A travel Guide to Diu

Diu Tourism

Diu is an Indian Union Territory that is commonly paired with Daman. It is a serene island located on the western coast of the Indian Subcontinent where you can experience the blend of Portuguese and Indian culture. Diu India is blessed with historical places as well as pristine beaches where visitors can rejuvenate or explore their adventurous side by indulging in numerous watersport activities like parasailing and surfing.

Diu Tours caters to all sorts of tourists including offbeat travellers, newly-wed couples or people on a family vacation. There’s something for everyone. Some of the most popular Diu tourist attractions are Naida Cave, INS Khukri Memorial, Panikotha Fort, Diu Fort and much more.

Places to visit in Diu

1. Diu Fort

The ‘Praça de Diu’ was built on the western coast of the Indian subcontinent during the Portuguese colonial rule. It is considered one of the seven Portuguese wonders in the world making it one of the top Diu attractions. The construction of this structure started in 1535 and there were some additions made in 1541. It is a magnificent sea-facing fort that has two moats and a lighthouse in its vicinity. The lighthouse is the highest point on the island and visitors can get a breathtaking view from its top. You can even notice canons on the parapet of the fort.

2. Sea Shell Museum

Sea Shell Museum in Diu is one of the very few shell museums across the globe. It is situated on Nagao Road which is 6 km from Diu. The museum was established to showcase the collection of Captain Devjibhai Vira Fulbari who’d collect these eccentric and vibrant shells on his excursions. He wanted the people to know more about the different shells. When you’re in the museum, you’re given a magnifying glass to observe the patterns on these shells. You can also read books about the history of seashells. Being the only shell museum in Asia, it is one of the most popular Diu tourist places.

3. Panikotha Fort

Just like the Diu Fort, Panikotha Fort is also a work of the Portuguese colonists. It was built in the 12th Century and was known as ‘Fortim-do-Mar’. It was the perfect disguise of a ship that could mislead the invaders. The fort stands right in the middle of the sea and was later turned into a jail and a really difficult one to break out of. Tourists can take motorboats, canoes or ferry rides to the Panikotha Fort. It also houses a chapel and a lighthouse and offers the best view of the Diu Fort on the coast. One of the main Diu attractions is the light and sound show at Panikotha Fort. The colourful lights that are projected at the fort along with music playing in the background can make up for one of the most stunning experiences one can have during their trip to Diu.

4. Nagao Beach

The Nagao Beach is part of every traveller’s Diu travel guide. It is located in the Nagao hamlet of the Bucharwada Village. The gleaming sand and palm trees add to the location’s pristine beauty. Tourists from across the globe visit this place for a rejuvenating day by the bay. The visitors can stay at several hotels and beach resorts along the coast and enjoy camel and pony rides. They can take a dip in the azure water or enjoy a romantic stroll with their loved ones. Diu Tourism also caters to adventure seekers at this location with numerous watersport activities. One of the main highlights of this location is that it inhabits Hoka trees which produce a distinct fruit that is used in their local delicacies and also produces an alcoholic beverage called ‘tadi’.

5. INS Khukri Memorial

It is a memorial site of the Indian Naval Ship, Khukri that sank during the Indo-Pak War in 1971. It sank 40 nautical miles away from the coast of Diu on 9th December 1971 because of the Pakistani torpedo shots. During this battle, 18 officers and 176 sailors who were on board INS Khukri lost their lives. The memorial was established in 1991 to pay homage to the martyrs who chose to give up their lives rather than surrendering to the enemy. It is one of the most popular Diu tourist places where visitors can witness a miniature version of the INS Khukri in a glass case and pay their respects.

Things to do in Diu

Diu Tourism offers a plethora of activities their visitors can indulge in, some of them are mentioned below.

Laze around at Ghoghla Beach

Ghoghla Beach is located in the north region of Diu town which is known to have very few inhabitants making it a popular tourist spot for people who want to disconnect from the chaotic world and enjoy some alone peaceful time. Being situated in the outskirts, the beach doesn’t receive many visitors which has helped to keep the beauty of this place intact. You can enjoy a lazy afternoon sunbathing by the beach or indulge in watersport activities like parasailing, surfing, and banana boat rides. This unexplored destination should definitely be a part of your Diu travel guide. You should end your day by laying on the pristine sand and gazing at the glistening waters and mesmerising view of the sunset.

Explore Naida Caves

Take a short trip from the Diu town to visit the group of interlinked caves built during the days of Portuguese colonisation. The Naida Caves are one of the most popular Diu attractions that are located outside the walls of the Diu Fort and got their shape by the ravages of time. Walking amid these caves is one of the top things to do in Diu. It is a lesser-known tourist spot that is famous among history buffs and photography enthusiasts. There’s a natural opening in the cave through which light breaks in, making a picturesque frame. The place holds historical significance as it was used as a base camp for the Indian Army during Operation Vijay to reclaim Diu from the Portuguese.

Take your kids to Dinosaur Park

Dinosaur Park near Nagao Beach makes up for the perfect picnic spot where you can take your children. They can gaze at numerous statues of dinosaurs and indulge in fun rides as well. The kids even have a small playing area to themselves where they can mingle and make some new friends. While the kids are busy among themselves, parents can take a stroll on the walking lanes in the park. You can enjoy delicious local street food in the stalls and end your picnic at the sunset point.

Seek blessings at Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple

Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple is a 5000-year-old cave temple nestled amid rocks on the shore of the Arabian Sea. Located 3 km from Diu in Fudam Village, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You’ll come across statues of Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi upon entering the temple. Later on, you’ll witness the idol of Lord Gangeshwar who is a form of Lord Shiva and the Lord of the holy river of Ganga. You can seek blessings at the temple that houses five Shiva Lingas, supposedly built by the Pandavas.

Best time to visit Diu

Diu can be titled as a year-round destination. Every season offers something different to its visitors. Summers make up for the perfect time to take a dip in the azure beaches, monsoons bring along pleasant weather and the winters host a plethora of activities. Every season is the best season to visit Diu. However, Diu receives a lot of tourists mainly during the winter season as they can indulge in thrilling watersports and enjoy sightseeing in the ideal weather. Diu is said to be a paradise in winters thus the best time to visit Diu is between November and February.

How to reach Diu

Diu is well connected by its extensive road network to major cities of the country. However, Diu doesn’t have a railway station. This doesn’t mean you start worrying about how to reach Diu. It has its own airport that operates daily flights from Mumbai and Porbandar.

By Air

Diu, being a Union Territory, is equipped with only one airport which connects it to the rest of the country. There are daily flights to Diu from Mumbai and Porbandar. If you’re a foreign tourist, you can book a flight to Mumbai and head to Diu from there.

By Railways

The nearest railway station to Diu is the one in Veraval which is approximately 90 km from Diu. You can take a bus or drive yourself in a rental car to your destination.

By Road

Diu is well connected to Porbandar, Junagadh and Veraval. Tourists can board a bus to their hotels in Diu. If you have a road trip in mind, you can access Diu from cities like Mumbai, Baroda, and Ahmedabad via NH-8.