Goa in the off-season isn’t everyone’s glass of fenni. Once you can look past the mush, there’s a lot to be explored—from the gushing waterfalls and local watering holes to the hidden shacks that stay open and cycling tours you can take from one island to another.
Cycle around the city
An 82km bicycle ride through the mangroves or perhaps the chance to go island-hopping in Goa? The Bicycle Trip Goa is one such company that organises offbeat ways to explore Goa, all on two wheels. These personalised tours, are usually of medium difficulty, and show you different sides of the city, whether through a dessert crawl or a vintage tour of Goa’s historic sights.
Find out more here.
Feast on
That the shacks in Goa are mostly shut can be a deterrent to those who love to eat, but there’s a lot more to explore. A little birdie tells us that Rocket in Anjuna not only serves up burgers with a lot of meat, but also becomes a hub on Wednesday nights. With open mic nights every mid-week, the musicians of Goa get together and perform, making music a perfect accompaniment to the monsoon.
Zeebop, a restaurant-shack in Majorda, too is located on the beach, and is the place to go for seafood in the monsoon. Also swing by Pousada by the Beach, a lovely family-run restaurant (with dogs) that is known for its good food and even better service.
Go on a rainy drive
It’s almost an injustice not to see the lush greenery of Goa in the monsoon, and the best way to do that is by going on a drive. Locals often take off in the car or two-wheeler to visit the Tiracol Fort, which is located on the northernmost tip of Goa. The drive to the Fort is through Panjim, past paddy fields, amidst palm trees, and is frankly, almost as scenic as the view from the fort.
In fact, you can even stay at the Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel while you are there, making it a quick overnight trip.
Take a mini staycation
Whether you’re visiting for a short duration or are planning to stay awhile, no rule stops you from taking a vacation within a vacation. Hitch a ride to the Wildernest Nature Resort in Chorla Ghats and call yourself a happy camper. This beautiful property, albeit two hours from Goa, is where the monsoons can best enjoyed with a cup of tea from the wooden cottages, and with a view of the Vazra waterfalls.
Raft in the rapids
Whoever said that Manali and Rishikesh are the only places for river-rafting in India hasn’t yet tried it in Goa. This monsoon, roar through the rapids of the Mmhadei River in Goa. This is an activity that only takes place between June and September each month, when the rains increase the volume of the river enough to make this a bumpy ride. The white water river rafting journey begins (and ends) at a meeting point in Sattari, Goa. You can pick from two slots for this two-hour-long ride: 9.30am or 2.30pm.
Book tickets here.