Goa has plenty of backwater trails to offer with 9 important rivers and 42 of its tributaries. Most of the backwater trails begin from estuary where the river meets the sea and end back at the estuary to see the magnificent setting sun on the Arabian Sea horizon.

There are nine most important rivers in Goa flowing from East (Western Ghat) to West (Arabian Sea) except for Sal River.Tiracol, Chapora, Baga, Mandovi, Zuari, Sal, Saleri, Talpona, Galgibag are the major nine rivers of Goa. As an offshoot of these main rivers, Goa is blessed with 42 smaller tributaries cris-crossing the interior hinterland of Goa.

Among these rivers Mandovi and Zuari drain 2553 Sq. Km, about 70% of the total geographical area of Goa. Out of nine rivers, six originate and flow entirely inside the state boundaries and do not have any interstate implications. However, river Tiracol and Chapora originate in Maharashtra state while Mandovi originates in Karnataka.

These rivers form an integral part of Goan life because of their portability, irrigation facilities, agriculture and coastal resources, transportation of mining ores, etc. The Zuari and the Mandovi are the lifelines of Goa, with their tributaries draining 69% of its geographic area. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 miles).

The Mandovi River is described as the lifeline of the state of Goa, India. River, known as Mahdei in Western Ghats of Goa and Karnataka, has three sources viz., the Degao, the Nanevadichi Nhõi ((nhõi means river in Konkani) and Gavali the last two sources go dry in summer season. The river has a length of 105 kilometers and originates from a cluster of 30 springs at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats. With its cerulean waters, Dudhsagar Falls, and Varapoha Falls it is also known as the Gomati in a few places. The Mandovi enters Goa from the north via the Sattari Taluka. The Mandovi flows through Cumbarjua, Divadi and Chodné, eventually pouring into the Arabian Sea.

The Zuari River is the largest river in the state of Goa, India. The Zuari River, with its cerulean waters, has a total length of 34 kilometers. The Zuari originates at Hemad-Barshem in the Western Ghats. It flows in the southern-western direction through the talukas of Tiswadi, Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete, Sanguem and Quepem.