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.
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
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.
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.
Meet the Beach Birds
Beaches are also home to some bird species.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
- Try your photography skills
- Jet Ski Ride
- Boat Ride
- Parasailing
- 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.
- 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.
- Admire the Sunset scene from coconut tree-lined paddy fields
- Hotels and Resorts here generally have aquariums with colorful fish
Kids surely will enjoy watching the colorful fishes moving all around in the aquarium.
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.
I stayed in Goa for ten years and never visited Utorda. I am pretty sure I need to go there the next time I visit the beach state. Superb pictures.
Never heard of this place in Goa.
Is it near Palolem beach?
btw, pictures are really great.
Lovely photographs. Utorda seems to be a fabulous place.
Thanks Varun & Niranjan.
Rachit, this is north of Majorda beach in South Goa – not too far from the Goa airport.
Thank you for sharing! I’ve been to Palolem, but not to Utorda. Will visit next time.
Beautiful pics. Loved the solitary bird
Beautiful pix.
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.
Yes, we know Calangute Amit- its the most popular beach with tourists in Goa.