Dona Paula

Dona Paula Beach Goa

The Dona Paula beach is named after Dona Paula De Menzes, daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India), who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias.

The myth says that Dona Paula is entombed in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhawan and is supposed to be seen emerging from the moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace.

The Dona Paula is actually a group of three beaches just 200 m long. Hawaii is just opposite the jetty, and most of Goa's selling activities take place here. The Vainguinim beach is longer. Besides, the islet-hillock is landscaped and is topped by a traditional Portuguese pergola, which gives great views of the Mormugao Harbour and the Arabian Sea to the south and west, and up to the Zuari Bridge to the east.

It is situated seven kilometers west of the Indian state of Goa’s capital Panjim (Panaji). Palm trees and casuarina groves fringe the beach. The proximity of the beach to the capital city makes it a popular tourist destination.

The Dona Paula Sports Club offers water-scooter, cycle, and motorboat rides. Other water sports include windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, toboggan ski-biscuit, skibob, sports fishing, snorkeling, harpoon fishing, kayaking, and yachting.

Here, the climate is equable and moist throughout the year. Due to its proximity to the sea, the territory is generally humid and even during the summer months humidity is generally above 60 percent.

Tips
It is generally a safe beach for swimming, though the little beach outside Prainha has rocks.

Around it 
Around the Dona Paula beach you can visit National Oceanography Institute, which was set up in 1960. The institute incorporates almost all the major branches of coastal and marine oceanography. The major attraction of the institute is its Marine Biology Museum and Taxonomy Reference Center.

The Cabo Raj Niwas (the Governor’s House) is half a kilometer away from the National Oceanography Institute. It houses the tomb of Dona Paula De Menzes in the Cabo Chapel. It is a must see place for all lovers.

Reis Magos Church, which is barely 10 km from the beach is one of the oldest churches built in Goa. It is dedicated to the three Magi (the wise men of the East)—Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar who, according to a legend, were guided by a star to Bethlehem to greet the newborn Jesus.

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is situated on the western tip of the island of Choro, along the Mandovi River, about 9 km from Dona Paula Beach. Spread over 2 sq km, this sanctuary is a mangrove forest. Local and migratory birds are found here all through the year.

FACTFILE
Dona Paula is 7-km from Panjim, nestled on the south side of the rocky, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, this former fishing village and today's commercialized beach resort makes an idyllic spot to relax and sunbathe.

Getting there 
Dabolim Airport : 25 Kms.  Take a prepaid taxi which will cost you between Rs. 350 to 400. 
Panjim :  5 Kms.