River Cruises

If you are on a trip to Goa, don't miss the river cruises across the rivers of this small state. One of the exciting ways of travelling around Goa, river cruises will take you far from the main land amidst the picturesque surroundings of nature. Along with its golden sand invigorating beaches, Goa is home to a number of long and wide beautiful rivers. These rivers and lakes making Goa a perfect location for long and languid river cruises. Select from the a variety of options available such as daytime, sunset or moonlight river cruises according to your convenience and venture into a different world. Have your dinner while you sail out into the river passing through the lovely Goa coastline or relax, while listening to music on the evening cruise and spot the dolphins or crocodiles moving in the river.

A river cruise on the Mandovi river is an exhilarating experience, which you should not forget to include in your Goa itinerary. Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) offers the fantastic river cruises across the Mandovi river. GTDC has introduced a variety of cruises namely - Pearl of the Orient, Dolphin Fantasy and Backwater Thrills to Savoi Verem on board Poseidon. Day cruises on the Mandovi river are available in two options - the first one is down the Mandovi river into the bay of Zuari, while the second one is up the Mandovi to Aldona and a mineral water spring on the way. In addition to GTDC, there are a number of private operators that conduct river cruises based on interesting themes.

Santa Monica
Santa Monica, is a luxury launch operated by Goa Tourism Development Corporation. It will take you on a thrilling river cruise every evening across the Mandovi river. Santa Monica can accommodate around 200 people in a trip together. In your trip enjoy the various cultural programmes performed by the local artists. If you want to drink there is a bar which serves exotic drinks to satisfy your desire. If you want to throw special parties, you can book the Santa Monica, but you have to pay the charges on the hourly basis.
River Cruise Options
Sunset Cruise : Sunset Cruise is a one hour trip, between 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm. In this trip you will enjoy cultural programmes including the various types of dances such as the Fugdi Dance, the Dekni Temple Dance and the Corredinho Dance. Sightseeing is also the part of the sunset cruise, you will come across Reis Magos Church and Fort, the Aguada Fort, the Cabo Raj Bhavan and several other attractions on your trip. For all these you have to pay a small amount of Rs. 100.

Sundown Cruise : This is also an hour's trip, which starts off at 7.15 pm and ends by 8.15 pm. Like the sunset cruise, in the sundown cruise also cultural entertainment programmes are organized.

Full Moon Cruise : Full Moon Cruise is a special type of cruise, which gives you an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of river cruise trip for a bit longer time. The trip offers a good chance to get a magnificent view of the sky in the glistening beauty of moon. Full moon cruise begins every evening by 8.30 pm and continues up to 10.30 pm in the night. In this trip you have a charge of Rs. 150. Dinner is also available on board at extra cost.

Pleasure Cruise : Pleasure Cruise is a long trip which starts off by 10.00 am and ends at 3.00 pm. The trip includes visits to St. Thomas Church of Aldona and Old Fort of Khorjuvem. On the way you can enjoy the music alongwith sun bathing. The cruise charges include welcome soft drink and lunch at Goan House.

Dolphin Fantasy Cruise : Dolphin Fantasy Cruise, takes you on a exciting trip to view the dark water beauties in joyous mood. Apart from seeing closely the headlands jutting out into the sea, you can also see the Raj Bhawan, Aguada Fort and Reis Magos. Dolphin Fantasy Cruise operates once in a week only on Mondays between 9.30 am to 11.00 am.

Pearl of the Orient : A beautiful blend of natural and cultural heritage of Goa, Pearl of the Orient will take yon on a memorable trip. Pearl of the Orient operates weekly on every Saturday between 9.30 am to 1.00 pm.

Backwater Thrills : Savoi- Verem, a backwater cruise take you along the riverside tip of Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Divar island covering the river coastline along Pilgao, Khandola, Amona, Betki and halt at Savoi-Verem village to breathe in the spicy world, fragrant fruits, tall trees and medicinal plant and experience the famous Goan Hindu lunch. Backwater Cruise, operates twice a week on every Tuesday and Friday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

River Cruises Tour Packages

Goa Tour in India (05 Days) Features : On day four of Goa Tour in India you can enjoy a variety of river cruises. In Goa, river cruises are available in various options such as Sunset Cruise, Sundown Cruise, Full Moon Cruise, Pleasure Cruise, Dolphin Fantasy Cruise, Pearl of the Orient and Backwaters Thrills. A river cruises across the Zuari and Mandovi river is a thrilling experience and it will take you to the unexplored regions of Goa.

	India by Day & Night (31 Days) Features : Explore the unexplored regions of Goa by taking up river cruises on day 20 of India by Day and Night Tour. You can enjoy a variety of cruises like Full Moon Cruise, Sundown Cruise, Sunset Cruise, Pearl of the Orient and Backwaters Thrills etc. Choose any of the river cruise option and spend some of the most beautiful moments of your trip down the rivers.

Rajasthan Heritage & Goa (22 Days) Features : River cruises are one of the major attractions of Goa, that you can undertake on Rajasthan Heritage and Goa tour. Enjoy the exciting river cruises on this tour which are available in various options like Full Moon Cruise, Sundown Cruise, Sunset Cruise, Pearl of the Orient and Backwaters Thrills. Take any cruise across the backwaters of Zuari river or other rivers of Goa and also get a chance to explore the far-flung areas of the state on this tour.

Best of South India (13 Days) Features : Cruising along the rivers, lakes and backwaters of Goa is an unforgettable holiday experience. Best of South India provides you an excellent opportunity to enjoy a variety of river cruises in Goa. On this tour, you can take a slower cruise on the famous Santa Monica luxury yacht. In addition, also take an excursion to a fishing village or an unexplored region to make your vacation cruise more worthwhile.