The main beach at Colva is a long, wide stretch of pale sand fringed by coconut palms, running for kilometres in both directions from the central entrance. Beach shacks line the busy section near the road — plastic chairs, fresh fish, cold beer, and the particular slow-motion ease of a Goan beach afternoon. Swimming is generally safe outside the monsoon months, with gentle surf for much of the season.
The crowds concentrate around the main entry point. Walk ten or fifteen minutes north or south and you'll find the sand almost empty. The beach is at its best in the early morning before the heat builds, and again at sunset when the light turns the sea copper.