Written by: Bhushan
Miramar beach
This lovely, long white stretch of beach is to Panaji, what the mall road is to Mussourie. Its sands and the Mandovi River which flows into the Arabian Sea at Miramar are the two things which lend Panaji its uniqueness.
Miramar is about 3 km from the heart of the city and its long sandy shores stretch from the mouth of the Mandovi River to Cabo Raj Bhavan, the governor’s residence. The beautiful confluence of the Mandovi and the sea is a sight worth watching anytime of the day. One of the most amazing things, about this beach is that despite it being right in the middle of the city, you still see the odd fisherman out with his round net called pagers in local parlance, trying out his luck.
Weather
Sun is the constant theme throughout the year. There is simply no substitute for the 33 degrees Celsius heat all throughout the year. Panaji tends to be comparatively cool because the city is surrounded by a water mass (river and the sea) on two sides. Rains come down pouring in between mid May and mid September.
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
Buses leave from the Panaji Kadamba Transport Corporation bus stand almost every two minutes for Miramar. It’s just a very short journey at 3 km. In fact if you were to chance it, a walk from the Old jetty to Miramar, about 2 km along the well maintained Mandovi river banks is very soothing in the evenings.
By Train
Trains aren’t ideal, if its Miramar you want to visit. The nearest railway station Karmali is about 19 km away from Miramar. But if that’s most convenient to you, what you could do is alight at Karmali hire a cab or an auto. The option of buses as public transport from Karmali is ruled out.
By Air
The distance from the Dabolim airport, where you will alight and Miramar is approximately 33 km.
Pictures of Miramar Beach
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Major attractions
Miramar and its surrounding vicinity provide you with a lot of options for you to have fun around. The beach has a beautiful grove of coconut palms where you can organise a small picnic for 30 odd people with ease. The one drawback about Miramar is that the beach is not very safe to swim. One of the main reasons is that the confluence, which sends the tides in the area a bit awry. At times the undercurrent at Miramar beach can be pretty violent. So if you do want to venture in take proper precautions. Least you can do is inform the lifeguard about it.
From Miramar, if you could take you take a city bus and get off at the ferry point. You can enjoy a picturesque ride in a ferry from one end of the river to another. It’s a beautiful experience and worth every bit of it. Betim, the village on the other side of the river is host to Goa’s only famous gurudwara, which also faces the majestic river. That done, you could also drop by at the Kala Academy, the capital of the artistic intelligentsia in the state, located at Campal. In fact bang opposite the Kala Academy is a beautiful cluster of houses, which the state government has allotted a heritage status for their age and splendid architecture. Another must see place for architecture and heritage buffs in the Mala-Fontainhas area, which is located near the Rua de Ourem creek. This beautiful area is often called ‘Lisbon of Goa’ for its narrow close-cropped streets, with beautiful tiled houses bordering it. This area has also been declared as a heritage zone by the Goa government.
Once is evening there’s one thing almost every tourist in Panaji wants to do. Head for the Captain of Ports jetty from where four or five boat operators run a boat cruise, which are immensely popular for the slice of Goa they offer their customers. The cruises promise an evening of fun and frolic, complete with dance segments and complimentary drinks (some of them).
A walk through the city is a walk through the annals of history.
Events
Panaji plays host to several musical concerts during the tourist season, right from classical to rock. The city is steeped in music. For proof check each of the city’s gardens and even the Miramar beach which has a bandstand where musicians come together for a jams session during the seasons.
Nightlife
Right at the captain of Ports jetty lies Goa’s only floating casino, the Caravela. This is the place to try your luck when night falls. The floating casino armed with a roulette table, card play, slot machines and various other forms of gambling is a huge hit amongst the night. The entry fee covers complimentary gambling chips and food.
Shopping
Panaji is the place to be, if its shopping you are looking out for. One of the most popular shopping hubs being the 18th June road which is chocabloc with tourists the moment it is evening. Several thefts have been reported in this area in the recent past, so you re advised to exercise caution. You could also drop by Velho Filho’s a signature handicraft store located near the Municipal garden for some shopping too.
Vital Tourist Information
Hotel availability
Hotels are not an issue. The nearest hotel to Miramar beach is hotel Foodlands, which has rooms only a few metres from the beach sand. Its one of the most sought after places near Miramar. If you travel towards the Panaji city, options for lodging multiply manifold.
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 have 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: Panaji is at a distance of about 3 km.
This beach is wonderful in the evening…