Goa has always been a place that promises adventure and tranquility, often delivering both in unexpected ways.
This is the story of how I stumbled upon Ozran Beach, a hidden gem on Goa’s coastline, and the overwhelming beauty that made me stop in my tracks.
The Journey Begins: From Pune to Goa Under Starry Skies
On the night of September 29th, 2024, I boarded an overnight bus from Pune to Goa at around 8:30 PM. A dear office friend had dropped me at the bus stop after a 3-day eventful office meetup at one of the nicest hotels in Pune.
After the meetup, the idea of escaping to Goa for a few days felt perfect—it was just a 9-hour drive from Pune, and I hadn’t been on a good trip in a while.
I visited Goa in September 2023 with my friends, but this time I decided to go alone—a chance to slow down and experience things at my own pace.
So, the trip was on! I was excited.
After my friend dropped me off at the bus stop, the bus arrived within a few minutes, and the journey began. We passed through the busy city of Pune, where corporate employees were leaving their offices, filling the streets, cafes, and vada pav stalls.
After about an hour or 90 minutes, the bus left the city and we were outside Pune. I had an upper single berth in the magnificent Volvo bus, which had a huge window that gave a great view of the landscapes we were passing.
I was reminded how much I love bus travel!
This trip became even more magical as we wound through the Western Ghats. The absence of light pollution revealed a stunning night sky. Without city lights to interfere, the sky was ablaze with stars, twinkling like tiny gems against the pitch-black canvas. I missed capturing pictures since my phone’s camera couldn’t capture the sky as I wanted!
So I simply stared out the window, watching the passing ghats, the night sky, and small shops amidst quiet villages.
Soon after, I fell asleep around 3 AM.
Arriving in Goa: Mapusa and the First Sip of Adventure
I woke up at 6:30 AM to beautiful green landscapes passing by. This window seat was simply amazing. The roads had become smoother, and the bus had fewer jerks than the roads that we crossed during the nights.
I checked my phone to see where I was and how far Mapusa New Bus Stand, Goa, was. Two hours to go! It was right on schedule. That’s the beauty of bus travel—they prioritize the schedule.
As I started packing my phone charger and other belongings, the bus conductor announced a 20-minute stop for tea and washroom breaks. A lot of people felt relieved.
In 5 minutes, the bus stopped at a small, desi café in front of lush green fields and a serene lake named Osargaon Lake. It was a beautiful little lake surrounded by trees and bushes across the road where our bus halted.
Like most of the passengers, I got myself a tea and hopped back on the bus as the driver signaled departure by honking three times. I sat by the window, playing soothing songs, waiting for Goa.
Mapusa is one of the more bustling towns in North Goa, known for its vibrant local markets and proximity to popular beaches like Calangute, Anjuna, and Vagator.
Around 8:30 AM, we started seeing cashew factories, followed by some commercial buildings—signs that we had entered Mapusa City.
The bus drove through the vibrant, busy city of Mapusa, which felt unusually calm to me.
Maybe it was because of the realization that a sea was just a few kilometers away, with ships and cruises on the horizon, and across the sea lay a different continent, where people spoke different languages. And yes, they too had beaches facing toward us.
As the bus entered Mapusa Bus Stand, I got up and put on my shoes, which had slipped under the lower berth. I slung one backpack over my shoulder, wore the other one in front and walked off the bus.
The weather was sunny and relaxing.
As soon as I got down, a few local “Bike on Rent” people approached me, asking if I wanted to rent a two-wheeler. I did!
I said yes to Anand, who rents scooters in Mapusa.
He had the vehicle parked just outside the bus stand. We walked toward it—it was a red Yamaha Fascino, a lightweight scooter that would become my reliable companion for the next few days.
In Goa, scooters are the perfect mode of transport—easy to navigate through narrow roads, fuel-efficient, and ideal for short distances, even for slightly longer ones.
The feeling of hopping onto a scooter in Goa is liberating, giving you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. With the Fascino ready, I set off towards my stay, which I had booked while sitting on the bus.
Funky Monkey Hostel! A friend had stayed there before and suggested I try a hostel if I was traveling alone.
Funky Monkey was located in the peaceful lanes of Vagator. Unlike the more tourist-heavy parts of Goa, Vagator offers a slower, more laid-back vibe. The ride was smooth, and as I navigated through the quiet roads, I passed charming Goan houses influenced by Portuguese architecture, surrounded by greenery. It was a peaceful introduction to what was going to be an unforgettable trip.
A quick stop at a local petrol station introduced me to one of the lesser-known perks of Goa: cheap fuel. Compared to my hometown of Bhopal, the petrol here felt like a bargain! Fueled up and ready, I headed to my hostel, dropped off my bags, and was eager to explore.
After a quick change into more relaxed clothes, I hopped back on the Fascino.
Wandering Without a Destination: Vagator’s Quiet Charm
One of the best things about Goa is the freedom it gives you to just… roam. I had no itinerary. A few places were on my mind, but I had no set plans—whether it be beaches, clubs, bars, forts, or churches.
I was hungry, so I opened the map to find nearby places to eat. Unlocking my phone, I accessed Google Maps in the hope of finding a good café or restaurant for breakfast. As I zoomed in and out of the map, I noticed the sea was just a few kilometers away from where I was.
It was finally time for the beach! I started riding towards the sea, confident that I’d find a good café nearby.
The roads around Vagator were almost empty, free from the heavy tourist traffic that often overwhelms other parts of Goa. It felt like riding through a village frozen in time, with a touch of modernity. The slow pace of life here was infectious—locals sitting outside their homes, liquor stores casually displaying bottles of beer with fancy labels, and chapels dotting nearly every corner, a reminder of Goa’s deep-rooted Catholic heritage.
Gradually, I left the houses and buildings behind. I checked Google Maps again to see where I was, and it showed “Hilltop Goa.”
I missed clicking pictures here, but let me try to describe the the famous Hilltop in my words.
Hilltop Goa sounded fancy on its own. Though I wasn’t at the top, I could see the stunning hill full of trees with narrow roads winding upward from the foothills. On the way, I passed a few cars, including a Mahindra Thar with a group of men and women taking photos.
I could already imagine the amazing parties that must happen at Hilltop. I’d heard the name many times while reading about Goa’s party culture.
But I didn’t climb Hilltop—I was still hungry.
Discovering Ozran Beach: A Hidden Treasure
After passing Hilltop, I checked the map again—thank you, Google. Ozran Beach popped up as the closest beach.
I had never heard of it before, but I assumed it would be like the other popular beaches in Goa—crowded with shacks, beach chairs, and tourists sipping beers in their swimsuits.
Following Google Maps through a series of narrow, winding roads, I took more wrong turns than I’d like to admit. The roads led me past luxurious yet quiet villas and iconic clubs like Noah and Titlie, famous for their vibrant nightlife.
Though the clubs were closed due to the off-season, their presence hinted at the area’s popularity during peak party times. Eventually, I reached what seemed like the end of the road. There were no signs for parking lots or beach shacks.
A few people were walking around, and I assumed they were locals or the owners of the nearby apparel stalls. I asked one of the locals about Ozran Beach.
They pointed me to a small alley between two closed buildings—more clubs that had shuttered for the season. It felt like a simple entrance to something special.
I thanked them, parked the Fascino on its side stand, took a sip of water from my bottle, and started walking down the alley.
I could feel the humidity in the air—it was the kind that energizes rather than drains you. In my curiosity to see the beach for the first time on this trip, I completely forgot that I was hungry.
The First Sight of the Arabian Sea: A Moment of Awe
As I reached the end of the alley, I was greeted by the most breathtaking view I’d ever seen. A clear sky that you never see in cityscapes, lush greenery, coconut trees, small cliffs, and the sand bridging the cliffs to the vast Arabian Sea.
The beach wasn’t what I had imagined. I wasn’t standing on the sand but on a cliff overlooking the sea, with the shoreline far below. It wasn’t just the view; it was the moment itself that hit me like a wave.
I stayed there for a while, listening to the sea waves crashing together 50 meters away.
For a moment, all my thoughts, all my worries—everything—disappeared. In front of me was an endless expanse of water, stretching out to the horizon, disappearing into the unknown. The sight was so overwhelming that I couldn’t move. It was like the sea had silenced my mind.
Standing on that cliff, I began to reflect on the sheer magnitude of the ocean—how deep it must be, how much life existed beneath its surface. I thought about the ancient traders who had crossed these waters, carrying spices and treasures to distant lands.
But even with all these thoughts swirling around, the beauty of the moment kept pulling me back. I couldn’t help but feel small, yet connected to something far larger than myself.
A Reflection on Life and Nature’s Power
I sat down on the edge of the cliff, letting the sea breeze wash over me. I thought about how little of the world I had seen, despite being 24 years old.
There was so much more out there—so much I would never get to experience. And in that realization, I found a strange comfort. It was a reminder that not everything is within our control, and that’s okay. Nature, in all its grandeur, has a way of making you feel both insignificant and incredibly alive at the same time. The Arabian Sea had done just that.
Robert Frost’s words came to mind: “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep.” I knew I couldn’t stay on that cliff forever, as much as I wanted to.
Life was waiting for me, with its responsibilities and commitments. But for those few moments (and for this entire week), I let myself surrender completely to the beauty and vastness of the sea.
Leaving with a New Perspective
I left Ozran Beach after about half an hour, but that first encounter with the Arabian Sea stayed with me. I returned to Ozran Beach several times during my stay in Goa.
There was something about seeing it for the very first time that made it unforgettable. It was an experience so vivid and overwhelming that it felt deeply personal and special, which is why I’m writing about it today.