aren’t held at full moon, and nor are they really cruises. They’re daily boat trips, tailored to their customers’ requirements, usually involving a spot of dolphin-watching, a bit of fishing and a visit to Bat Island (the name giving you a clue to its sole inhabitants), which floats, lush and calm, just off the Bogmalo coast. Trips usually last from 9am to 12pm, but affable organisers Rahul and Umesh will throw in more time for free if you’d like to stay out longer. Contact them at the Full Moon Cafe at the southern end of Bogmalo Bay.
reviewed
-
Goa Animal Welfare Trust
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
Goa Animal Welfare Trust is based in South Goa, and operates an animal shelter at Curchorem (situated in the Old Police Station on the main road), helping sick, stray and injured dogs, cats and even a calf or two, and is open daily from 9am to 5pm for visits. GAWT undertakes extensive dog sterilisation projects throughout Goa, offers low-cost veterinary care, deals with animal cruelty cases and finds homes for stray puppies. Volunteers are welcome, if only for a few spare hours, and GAWT also operates a shop and information centre in Colva.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
India on the Menu
India on the Menu is a recommended five-day Indian cookery course offered by London-based On The Go Tours. The programme is based in Betim, just across the river from Panjim, and covers North and South Indian cuisines, Goan cuisine and a market tour. On the final day you can choose to be taught how to cook your favourite Indian dishes by the course tutor. Each of the cooking sessions lasts half a day (including lunch).
reviewed
-
Birthing Center
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
If you’re planning on visiting Goa while pregnant, you might find yourself tempted to do a birth-related course at the Birthing Center in the village of Assagao, just 5km or so away from Anjuna. Run by German midwife Corinna Stahlhofen, this tranquil place offers pre- and post-natal courses, along with holistic birthing and water births, and has welcomed dozens of happy, healthy babies into the world.
reviewed
-
Purple Valley Yoga Retreat
Purple Valley Yoga Retreat, based in nearby Assagao village, is a popular upscale retreat set amid frangipani-scented tropical gardens and offers one- and two-week residential courses in ashtanga yoga. Rates begin at £390 for one week, and include accommodation and delicious all-vegetarian meals. A range of beauty therapies and ayurvedic treatments is also available on-site for course participants.
reviewed
-
Brahmani Centre
Brahmani Centre is a friendly drop-in centre, which opens its doors from November to April, and offers daily classes in ashtanga, vinyasa, hatha, dynamic, kundalini, restorative and, intriguingly ‘superhero acro-flow’ yoga, as well as pranayama meditation. There’s no need to book: just turn up 15 minutes before the beginning of class, to secure space enough to spread your yoga mat.
reviewed
-
F
Ferry to Betim
If you’re in the mood for something less slick than a full-blown cruise, hop aboard the overloaded ferry across the Mandovi to Betim, shoulder to shoulder with scores of bustling locals. Though there’s nothing much to do when you get there except to turn around and head back again, it’s worth it for the riverine view of Panaji and the workaday atmosphere.
reviewed
-
Saturday Curry Morning
Delicious cooking courses are run from a purpose-built kitchen just across the river at Betim, and the Saturday Curry Morning, which runs from 9.30am to 2pm, is just the thing for those not wanting to spend a whole week chopping and grinding. Courses must be booked in advance, after which you’ll receive details of how to get to the aromatic Indian kitchen.
reviewed
-
Bhakti Kutir
- Goa, India
- Activities › Yoga
Bhakti Kutir, set back in the forest at the southern tip of Palolem beach, is a jungle hut that offers daily drop-in yoga classes, as well as longer residential courses, but it’s just a single yogic drop in the area’s ever-changing alternative therapy ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for posters and flyers advertising new classes.
reviewed
-
G
Santa Monica Cruises
GTDC operates entertaining hour-long cruises along the Mandovi River aboard the Santa Monica. They include a live band performing Goan folk songs and dances. On full-moon nights there is a two-hour cruise at 20:30. Cruises depart from the Santa Monica jetty next to the huge Mandovi bridge and tickets can be purchased here.
reviewed
-
H
Faraway Cruises
Charter up and cruise the south Goan waters aboard the 18m wooden boat, Isla, which anchors down on the river at Rajbag and takes passengers up to Cabo da Rama Fort and back, with dolphin watching, lunch and swimming stops along the way. Special itineraries can be arranged for creating that ultimate romantic moment.
reviewed
-
I
Royal Cruises
Royal Cruises, have virtually identical trips to GTDC, from Santa Monica jetty starting around 18:15, as well as open-sea 'dolphin cruises' (from mid-October to the end of April only 300) from 10:00 to 13:00. Their boats are bigger and rowdier (for the boozy Indian party crowd) than the Santa Monica.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Swimming
The sleek Intercontinental complex, occupying vast landscaped grounds, allows nonresidents to use its pleasant outdoor pool for Rs 500 per day. High-priced snacks and drinks are available poolside, and at the swim-up bar.
reviewed
-
Boat Trips
Daily fishing and dolphin-watching trips are in no short supply in Utorda; ask around at the beach shacks that line the main stretch of sand and take your pick from the seasonal offerings.
reviewed
-
Goa By Night bus tour
GTDC offers a Goa By Night bus tour, which includes a river cruise. It also offers a whole bevy of day-long bus tours.
reviewed
-
GTDC Tour
- Goa, India
- Activities › Other
A simpler (but less exciting) option is to take a full-day GTDC tour to the falls.
reviewed
-
K
Arambol Music Academy
Arambol Music Academy offers lessons in classical Indian singing and tabla playing.
reviewed
