Situated
around 50 km north of Panaji, Arambol a small remote fishing village has
one of the most charming beaches of Goa. The place has two beaches, more
popular is the main beach (Harmal beach), the northernmost beach in Goa.
Every tourists dream, the beautiful beach is secluded and has a primitive,
untouched feel to it. The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the
rocky headband and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep
cliffs on both sides.
The main beach, on a long stretch of curving sand is
good for swimming. It is a place ideal for people looking for peace and
tranquility. A hot spring near the main beach which feeds into a freshwater
lake, producing silt on the lakeshore said to be good for the skin, that
some are fond of smearing on their bodies. On its immediate north there
are several attractive, relatively quite bays and fresh water pools also
good for swimming separated by rocky headlands. The headlands are
made of basalt and are clearly visible for miles along the coast. A well
made track runs round the headland to the second beach which is even more
secluded and little used. The coastal path again continues round the next
headland to the Terekhol beach, the northernmost tip of Goa on the Maharashtra
border.
Arambol
village is quiet and friendly, with just a few hundred locals mostly fishing
people. The place is ideally peaceful allowing you to have a close experience
of local life and culture. The relaxed environment coupled with peace
and tranquility attracts many vacationers from other beaches of Goa. The
Harmal beach is 2.5 km from the village bus stop, down a road passing
village houses sheltered under coconut trees.
The rocky headland or the cliffs near the beaches are
popular for paragliding. Dolphin watching boat trips and paragliding are
amongst the fun activities on this beach. Boat trip to Anjuna beach are
also available. A few shops sell clothes, junk jewelry and handicrafts
from across Goa and India. Some good cafes along the main beach and on
the headland to the north serve up tasty dishes from the cuisine of Italy,
Goa and India.
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