10 Unusual Date Ideas to Try in Goa

Sunset in Goa
Sunset in Goa | © PublicDomainPictures / pixabay

India Writer

Goa paints a romantic picture, with its stunning beaches and natural beauty coupled with exceptional dining and party venues. If you want to impress someone, the smallest state of India is the perfect place to be. However, simply grabbing a drink and taking a romantic stroll on the beach are run-of-the-mill type date ideas. Amp up your dating game and try something unusual that will score you a second date. Here’s a roundup of unusual date ideas to try in Goa.

Sunset cruise in the Mandovi River

Instead of taking a leisurely stroll on the beach, why not board a river cruise and enjoy an amazing sunset instead? The lip-smacking Goan cuisine and live Goan cultural shows and folk dance performances aboard a sunset cruise are memorable. The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) runs many river cruises along the Mandovi River.

Champions Yacht Club, Champions Island, Divar, Tiswadi Taluka, Panjim, Goa, +91 077740 62627

Paradise Cruises, Booth No. 1, Tourism Jetty, below the Mandovi Bridges Patto, Panjim, Goa, +91 0832 243 7239

Sunset Cruise

Get a massage

Goa is brimming with spas and massage salons, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. Book a couple’s rooms and enjoy some relaxing, soothing quality time with your date, surrounded by the pleasant smell of flowers and flickering candles that set a romantic scene. Some well-known spa centres in Goa are Jiva Spa, Zaara Spa and Sereno Spa.

Jiva Spa, Taj Exotica, Goa.

Zaara Spa, Arpora, Goa, +91 0832 226 7300

Sereno Spa, Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Arossim Beach, Cansaulim, South Goa, +91 832 272 1234

1. Dinner at a floating restaurant

For a classy and utterly romantic date, dress up to the nines and head to the floating restaurant, Flor Do Mar, located on the calm waters of the Chapora River, near Morjim Village. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner along with champagne and candle light, a live band performance, and mesmerizing sea and sunset views.

Flor Do Mar, Morgim beach Road, Bagwada, Tembavaddo, Morjim, Goa, +91 099303 00131

http://instagram.com/p/_oqj_TyVoc/

Tour Goa by bike

Rent some wheels and explore Goa at your own pace. Bike rentals are cheap in Goa at around INR 175- INR 250 (US$ 2- US$4) per day. Pop into one of many cafes and restaurants along the way, and stop at any interesting locales you come across.

Bike Tour of Goa

Star-gaze

It sounds a bit cliché, but gazing at the stars together is utterly romantic. Head to one of the many secluded beaches in Goa, recline on the sand and connect with your date while marvelling at the sky speckled with twinkling stars. An added bonus is that this date idea doesn’t have to cost you anything. The most peaceful of Goa’s beaches are Hollant Beach, Betul Beach, Ashwem Beach, Butterfly Beach and Bogmalo Beach.

Get up-close with the exotic flora and fauna

This date idea is sure to be super fun, especially for nature fanatics. The Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary are perfect places to glimpse stunning local flora and fauna. You can even camp or enjoy a picnic lunch.

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, NH 4A, Caranzol, Goa.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Canacona Taluka, Khotigao, Goa, +91 0832 296 5601

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Near Ribandar Ferry, Chorao, Goa, +91 0832 222 9701

Bird Sanctuary Goa

Try water sports

Add some adrenaline to your date by indulging in water sports like wake boarding, parasailing, banana boat riding, jet skiing, scuba diving, rafting, or kayaking. You can try a banana boat ride and parasailing at Mobor Beach, snorkeling and fishing at Coco Beach, rafting on the Valpoi River, and scuba diving and dolphin spotting at Grand Island. It’s best to go early (before 10 am) to avoid the busiest times of day. Follow these activities up with a nice brunch at one of the many shacks lining the beach.

Mobor Beach, Goa.

Coco beach, Goa.

Goarafting, Valpoi River, Goa.

Grand Island, Goa.

Water sports in Goa

2. Trek to Dudhsagar Falls

2. Trek to Dudhsagar Falls
© Samson Joseph / Wikimedia Commons

The white, milky water gushing from a height of 1,017 feet and surrounded by lush greenery is quite impressive. Trek to this awe-inspiring waterfall, and if you both have an appetite for adventure, hike up to the waterfall’s summit for impressive views.

Dudhsagar falls,Sonaulim, Goa.

Dudhsagar Falls | © Samson Joseph / Wikimedia Commons

Marvel at history at architectural ruins

Goa is full of forts: spend some ‘we’ time at Sinquerim Fort, an architectural marvel at Sinquerim Beach that extends into the sea; enjoy mesmerizing views of the Arabian Sea at 17th century Aguada Fort; or spend an evening at the Mormugao Fort, situated at the mouth of the Zuari River.

Sinquerim Fort, Candolim, Goa.

Mormugao Fort, Goa.

Aguada Fort, Fort Aguada Road, Candolim, Goa.

Fort Aguada

Explore secret Goan caves

A cave is definitely an unusual spot to go for a date, but Goa offers many opportunities. For instance, the Arvalem Caves are believed to have been carved out in the 6th century; the Rivona Caves feature Buddhist paintings and sculptures as well as beautiful laterite formations; and Lamgau Caves are home to elaborate carvings. The dark mystery of these caves may just help you get a bit closer to holding hands with your date.

Arvalem Caves, Rudreshwar Colony, Sanquelim, Goa.

Rivona Caves, Goa.

Lamgau Caves, lamgao bicholim goa, lamgao, Bicholim, Goa.

Arvalem Caves

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article