Hi mate. O/H (goancrazy) and me went in 2004 for Christmas and New Year and although we had a great time (as always in Goa) it was just too busy. New Years Eve was spent at the Oceanic shack on Baga beach and we decided to arrive early. Good job too because by around 2300 the place was crowded. Every single table was full and everyone else was stood. The fireworks displays were awesome and seemed to be going on the full length of the beach.
The only downside, as I said, was that it was far too busy. Many of the toilets were broken, the roads were crazier than normal, if that's possible!
I think we'd try it again in a couple of years maybe, as it was such a nice feeling to be somewhere amazing (and hot) at Christmas.

Hope that helps a little?

Ron

Is the south just as busy then?

I was in the South this year for New Years eve I didn't particularly find it busy, but then we didn't go to the Beach. We went to our favorite restaurant and danced all night till 5.50am, it was the best NY eve we have ever had, and I mean that most sincerely....<<<(i feel I should add 'Folks' to the end of that )
Cant wait to do it all again this year

Following a nice meal there is nothing better than escaping the crowds, (the idiots who cant hold there drink and want to push everyone in the nearest pool) I love sitting on the beach (or paddling) with drink in hand (from shack) watching all the fireworks going off, you would never believe there could be so many. or that something so simple could bring so much pleasure

I agree with goanluv, even though we have been to Goa now for many years we usually go after New year but this year we went on Boxing day for 3 weeks, I must say that New Years Eve was magical we started at Mia Tia with Linb and Sharmina for a meal, which was delicious I may add, then we walked down on to the beach by Whispering Palms and called in at various Shacks until 21 Coconuts (I think) where we stayed and saw the new year in, we then walked along the waters edge down to Pete's Shack which was near where we were staying, a truly magical evening and one to remember; there is one sour note however and that is the few days before and after New Years eve are tainted by the sheer number of Indians from outer state who clogged up the roads with their 4x4's (nothing against 4x4's but on Goan roads they are a bit big) and shout and abuse the Goan something terrible, we stayed with a friend of ours who is Goan and he let out one of his apartments to 3, 20somethings from Mumbai, the state they left that apartment in was terrible, it was his first year letting out his 3 apartments and he has said it will be his last letting any of them out to anyone from other states unless they are considerably more polite and responsible than those 3.
So for us it is back to after New Year, at least it will give us something to look forward to after the hectic period i experience over the xmas/newyear period in my job.

Jayne

Thanks for all the info.

We had planned to go to the beach but wondered if there was anything we should know about so we didn't miss it!

We noticed how many extra people and 4x4's there were leading upto New Years Eve but they are still a lot less than anywhere in Birmingham City Centre - we know where we would rather be!

the traffic just never moved on NYE. We went to the beach around 10 o clock and it was amazing the amount of people there. It wasn't overcrowded though. The fireworks at midnight were unbelieveable well worth seeing
we are hoping to go for NY again this year. might see you there

The beach sounds good to me. If anyone sees my little dino avatar attached to a bag come and say hi!