Vagator Beach is the northernmost beach of
Bardez Taluka,
Goa
Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...
. It is across the
Chapora River
Chapora River is a river in northern Goa, India. It runs westward into the Arabian sea at Chapora and demarcates the border between the North Goa talukas of Pernem and Bardez. The river originates at Ramghat in the neighbouring state of Maharas ...
from
Morjim
Morjim (pronounced Morji the alphabet m is silent) is a Census Town in Pernem, Goa, India; it is situated on the northern bank of the Chapora River estuary. It is home to a variety of birds and is a nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtle ...
in
Pernem
Pernem or Pedne (pronounced ) is a town and a municipal council in North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. It is the capital of the Pernem Sub-District
Geography
Pernem is one of the twelve sub-districts of Goa. Pernem sub-district c ...
. To the south of Vagator is
Anjuna
Anjuna () is a village located on the coast of North Goa, India. It is a Census Town, one of the twelve Brahmin comunidades of Bardez. It is mostly a tourist destination.
Its church, St. Michael's Church, Anjuna, founded in 1595, is dedicated ...
, one of the first
hippie
A hippie, also spelled hippy, especially in British English, is someone associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, originally a youth movement that began in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to different countries around ...
haunts of Goa.
Etymology
The name Vagator is a combination of the terms ''Vaga'' (tiger) and ''tir'' (shore), which means a tiger-infested area. Vagator used to be a densely forested area connected to the Sahyadri mountain range. According to legend, tigers searching for sweet water in the jungle would eventually find their way to the source at the foot of the hill.
Beach
Vagator Beach has dramatic red cliffs looking down on the shore and two fresh water springs within a stone's throw of the sea. But Vagator has little by way of seaside accommodation.
Vagator Beach is split into two main beaches by a seaside headland which holds the car park and many stalls selling trinkets, clothes, soft drinks and snacks. As you face the sea, on your right is North Vagator Beach (Big Vagator) and on your left
Ozran Beach, more commonly known as Little Vagator Beach.
Vagator is a little more laid back, though still pretty much steeped in the rave culture. The tourist traffic is predominantly Western backpackers, however it has also become popular with Indian tourists, who particularly come to watch the sunset from the rocks.
The sunset through rocks is breathtaking from Vagator Beach.
There are a number of places playing to a dance & trance crowd during the tourist season. These include: Nine Bar located just above Little Vagator, Hilltop (a little back from Little Vagator) and Primrose back towards Big Vagator beach, they play different types of trance and psychedelic music from different DJ's from around the world. Disco Valley of Vagator Beach is a place that used to be the place for Goan trance parties starting from very early 1990s.
Also there are a number of Mediterranean and Indian Cafes/Hotels serving a variety of food and drink.
2013 saw the popular
Sunburn Festival
Sunburn Festival is a commercial electronic dance music festival held in India. Incepted by Serial Entrepreneur Shailendra Singh while Jt MD of Percept Ltd, under his captaincy, the festival grew to be ranked the 3rd largest dance festival i ...
shift its base to Vagator from
Candolim Beach.
Nearest towns
Anjuna
Anjuna () is a village located on the coast of North Goa, India. It is a Census Town, one of the twelve Brahmin comunidades of Bardez. It is mostly a tourist destination.
Its church, St. Michael's Church, Anjuna, founded in 1595, is dedicated ...
- for tourist traffic and the Wednesday Anjuna Markets
Mapusa
Mapusa (म्हापशें) is a town in North Goa, India. It is situated 13 km north of the capital Panaji. The town is the headquarters of Bardez Taluka. It is located on the main highway NH-17, linking Mumbai to Kochi.
In Portugue ...
- is the nearest town for provisions and shopping. This is where the locals shop.
Chapora - is the nearest village. In the evenings, the fishing boats come into the jetty, and locals and tourists can buy fish straight off the boats.
Tivim
Tivim pronounced Thivim, is a village in Nathivim in Bardez, in the North Goa district of Goa, India. It is an important gateway into North Goa as the home to the major railway station in North Goa. Tivim was also the ancestral village of the f ...
- is the nearest railway station.
Restaurants
There are a number of restaurants, increasingly catering to both Western and Indian tourists. Some of these are only open in the tourist season.
Hill Top
Hill Top in Vagator is popular for rave parties. New year tends to be the most chaotic with crowds easily in the thousands attending the party at Hilltop. Hill Top has a party every Sunday evening in the tourist season. DJs from
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
,
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
,
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
,
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, India, Russia and Israel are regular performers at Hill Top.
References
External links
{{wikivoyage
Beaches of Goa
Beaches of North Goa district
Tourist attractions in North Goa district