Dona Paula Beach

Mythical Dona Paula
The beach is dedicated in the memory of Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy of British colonial rule, who threw herself off the cliff when she was 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.

Dona Paula beach is nestled on the southern side of the rocky hammer-shaped headlands that divide the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries. Providing a good view of the Mormugao harbor, this beach is fringed by palm trees and casuarina groves. With the romance and myth attached to it, tourists throng the Dona Paula beach not only in search of the deceased beloved, but also to indulge in water sports on the clear waters. 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. The Dona Paula beach offers an opportunity to the tourists to have a sun bath and buy cheap seaside goods from local vendors.

Or one can drop in to the National Oceanography Institute that was up in the 1960s. The institute delves not only upon marine biology, but 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.

Located 10 km from the beach is one of the oldest churches built in Goa - the Reis Magos Church. It is dedicated to the three Magi (the wise men of the East) Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar. This a place not to be missed if you are the religious type and planning to travel to Goa. Another place of interest near the Dona Paula beach is the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. It is situated 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.

Where to stay
There are a host of hotels, guesthouses, and beachside huts available at the beach that cater to the budgets of different tourists.



Hotels and Resorts near Dona Paula Beach, Goa

Nova Goa Hotel
Panjim Inn
Panjim Pousada
Cidade De Goa Resort