Goa Trip In Rainy Seson ( Moonsoon ) July 2018
Most tourists want to come Goa’s sandy shores during the sunny and dry winter months between October and March when the weather is perfect for the beach and Goa buzzes with activity. By April and May the heat and humidity rises and the crowds reduce. The period between June – September is Goa’s monsoon or rainy season. This puts most tourists off but I discovered there are many advantages, as well as some disadvantages, to visiting Goa in monsoon.
Goa or Goa’s rainy season is between the months of June and August. The rains start in late May and extend up to September, but most of it is in the June-August period. Goa is in the Konkan coast of India, so the rain is heavy. There can be a few spells of thundershowers as well. making July the wettest month of the year.
I started journey from Chandigarh, India. (My Home Town) to Goa (Via-Mumbai) in Monsoon 2018 !
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| At Chandigarh Airport |
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| Chandigarh |
(At Delhi Airport)
(At Mumbai Airport Clicks)
First the Q is ? Should I Come to Goa in Monsoon?
I love rain. I grew up in Chandigarh where springtime meant rain for a month or more straight. A lot of people told me, “The Goa in monsoon season will be ten times more than what you’ve ever experienced,” but I have to say, it isn’t that bad. I hear it’s unbearable in Calcutta during the second monsoon. That’s why it’s important to understand the seasons of India before you visit. Goa in monsoon season isn’t much worse than Ohio’s spring except it lasts longer and power outages occur.
Is Goa most beautiful in monsoon season?
Some say that Goa is the most beautiful in the rainy season, and while the lush green paddy fields and local life are really a joy to explore and photograph, sadly Goa’s beaches do not look at their best during monsoon season.
The beaches are a bit litter strewn, the seas a little murky and sometimes too rough for swimming and many of the beach side shacks hang half torn down and dilapidated. On a gloomy, cloudy day it may not be exactly your idea of beach bliss!
(some of click in flight Landing at Goa's Airport)
(some of click in flight Landing at Goa's Airport)
REASONS FOR VISITING GOA IN THE MONSOON
Super Cheap – Check the flight ticket prices. You can get a round-trip ticket for half the price, compared to the peak season. Those from Mumbai or Bangalore… Goa is just a road trip or a bus ride away. The best hotels and villas in Goa are also offered sometimes at a flat discount of 50%. Budget hotels are available at just INR 500 and that too, right next to a beach. You can ride a rented scooter for anything between INR 250 and 175.
Nature – Walking and trekking is a pleasure this time of the year. There are many trails you can explore. Some of them take you over the Western Ghat Mountains. You can also visit the wildlife sanctuaries – Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sancutary, Netravali Wildlife Sancutary, and the Mhadei Wildlife Sancutary. There is also the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Many birds come out after a shower. You can see them backing in the sunlight for drying off.
Enjoy the Rain – Goa is magical when it rains. Getting wet in the rain is a fun experience. Or you can just relax, put your feet up and see the downpour. The cloud cover and rain over the Arabian Sea always looks so beautiful. Watch the raindrops as they crash into the sea. Take a long siesta, have some coffee, and enjoy the beachside in the evening. Or go on long walks when it is not raining. There are so many ways of enjoying Goa in the monsoon months.
Monsoon Festivals – The festivals never end in Goa, even in the monsoons. Many Goans love to celebrate the arrival of the rains. Take for instance, the Sao Joao festival of June, and the mud games of Chikalkala. There is the feast of Patolleanchem too, and of course, India’s Independence Day on August 15th.
Adventure Sports – Swimming is not recommended in the rains because of the stronger currents and rough tides, but there are still plenty of adventure sports activities during the monsoon season. There is trekking, hiking, bird watching, and white water rafting, which is a hot favorite this time of the year. The monsoon makes the rivers swell, making white water rafting more challenging and exciting.
Nightlife – Goa does not shut down completely in the monsoon. Many nightclubs are still open, hosting their fun parties and rain dances. Visit Mambo’s, Tito’s and the St. Anthony’s Bar in Baga, the LPK (Love Passion Karma) in Candolim, Curlies on Anjuna beach, and the bar of Park Hotel in Calangute. A few beach shacks too host their parties in the rainy season.
Food – Most temporary shacks are open only during the peak tourist season. But you will still find the permanent shacks and the restaurants serving their drinks, seafood, Goanese and Konkan delicacies, and continental foods. There is an abundance of vegetables and fruits this season. Don’t forget to try the local delicacies, including the fruit punches, shakes, and mocktails.
Every Corner of Goa with my Click's.
(Goa's Famous Beaches , Chaopora Fort, Vagator Beach, Bagha Beach, Candolim Beach, Calengute Beachs)
Don’t forget to take the ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ selfie at the Chapora fort & Vegator Beach !!
Chapora Beach
The beaches in the North popular with hippies and backpackers like Anjuna and Vagator still have a handful of the more permanent structures open but most of the shacks on the beach and closed for monsoon, and when they say closed they really mean it!
Morjim, Ashvem and Mandrem are quiet even in season but felt pretty deserted in the rainy season. Arambol seems to get busier and busier each season but off season while a few places are open at the north end of the beach it is blissfully quite and the shoulder to shoulder stalls that line the roads in season are refreshingly absent during monsoon.
South Goa even in season is the place to go to escape the crowds and, while the popular beach huts in Palolem are all taken down for monsoon and South Goa is very quiet, the luxury hotels offer great monsoon rates.
Green, Green, Goa
Some say that Goa is at it’s most beautiful in the rainy season as everything is so luscious, green and so jungly. It’s almost like the jungle is trying to take back Goa!
Riding around exploring the countryside is a treat at this time especially as you can watch the locals going about their daily life largely unperturbed by tourists
Many guest houses and restaurants close down for the rainy season so don’t just pick a place in the Lonely Planet and show up as it might not be open! It’s best to book online in advance if you are coming to Goa in monsoon.
But don’t worry you will still find somewhere to stay and something to eat, although most of the markets, parties and top restaurants are not open there are even still some parties in Baga and Calangute. In fact, this area is crowded in season time but probably the best place to stay in monsoon as more things will be open.
The Baga, Calangute, Candolim stretch remains quite busy, especially at weekends, with Indian tourists and most accommodation, restaurants, shops and bars are open. Although is no where near as busy as it is in season time (for me, this was a good thing!) if you are looking for some action in the rainy season then Baga is probably your best bet.
Feast of St. Anthony – St. Anthony’s statue is lowered to a well, even as the locals pray for a good monsoon and harvest. The festival is celebrated on June 13th every year.
Touxeachem Fest – Held at Santana Church or the Church of St Anne on July 29th. The newlyweds and childless couples visit the church and pray for a happy marriage and a child. It is sometimes referred to as the “Cucumber Feast” as the visitors offer cucumbers to St Anne.
Chikhal Kalo – This fun festival has been celebrated for more than 150 years. There are many mud games, including mud fights with drums and bells playing in the background.
Patolleanchem Feast – The Socorro Socio-Art and Cultural Association organizes this festival in August to celebrate Goan culture and India’s independence. There are performances by local artists. There is an exhibition.
Bonderam Festival – The locals visit the Divar Island, close to Panaji on the last Saturday of August. There is an interesting parade with traditional floats, a fancy dress competition, boat races, live music, and brass band performances.
World Goa Day – A festival to celebrate the culture of Goa. There is music, showcase of some of Goa’s most famous traditions, and local cuisine.
So what’s open in Goa during the rainy season?
While there are not many Western tourists, you won’t be the only tourist here! I noticed a distinct lack of Russian tourists who flock here in season time but monsoon season in Goa is popular with Indian tourists.
GOA FESTIVALS IN THE MONSOON YOU CANNOT MISS
Sao Joao Feast of St. John the Baptist – Also called, “Sao Joao”, this is the fertility festival of Goa. There is traditional music, dancing, and boat races. There is a parade where you can see young people wearing a crown, feathers, and leaves. Men are seen jumping into wells to recover “feni” or local alcohol bottles. Pool parties are held too.
Beach Side Party – In June, you should be at the Calangute beach for this exciting festival of live entertainment and music.
Feast of Saint Peter and Paul – The local build rafts and sail on Goa rivers, singing and playing songs.
The beaches in the North popular with hippies and backpackers like Anjuna and Vagator still have a handful of the more permanent structures open but most of the shacks on the beach and closed for monsoon, and when they say closed they really mean it!
The advantages of visiting Goa in monsoon season:
Lower Prices
Green, beautiful scenery, a great time to explore the countryside by motorbike,
See a more local side of life
Less Crowds and have some of the beaches all to yourself.
The storms and rains can be quite dramatic and amazing to watch
The disadvantages of visiting Goa in monsoon season:
Weather can be unpredictable, rain is likely and weather is often not great for lazing on the beach
Many places shut outside the main tourist season meaning that there is not so much variety of accommodation, restaurant, shopping and partying options available and the markets are not open either.
As there are not so many tourists you are less likely to meet people and may feel a little lonely. One time I stayed at a backpacker hostel and meet a great bunch of people but did not see many other international tourists.
The beaches do not look their best and the water is sometimes too rough for swimming. Also, if you are the only foreigner in a bikini on the beach then you may attract a lot of unwanted attention.
And at last but not least !! That Goa is every time favorable for me ! Just pack and go, and love some beautiful beaches in every seasons.
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