Canacona: Beaches, Temples and Nature

Six pillars in the mandap of the Mallikarjun Temple feature carvings depicting scenes from the Puranas and the Mahabharata. This cultural highlight, together with the coastal and natural scenery, gives Canacona in South Goa District a distinctive character. For your stay, you can consider whether you would particularly like to experience beaches, cultural heritage or forest landscapes.

Coastal stretches with distinct characters

Patnem Beach is secluded and quiet. Cabo de Rama Beach, also known as Khola Beach, is also secluded. Galgibag Beach lies on the banks of the Galgibag River and is a protected nesting site for endangered olive ridley turtles. Almost no beach shacks dot the landscape there.

Cola Beach combines golden sand with volcanic boulders. A small hill divides the beach into North Khola and South Khola; the lagoon in the middle is known as the Blue Lagoon or Emerald Lagoon. When finding your way around, take a close look at the names: Cola Beach is also called Khola Beach.

Butterfly Beach is a small cove surrounded by dense woodland. It is mainly accessible by speedboat from nearby beaches; access may vary by season. Dolphins can be seen at the beach, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Palolem Beach is a white-sand beach on a blue bay between two headlands. It lies west of Chaudi, with the Western Ghats in the background. The Talpona River flows into the Arabian Sea north of Talpona Beach—a further distinctive coastal feature of Canacona.

Temples, procession and fort

The Mallikarjun Temple lies near the small village of Sristhal in Canacona, the southernmost taluka. The valley is completely surrounded by blue mountains and lush greenery. The temple building contains carved wooden pillars; the six pillars in the mandap depict scenes from the Puranas and the Mahabharata.

During the annual Jatra, the deity’s figure is carried in a procession to nearby Kindlebag Beach for almost two to three hours. If you would like to plan your visit around this festival, check the dates locally. This way, your visit remains tied to the actual festival dates.

Cabo De Rama Fort is a ruined citadel with a few rusty Portuguese cannons. The western cliffs drop steeply to the sea and offer views to the north and south. You will need to arrange your own transport to reach the fort; also check road conditions before setting out.

Forest landscapes and getting there

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Canacona Taluka of South Goa District, on the rolling, densely forested slopes of the Western Ghats. It is just under three kilometres from National Highway 17, Panaji–Mangalore. Wildlife in the sanctuary includes gaur, sambar deer, chital deer, wild boar, porcupines, langurs and bonnet macaques. This range of species describes the wildlife present, not a guarantee of seeing individual animals.

For Palolem Beach, travelling by train also provides a useful point of reference: the beach is three kilometres from Canacona station on the Konkan Railway. Check current train connections before travelling. At the beach, fishermen offer dolphin-watching trips. You can also ask fishermen about a boat crossing; availability and trips may vary depending on the season and conditions.

Discover more destinations: South Goa, North Goa, Salcete.

For the broader travel overview: Goa.