Seven kilometers west of the Indian state of Goa’s capital Panaji, Dona Paula Beach is nestled on the southern side of the rocky hammer-shaped headlands that divide the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries. This beach was named after the Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India), the Dona Paula beach offers an opportunity to the tourists to have a sunbath and buy cheap seaside goods from local vendors. Dona Paula de Menzes threw herself off the cliff when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. It is said 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. 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 & enjoy in water sports on the clean waters. Providing a good view of the Mormugao harbor, the Dona Paula beach is fringed by palm trees and casuarina groves. The proximity of the beach to the capital city makes it a popular tourist sight.

The most important attraction of this beach is the water sport facilities available here. 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 Cabo Raj Niwas (the Governor’s House) is half a kilometer away from the National Oceanography Institute. It houses the tomb of Dona Paula de Menzes in the Cabo Chapel. The Raj Bhawan provides an excellent view of the nearby coastline and the Aguada Fort.

Established in the 1960s, the National Oceanography 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.

Some other attractions near Dona Paula Beach are Reis Magos Church (10 Kms from the beach) and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary ( 9 Kms from the beach) is located on the western tip of the island of Choro along the Mandovi River.

Hotels worth a mention in Dona Paula beach are Dona Paula Beach Resort  - 2 Star; Cidade De Goa – 5 Star