I will risk the red card and stick up for you gramps. IMO if sunbeds are laying empty remove them, if they are occupied there is a demand for them and they should stay. There aren't many resorts in the world where sunbeds aren't provided, as to how many should be available Calangute may be wall to wall sunbeds, but I know of many quite unspoilt beaches in Goa, where I can throw down my sarong and enjoy peace and quiet. A towel is too bulky to carry The beaches are there for everyone to enjoy.
ps-- Especially the less able and wheelchair users if they are able to make it.

I saw several wheelchair users in Calangute and in Palolem when we were there in March and I must say that I admire them for visiting a holiday destination that is so wheelchair "unfriendly". Good on them! As for accessing the beach with a wheelchair, if it was me I am sure I would manage somehow even if it meant asking someone for a piggy-back - (one of the baggage handlers from the airport would no doubt be happy to oblige). Joking apart, some strong matting leading down from the steps to the nearest shacks would help those who are less physically able - no need for an ugly concrete ramp. The steps would be a problem for some but not for all wheelchair users - believe me! There are also other parts of the beach that could be accessed more easily.

more legislation coming to the beach bed saga http://www.oheraldo.in/node/25465 or just another avenue for more bribes and corruption ? Whats the betting nothing will change regardless of which new laws will be passed Alan

hI Alan, the saga has been going on as long as you and I have been visiting Goa and no doubt will continue for a lot longer yet. As long as there are some beds with some shades and somewhere to get refreshment we will be happy. What are forum members views on the overcrowding of sunbeds particularly in Baga? I hate it
cheers Lyn x

I agree with you Alan and Lyn it is a never ending saga !
Just glad that I am still able to find a quiet spot away from the crowds, but a lot of people seem to like the busy areas.

In my opinion the appeal of the beach is in danger of being ruined by too many shacks putting out too many sunbeds. The sponsorship of many of the shacks (by a mobile phone company) and the beach unbreallas and shack signboards (by Coke) has only made it all look even worse. There are still some quieter stretches, such as between Calangute and Candolim, but even here the shacks put out far more beds than there is demand for.

Regulations would be a good thing, but are unlikely to be enforced. They've been talking about it for years but nothing ever happens. I guess those of us in North Goa who like the beach for peace and quiet will still have to travel to Morjim and Mandrem to find it. Or partonise the shacks with poor food and lousy service as they are at least quieter!

I found that the beach road end of candolim beach was busier with more beds, as was the far end nearer the fort, but for 10 years our family has gone to Radha Shack (near but to the night of the River Princess) and we have never had a problem. There are beds if you want them, but plenty of room between and certainly they are always full. If you get a group of couples 10 beds isn't many. But isn't it really about about going where you feel happy and comfortable - and catering for everyone? Ok, so it shouldn't be so crowded you can't walk between them, and personally I didn't like the busier areas, but everyone is different ..........

There have been regulations in place for as long as I can remember. The shack owners are part of a 'lottery' those that win and can afford it buy a licence, the problem arises when a shack owner who has been operating for years doesn't get a win he then operates illegally. Also this is open to abuse by wealthy out of state people who will get a Goan to enter the lottery for them. These are things I have been told.
Things I have seen is one Christmas,skelton shacks no one in them, no shade (apart from the shack) no refreshment of any sort and no sunbeds, that year we nearly decided never to return, this was all to do with hotels complaining and giving buckshea to local govt/police officials that the shacks were taking the tourists away from their premises and not spending money there ! Then there was the year that the owner of Roma cafe (next door to Aggies and Aggies brother went on hunger strike with 6 others) as they felt the way licences were given unfair and corrupt, he nearly killed himself . Then you have possibly seen the police and officals going along the beach with sticks accompanied by a jeep panicing shack owners who then pull back as many of the beds of the beach when as they know they have too many beds out. Its all about bribery something that is rife out there as most of us know.
Whether anything will ever be put into place that is fair remains to be seen but what we need to remember is the shacks only operate for 6 months of the year, so what ever profit is made has to last 12 months