Donna Paula de Menus Beach, North Goa

Donna Paula de Menus Beach, North Goa

Donna Paula de Menus Beach

The beach is named after Dona Paula de Menus, the daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India) who refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. The myth states that Dona Paula is entangled in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhavan and is believed to be seen emanating from moonlight waves wearing only a pearl necklace.

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With its haunting romance and myth by Donna Paula de Menus-Tourist The throng, Donna Paula Beach not only in search of the deceased darling but also to indulge in water sports on clear waters. Dona Paula Beach offers tourists the chance to sunbathe and buy cheap seaside goods from local vendors.

The beach has also been the location for many Indian films, most famously for Ek Duje. Given this dual charm, Dona Paula Beach has become a popular tourist destination.

Tourist attractions

Water sports

The most important attraction of this beach is the water sports facilities available here. The Dona Paula Sports Club offers water-scooter, bicycle and motorboat rides. Other water sports include windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, toboggan ski-biscuit, skibob, sports fishing, snorkelling, harpoon fishing, kayaking and sailing.

National Institute of Oceanography

Established in the 1960s, the National Institute of Oceanography is not only based on marine biology, but covers almost all major branches of coastal and marine biology. The major attraction of the institute is its marine biology museum and classification autonomous centre.

Cabo Raj Niwas

Cabo Raj Niwas (Governor's House) is half a kilometre away from the National Institute of Oceanography. It is the mausoleum of Dona Paula de Menus in Cabo Chapel. The Raj Bhavan offers an excellent view of the nearby beach and the Aguada Fort.

Location and CLIMATE

Sunset at beach, goa

place

Seven kilometres west of Panjim (Panaji), the capital of the Indian state of Goa, Dona Paula Beach is nestled in the southern part of the rocky hammock-shaped the head that divides the islands of Zuari and Mandovi. This beach is surrounded by palm trees and Casuarina trees, providing a good view of the port of Mormugao. The proximity of the capital city to the beach makes it a popular tourist scene.

Climate

The climate is uniform and moist throughout the year. While it is pleasant and temperate from October to May and rains occur from June to September. The temperature changes throughout the year are mild. May is the hottest month with a temperature of 30 ° C and January is the coldest with an average daily temperature of 25 ° C. Due to the proximity of the sea, the area is generally humid and humidity is generally above 60 per cent even during the summer months.

The walk

The main attractions near Dona Paula Beach are Rees Magos Church and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. About 10 km from the beach is Rees Magos Church, one of the oldest churches in Goa. It is dedicated to all three Magi (wise men of the East) —Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, who, according to one legend, are guided by a star to Bethlehem to greet the newborn Jesus. This church was once the abode of all dignitaries and a mission centre of the Franciscan Mission.

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located on the western tip of Choro Island, along the Mandovi River, about 9 km from Dona Paula Beach. Spread over 2 sq km, this sanctuary is a mangrove forest. Local and migratory birds are found here throughout the year. However, the permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden is required for visitors.

Two other beaches are also near the Dona Paula beach. These are the Miramar beaches, located 4 km north of Dona Paula, and Vagininim Beach, 1 km west.

Shopping

There are many shops along the beach, which sell a wide range of goods from food to drink. Fishermen-local vendors also sell straw hats, lace handkerchiefs and spices in these shops. Feni and Port wine — two Goan wine specialities — are a must-buy and local wine is readily available. Indian art and jewellery are available at the Indian Art Emporium in Dona Paula.

The accommodation

There are a host of hotels, guesthouses and beach huts available on the beach which cater to the budget of various tourists.

transportation

By Air: The nearest airport is at Dabolim, which is 29 km from Panaji and 36 km from Anjuna.

By Rail: The rail is connected to Goa by Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram trains. The nearest railway station is at Karmali, which is 15 km from the Dona Paula Beach.

By Road: It is well connected by road. 7 km from the capital city, regular bus and taxi services are easily available here. The Kadamba Transport Corporation (a government of Goa undertaking), and the Maharashtra and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates buses to and from Goa.

Local transport

Buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws, and motorcycle services are the available means of local traffic in the area. One can avail to reach the beach by bus or motorcycle-taxi from Panjim or ferry service from Mormugao. In fact, buses for Dona Paula leave from Kadamba stand in Panjim every fifteen minutes.

An interesting mode in Goa is a motorcycle taxi. Unique to this state, these "taxis" carry only one passenger. However, on the basis of financial guarantee, motorcycles can also be kept for personal use.