A pet-friendly beach resort in North Goa: bringing your dog to Morjim

What should you confirm before booking with a pet?

Confirm the fee, the limits and where your pet can go, because Marbela Beach Resort welcomes pets but hasn't published its pet rules. Mention your pet at the start of the conversation, not at check-in. Bookings are non-refundable, so settle every answer before you pay and ask for it by email or WhatsApp.

Call or WhatsApp +91 91588 81185 (or +91 91588 81183), or email info@marbelabeach.com with your pet's breed and size and the dates you want.

Which months are best for a dog on Morjim Beach?

November to February is the kindest season for dogs, but it is also turtle-nesting season, so beach walks come with rules. Heat, rain and wildlife each rule out part of the year.

Walking a dog on a turtle-nesting beach

Morjim Beach is a protected Olive Ridley turtle nesting site, and a dog on the sand needs more care here than on most Goa beaches. From mainly late December to March, female turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs. The Goa Forest Department moves the eggs to a fenced hatchery, where they incubate for about 45–52 days, and marks nesting areas on the upper beach. A dog that digs, chases or barks near those areas can do real harm, and bright lights and noise at night disturb nesting turtles. So keep your dog on a lead on Morjim at all times in season, stay well clear of the fences and follow forest staff when they ask you to move. Clean up after your pet every time; this is a public beach and a wildlife site. Walk before the heat of the day, and bring a torch for the lanes only, switched off on the sand. More on the season is in our guide to Morjim's turtle beach.

Choosing a room that suits your dog

For a dog, outdoor space matters more than a view, and Marbela's garden-facing rooms work in your favour. The Luxury Cottages sit among the gardens a few steps from the Arabian Sea, each with a private verandah, which gives a dog shade, a place for a water bowl and a way to settle outside the room. Villa Rooms open onto garden views from a private balcony or verandah. Families bringing a pet may prefer a Family Room, which has a master bedroom plus an additional room for up to four adults, so the dog's bed isn't in the middle of everyone's bags. None of these is confirmed as the pet room, so ask reservations which types they can allocate to you. Rooms nearer the beach club will hear house music until 10 PM, which some dogs find unsettling; ask for one further away. The Luxury Cottage guide and Family Rooms guide describe each room.

Getting to Morjim and around North Goa with a pet

A taxi is the practical way in. Manohar International Airport at Mopa is about 28 km from Morjim, typically 40–60 minutes by road, and a sedan costs approx. ₹1,000–1,500; no resort pickup is confirmed. Drivers set their own rules on animals, so say you have a pet when you book the cab, whether it's a local taxi or an app such as GoaMiles. Scooters don't suit most pets. Day trips to Vagator or Chapora cross the Siolim bridge, 25–35 minutes each way. See the guide to getting around North Goa. Look up the nearest vet before you arrive; in an emergency involving people, India's number is 112.

What to pack for a dog on a Goa beach trip

Pack for sand, heat and wet grass.

• Vaccination records and your own vet's number
• Lead, harness and plenty of waste bags
• Collapsible bowl and water for the drive
• Tick and flea protection, especially after rain
• An old towel for sandy paws before the room
• A familiar blanket to help your pet settle