Dona Paula Beach

Location
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.

Climate
The climate is equable and moist throughout the year. While it is pleasant and temperate from October to May it is rainy from June to September. Temperature variations throughout the year are mild. May is the warmest month with a temperature of around 30°C and January is coolest with a mean daily temperature of 25°C. Due to its proximity of the sea, the territory is generally humid and even during the summer months humidity is generally above 60 percent.

The Beach
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 Main Attractions of Dona Paula
Water Sports
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.

National Oceanography Institute
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.

Cabo Raj Niwas
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.

Excursion at Dona Paula
The main attractions near Dona Paula Beach are Reis Magos Church and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Reis Magos Church
Approximately 10 km from the beach is one of the oldest churches built in Goa, the Reis Magos Church. It is dedicated to the three Magi (the wise men of the East)Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar who, according to a legend, were guided by a star to Bethlehem to greet the newborn Jesus. This church was once the residence of all dignitaries and a mission center of the Franciscan order.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is situated on the western tip of the island of Choro, 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 all through the year.

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Miramar Beach

Location
Miramar Beach is the nearest beach from the capital of the Goa, Panaji. The beach is just 3 km from Panaji in the north of the state and a km away from Dona Paula. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian sea.

Climate
The climate is equable and moist throughout the year. While it is pleasant and temperate from October to May it is rainy from June to September. Temperature variations throughout the year are mild. May is the warmest month with a temperature of around 30°C and January is coolest with a mean daily temperature of 25°C. Due to its proximity of the sea, the territory is generally humid and even during the summer months humidity is generally above 60 percent.

The Beach
Miramar Beach also known as Gaspar Dias is a lovely golden beach of soft sand griddled with palm trees facing the blue Arabian Sea, where River Mandovi meets the Arabian Sea and a thick grove of shady palms form a dense canopy over the area. The word 'Miramar' in Portuguese stands for viewing the sea. On account of its good location, the Miramar Beach of Goa is ideal for evening walks. The tourists can spend a nice time in the Palm shaded area that is quite captivating for the tourists visiting the beach.

The 2 km long coast boasts of fine, soft silvery sand bed that sparkle in the moonlight. From here one can have a panoramic view of the Aguada fort just across the Mandovi River. It also offers a captivating view of the well-preserved Portuguese fort across the river, known as Aguada Fort. Not much crowded, it offers peaceful surroundings and the much-desired solitude for those who want few moments of life away from the crazy crowd of the city.

The Main Attraction of Miramar Beach
The importance of these coastal wintering grounds has been universally acknowledged all over the world. At least three-fourths (500 plus species) of migratory birds incorporate the coastline or the coastal plain into their migration routes. The migratory birds, like Plovers and Gulls return to Miramar beach each winter, as it gives them a brief respite from the harsh winter back home. Here they find food in plenty in the form of aquatic invertebrates, seeds and insects.