Picture this. It’s raining. The miles of beaches lying uncrowded and accompanied by nothing but greenery everywhere. Kids merrily running off to school with their tiny bags and there’s the incandescent aroma of roasted corn on a cob, coated with tangy lime and homemade masala. You know you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to August. Welcome to Goa.

The Weather

There are plenty of perks Goa enjoys by being a coastal state. The best of which is just the right amount of rainfall; unlike places like Mumbai that get flooded every year.

The start of August is marked by heavy showers. Which gradually slows down toward the end. Giving way to short sunny days with the occasional drizzle every now and then, Goa looks the best during this season. If you plan your trip right,  you can view scenic points with both bright sunny days as well as cloudy rainy days.

August is the only time you get to see the best of Goa’s weather – The monsoons and the summers.

Must-Try Things in Goa During August

If taking pictures is your thing. Then Goa in August is perfect for you. And if anyone tells you that Goa should be avoided in August. They probably don’t like you 😛

There’s also a bucket load of activities this year that you can partake.

Flyboarding at Chopdem Jetty

Not something one immediately associates with Goa, but Flyboarding has been steadily gaining momentum over here.

So here is your chance to try it out Flyboarding in Goa. Apart from the famous Chopdem Jetty along the Chapora River which offers Flyboarding, even Morjim beach is a good option.

Flyboarding is very safe for non-swimmers under trained supervision, provided you don’t push the panic button on.

River rafting in the Mhadei, Goa

There couldn’t have been a better time for some river rafting. When the monsoons usher in, the rivers are at the height of their glory. The experience is really addictive as you get shoved in the raft which drops at different water levels and leaves you with a heady feeling.

The strong unpredictable currents just add to the excitement…But be warned. This is not for the faint-hearted.

Try it out at Valpoi on the Mhadei River now and you won’t regret it!

Events

Vasco Saptah 2019

The festival that intrigues everyone the most, is the Vasco Saptah that is held a day after Nagpanchami that happens in July – August. The word ‘Saptah’ literally means seven days and the festival lasts for a week.

All along the roads and by-lanes of the city of Vasco, the vendors put up their make-shift stalls. Vendors from all over India come to sell everything from trinkets and toys to furniture and the latest in fashion.

The stalls even remain up to 15 days, one cannot leave this without succumbing to the pretty goodies there are for sale! Be sure not to miss out on the fun.

Ganesh Chaturthi

It’s time for homecoming and traditional ‘aartis’ and ‘bhajans’ in Goa as the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival locally known as ‘Chovoth’ starts on Friday.

Lakhs of Goans head back to their native to celebrate this festival, where Lord Ganesha is worshipped and offered sweets like ‘neuryos’ and ‘modaks’.

A mud idol of Ganesha is installed in every household and worshipped for two, five, eleven or even twenty-one days.

Umanath Naik painting his Ganesh idols in Nagueshi

What should you not do?

Avoid swimming at the beaches. The current is very unpredictable this time of the year. Some beaches are even closed down due to the safety hazards.

August is not the best time to see Goa in full swing, but if you don’t like crowds and you want to see Goa in detail without the hassles of crowded tourists that flock during the season, then August is the time to be in Goa to admire the beauty of the place.

Accommodations

Like the remainder of the monsoons, many hotels and resorts remain closed during August. It would be best if you plan your accommodations well in advance. However, expect dirt cheap nightly rates pretty much everywhere due to the low influx of tourists this time of the year.

During August if you’re looking out for a crowded place, then Calangute, Baga, Panjim, and Mapusa will be the ideal place for you. If you want a much quieter environment, just by the seashore, during August. Palolem and cavelossim will be ideal for you.

Hard Rock Hotel Goa