Let me take you on a pictorial journey through a small hillock in the calm fishing village of Quitol on which the Betul Lighthouse stands. Quitol in Naqueri Betul gram panchayat is located at the confluence of River Sal and the Arabian Sea in South Goa. Doesn’t the confluence itself sound scenic? Beyond that, the palm, coconut and casuarina lined river mouth and the pristine sandy beach provide the perfect getaway far from the crowd of the popular destinations of Goa.

This is one of the three lighthouses in Goa and is still functional. My regular readers by now know about my love of lighthouses. This love for lighthouses took me to Betul when I was in Goa.

Sadly, we could not enter the lighthouse as it was closed for visitors. Had to satisfy my desire just by walking around the lighthouse within the grassland watching the spectacular surrounding views.

A short and gentle trek through the grass and shrubs, leads you to the lighthouse, on the top of a small hill. This secluded hilltop provides the much needed pleasurable solitude away from the tourist-heavy destinations of Goa.

The vast expanse of dried up undergrowth; the panoramic view of the calm river, fishing boats and deep-sea trawlers parked by its banks, the open sea and the sun; the cool breeze soothing the sweltering skin; the parachute of the paraglider gently gliding in the sea wind and the lighthouse – all seem to fit into the moment perfectly to make it more picturesque, more serene and more memorable.

Goa at a glance, with travel information.