| One of the most well-known among Goa beaches, the Dona Paula beach attracts tourists with its scenic landscape dotted with palm trees and casuarina groves. Locals say that the beach derives its name from Dona Paula de Menzes, who was the daughter of a viceroy during the colonial yoke. |
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| One of the most well-known among Goa beaches, the Dona Paula beach attracts tourists with its scenic landscape dotted with palm trees and casuarina groves. An aura of eeriness engulfs the beach, partly due to the legend associated with it. Locals say that the beach derives its name from Dona Paula de Menzes, who was the daughter of a viceroy during the colonial yoke. When she was refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias, the heart-broken lady took her life from jumping off the cliff. |
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| Apart from legends and spirits, Dona Paula's claim to fame is its popularity as a shooting destination for Bollywood movies. Bigshots of the film industry throng this beach in search of picturesque locales. The Dona Paula beach is also a haven for adventure sports buffs for the water sports facilities available here. You can indulge in water sports such as water-scooter, motorboat rides, windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, and yachting. The water sports festival held in November draws a large number of participants. |
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| While the adventurous ones enjoy a gala time in the high seas, mundane souls can just stroll around or scour the nearby shops for souvenirs and artifacts. Local vendors sell straw hats, lace handkerchiefs, and spices in these shops. If all this fails to pep you up, sips of Feni and port wine, two Goan liquor specialties will surely do. |
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| The Dona Paula beach is one of the most famous beaches of India. The beach is definitely one of the most happening in Goa and for all the right reasons. The Dona Paula beach of Goa is one of the most popular beaches that provide opportunities for trying out water sports in Goa. It is located at a convenient site, at distance of around 7 kilometers from Panaji. This makes it easily accessible as almost every mode of local transport shall take you to the Dona Paula beach. The Dona Paula beach in Goa has an interesting story behind its name. Read about it in the following lines |
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| According to legends, Dona Paula was the name of the daughter of a viceroy who came to Goa during the colonial period. She fell in love with a local fisherman named Gasper Dias. The viceroy did not approve of their union and prohibited Dona Paula from having any kind of contact with him. Depressed and dejected, she jumped off the cliff into the sea. It is said that even today during a moonlit night, one can suddenly see a faint figure of a woman rising from the waves wearing a pearl necklace. This haunting love story attracts many people to this beach who come here just to feel the haunting presence of a broken heart. |
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| Besides this interesting past, what attracts tourists here is the plethora of water sports that are provided here. One can choose from the milder ones like kayaking, snorkeling, motor boat rides to the wilder ones like windsurfing, parasailing, yachting, etc. It is sure to set your adrenalin rushing and this will be one holiday that you are not going to forget for a long time to come. If you are not the one with an adventure streak, worry not. Visit the National Oceanography Institute and check out the impressive Marine Biology Museum there. You can also check out Cabo Raj Niwas which is the Governor's house and it is said that Dona Paula was entombed here. So visit Dona Paula beach of Goa and have the experience of a lifetime. |
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| A Love Story |
| Named after Dona Paula de Menezes, this place is called the Lovers Paradise due to a myth that has been attached to this place. According one legend the Viceroy's daughter after facing objections from her family about her love affair with a poor fisherman jumped of the cliff |
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| Another legend says that punished for captivating Francisco de Tavora, the Count of Alvor with her charm the Viceroy's daughter was pushed off a cliff to drown in the waters below. Her irrepressible spirit still continues to haunt every visitor with legends of her lovers. She is even supposed to have been seen emerging from moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace. |
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| Water Sports |
| Tranquil and blue, Dona Paula unravel the ultimate in aquatic sport and fun.Dona Paula Sports Club, Dona Paula offers some of the best water sports facilities to the sports enthusiasts including Water-scooter rides, Motor-boat rides, etc. |
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| How to Reach Dona Paula Beach |
| Buses and taxis are available from Panaji to the beach. The Dabolim Airport is located 29 km from Panaji and the Kadamba Bus Terminal is the central bus hub of the town. |
