Goa · With kids

Two sheltered crescent bays in the south with gentle shelving water, shade and shacks that will feed a toddler at five o'clock. Suits every age.

Hour-long outboard trips leave from Palolem, Sinquerim and Coco Beach most mornings in the dry season. Life jackets are standard; workable from about age four.

Inland at Ponda, guided walks through vanilla, cardamom and areca palms end in a buffet lunch. A cool, shaded couple of hours for ages five upwards.

A jeep convoy through Bhagwan Mahavir sanctuary to a four-tier waterfall, reachable from October to February once the monsoon has drained. Long day; ages eight upwards.

North Goa's beaches have real rip currents — swim between the lifeguard flags only. Shacks close from June to September, and a scooter is no place for a child.