The main activity in Paul do Mar and its area is fishing
and agriculture, particularly the cultivation of banana
and tourism including eco-tourism activities such as dolphin and whalewatching. There are many festas in the village throughout the year particularly in the summer months including the festa celebrating the Patron Saint of the village Santo Amaro from 14–15 January and The Festa da Lapa (the festival of the shellfish/limpets) which lasts from a Friday to a Sunday night in the month of July.
Paul do Mar has significant commercial businesses for a village, including shops, a small supermarket, bars, cafes, restaurants, a patisserie/bakery, a main primary school, Catholic church, a health centre, a bank, a football ground, a four-star hotel, and a number of self-catering holiday houses and apartments.
Forte de Santo António do Paul do Mar (English: Fort of Sanit Anthony) - Constructed in 1754, a provision of the 1761 Counsel of War (Portuguese: Conselho de Guerra), that also raised the annual income of the King's representative by including a barrel of wine.
