Cola Beach Lagoon — Attraction in Goa

Cola is a stunningly beautiful hidden beach in South Goa that very few tourists know of. This is so remote that it feels like a private beach. It remains hidden by thick vegetation, palm trees, and hilly terrain.

On my recent trip to Goa in Jan 2020, I chose to explore South Goa. Cola is a perfect choice to escape from the crowded beaches and the hustle and bustle of city life.

Our journey to Cola Beach began with a one-hour drive from Varca Beach (South Goa) which is 28 km from Cola Beach. This beach is 16 km from Palolem, which is further south. Getting to Cola isn't very easy, to put it simply. The sign boards are non-existent. Just to make you aware, there is an unpaved off-road with bumpy rock formations, with red mud all over, that stick out along the path. Hence, coming here only in the day is advised.

But this arduous road to Cola Beach is what’s kept Cola Beach a serene, clean and pristine hidden oasis. The journey to Cola Beach helps filter out the crowds. To know more, read my travelouge on Cola beach

However, by the time you get there you will know it is worth the trip! And you will very likely agree that it’s the best beach in South Goa!

The beach is divided into two parts – North Cola and South Cola, with a small hill separating the two. North Cola mainly draws tourists because of its beautiful lagoon. Trees and hills make this beach more beautiful.

Swimming is relatively safe. But remember, the depth changes abruptly and there are rocks on the bed of the Arabian Sea. So, it is best to stay close to the shore. And most times, there are no lifeguards on the beach. The blue lagoon is the highlight of Cola beach. This is what distinguishes Cola from the other beaches of Goa. There is a small creek that comes out from the thick vegetation and meets the Arabian Sea here, but just before the confluence it forms a fresh water lagoon. I imagine it’s called an emerald lagoon because of its clear green colours and its calm swimmable waters. The lagoon is enclosed by tall palm trees and lush verdant borders along its canal. You can also go kayaking and fishing here. Just beside the lagoon, you will find couple of places that serve drinks and food. There are only a few places to stay at Cola beach. There are no beach huts here or luxury properties. You will find only bungalows and tents here. Blue Lagoon Resort Hotel, Samyama Retreat, and Dwarka Hotel are the best places to stay here. You can visit Cola beach throughout the year, but the best will be between November and February, when the weather is noticeably nicer.

Please do not confuse COLA Beach with COLVA Beach. They are two...

You can say that this is the gem of South Goa. It is a peaceful beach with rock patches here and there and a lagoon separated from the sea by a Sand Patch. The lagoon has still water makes it the best for Kayaking. If you’re at this place you cannot miss kayaking. The water is hardly 4/5 Ft deep and hence you don’t even require a life jacket. To reach the beach you have to climb down more than 100 high riser stairs from the parking area. The parking area is after a patch of off-roading kind of tracks from the main road. When you start entering the off-roading track many people on scooties would start tailing you and ask whether you want to do Kayaking, just say no to them and take the kayaks on the spot. This would save atleast Rs 100/Half an hour/Kayak. Never go on an extended weekend as the poor lagoon would be full of tourists especially from nearby Karnataka and Telangana state. It’s not there’s something bad about the people, but there would be just too many of them, and they would take the peace of kayaking away. No one falls from the Kayaks in water, it is totally safe and it is also a good workout. There’s a secluded beach (a very beautiful one), separated from the Main Cola beach by a rock patch. Going there is prohibited, but if you’ve confidence and can cross that rocky patch preventing the attention of the life guard, that secluded beach is nothing less than Phuket, bali, maldives, lakshyadeep beaches. You can see that beach from above before climbing down to the main cola beach. There are only a few shacks on the beach but the ambience and the food is good. There is a drawback that there’s no public toilet on the beach, one of the shacks allows using their washroom on a paid basis. Going back to the parking space is a challenge as you would have to climb the stairs from where you descended, that will certainly take your breath away (like literally). So don’t drink much on the beach, however it may tempt, as you would face trouble climbing back and there’s no other option. Thankfully there are vendors in the parking selling lime and coconut water, which will relax you a bit. Go to the beach in the evening time, as the kayaking and climbing up will totally exhaust you, post you can rest in your hotel after that as you won’t feel like going to any...

Kayaking through chaos like a boss: dodging waves and fellow paddlers like a seasoned pro! Cola Beach! It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest in South Goa, where you pray it stays off the tourist radar forever. A chill stretch of sand sprinkled with rocks, and peeking from behind a sandy patch, a lagoon winks at the sea like it's playing hide and seek. And that lagoon? It's like Mother Nature's gift to kayakers, with its calm waters practically begging for some paddling action. So, armed with our trusty paddles and a hefty dose of wanderlust, we set sail on our kayaking adventure. Now, rewind a year back, and there I was, solo kayaking in Himachal Pradesh. No witnesses, no proof – just me, my kayak, and the sound of crickets. But this time? Oh, this time, I was determined to capture the moment, camera-ready and all. But hold on to your oars, because the path ahead was narrower than a catwalk model's runway, and my fellow kayakers? Well, let's just say they were as clueless as a lost tourist with a broken map. It was like rush hour traffic on the high seas, with kayaks bumping into each other like the daily passengers in bonga local. But instead of losing our cool, we just laughed our hearts out, causing ripples of laughter in the lagoon below. Yep, amidst the chaos of kayak mayhem, we found ourselves knee-deep in hilarity. And who knows, maybe even the lagoon joined in on the joke, swaying along with our laughter. After battling the kayak chaos at Cola Beach, our shoulders were begging for mercy, practically screaming for a massage hotline. But our minds? Oh, they were on an adrenaline-fueled rampage, chanting, "More adventure, more sights, more fun!" So, despite our shoulders threatening mutiny, we reluctantly bid adieu to kayaking, saving our energy for the next round of escapades. Because, hey, who needs functioning shoulders when there's still so much to explore, right?😅 So here's to Cola Beach – a haven of laughter, adventure, and memories that'll last longer than a suntan....