Benaulim is the quieter neighbour of Colva. The beach lies just under 2 km south of the Colva stretch, in Salcete taluka, and it still works as a fishing beach: boats are pulled up on the sand, and in the hot months local families dry salted fish in the open air. Behind it the village is a spread of coconut palms, paddy fields, small churches and family-run guesthouses, with a main market (the tinto) where most of the village's restaurants, shops and chemists cluster.
The feel is village rather than resort. Weekday mornings are calm, with plenty of room on the sand. Evenings and weekends are busier, when day visitors arrive from other parts of Goa. Shacks and open-air restaurants line the sand and the beach road, and the sunsets draw people down at the end of the day. Benaulim is also known as Goa's village of carpenters, and it is the birthplace of St Joseph Vaz, the missionary priest canonised in 2015.
Treat the sea with respect. State-appointed lifeguards patrol Goa's main beaches, red flags mean stay out, and swimming, coastal water sports and fishing are prohibited during the monsoon, roughly June to August or longer. Water sports operate in the dry season in a zone set apart from the swimming area. Beach shacks are licensed seasonally, roughly October to May, and can change hands, so check that the place you want is open.
As a base, Benaulim suits slow stays of three to five nights. Hotels range from a large luxury resort at the Calwaddo end to small family-run resorts on the beach road, and the walking is flat. Colva, Varca and Margao are short drives away, so it works well for people who want a quiet beach with a few easy outings.
Before you plan
Benaulim Beach at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is the most…November to February is the most comfortable. March is hotter and humid. June to September is monsoon: rough sea, red flags and many shacks closed.
- Ideal stay
- 3 to 5 nights for a quiet beach base…3 to 5 nights for a quiet beach base with half-day trips to Colva, Varca and Margao; a long weekend works if you travel light
- Nearest airport
- Goa International Airport at DabolimGoa International Airport at Dabolim (GOI), about 30 km by road, roughly 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic; Manohar International Airport at Mopa (GOX) is much further, so allow well over two hours
- Nearest railway station
- Madgaon JunctionMadgaon Junction (MAO), about 6 km away; taxis and autos cover the last stretch to the beach road
- Getting around
- Walk on the beach roadWalk on the beach road; use taxis, autos, rented scooters or the local bus to Margao for anything further. A hired car with driver is easiest for day trips.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹2,000-₹5,000 per person per…Roughly ₹2,000-₹5,000 per person per day excluding the room, for beach meals, local transport and an activity; much more at the luxury resort
- Senior comfort
- Good: the beach and beach road are flatGood: the beach and beach road are flat. Heat and soft sand are the main tiring factors, and some shack steps and uneven lanes need care.
- Swimming
- Lifeguards patrol major Goa beaches…Lifeguards patrol major Goa beaches and red flags mean stay out. Sea swimming and coastal water sports are prohibited in the monsoon; check the current notice.
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Benaulim Beach: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Benaulim Beach itinerary
One good day
1 day at Benaulim
Walk the beach early while the sand is cool, and have a coffee and cake at Hari's German Bakery on the beach road. Spend the late morning in the village, walking through the market area and, if you wish, visiting the hilltop Church of St John the Baptist, dressing modestly. Rest through the heat. Return to the sand for the late-afternoon light and sunset, and have dinner at one of the beach restaurants. Check that your chosen shack is open before you walk down.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days at Benaulim
Start with a walk on firm wet sand, then breakfast at Hari's German Bakery. Have a long lunch at Pedro's, one of the oldest names on the beach, and rest in the afternoon. Return for sunset and an easy dinner.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days at Benaulim
Check in, walk the beach late in the afternoon and eat early near your hotel. Keep the first evening light so travel fatigue settles.
Day-by-day plan →
