Take a ferry ride to seclusion in an otherwise bustling Goa

Goa is not yet fully explored. There are a few places still untouched and unexplored and Chorão is one of them. When you disembark from the Ribandar ferry onto Chorão Island, you’ll be greeted by a landscape dramatically different from the rest of Goa.

The beautiful scenery, churches and temples and the chirping of birds make Chorão Island a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of beaches and noisy party destinations of Goa.

Chorao is an island village that allows you to disconnect from the outside world. Here, amid the lush landscapes lies The Island Sanctuary — a homestay where time seems to stand still.

Run by Praveena and Dean D’Souza, this homestay in a beautiful Portuguese-style house is a haven for those who want to truly enjoy some peace and quiet. The property itself has the old world charm with modern trappings, the showstopper being a rare rock pool making it the perfect getaway.

In a chat with Gomantak Times Digital, Praveena revealed that the homestay is their ancestral home and very dear to her. Reminiscing about her childhood, she said, “My early childhood and holidays had us visit my grandmum’s house on Chorão Island. Our time here was spent enjoying things like bathing by the well, walking up the hill to pluck cashews, boat rides near the mannos, etc. I wanted my kids and other like-minded travellers to experience the same. Goa is much more and goes beyond the beaches. This was the main inspiration to a quieter village life.”

She added, “My husband and I are very passionate about the same things and come from a hospitality background. Located on an island, our homestay offers unique experiences like sailing on a quaint ferry boat to reach your destination. Village life, here, is quite untouched.”

LOADED WITH ACTIVITIES
The sanctuary has a lot of activities to explore from. “To get the most of the island, we provide only breakfast, which gives guests an opportunity to visit the restaurants and taverns run by locals. We also have an itinerary, where guests spend a morning with a local family cooking traditional local lunch on our farm called Tato Khulagar.”

Did you know, you can interact with the local backwater boatman – ‘Birdman of Chorao’ – who shares his vast knowledge of the flora and fauna of the island? For adventure, besides the boat ride, the team organises other activities on the island like wetland trails, visits to churches and temples, which has guests interacting with the locals.

Beyond the island, special trips are curated to Mayem Lake, Harvalem waterfalls and Praveena’s favourite Bicholim Market, with a stopover to buy the best cashew nuts from the Zantye's cashew factory.

Praveena adds, “Summers are the best. It's the we, along with kids, take our guests to the cashew farm, and also for plucking local berries on the hills. In the evening, we take our guests to the Calvim Bridge, Corjuem Fort and also enjoy local street food in Aldona.”

HELPING LOCALS         

The Island Sanctuary actively engages the entire local community, ensuring that its operations and experiences benefit a wide range of local individuals and businesses.

“Every experience  is personalised.. Either my husband or I set up and plan the itinerary, so that there is no language barrier as many of our locals speak Konkani and are not familiar with dealing with tourists. We have great relations with the locals and ensure they benefit too from our venture,” says Praveena, who caters to everything, even the type of cuisine her guests choose.

“We mix it up too. For a Saraswat thali, we get a local lady visit the villa and cook. We also arrange Catholic fare with the village caterer. Hence, we balance it and work to showcase the community in the most authentic manner,” she adds.

At Island Sanctuary, the natural beauty and quiet ambiance create an immersive experience. Here, you can unwind completely, savouring the gentle rhythms of village life and the timeless charm of this secluded haven.