Dona Paula Holidays

Dona Paula's a former fishing village in South Goa. The name comes from a tragic heroine of legend, which explains why the place is still nicknamed Lovers’ Paradise. Now a town, it’s kept its tranquil vibe along with a movie-star beach that’s a real pull for watersports fans. And conveniently, it’s only seven kilometres from the state capital, Panaji, with its winding streets and wedding-cake like churches.

Dona Paula’s white-sand beaches, fringed with coconut palms, have played a starring role in many a Bollywood movie. That level of fame brings with it plenty of visitors, who also come for the top-class watersports. Food shacks are dotted along the sands, and a stretch of the beach is lined with shops selling drinks, snacks and seashell trinkets.

As lovely as Dona Paula Beach is to lie on, it’s impossible to stay still with such an impressive line-up of watersports. It goes without saying that favourites like kayaking and jet-skiing feature heavily, but it’s the more unusual skibob and water-scooters that really grab your attention.

Dona Paula is where the Zuari and Mandovi rivers meet the Arabian Sea. This makes it a prime spot for river-boat trips. Sail by night and you’ll catch a moonlit view of the Adil Shah Palace, where steps lead up to an ornate basalt gateway – the only remains of the home of former Portuguese governors. You’ll also see the 19th-century Mae de Deus Church of Saligao beautifully illuminated in orange and yellow.