Dona Paula, Goa Overview

Located around 7kms from Panjim, Dona Paula is one of the most popular tourist hangouts in Goa famous for its vast stretch of beach. The small beach is also popular as the Lover's Paradise and features a jetty (Dona Paula Jetty) adjacent to it, which provides an ethereal view of the Arabian Sea and Mormugao harbour. Another attraction here is the whitewashed statue, called 'Image of India', depicting Mother India and Young India.

The Dona Paula is named after then Goa Viceroy's daughter Dona Paula de Menezes in honour of her tragic love story. She is believed to have fallen in love with a local fisherman but was denied to get married by the Viceroy. This led to her jumping from a cliff which is flanked by and named as Dona Paula.

Dona Paula Beach also is the meeting point of the Zuari and Mandovi Rivers and is beautified by fronds of palm trees breaking the silvery shimmer of the beach sand. The beach is popular for the host of water sports. Dona Paula is also popular as a shooting site. The most prominent Bollywood films shot here are Ek Guje ke Liye and Singham.

What is the Story of Dona Paula?

There are many popular myths and romantic legends that surround this famous tourist spot. One legend has it that Dona Paula was the lady-in-waiting of the Governor-General's wife. The Governor fell in love with Dona's beauty and charm, and when the infuriated wife found out about the affair, she commanded that Dona be stripped, bound and rolled over the cliff into the sea, wearing only the string of pearls that the Governor had gifted her.

Local fishermen can enthral you with marvellous ghost stories to relate to this incident. Some say that Dona's ghost appears on moonlit nights, while others say that it appears on pitch dark nights. Nevertheless, the consensus is that the spirit seems to rise from the sea at the stroke of midnight and can be seen wearing nothing but the necklace.

What is Dona Paula View Point?

Lined by palm trees and casuarina woods, Dona Paula View Point attracts tourists from all over the world for the scenic view that it offers. Take a walk along the viewpoint or the coastline while the cool breeze blows gently on your face or simply enjoy the endless vistas of blue and green, your visit to Dona Paula will be unforgettable.

While here, you can also shop for local knick-knacks at the beachside stalls while enjoying delicious seafood at the local restaurants as the sun starts to set on Dona Paula View Point. Please note that if you wish to witness the sunset here, try to reach the viewpoint half an hour earlier than planned as it only has space for 50 people.

Water Sports at Dona Paula Beach

The Dona Paula beach can also be explored through the range of water sports and activities. Windsurfing, water-skiing, swimming, parasailing, ski-bob, kayaking, yachting, sports fishing, toboggan ski-biscuit and snorkelling can also be enjoyed here by those wanting to experience an adrenaline rush. The Dona Paula Sports Club also offers water-scooter, cycle and motorboat rides.

Shopping at Dona Paula

You can embark on a shopping spree at Dona Paula as you walk through the beachside market with local vendors selling straw hats, spices, and lace handkerchiefs. The two Goan liquor specialities, Feni and Port Wine, apart from regular liquor, are also widely available. If you are on the lookout for Indian handicrafts and jewellery, then the Indian Arts Emporium in Dona Paula is the place to be!

What to do around Dona Paula?

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: Around 9 kilometres away from Dona Paula, the sanctuary is situated on the western tip of the Choro Island, alongside the Mandovi River. This mangrove forest is home to a variety of domestic and migratory birds.

Reis Magos Church: 10 kilometres away from the Dona Paula beach lies this famous church, which is dedicated to the three wise men of the East who brought the baby Jesus gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh.

Ruins of the Cabo de Rama Fort: The Cabo Fort was erected in 1540, and its ruins are a must visit place. The site also houses a 180-year-old cemetery with the memorial tomb of Dona Paula de Menezes in it.

National Oceanography Institute: This institute was opened in 1960 to study local Goan marine life. The Marine Biology Museum and Taxonomy Reference Centre in this Institute attract travellers from all around the globe.

How do you get to Dona Paula?

Dona Paula is located 7 km away from the capital of Goa, Panjim. It could be reached by local buses and taxis very easily. There is also a bus from Panaji's Kadamba bus stand that leaves for Dona Paula beach every 15 minutes. You can also hire a bike and reach by yourself, just ask a local and they will guide you.