The long weekend you were waiting for is finally here and your bags have been packed days in advance for that trip to Goa with friends or family. But, of course, you’re far from the only one headed to the sunshine state this weekend. Beaches are likely to be brimming with weary city-dwellers desperate for the sea and bars and restaurants will probably be at full capacity. If you’re actually looking for a peaceful long weekend, here’s where you can go in Goa to avoid the crowds.
🌳 8 amazing Goa experiences to avoid the crowds
✨ Explore prehistoric art in Pansaimol, South Goa
Most don’t go to Goa for a dose of history, but the state has a lot to offer in terms of culture and heritage. In the tiny village of Pansaimol in South Goa, petroglyphs dating back to about a thousand years ago remain on the banks of the Kushavati River. The historic rock carvings were discovered by chance in 1993 by archaeologist P.P. Shirodkar and his team. In total, there are about 140 engravings here that depict the daily activities of human life in the Mesolithic period. There are carvings of animals, human figures and intriguing patterns that archaeologists are still trying to decipher the meanings of.✨ Kayak down the Chapora river

Kayaking down Chapora river If you would rather be active than susegad in Goa, try kayaking down the Chapora river. Konkan Explorers offers 75-minute kayaking sessions that start at Morjim-Choprem and are suitable for beginners and experienced kayakers. The activity is physically demanding and you will have to learn to find balance in the bobbing kayak. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be cruising through Goa’s mangroves that are a beautiful, lush green during this time of year—and the arm workout doesn’t hurt either. Bonus: The company also offers paddleboarding services to eager tourists too. Cost: Rs1,200. ✨ Cycle through Divar island An e-bike tour during the rains in Goa with BLive. In the midst of the Mandovi river, Divar island is one of the few places in Goa that remains relatively untouched by commercialisation. There are vast green spaces, old Portuguese-style structures and beautiful winding roads. B-Live offers a fun e-biking experience through which you can enjoy the unspoiled nature on the island. The experience includes a ferry ride to Divar island, a 12-15km cycling trail and tea and refreshments. If you’re interested, you can even request a boat ride through the mangroves. If you’re looking for a longer cycling expedition, Cycling Zens offers day-long trails in Chorao and Divar islands as well as multi-city trails. B-Live cost: Rs2,500. Cycling Zens cost: from Rs1,800. ✨ Enjoy a monsoon trek in Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary Oriental dwarf kingfisher at Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa Photo: Oliver Smart / Alamy Stock Photo Goa’s tourism department has been amping up efforts to encourage tourists to explore lesser-known parts of Goa. Sign up for the monsoon trekking expedition to Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary this weekend. The trek is centred around exploring the herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), wildflowers and birds in the sanctuary. Stay at dormitories in Bondla, interact with your fellow trekkers and enjoy a jungle trail with forest officials. You will be up bright and early the next morning for guided trails, breakfast and a visit to the Bondla Zoo. Cost: from Rs1,750. ✨ Jump off a cliff into a natural pool There’s a part of Goa where waterfalls flow gloriously in the monsoon, creating shimmering natural pools of cool blue. The location is so untouched that eco-tour agency The Local Beat keeps it undisclosed until you book the experience, so as to avoid having hordes of tourists flock in. As part of the experience, you can enjoy a nature trail and breakfast at a local gaddo, jump off a cliff for a refreshing dip in the natural pool and follow that adrenaline rush with a delicious Gaud Saraswat meal—think xacuti chicken, kismoor, tisriyo sukhe and more. Cost: From Rs2,650. ✨ Have a private meal at Bate Papo, Saligao Bate Papo, Goa Photo: Instagram/@bate_papo_goa If you’ve stuffed your face with Goan seafood and are tired of crowded restaurants and bars, sign up for a private dining experience at Bate Papo in Saligao. The dining space is within a beautiful yellow house—which is also a homestay—and the meals curated by chef and co-owner Rohit D’cruz feature European food with Goan elements. Dig into chocolate and chorizo crostinis, roasted pork, blackened prawn skewers with recheado mayonnaise and more—all in the company of your loved ones, and no noisy music or crowds to disturb you. By reservation only. Text 9243434318. ✨ Go fishing with the locals in Assolna, South Goa A fisherman boat at sunrise in Goa Photo: Snehal Pailkar / Alamy Stock Photo Get a hands-on experience of how your favourite tisrya, prawns and fish makes it to your table by going fishing with the locals in the village of Assolna in South Goa. Get a guided tour of the local markets before getting on a boat with fisherfolk to help them throw nets onto the water and try your hand at fishing. If you really want to get into it, you can even jump into the water to catch clams with your feet! And, of course, the experience ends with a delicious seafood meal—there are vegetarian dishes too. Cost: Rs2,950. ✨ Gig out at a concert in a heritage home Heritage Home Concerts If you’re not one for headbanging concerts with thousands of people, enjoy a far more low-key musical performance at one of Goa’s Heritage Home Concerts. The venture was started by PR professional Schubert Fernandes and musician Omar De Loiola Pereira—both Goan locals—in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. The goal? To give visitors a glimpse into Goa’s heritage through music, dance and food. The experience begins with a tour of the traditional mansion, followed by Goan and Portuguese snacks and finally the concert, which will feature Goan musical forms like Mando, Fado, Dekhni and more. Cost: Rs3,000. Cre: cntraveller