Keri – Tiracol beach

This beautiful beach located on the banks of the Tiracol River, represents the threshold of Goa. Cross over to the other side and beyond the Tiracol fort heritage resort, lies, Maharashtra. Keri – Tiracol is one of the more relatively desolate beaches in Goa. This is a huge, huge seemingly never ending beach with a very thick grove of casurina tees which are excellent haunts for picnickers with who tend to spend the whole day there. The fort which looks over the beach from the other end of the river was used as the last watch post by the Portuguese to protect themselves against aggressors.

Weather

If you aren’t too careful over exposure to the sun at the beaches in Goa, you can really roast yourself. The weather ranges from 33 degrees Celsius to 39 degrees Celsius. Rains represent a two months relief from this weather. And then the cycle repeats itself all over again.

Best time to visit:

Conventionally popular visiting months are from October to March. Some try to avoid Goa in the rains. But it’s worth a visit then too, to see the monsoons in their uninhibited glory.

Getting there / Route Information

By Bus

Tiracol is almost a good 25 km from Mapusa. And the approach road isn’t exactly what they call butter and honey. It’s a long winding road and bus service is pretty feeble, with a bus leaving every hour from the Mapusa bus stand.

By Train

The only railway station which is nearest to this remote beach is Pernem. But a train journey really won’t help you much, because you would still have a good 20 km to travel before you reach the beach. You could have to hire a cab to get to the beach, because travelling to Tiracol by existing road by auto would be quite a tough feat.

Pictures of Kere-Tiracol beach

 

Major attractions

Tiracol beach is a little short of haven, with the lusty river to the North, the ramparts of the Tiracol fort still going strong, the casurina trees waving in the background and the sea, which is forever in turmoil because of the confluence with the river. The latter is reason enough for visitors to stave off from swimming as Tiracol beach is known or strange but strong undercurrents. To get to Tiracol fort you must head for the ferry point, which can be reached by walking inwards along the river. The fort which has been converted into a heritage resort has a great view of the entire Tiracol beach stretch. The gigantic windows which open out into the sea, bring alive the splendor in which the occupants of the fort must have lived in.

One of the wildest things that you can do at Tiracol is to hire a boat and head inwards into the river. About 500 meters inside there is an uninhabited island. It has a lot of coconut trees and has a significant portion which stays above the tide all the time. You could get the boatman to drop you here for the day or night. If it’s a night you plan to there, carry some firewood along and get a great bonfire going.

Tiracol village is also known for the excellent feni they are known to brew. Look out for Pascoal bar, whose barman Pascoal himself, brews his own feni.

Nightlife

There’s not much of a nightlife which you can enjoy at Tiracol, which is a much quieter beach as compared to its neighbor Arambol.

Vital Tourist Information

Hotel availability

Accommodation can be difficult in Tiracol. Very few hotels combined with a less number of homes on the beach means that you will have a slight problem picking up a place to stay. You could have to double up between Arambol and Tiracol.

Local Transport

Motorcycle

The most preferred mode of transport is a motorcycle pilot, which are in effect two wheeler taxis, driven by licenced riders, who can transport one individual at a time.

Rent-a-bike

This is the latest addition to the transport modes in Goa and has become an instant hit. These self-driven yellow-letters-on-black number plate two wheelers or four wheelers can be sourced from the hotel you are put up in.

Taxis

Taxis, although are easily available during the peak season, the rates charged are exorbitant. Try hardball bargaining.

Nearest known city: Mapusa, 25 km approx

Contacts in case of Emergency

Hospitals:	Goa Medical College. Tel: 0832-2458700/16
Police:	Pernem police station. Tel: 0832-2201233