Colva

Colva Beach. Colva (pronounced Kol-wa) is one of the most popular beaches in southern Goa, though not as developed or busy as Calangute in the north. It was used as a summer retreat before the monsoon by Margao's elite who would rent fishermen's houses, who in turn would move into shacks. The beachfront of Colva town itself, which is rather dirty, has nothing special to recommend it. However, it is the main evening and weekend day-trip destination for the people of Margao, only 6 km away, so it becomes packed with cars, motorbikes, scooters and pedestrians. Three rather ugly little concrete bridges cross a muddy stream to the beach, where the original dunes have all been removed to give direct access to the sea. During the season the beach is lined with trinket stalls and a constant succession of beach vendors.

On the road into Colva from Margao you pass the large Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Nossa Senhora das Merces, 1630, re-built in the 18th century). The church has a relatively simple facade. Its single tower on the south side of the facade is so short as scarcely to be noticeable, and the strong horizontal lines normally given to Goan churches by 3 of 4 full storeys is broken by a narrow band of shallow semi-circular arches above the second floor. However, the church is much less famous for its building than for its association with the miraculous Menino Jesus. The Jesuit, Father Bento Ferreira, found the original image in the River Sena, Mozambique, en route to Goa, and brought it to Colva where he took up his position as Rector in 1648. The image was found to have miraculous healing powers and became an object of special veneration. However, when in 1834 religious orders were banned, it was removed to the Rachol Seminary for safe keeping although a diamond ring given as an offering to it was left behind. The Church in Colva failed in its attempts to have the statue returned and so installed another figure in 1836 (which is still here today) and put on it the special ring. It was soon found to work miracles, whereas the original statue taken to Rachol ceased to have special powers. The story is celebrated today in the special festival (the Fama of Menino Jesus) in October each year, when thousands of pilgrims flock to see the statue in the hope of witnessing a miracle.

The beach itself, though crowded in peak season, is magnificent with beautiful sand, coconut palms gently swaying in the breeze and blue waters (which can sometimes turn rough and grey-green). Teams of fishermen operate all along the coast from here down to Benaulim further south. Their pitch-boarded catamarans are drawn up on the beach, while motorized craft are anchored offshore. They provide added interest and colour and it is worth waking early to watch them haul in their nets. If you are very early you may even be invited out on a boat. A stream along the seaside is crossed by bridges and there are beachside shack cafes and bars to both north and south.

Nightlife. Several hotels on the beach have bars. Splash is the main place for music, dancing and late drinking, open all night, trendy - popular with English travellers and a few well-off Indians, very busy on Saturdays; during the season it gets full after 2300 on weekdays; serves good cocktails, but poor bar snacks - may not appeal to all.

Local travel. Motorbikes for hire through most hotels, Rs 300-350/day (less for long term rental), more for Enfields, bargain hard. Bicycles mostly through hotels, Rs 30-50/day (discounts for long term).

Colva Fish Market.

Fish vendor at the Colva Fish Market.

Abundance of the baskets at the Colva Fish Market.

Colva beach: a look towards the south.

Catch of the Day - Fisher's Restaurant.

Luke's Place - Bar and Restaurant.

Paragliding in the air.

Colva beach in the noon.

Calm waves of the Colva beach.

Banana boat on the beach.

Paragliding on Colva beach.

Colva beach: a look towards the north.

Paragliding over the Arabian sea.

These bridges connect Colva and its beach.

Colva bus stop and car parking near the beach.

Colva Residency.

Place for picnic under the palms near the beach.

River on the way from Colva to Palolem.

Small bridge on the way from Colva to Palolem.

Euphorbia plants and pachypodium flowers on the way from Colva to Palolem.

Hotels:
1. Colmar & Pasta Hut
2. Colva Beach Resort
3. Fisherman's Cottages
4. Garden Cottages
5. Longuinhos Beach Resort
6. Penthouse Beach Resort
7. Sea View Cottages
8. Silver Sands & Lactancias
9. Sukhsagar Beach Resort
10. Tourist Cottages
11. Tourist Nest
12. Vailankanni
13. William's Resort

Places to eat:
14. Connie M's
15. Joe Con's
16. Johnny Cool
17. Rice Bowl
18. Sea Pearl
19. Splash Bar
20. Zappia's