Betul Beach

Betul Beach is in South Goa, 20.7 kilometers from Margao by the MDR43. From Margao, you can take a taxi or a motorcycle and reach Betul in only 45 minutes. You may also visit other scenic beaches on your trip like Cavelossim and Mobor, which are nearby. It will be a very nice day trip. Betul Beach can be reached easily for tourists staying in Margao, Colva, Cavelossim, Palolem, Agonda, Varca, and Benaulim.

Betul has one of the most scenic and secluded beaches of Goa. You will fall in love instantly if you love a deserted sandy beach that is lined with many trees. You will see plenty of palm and casurina trees everywhere. The beach has many red crabs that will hurry away to find their homes as you approach them. Betul Beach forms a triangle with the Arabian Sea and the estuary of the Sal River, which flows quietly on the other side of the beach, just behind the line of trees. A small red hill rises on the opposite side with the Betul lighthouse on top, which makes the setting even more beautiful. There is also the Betul Fort and Betul Temple on the opposite side of the river.

You will only find a few tourists on the beach, those who explore on foot from the neighboring Cavelossim and Mobor. There is also a road that comes from the north to the confluence. Most tourists walk down to Betul during sunset, when it transforms into a romantic paradise. The different hues of color paint the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple, with the colors reflecting on the water of the sea and Sal River.

The beach gets its name from the small fishing village. It is a busy fishing community. On the Sal River, very close to the beach, you will find the Cutbona fishing port, which you can visit. There are also several smaller jetties on the river. You will see many fishing trawlers coming into the river and going to the sea. There is no bridge. But you can take the ferry service to visit the Cutbona fishing jetty. You can also cruise on the Sal River. There are several operators.

Betul is an extension of the Cavelossim and Mobor beaches. It is the southernmost tip of the 27 kilometer long shoreline that extends from Vasco da Gama to the Sal River. The stretch of sand comes to an end at the confluence of the Sal River and the Arabian Sea at Betul.

Betul Map

This beach has the most mussels anywhere in Goa. You will also find many red crabs here as there are so few people to disturb them. Sometimes, dolphins can be seen in the sea.

Quick Facts About Betul

Best Time to Visit

The beach is best visited from the neighboring Cavelossim and Mobor. You can also visit from Palolem and Agonda beach further south, which are both very popular. The best time to visit Betul is during the winter months from November to February. The weather will be nice and cool this time of the year, perfect for long walks, boat rides, appreciating the nature, and relaxing on the beach.

The summer will be hot and humid. The rainy season between the middle of June to late August will be very wet. The sea will also be extremely choppy – not good for boat rides and cruises on the Sal River. The road to Betul won’t also be in good condition.

Weather

The summer months (March to early June) will not be pleasant. The days are hot and the evenings will be humid. There is a chance of heavy rainfall in late afternoon. There is no accommodation at Betul, so most tourists visit from the neighboring areas. But the tourist infrastructure will be basic in these places. The beach shacks are all closed, as they are temporary structures that come up only during the peak season. However, you can get deep discounts in the hotels and villas during these months.

Weather in Betul
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high, °C	31,6	31,5	32,0	33,0	33,0	30,3	28,9	28,8	29,5	31,6	32,8	32,4	31,3
Average low, °C	19,6	20,5	23,2	25,6	26,3	24,7	24,1	24,0	23,8	23,8	22,3	20,6	23,2
Average precipitation mm	0,2	0,1	1,2	11,8	112,7	868,2	994,8	512,7	251,9	124,8	30,9	16,7	2926

Visit Betul in the winter – November to February. Long walks on the beach will be so much more comfortable. The road trip to the beach will also feel better. There are no beach shacks here, but you will find them in the neighboring Mobor and Cavelossim this time of the year. There will be rarely any rainfall, so you can plan the day better.

How to Reach

1. By Air – The Goa International Airport at Dabolim is 39.1 kilometers from Betul beach by the Dabolim-Cavelossim Road and the MDR43. But it may take you up to an hour and a half because of heavy traffic. The new Mopa airport in North Goa is 80 kilometers away.
2. By Rail – The Margao Railway Station is the biggest railhead close to the beach. It is 17.9 kilometers from Betul by the MDR43. Almost all trains coming from east and south India stop here. There is a pre-paid taxi stand outside. You can rent a taxi from here.
3. By Road – A small field road from Cavelossim will take you to the Betul beach. This is the only motorable way to reach the beach. To visit from further south, you have to take the road number 41 or 46 and pass through Quitol, Velim, and Assolna. Take the Assolna-Cavelossim Bridge, cross the Sal River, and then the small field road to reach Betul.

The Beach

Away from the glare of mass tourism, Betul remains a hidden secret of Goa. It is one of the most serene and quiet beaches in Goa. The beach is mostly sandy but you will find a few rocky outcrops as well. This isolated beach has many palm and casurina trees. The meandering Sal River meets the Arabian Sea on one side, making this a unique landscape. You can easily walk from the sand, cross the trees, and reach the river side. There is a big sand bar at the confluence where you can see the river on one side and sea on the other.

There are no places to stay and even shacks on the beach, which ensures complete isolation. There are a few small hotels and a star-category hotel on the riverside, but nothing on the beach.

Make sure to pack some food when you visit Betul. It would be quite an experience to have a picnic lunch on the beach with the surrounding trees, sea, and the river. You will have privacy too as Betul almost always remains empty. The only people you will find here are a few locals, couples who come here to spend time together, and tourists who visit from the neighboring areas, mostly Cavelossim and Mobor. A small dirt road leads from Cavelossim to the beach. You can take this road to visit Betul or walk on the beach itself. You can also ride a bike.

There are no water sports activities as well, which keeps the beach quiet and tourist-free. Those who want to enjoy water sports will find plenty of activities in neighboring Mobor, which is an easy walk or drive from Betul.

The Port

Betul is a busy fishing community. The Sal River, which flows behind the trees to meet the Arabian Sea at Betul, has one of the busiest fishing harbors in all of Goa – The Cutbona Fishing Port. You will see many deep-sea trawlers lined up along the jetty, either preparing to leave or having returned from their fishing trips. Along the river, there are a few smaller jetties as well.

You can visit the fishing harbor. It will be a very interesting experience as you will see plenty of fish, including some exotic varieties. You will see many business people buying fish to sell at local markets. See how the fish is packed and loaded into vehicles and taken to the markets. Read the many interesting boat names. The road along Cutbona Fishing Port has many vehicles and ice factories.

The Village

The beach gets its name from the village. Located on the opposite bank of the river, close to the fishing port, it is a beautiful village with many trees. It is on the side of the river. There are several waterbodies here too apart from the river. The village has about 60 houses. They are very colorful. Every evening children and women gather together to talk about different things, to play games and have fun.

Take a ferry to visit the village for a chance to see authentic Goan rural life. See the traditional way of living. Most people living here are employed in the fishing and boating industries. You will also see many cats in the village.

Betul Lighthouse

The lighthouse rises sharply on top of a small hill next to the village. Take the winding road from the base, cross the small Holy Cross chapel to reach the top. You can even climb the lighthouse till 6 PM in the evening to catch a view from the top. You will get fantastic sunset views from here. The coast is on one side and tall grasses on the other.

Painted in red and having bright white stripes, the lighthouse is a coastal landmark in South Goa. It is visible from the beach as well. You will get panoramic views of the coast, the surrounding areas, and the Quepem neighborhood from here.

Betul Fort

The Betul Fort is on the edge of the Sal River with the sea on the other side. This small fort was erected in 1676 by the Hawaldar of Balli on the orders of Shivaji Maharaj. In fact, this is the only fort in Goa that interested this great Maratha King. It was constructed to guard the mouth of the river. However, the Portuguese soon became interested and took control of the fort in 1764. They held it till 1961 when Goa became a part of India.

It is in ruins now. But you can still see many cannons on the ramparts. The State Archives and Archaeology department or the Archeological Survey of India does not recognize it as a fort of historical importance. However, the Goa History Lovers group has recently put up a board here. They are asking for notification and preservation.

River Cruises on the Sal

Sal River is often called the Mississippi of Goa. It is unlike most other Goa rivers, as it is almost completely surrounded by coconut trees, which makes it extremely scenic. You can enjoy a cruise on the Sal River for a fascinating experience and for taking many Instagram-worthy photography.

The area around the estuary is busy with many fishing trawlers coming into the river and leaving for the open sea. But as you go deeper, you will see authentic-riverside Goa with coconut trees, traditional homes, and beautiful whitewashed churches. After about 15 minutes, you will reach Dolphin Bay, where you have the chance to see dolphins. You will then reach Bat Tree that is full of bats taking a well-deserved rest after a hard nights work. The Sal River has a few islands and a mangrove forest.

It will be a very nice leisurely cruise with snacks and drinks. You can also visit a few villages and churches. You can enjoy crabbing, fishing, bird watching, and even angling.

Hotels and Villas

There are no hotels on the beach side of Betul. You will find a few places to stay on the other side of the river, including the star property the Mayfair Hideaway Spa Resort. There are also a few other properties – hotels, villas, and guest houses close to the village and the fishing port. Most restaurants are located in the village and the Betul Bridge close to the Mayfair resort. Most tourists at Betul stay at the neighboring Cavelossim beach where there are two luxury properties and a few villas.