Mandovi River
Mandovi River
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Mandovi River and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
379 within 5 kms
Attractions
117 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
153 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
63
Average
20
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Shalu
3 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
The cruise is for an hour in evenings. Each boat has a dance floor, DJ and bar. U board and sit on plastic chairs arranged in front of stage/ dance floor. The boat moves and sails through the river. The surrounding view is mesmerizing. The cruise had three average performances of Goan traditional dance forms. Apart from that there is tooo loud music and anchor requesting crowd to come and dance on stage. The loud music makes it impossible to enjoy a nice sunset if you happen to be sitting in correct direction to view it. There is no one pointing beautiful heritage buildings around. We were unfortunate enough to have a crowd of of five men, drunk and still drinking more, sitting in front and creating an atmosphere where not even the gentlemen or couples felt like dancing. So if you are stuck with such people, there is no respite for an hour of agony and wasted money.
Written 14 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJKJO
Greater London, UK301 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This was a great two day boat trip along the Mandovi and Aldona rivers, staying on the houseboat for one night!👍🏼
The houseboat itself has six en-suite air conditioned cabins and the cabins were very plush with a firm comfortable bed and as I say a little en-suite toilet/shower room.
The boat journey takes you along the Mandovi and the Aldona river, as we were chugging along a crew member was spotting everything along the way, he had an exceptional eye/knowledge of the wild life, pointing out numerous species of birds and sighting crocodiles swimming across the river and another croc resting up on the bank!
Then in the evening the boat was moored by the bank of the Aldona river and we had a dabble at some fishing, one chap got lucky, but not me😏
We then all took our seats for a fabulous three course traditional Goan meal which was delicious!
After that we were treated to a Indian classical/raga music session by the world famous brothers Narish Madgaonkar on an instrument called the Santoor and his brother Satish on the Tabla... it was a real treat to have these two highly acclaimed brothers play for us👍🏼 The brothers actually own the boat company and we were really lucky as they were home from touring the world and often play on their houseboats when their local👍🏼
Then in the morning we had a very tasty breakfast and lunch while heading back up river to our docking point!
We toughly enjoyed this trip as it was so tranquil and arresting!
Definitely not to be missed while in Goa, it’s a must do!..
Booked for us with/by Heldrin our TUI Rep!!
The houseboat itself has six en-suite air conditioned cabins and the cabins were very plush with a firm comfortable bed and as I say a little en-suite toilet/shower room.
The boat journey takes you along the Mandovi and the Aldona river, as we were chugging along a crew member was spotting everything along the way, he had an exceptional eye/knowledge of the wild life, pointing out numerous species of birds and sighting crocodiles swimming across the river and another croc resting up on the bank!
Then in the evening the boat was moored by the bank of the Aldona river and we had a dabble at some fishing, one chap got lucky, but not me😏
We then all took our seats for a fabulous three course traditional Goan meal which was delicious!
After that we were treated to a Indian classical/raga music session by the world famous brothers Narish Madgaonkar on an instrument called the Santoor and his brother Satish on the Tabla... it was a real treat to have these two highly acclaimed brothers play for us👍🏼 The brothers actually own the boat company and we were really lucky as they were home from touring the world and often play on their houseboats when their local👍🏼
Then in the morning we had a very tasty breakfast and lunch while heading back up river to our docking point!
We toughly enjoyed this trip as it was so tranquil and arresting!
Definitely not to be missed while in Goa, it’s a must do!..
Booked for us with/by Heldrin our TUI Rep!!
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rakeshsharmandmc
Agra, India507 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
This huge, clean Mandovi river has a wide span and it flows through Panjim, capital of Goa. It is one of the two main rivers of Goa, the other one being Zuari. As a matter of fact it divides Goa into North Goa and South Goa. Mandovi joins with the Zuari at a common creek at Cabo Aguada, forming the Mormugao harbour. The Mandovi river is shared by two states , Goa and Karnataka. The river cruises start from Santa Monica Boat Jetty and Panaji Jetty on Mandovi river in Panaji town on Old Panaji Road. River cruise is one of the top things to do in Goa.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raghvendra U
Copenhagen, Denmark2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This was the most pathetic decision we made to chose dinner on this cruise want to know why?
* No punctuality at all they will ask you to report at 8:45 PM but it will depart at 9:45/10 PM
* Hell lot of crowd, jam pack you can't even stand and go anywhere to get food or drinks
* Very dirty and unhygienic food management everywhere you will find used plates thrown away.
* Not even worth 500rs, even after paying 1500 per person they will ask charges for cold drink for your drinks.
* Just for a name sake cruise floats not even covers any distance.
* And yes be ready to listen PJ's from the anchors like "Mard ke bacche ho toh dance floor par aa jao"
I had a worst time over here and even you can't leave the place and go away with this mess. It's like you are trapped in a cage and no escape for next 3 hours.
Board this cruise if you want a torturing night for 3 hours.
* No punctuality at all they will ask you to report at 8:45 PM but it will depart at 9:45/10 PM
* Hell lot of crowd, jam pack you can't even stand and go anywhere to get food or drinks
* Very dirty and unhygienic food management everywhere you will find used plates thrown away.
* Not even worth 500rs, even after paying 1500 per person they will ask charges for cold drink for your drinks.
* Just for a name sake cruise floats not even covers any distance.
* And yes be ready to listen PJ's from the anchors like "Mard ke bacche ho toh dance floor par aa jao"
I had a worst time over here and even you can't leave the place and go away with this mess. It's like you are trapped in a cage and no escape for next 3 hours.
Board this cruise if you want a torturing night for 3 hours.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajagopal P
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Very bad experience with Lexicon Cruise. It is not a cruise ,but a modified junk barge. Dining space was very dirty. Over crowded. I am afraid ,is the barge can handle any emergencies. Food quality was very bad. Do not think about quantity. Even there is a can of come. Coke/pepsi was served from a 2 little bottle which was nothing but sweet water. It was a waste of time.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr. Himanshu Sinha
Pune, India1,040 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Mandovi river is the heart of panjim, it's connects panjim to porvorim, you can take ferry from here to go from this side to another side.
this river is very deep, all the casino's and cruise here.
These days people made mandovi a dirty river, so the beauty is now fading.
this river is very deep, all the casino's and cruise here.
These days people made mandovi a dirty river, so the beauty is now fading.
Written 7 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PK Das
Mumbai, India5,203 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
This could have been one of the most memorable time in Goa but the poor management of the cruise has destroyed it all. Seating arrangements were too close like in crowded public bus. The upper deck was flat hence people sitting at back can't see anything, so everyone came to front & was big mess. Poor Dj was not able to handle the program as well.
Overall a bad experience.
Overall a bad experience.
Written 16 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shankystud19
Mumbai, India280 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
this is the place where you will experience the Cruise Night , Must Go place in Panjim, Nice and Happening place, The cruise night is memorable thing, Enjoy Food, Dance, Music at cruise.
Written 28 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anand1351
Singapore, Singapore3,873 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Beautiful river and decent views both day and night.
Unfortunately the cruises operated there are disaster.
Cruise are run by Mafia, thugs and unethical people.
Unfortunately the cruises operated there are disaster.
Cruise are run by Mafia, thugs and unethical people.
Written 29 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indira IV
Dubai, United Arab Emirates44 contributions
Sept 2019
Mandovi river is like a ribbon through the middle of Goa. Beautiful. There are two bridges, one on top of the other - meaning one at great height, which is new. One can see the floating off-shore casinos all the time in Mandovi river. There are boat rides, which are an added attraction which most of the visitors to Goa take.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whom do we need to contact for mandovi river cruise.. Is it available now? Please tell the trusted partners
Written 2 June 2017
We did not do a river cruise. We crossed it on public transportation ferries for free and enjoyed birding on both shores.
Sorry I can't help about cruises.
Divya our travel planner in India whom we really liked from Indian Panorama, a division of Cholan tours, could likely answer your questions, although she is not based in Goa. I'd think any Goan travel agent could also help.
If you do go to Goa and are any kind of a shopper at all, do not miss the Anjuna Wednesday market. Vast and interesting, and filled with amazing goods, many of which are of excellent quality and very good value for money.
Written 3 June 2017
I guess it is too late to answer. Also, it is advisable for guests to specify the dates they require. Panjim has a very wide choice. Budget to high end. That should be specified too.
Written 3 February 2017
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing