Morjim Beach

The Morjim beach in Pernem taluka, is a prime example of a bridge, which completely changes the basic nature of a place. Five years ago before a bridge connecting it to the mainland was built, Morjim was as virgin as a beach as you could expect. You could spend whole days here and the only person you were likely to see was a fisherman hauling nets. Now Morjim is one of the most sought after beaches in Goa and well connected to the mainland. The Chapora river which flanks the beach on one end makes it a virtual paradise in the mornings and evenings when flocks of storks fly by it. This sandy heaven is something every nature-loving tourist must stop by and soak in some of it.

Weather

Like everywhere else in Goa, it’s exceedingly sunny with hardly a break in upper 30 degrees Celsius temperature throughout the year. Its pleasant when you are around the coast though thanks to the cool sea breeze that floats in. Rains bring in torrential showers and subsequently some relief during the period of 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 to Morjim can be accessed from the Mapusa bus stand. The service is pretty much efficient. If you are on a two-wheeler you can actually take the shortcut to Morjim via a village called Assagao, which is adjacent to Anjuna. Although the bus doesn’t take you directly to the beach, it is located at only a short walk from the Morjim bus stop.

By Train

Pernem station, the northernmost station in Goa would be the ideal spot to alight if its Morjim you are heading for. Although the distance from Morjim to Pernem isn’t much, very few trains stop at Pernem, it not being a priority railway station. The next best option then is to alight at Thivim and then head to Mapusa, from where you could take a connecting bus to Siolim or Morjim.

Pictures of Morjim Beach

 

Major attractions

Although the beach is not its old virgin self, it’s the southernmost end of one of the most fragile beach stretches in Goa. It connects to Ashwem beach which later merges into Arambol.

Morjim is most famous worldwide as an Olive Ridley turtle-nesting site. Female turtle crawl on to the beach at night and lay their eggs, bury them and then head back into the water.

Morjim also has a host of Russian restaurants, which are quite well known for their cuisine. You can take an excellent boat ride into the quiet almost magically tranquil Chapora river or head out into the sea for a spot of dolphin spotting. Of late, several water sports facilities have also been started on the beach, but they are not as efficiently maintained as the stuff found on Colva and Calangute beaches etc. Morjim beach also plays host to a lot of rave parties thanks to its relative remoteness.

One of the places worth visiting if you are in Morjim is the Wadi cove in Siolim, which can be accessed by road. It’s almost like a garland running through the fabulously picturesque cove, which is dotted by fishing boats and coconut palms.

Nightlife

Rave parties dominate the nightlife here, as Morjim appears to have wrested this initiative from other beaches like Anjuna. You can drop in any of these parties which are announced impromptu to ensure that the cops don’t happen to get the invitation too (sic). Every kind of dope and psychedelic colour and loud music make up these parties which are a hit with the foreigners and Indian tourists alike.

Vital Tourist Information

Hotel availability

Morjim does not have the capacity to host a lot of tourist. You do find some rooms given on rent by the villagers and small hotels and such along with a handful beach huts. But you may have to bank of either Siolim or Anjuna or Arambol beach if you plan to stay on during the tourist season.

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: Mapusa, 9 kms approx

 

Contacts in case of contingency:

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