Dona Paula Beach

Dona Paula is a bay situated 7kms away from the Panaji with the beautiful view of Mormugoa Horbour. This rocky ,idyllic lies at the spot where rivers  the Zuari and Mandovi meets the Arabian Sea. It is one of the most popular beach in Goa.

 

 

 

About The Beach

The Dona Paula beach is located like a nest on the south side of the rocky , hammer shaped head land that divides the zuari and Mandovi rivers. Today it is home to the National Oceanography. The Dona Paula monument is located on small islet linked to the mainland by a small bridge, from here people can visit the beach.

There are many legends behind the monument one of which is Dona Paula is the village where the lady named Dona Paula De Menezes is believed have loved, lived and died in the second half of the 18th centaury. Dona Paula De Menezes a daughter of viceroy who threw herself  off the cliff, refused to marry a local fisher men. The myth believed that Dona Paula is entombed in the cobo chapel of the Raj Bhavan is supposed to be seen emerging from the moonlight waves wearing only a pearl necklace. Because of this legend this beach is called Lovers paradise.

Not only by romantic history Dona Paula is also famous for its natural beauty as it is surrounded by the beautiful palm trees and casuarinas grooves. It is also a famous place for film shooting.

 

Things To Do

Water sports activities: Dona Paula is very much famous for water sports activities, One can lots of variety of sports here like wind surfing, parasailing, water skiing, skibob, snorekeling, harpoon fishing, kayking, yatching, motor boating and jet skiing is one of most common water sports here.

Beach Fairs and Festivals: The festival of Janmashtami and feast of St.Lawrence  are the two major fairs and festivals of  the Dona Paula. The beach also organises the water sports festival in November one can visit Doan Paula in this season.

Sightseeing: Apart from the beach there r some other places which r very near to beach one must in there trip.

• National Oceanography Institute: This institute is set up in 1960, which not only upon Marine Biology but also incorporate about all the major branches of coastal and marine oceanography. Marine Biology Museum and Taxonomy Reference Centre.
• Cabo Raj Niwas: Cabo Raj Niwas (The Governer's  House) is located just half km from the National Oceanography Centre. It has the Tomb of the Dona Paula de Menezes in  Cabo chapel. From this Cabo Raj Niwas one can see the beautiful view of  nearby coastline and Fort Aguada.
• Magos Church: It is one of the oldest church in Goa which is just 10kms from the beach.
• Marmagoa Horbour: Is a fishing village ,  it is a bay of Dona Paula  situated 7kms away from the Panaji with the beautiful view of Mormugoa Horbour. This rocky ,idyllic lies at the spot where rivers  the Zuari and Mandovi meets the Arabian Sea.
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: This bird sanctuary is located at the tip of island Choro along the Mondovi river , about 9kms away from the Dona Paula beach. The sanctuary is a mangrove forest spread over 2kms . Local and migratory birds can be seen throughout the year. We can enter Sanctaury with the permission of the chirf wildlife warden.

Shopping: Shopping in Dona Paula is one of the most exotic activity . Visitor can shop in the number of beach side shops where u get Goan eatabels to clothes . The local fishermen sale different types of straw hats, handicrafts, spices etc.

Eat and Drink: There r many eating joints present in and around the beach which serves huge variety  sea foods, traditional Goa cuisine and also different types of Indian foods.

For expensive and better cuisine one can choose restaurants in the main road.There r few restaurants at Dona Paula which r famous some of them r The 'Nautica' bar and restaurant , 'Casa Menino' are famous for delicious food. 'Sea Pebble located in front of the Sea which is famous for Goan Sea food. The Goan Delicacy is also famous for true goan cooking.

How To Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Dabolium which is 29kms from Panaji and 36kms from Anjuna. One can reach Dona Paula by taxi or bus .

By Train: The nearest railway station is Karmali which is 15kms from the beach. As Goa is well connected by every where one can reach easily through railways.

By Road: The Dona Paula is well connected from all the regions as it is just 7kms from the capital city from there one can reach here by bus, taxi, etc.

 

Where To Stay:

 Accommodation in the Dona Paula has huge options , starting from budget hotels to expensive resorts , star hotels, home stays , beach side huts etc. Cidade De Goa a five star hotel which also have water sports activity facility also. Hotel Bernardo, O Prescador Dona Paula Beach Resorts, Three Seasons Vainguinium Valley Resorts, Villa Sol and Sea View resorts are some of the famous one for best accommodation.