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Holi in Goa

  • Writer: Aayush Sharma
    Aayush Sharma
  • Sep 2, 2020
  • 4 min read

Updated: Dec 9, 2024

My friends and I had initially planned a New Year’s trip to Goa, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we ended up in Kasol instead. However, when the festival of Holi came around on March 21st, 2019, we seized the opportunity to celebrate it in Goa. We quickly booked our air tickets and accommodation.

We arrived in Goa three days ahead of Holi. The Goa airport is located in South Goa, while our hotel was in the northern part of the state, Vagator. After landing, we hired a taxi to take us to our hotel, Vista Mare. Once checked in, we wasted no time and headed out to rent scooters and a bullet bike to explore the area. Our hotel’s location was perfect, with direct access to the beach via a staircase. We spent the evening there, sipping beer and enjoying the sunset. Later, we dined at Thalassa in Siolim, a place renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, live music, and amazing ambiance.



The following morning, we learned that a movie shoot for Malang was taking place on the same beach connected to our hotel. Excited to witness the action, we headed over and were lucky enough to spot Aditya Roy Kapoor and Disha Patani on set.

That evening, we made our way to Shiva Valley, located next to Curlies on Anjuna Beach. Tuesdays in Goa are synonymous with the biggest psychedelic party, and it was my second time attending. The energy there was electrifying, with everyone immersed in their own world, enjoying the beats. The party also featured various artists performing stunts and showcasing their unique talents. If you're in Goa on a Tuesday, attending Shiva Valley is an absolute must.

During the party, we met two amazing new friends – Clara and Judith. Clara, in particular, caught our attention as she was a scuba diving instructor at West Coast Adventures.


The next day after a long sleep, we woke up a bit late. Last night was a hell of fun in Shiva Valley. We all were craving some delicious food and that’s when we decided to go to Britto’s on Baga beach. We had a proper heavy meal, the food was damn tasty and the service was also really good. According to our planner, we had plans for the casino. We mutually decided to go for Deltin Jaqk. We bought the basic package and it included infinite drinks, infinite food, and some poker chips to play. It was my first experience of a casino. We entered the cruise by 7-8 pm and we left by 1 or 2 am. The overall experience was excellent, we had so much fun playing poker, and we had tasty food and limitless drinks. You can also buy additional poker chips to play more.



March 21st, the day of Holi, finally arrived – and it was the highlight of our Goa trip. The streets were alive with vibrant colors, and music played everywhere you went. Just 10-15 minutes after leaving our hotel, we were covered in colors as people joyfully threw them at us. It was a blast!

The main party kicked off at Anjuna Beach, where massive speakers blared energetic tunes and the crowd was perfectly lively. We enjoyed beers, danced, and soaked in the festive atmosphere. The vibe was electric, and it felt like the ideal Holi celebration.

By mid-afternoon, hunger struck, and we headed straight to Curlies, also on Anjuna Beach. We refueled with some delicious food, then dove right back into the party. By 7-8 pm, the Holi festivities were winding down.

After we had changed and freshened up from the colorful chaos, we went to Candolim for a relaxed dinner at Inferno, located on the beach road. The restaurant offered amazing food, and the atmosphere was sophisticated, the perfect end to a fantastic day.


If you are in Goa with your friends, you just cannot miss the Chapora Fort. So on 22nd March, we had plans for Chapora Fort, and also we decided to stay there till sunset. The sunset was so beautiful and the vibe of that place was amazing. Chapora Fort is a perfect place to capture beautiful pictures. From Chapora Fort we went to a BBQ party which was hosted by Clara and Judith in their hostel. They invited us all and we couldn’t say no to them. It was a nice and soothing party, there was tasty food, drinks, and music. We also had little stuff with us. Sometimes sudden plans turn out to be fun especially when you have great company around you. We had a great time and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.



While we were partying, Clara mentioned that she could offer us a discount on scuba diving, and we were immediately interested. Scuba diving had been on my bucket list, right after skydiving, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Rohit and Parth were on board too, and we all agreed to give it a try.

The next morning, we headed to Hyatt in Calangute for basic training. I was buzzing with excitement, knowing that today I’d finally experience scuba diving. The dive location was Grande Island, and we were taken there by boat.

Once we arrived, it was time to dive into the water and explore the incredible underwater world. The instructors had briefed us on the aquatic life we might encounter, and we were well-prepared. However, diving into the depths of the ocean is no easy feat. The pressure is intense, and you can feel it in your ears. Thankfully, our instructor guided us throughout the descent.

As we went deeper, I was in awe of the serene beauty of the underwater world. The peace beneath the surface was unmatched, and the highlight for me was touching the seabed. That moment was truly unforgettable.



Later that evening, we caught our flight back to Delhi. No matter how many times you visit Goa, the experience is always fresh, vibrant, and full of fun. It’s a place that never fails to leave you with unforgettable memories, and we are already looking forward to our next trip back.

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