Legend has it Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of one of India’s viceroys had jumped off the cliff when she was not allowed to marry a local fisherman, and from then the beach has been popularly known as Lovers Paradise.
Goa Dona Paula Beach is around 7 km from Panjim in North Goa and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Goa. It was renovated last year. To reach Goa Dona Paula Beach you will witness an array of vendors selling floral clothes and other accessories for both men and women that are perfect for the beach vibe.
Come to Dona Paula Beach in Goa during the evening hours and you will encounter the magnificent sun setting on the horizon of the enchanting Arabian Sea.
The viewing deck of Dona Paula Beach in Goa has a spacious sitting area. Here, you can come with your family, friends or loved ones and it assures you the serenity. You can also spot Vasco Island at a distance in the sea, where Goa International Airport is located.
This huge viewing point of the beach has beautiful ocean blue railing and numerous stairs to reach the top of and to add to the breathtaking view, it is surrounded by trees in the backdrop. One such tree is bougainvillea which adds pink to the perfect landscape picture.
Goa Dona Paula Beach is also a meeting point of two rivers mainly known as Zuari and Mandovi and the beautiful palm trees at the backdrop break the silvery shimmer of the beach sand.
One of the things to do in Dona Paula Beach is water sports activities like Windsurfing, water-skiing, swimming, parasailing, ski-bob, kayaking, yachting, sports fishing, toboggan ski-biscuit, and snorkelling which will skyrocket your adrenaline rush. The Dona Paula Sports Club also offers water-scooter, cycle, and motorboat rides.
You can spot any vendors selling knick-knacks and other souvenirs at the beachside stalls while enjoying delicious seafood at the local restaurants. Also, if you want to witness the sunset then try to visit the beach a little early as it has only space for 50 people.
Suggest Read: Baga Beach: A Captivating Coastal Gem In Goa
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As discussed earlier, one such legend has it that the beach is named after the daughter of the Goa Viceroy Dona Paula de Menezes. She fell in love with the local fisherman. She had jumped off the cliff when she was not allowed to marry a local fisherman, and from then the beach has been popularly known as Lovers Paradise.
Another version of the story is that Dona Paula was the lady-in-waiting of the Governor-General’s wife. The governor-general fell in love with Dona’s beauty and charm which enraged his wife after she found out about their 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.
Yet another version says that Dona was married to Paula, a fisherman. Once he sailed into the deep sea for fishing he never returned. His wife Dona supposedly waited for him on the jetty for many years and turned it into stone.
Well, there are many versions you would hear from the locals and the guides, yet no story is confirmed yet. Many fishermen and locals have encountered many ghost stories. Apart from admiring the breathtaking landscapes or experiencing adventurous water sports on your trip to Dona Paula Beach in Goa, one of the things to do in Dona Paula Beach is listen to all the haunting stories that are packed in the masala containers of the locals.
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