Candolim Beach

Candolim Beach runs along the Bardez coast between Sinquerim and Calangute and is known for its long, wide strip of soft sand. It is quieter and more family-oriented than Calangute and Baga, though it still has plenty of shacks, hotels and restaurants. For more than a decade the beach was known for the River Princess, a large ore carrier that ran aground off Candolim in 2000 and became a strange local landmark until it was removed in 2012. The beach is lined with sand dunes and scrub that give it a slightly natural edge. Visitors come to swim, sunbathe and take dolphin-spotting boat trips that leave from the area. The Candolim village road is full of cafes, shops and long-running restaurants. Fort Aguada sits at the southern end, within easy reach. Candolim is worth the trip for a comfortable base with a spacious beach and good food.