Palolem is a crescent-shaped beach in south Goa, about 40 km from Margao. It is widely considered one of Goa's best beaches — the sand is clean, the water is calm, and the crowd is a fraction of what you will find at the busier northern beaches.
The bay is sheltered enough for swimming, and you can kayak out to Butterfly Beach or Monkey Island just offshore. Beach huts line the shore during the season (November to March), offering simple, cheap accommodation right on the sand. The southern end of the beach is quieter and backed by a small creek where dolphins sometimes appear, with the smaller Patnem Beach over the next headland.