Discovering Salaulim Dam: Goa’s Best-Kept Secret Beyond the Beaches

Confession time: My Goa trips always followed the same old script—beach-hopping, indulging in amazing food, shopping sprees, and, of course, endless beer (because, Goa). Venturing beyond the beaches? That idea never even crossed my mind. But then, those irresistible Instagram reels started popping up, showing off a place that looked straight out of a storybook—Salaulim Dam. Naturally, I had to check it out. Spoiler alert: it absolutely lives up to the hype.

Sprawled across a massive 24-square-kilometer area, Salaulim Dam was a complete change of pace from the usual beach vibes I’m used to in Goa. 5 kilometers from Sanguem Town, it’s perched on the Salaulim River, a tributary of the Zuari, and supplies drinking water to all of South Goa. Practical? Yes. Stunning? Absolutely.

But what really stole the show for me was its unique design and natural beauty. The spillway, shaped like a duckbill (seriously, I Googled it before going—it’s fascinating), sends water cascading in the most mesmerizing semi-circular flow. The water plunges 50 feet, then takes another dramatic 100-foot dive into a deep gorge, creating a misty spray that fills the air. Standing nearby, I couldn’t help but laugh as the cool droplets soaked me—it was such a fun and unexpected experience.

Before You Go:

Don’t forget your photo ID (they’ll check at the entrance).

The dam is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, and the entry fee is just INR 60—

If, like me, you’ve been sticking to Goa’s beaches and are craving something different, Salaulim Dam is the perfect escape. It’s peaceful, gorgeous, and gives you a whole new side of Goa to fall in love with.