By boat to Butterfly Beach
North of Palolem, the coast turns into a line of rocky, wooded headlands with small coves between them. Butterfly Beach is the best known, a short arc of sand in a deep inlet, with forest coming down almost to the water. It can be reached on foot by a steep path from the road, but most people come by boat from Palolem or Agonda.
We charter a private boat from Palolem at about 8 am, when the sea is flattest. The route runs north past Palolem's headland and the small island at its end, and dolphins are frequently seen in the bay in calm morning conditions. At Butterfly Beach, the boat anchors close in, and you can swim, snorkel among the rocks or walk the sand for an hour before the shared boats arrive.
On the way back, we can stop at Honeymoon Beach, another small cove, or return straight to Palolem for a late breakfast.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How do you get to Butterfly Beach in Goa?
Most visitors go by boat from Palolem or Agonda, a trip of about 20 to 30 minutes. A steep forest path also leads down from the road, but it is rough and hot. We charter a private boat in the morning, when the sea is calmest.
Can you swim at Butterfly Beach?
Yes, in calm conditions from November to April, the cove is sheltered and the water clear. There are no lifeguards, so swim close to shore and with care. In rough seas, boats may not land, and trips do not run in the monsoon.
Are dolphins common near Palolem?
Dolphins are often seen in the bays off Palolem and Agonda on calm mornings from November to April. Sightings are not guaranteed. We ask our boatmen to keep a respectful distance and not to chase the animals.
Also in Palolem, Agonda and Canacona
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