The village is still present at Bogmalo, complete with
a tiny-whitewashed Chapel and gangs of hogs nosing through
the rubbish, but its environs have been transformed. Pricey
café-bars blaring Western music have crept up the
beach, while the clearing below the hotel is prowled by
assiduous Kashmiri handicraft vendors.
Even so, compared with Calangute or Colva, Bogmalo is still
a small-scale resort. As long as one hasn't come to Goa
to get away from it all or party all night, then one'll
find Bogmalo congenial enough. The beach is clean and not
too crowded, the water reasonably safe for swimming, and
there are plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. If, on
the other hand, one is looking for somewhere not yet, on
the package tourist map, one'll be better off further south,
at the far end of Colva Beach or beyond.
Diving At Bogmalo
A small dive school recently opened up in Bogmalo and
is one of the few places in India where one can do PADI-approved
Open water diving courses. Operating out of Joet's guesthouse,
at the far end of the beach, the British run outift also
offers half day "Try Dives" for novices, guided
dives to shipwreck sites and coral beds off the coast and
tuition for more advanced qualifications.
How to Get There
Road:
Bogmalo can be reached by bus or taxi from Vasco da Gama,
8-km northwest. It's also near enough to the airport for
a last minute dip before catching a plane.
Places to Stay
As this is primarily a package tour destination, walk
in accommodation is very limited and best booked ahead.
There are few luxurious option present over here, overlooking
the beach. Bogmalo's other mid range guesthouses, are much
more comfortable for short stay purposes.
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