Utorda Beach, Goa – Must Visit South Goa Beaches

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Utorda Beach is located a few KMs north of the South Goa district’s more popular Colva or Majorda beaches. Being not so popular, it lets you have a quiet rendezvous with the sea. It lets you feel the white sand that fills in your feet as soon as you step on it. The pristine white sand is literally like silk beneath your feet.

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Fishermen sailing out to seas early morning at Utorda beach
Fishermen sailing out to seas early morning at Utorda beach

Utorda Beach, Goa – Vast, Less Crowded, Easily Reachable

My first acquaintance was when I first moved to Goa. I stayed at a small hotel next to the beach. So, I used to visit it for my morning walks, for evening walks. A couple of years later, when I went for a Full Moon Night Beach Walk, I passed by the same beach in the middle of the night. It gave me an opportunity to experience its mood at night.

Early Morning with Fishermen

Traditional fishermen with their share of the morning catch fish
Traditional fishermen with their share of the morning catch fish

Early mornings at beaches in Goa mean soft cool breeze and the complimenting blue color of the seas. The sea is reflecting the blue color of the sky which is yet to take the orange hues of the sun.  The cool breeze is of course very refreshing for the early-morning beach walkers.

Early morning on Goan beaches belongs to the fishermen. Some of them are coming back from the sea. They are busy shifting their catch from the net to the basket. Each type of fish goes to a different basket. Unwanted catch like water snakes or crabs that are too small is pushed back into the sea.

Traditional Fishermen rolling their fishing nets early in the morning
Traditional Fishermen roll their fishing nets early in the morning

As an onlooker, I was scared every time I saw a water snake, but Goan fishermen handle them as they would handle a cucumber. It is fun to see them fold the large net neatly so that it is easy to open the next time around.

Some fishermen sail out in colorful boats and fishing nets early in the morning.

On your next Goa Holidays, do experience the Utorda beach early in the morning. You will get a glimpse of the Goan life that is so connected with the waters of the Arabian Sea and the fish it nurtures.

Kentish-plover bird with its reflection
Kentish-plover bird with its reflection

Meet the Beach Birds

Beaches are also home to some bird species.

Black-Kite bird in-flight
Black-Kite bird in-flight

Sandpiper birds in small groups can be seen all along the white sand of the straight seashore. They are looking for breakfast – the dead fish or crab pushed ashore by the sea. You literally see the saying ‘Early bird catches the fish’ come alive in front of your eyes.

Read More – Best Places for Birding in Goa

Birds like the Sea Gulls can be seen flying around in the morning. Depending on the time of the year you may see other birds.

Black-headed Sea Gull in winter plumage in-flight at the Utorda Beach Goa
Black-headed Sea Gull in winter plumage in-flight

Sunrise

Being on the west coast, sunrises are not really a crowd-puller here. Sunrise is my favorite time of the day.

As the Sun rises, it gets warmer and more humid on the beach. It starts wearing a deserted look as people move away to the comfort of cool shade or their homes or hotels. There is little activity during the day at the beach. Sunbathers though can be seen lying on beach beds to get their tan. Mostly people from cold countries like to lie in the sun to get their share of Vitamin D.

Evening

Cooler evenings bring it alive just as they do elsewhere. The beach is full of activities like water sports to keep the tourists and travelers engaged. Colorful umbrellas of parasailors add their own color to the sky. Jet Skis seem to cut through the water to make their way.

Shacks, though not many, are buzzing with tourists.

The beach is full of life with Goa Holiday travelers enjoying their evening.

Jet Ski water sports at Utorda Beach
Jet Ski water sports
Jet Ski by the evening
Jet Ski by the evening
Parasailing enthusiasts enjoying a ride
Parasailing enthusiasts enjoying a ride

Sunset Time

Stunning sunsets are the most prized catch on a beach. Here too you can enjoy lovely moments watching stunning sunsets. The play of colors as the sun goes down, almost giving us a feeling that it is going for a dip in the sea, is mesmerizing.

Read More – Things to do in South Goa

What makes it special is the vast white sand and fewer crowds. It is not empty and it is not too crowded. Just perfectly populated to let you enjoy the sunset in peace.

Sunset time
Sunset time
Sunset scene at Utorda beach
Sunset scene

Night

At night, it sounds ferocious. With no other sound in place, the roar of the sea is scary. The boats parked look like guards guarding the shores. One-off shacks are open and playing music. The hotels along the way become visible with their night lights.

Tomorrow would be a new day…

How to reach

Utorda Beach, Goa landscape view with Coconut trees
Utorda Beach, Goa landscape view with Coconut trees

By road is the only option to reach. Public transport is poor, especially for holidayers with time constraints. Utorda Beach is about 30 KMs from Panjim the state capital city, 13 KMs from Madgaon (connected by railways) the commercial city, 18 KMs from the Dabolim Goa Airport, and 10 KMs from Verna Industrial Estate.

Utorda Beach Goa – Things to Do & Water Sports

It is essentially up to your interests. During the tourist season, visitors can enjoy water sports like:

  • Go on a long walk on the beach south to Majorda (a little over a KM), fitness freak walk, or jog up to Colva (about 5 KM)
  • Get wet in the Sea Waters. Do not go beyond knee-deep water in the Seas, although it is tempting to go a little further. Unless you know swimming very well and have a support system/team in place, keep your adventure mind in the pauce/shut-down mode.
  • Watch Sunset scene
  • Do Yoga
  • Sports activities – Soccer would be fun, and villagers can be seen enjoying the sport
  • Try your Gymnastic skills on the soft sands
  • Enjoy the breeze
  • Try the food at a local Shack
Beach shade canopies provided by the Shacks
Beach shade canopies provided by the Shacks
  • Try your photography skills
  • Jet Ski Ride
  • Boat Ride
  • Parasailing
Parasailing visitor at the Utorda Beach
Parasailing tourist
  • Dolphin sightings boat rides

However, make sure the water sports are operated professionally with ample safety precautions.

What else to explore around Utorda Beach

  • You can explore a typical Goan village scene and admire the lush greenery around.
Lush green paddy fields lined by coconut trees of the village
Lush green paddy fields lined by coconut trees of the village
  • Go Bird watching around the paddy fields, local ponds, and trees. Watch keenly, you can see over a dozen species of birds easily on the very first day. Many more if you have the time and patience to observe.
Common Kingfisher resting on a branch by the village pond
Common Kingfisher resting on a branch by the village pond
Purple Swamphen wading through the shallow waters
Purple Swamphen wading through the shallow waters
Lesser-whistling Ducks in-flight by the village pond
Lesser-whistling Ducks in flight by the village pond
Asian Koel female bird savoring a ripe papaya fruit in the village
Asian Koel female bird savoring a ripe papaya fruit in the village
  • Admire the Sunset scene from coconut tree-lined paddy fields
Sunset Scene through the Coconut Treelines and lush greenery of the village
Sunset Scene through the Coconut Treelines and lush greenery of the village
  • Hotels and Resorts here generally have aquariums with colorful fish
Fish in an aquarium
Fish in an aquarium

Kids surely will enjoy watching the colorful fishes moving all around in the aquarium.

Look at this fish eyes
Look at this fish’s eyes

Luxury Hotels, Affordable Accommodations & Shacks

There are several high-end Hotels/Resorts like the Royal Orchid, and Planet Hollywood and dozens of affordable accommodations within about a KM. However, do book in advance during the winters which are instead a tourist season.

General Precautions

  • Heed the advice of Lifeguards on duty
  • Do not venture out there during the monsoons, high tides and while public alerts are issued by the authorities
  • Do not litter
  • Leave soon after sunset, do not linger on. Rare but untoward incidents have been reported, avoid unnecessary risks
  • Do not consume alcoholic beverages and head their

If you are on Goa Holidays looking for a less crowded but safe & clean beach, head to Utorda. Even Majorda close by is equally good. They have tranquility in addition to all other facilities available at other popular destinations. This is one of our favorite Goa weekend getaways.

Utorda Beach Goa Pinterest

9 COMMENTS

  1. Calangute is a beach In north goa. The beach is the largest in North Goa and visited by thousands of domestic and international tourists alike. The peak tourist season is during Christmas and New Year, and during the summer in May. During the monsoon season, from June through September, the sea can be rough and swimming is prohibited. The beach offers water sport activities like parasailing and water skiing, among others.

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