Ashwem Beach

Ashwem is a long sandy beach in North Goa best known for its serene and quiet ambiance. There are a few shacks with loungers, but you won’t be bombarded with loud music. Popular with international tourists, you will find them relaxing, getting a tan, and a massage. The beach shacks are spread apart, with tall trees between them, so it never feels crowded. There are far fewer tourists in Ashwem compared to the Baga-Calangute-Candolim stretch and even other popular North Goa beaches like Anjuna. Another unique feature of the beach is the tall hill that extends almost to the sandy coast. There is only a narrow stretch of land between the hill and the beach.

Ashwem Beach stretches for 1.5 kilometers. It is between Morjim Beach in the south and Mandrem in the north. A small river that meets the Arabian Sea separates Ashwem and Mandrem. It’s a great beach for a quiet and relaxing seaside holiday. It’s a long coastal stretch that you can walk easily. Towards the south, you can cross Mandrem and reach up to the Chapora River. And in the north, you can reach Arambol and go further north. Sometimes, you will see even Olive Ridley Turtles at Ashwem Beach. Most of them go to Mandrem to lay their eggs.

Ashwem Map

It is also one of Goa’s cleanest beaches as you will see only a handful of tourists. Many of them are foreigners. Ashwem is especially popular with the Russian expats who stay here long-term. Many Russians have purchased land and operate small bungalows, shops, and restaurants. Come to this beach if you want a sun bed, a calm sea, plenty of greenery, and hours of relaxation. Go for a swim anytime you want or get a massage. There is very little water sports here, so you won’t find any noisy activities.

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Quick Facts About Ashwem

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Ashwem Beach

The best time to visit Ashwem beach is between November and February. The weather will be much nicer this time of the year. The beach shacks will be all open. Ashwem sees fewer tourists, but during the summer and monsoon months, the beach will be almost completely secluded, so the shacks, and even many of the cafes, bars, and restaurants, will be closed down.

Weather

The summer will be very hot, with the daytime temperature touching 36°C on some days. The monsoon is between the middle of June to early September. Lots of rains! The sky is likely to stay cloudy for long hours. There will be bursts of heavy showers, and on some days, there can be thundershowers too with lightning. Humidity is also very high both in the summer and the monsoon months.

The weather changes for the better from the middle of October, and by mid-November, it is very pleasant in Goa, and Ashwem. Rain has stopped almost completely. The humidity is low too. Considerable drop in temperature! January is the coldest month, but you won’t need woolens, even in the night. With such nice weather and pleasant temperature, it will be much easier to spend time relaxing at the beach. Play football, beach volleyball. Get a massage. Hire a bike or car and visit the other beaches or explore the interior.

How To Reach Ashwem

• By Air — The Dabolim international airport is 54.6 kms from Ashwem via the NH66. Many airlines operate their flights to Goa, including Air India, Indigo, SpiceJet, Etihad, Air Arabia, Air Asia, Qatar Airways, and Jet Airways! The new Mopa airport is 30.6 kilometers away.
• By Rail — Thivim is the closest station. It is 18 kilometers from Ashwem.
• By Road — Panaji is 31 kms from Ashwem.

Top 6 Things To See And Do At Ashwem

1. Olive Ridley Turtles – Many endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles come to lay their eggs at Morjim Beach between September and February. It is a protected site. Nets are used to protect the eggs. Ashwem Beach is immediately south of Morjim, which is why many of these turtles end up here as well. You can see them without the restrictions of a protected site.
2. Surfing Lessons – Ashwem Beach has very little water sports. However, surfing lessons are offered here. You can simply rent a surf board if you are already experienced. Or, you can join a surf club to learn surfing. Certified instructors offer lessons to all levels of surfers, including beginners.
3. Great Food – You will find many restaurants and cafes. The beach shacks also offer food and drinks. Many of the places are right on the beach, while the others are in the connecting lanes. You will find plenty of food options as well, including North and South Indian, Konkani food, and Goa’s own seafood. With so many Russians and Europeans, there are Russian foods too. You will also find the classic English breakfast.
4. Complete Relaxation – Ashwem never gets too crowded. It is calm, quiet, peaceful, and the mood here is laid-back, perfect for relaxation. Beach shacks, restaurants and ayurvedic massage parlors right on the beach, but it is never congested like some other north Goa beaches. Mostly European tourists who keep within themselves. Take a sun bed, order your drinks and relax. Or place a mat on the sand and stretch out. No one to bother you. There is curfew after dark because of the turtles, so there are no loud nightclubs here.
5. Beaches of North Goa – Ashwem is very close to some other fantastic beaches of North Goa. Morjim, another nesting site of the Olive Ridley turtles, is just 2.8 kilometers away. Arambol is 6.9 kilometers further north. Vagator is half an hour by road. Just beyond Vagator is Anjuna. Even Baga, Calangute, and Candolim are not too far away. Many like to set up base at Ashwem as it is a peaceful place, and go on day trips to these north Goa beaches.
6. Chapora Fort – Goa’s famous Chapora Fort is close. There are two ways to reach the fort from Ashwem. You can walk and cross the Morjim beach to reach the river. From there, you can catch a boat and cross the river. The fort is on the other side. Or, you can drive down, crossing the Siolim-Chopdem Bridge. It is a 30-minute drive from the beach. You will get a fabulous view from the top of the fort.

The Beach

Ashvem Beach

Ashwem is a 1.5-kilometer long sandy beach in North Goa. It’s part of the long coastal stretch from the Chapora River to Arambol Beach, so you can walk the entire stretch if you want. It’s a 10-kilometer long stretch with many scenic tourist spots. You will find hills at Ashwem and Arambol. There are a few creeks running parallel to the coast and meeting the sea.

Ashwem is mostly sandy with a few volcanic rocks in the shape of shellfish in some places. These natural formations are interesting to look at. The most famous of them is the Warehouse Rock. There is also the Southern Cross. The beach is lined with many palm and casurina trees, and together with the hills in the background, it looks very scenic. You will also find many empty stretches of grassland, perfect for a picnic lunch. Just get a beach towel, get the food, and you can have a wonderful seaside lunch in the open.

The beach looks deserted even during the peak season as there are no large hotels and resorts. The beach remains quiet and serene and so, it is popular with romantic couples, honeymooners, families with kids. A little inland, you will see many authentic Goan villages, churches, and temples.

Top 5 Best Restaurants

Here are some of the top places to eat and drink at Ashwem. Many of them are worth trying again and again.

1. L'Amore Café – At the northern end, this restaurant serves both international and India food, and seafood. Vegan options too. The breakfast is also good here. Offers a very nice beach vibe. Sometimes plays old music.
2. Sky Bar – Best for seafood, Russian, Italian, and continental cuisines. Try the sizzlers and cocktails here. The desert sizzling brownie is worth trying. If you want to try Indian, then go for tandoori fish. Very good ambience too with sea view, sunset, and techno music.
3. La Plage – The place in Ashwem for French food. Try the tuna steak with wasabi mash and the classic French fish souffle with crab sauce. You will also find continental cuisines, sea food, vegan, and gluten free food as well. The Mediterranean salad consisting of tomato, lettuce, red onion, black olives, humus, fella, and roasted red pepper is also good. For desert, go for the chocolate thali. La Plaga is between Ashwem and Marbela beach.
4. Cafe Nu – This restaurant serves Asian, Indian, and European food, including gluten free and vegan options. Located between Ashwem and Mandrem, it is in a small alley, and away from the beach. But it’s worth a visit because of the good food. Try the peppered tuna steak and the calamari.
5. Elevar – At the beach front of the Leela Cottages. Good Indian, European, and sea food. Indian thali, and even a menu for the kids. Try the fish with mash potato and tune preparations. The wooden white interior is very artistic and relaxing. Quiet ambience.

Hotels

Rococco Ashvem

There are good placed to stay at Ashwem. Most of them are beach huts and cottages, but you will find a few big hotels here as well. There are rooms at the backside of a few beach shacks as well. Bens Inn Guest House, Bed Rock Beach Huts, Kaju Varo, Yoga Gypsys, Micasa Beach Resort, Casa Ashvem, Rococco Ashvem, and Aquatica are some of the popular places. Many foreign tourists like to rent for the long-term here.

Villas

You won’t find any large hotels or resorts at Ashwem, which is why there are never a lot of tourists here. However, there are many cottages, bungalows, and villas for rent at Ashwem. Most of them are in the northern part of the beach, where a small river meets the Arabian Sea. Choose from Villa Rose Garden, Villa Riviera Challet, Honeymoon Villa, Villa Wooden Oriental, and Villa Rose Garden. Villa Wooden Oriental is located on the hill, while the Riviera Challet is in a shady palm grove.

Wooden 3 bedroom villa with a swimming pool. Starts from 17 000 Rs. per night

Private villa situated in a picturesque location. Starts from 9000 Rs. per night

Luxury 4 bedroom villa. Close to all "happening spots" still in a quiet area. Starts from 16 000 Rs. per night

* You will have complete privacy in a luxury villa and more space per person. The price depends on your group size, time of visit, and duration of your stay.

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