Diu is island situated slightly off the coast of Kathiawad near the Port of Veraval in Gujarat with a coastal length of 21 kms. and is at a distance of about 768 kms. from Daman, the Capital of the newly formed Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Diu is bounded by Gir-Somnath and Amreli District of Gujarat in the North and by the Arabian Sea from three sides. It is connected to the mainland via two bridges. Its length from the extremes north and south, measures 4.6 kms and width from east to west measures 13.8 kms.
The altitude is 6 meters above sea level. The topography is generally plain. The hillocks attain maximum height of 30 metres.
A well-known Diu jail called Panikota Fort, also called Fortim-Do-Mar, is located on an island in Simbor Harbor. The trip from Diu to the seaside was around 46 kilometres long. The fort served as a jail when the country won its independence from the Portuguese. Because it was totally encircled by water, the island was perfect for holding captives because they could not escape. Make sure you visit there at least once because it is one of the main tourist spots in Diu.
It was built by Malik Aiyaz when Islam was the predominant religion. It served as a checkpoint to manage the flow of ships carrying expensive Asian products, mainly Indian spices, into Diu. The movement of the ships was controlled by a defensive structure that joined the sea bastion or castle to the land bastion by a thick steel chain on the riverbed. This was raised and lowered to keep intruding ships out. After erecting a fort there in 1535, the Portuguese took possession of the little fortress at Diu. In 1588, under the captain of the fort’s instructions, Aires Falcao, they expanded the fort by adding new constructions. According to a stone inscription still visible attached to the fortress wall, Captain of the Fort of Diu Being Aires Falcao gave the order to build additional structures to the Bastion of the Sea as it is in the year 1588.
Fort Diu is one of the most well-known sights to see in Diu and is located adjacent to or on the coast. In addition to providing a surreal view of the horizons, the fort also features a soundscape of the sound of the waves crashing against its walls and sending foam to its highest reaches. The lighthouse is off limits to the general public. The fort was constructed by the Portuguese, and its jetty is still in use today. The fort once had a considerable impact on the trade route connecting Cambay, Surat, and Bharuch in Gujarat. There are a lot of guns on the parapet, and there are a lot of cannonball remains all over the fort.
It is encircled by the sea on three sides and a canal on one. A strategic partnership between Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, and the Portuguese against the Mughals led to the building of the enormous battle-fearing fort in 1535 by D. Nuno da Cunha and its restoration in 1546 by D. Joao de Castro. The Fort sits 26.40 metres above sea level and has an area of 5.6 hectares. This enormous building housed houses for the nobles, a storehouse, soldier barracks, a house for arms and ammunition, a prison, a church, and a chapel that is unfortunately in ruins.
Nagoa Beach, one of the most popular tourist spots in Diu, offers breathtakingly expansive lengths of sand flanked by the warm Arabian Sea waves and carved with trees. The unusual Hoka Trees, is located along Nagoa Beach, which also provides the best Diu beach experience. Diu provides a range of adventure sports in addition to exhilarating rides on camels and ponies. In Diu, one may find long beach walks, tranquil settings, local restaurants providing local food, and a lot of luxurious homes.
Of the five beaches, it is the most attractive, located in the Nagoa hamlet of Village Bucharwada, 8 kilometres from Diu. Nagoa is a stunning semicircular beach where the lapping waves beckon you to wade in for a day of fun-filled activities like swimming, playing, or just relaxing along the soft sandy beachfront. Additionally, you can find yourself dozing off beneath the rare palm palms with their tranquil atmosphere. Compare this beach to Goa’s best beaches for contrast.
The Naida Caves, which are a network of interconnecting tunnels, were constructed by the Portuguese outside the Diu Fort’s fortifications. The nearby town of Diu’s caves have a massive network of square-hewn corridors and steps that has never been completely explored. Naida Caves is one of Diu’s most underrated tourist attractions and is just as exciting for adventurers and history buffs as it is for photographers.
After the Portuguese took control of Diu and dismantled pieces of a massive rock structure that they utilised for construction, Naida Caves gradually took on its current form. It’s interesting to note that these caves developed throughout time as a result of geological anomalies and natural forces. Slowly but surely, Naida Caves is being acknowledged as one of the most stunning tourist destinations since prehistoric times. The caves are picturesque because they have a natural aperture that lets sunlight in.
The Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple is one of Diu’s most well-liked sights and a well-known traveller stop. River Ganga is the presiding deity of the temple that the Pandavas are credited with building. The shrine’s claim to fame is its five SHIV LINGAS. Only the tips of these things are visible during high tide. The temple is located in Fudam Village, which is roughly 3 kilometres from Diu. The area is beautiful and holds significant historical and religious value. The age of this Mahadev Temple exceeds 5000 years. It resembles a shrine in a coastal cave surrounded by rocks.
This Temple honours Lord Shiva, the transformation of the Hindu triad, with its tranquil and breathtaking landscape. During high tide, the sea fully engulfs these rocks, leaving only the tip exposed. Lord Shiva, popularly known as the Lord of the Ganges and the presiding deity of the Gangeshwar Mahadev Mandir, is referred to as Gangeshwar since it is thought that the River Ganga originated from the tresses of this god.
The Convert of St. Paul, another name for this massive building, was built to house the Jesuit Seminary. The seminary was located in the church’s cloister. Due to the fact that the seminarians were getting ready to work in Akbar’s Court, Arabic was intended to be covered in the course material. There is a lot to say about it because it is a historic building. The inside walls are intriguingly decorated with shell-like patterns, perhaps to fit in with the surroundings and the abundance of shells around Diu’s coastlines. The grandiose front façade immediately catches one’s eye. The pulpit and the three black wood altars are the church’s most valuable items. The church’s greatest asset is not its tall vaulted stone dome, despite how amazing it is and how it makes people gasp in wonder.
A “must stop” place if you’re going to Nagoa Beach is the Shell Museum. On the Nagoa Road, it is located close to the airport and six kilometres from a town. Despite being unknown, this seashell museum is special in its own right. The collection of the museum is both wonderful and unique. Such a collection is exclusive to India and is not present elsewhere. The owner’s hobby of collecting shells has grown into a museum. This fascinating structure houses a display of unique and uncommon seashells from all around the world. To help you understand the distinction between cowrie shells and poisonous cone shells, a merchant navy captain by the name of Captain Devjibhai Vira Fulbaria has painstakingly displayed and labelled hundreds of shells in English. He has gathered these shells over the course of 50 years at sea.
One such ship was the Khukri Frigate of the Indian Navy. On September 12, 1971, during the Indo-Pak War, three torpedoes fired by a Pakistani submarine sank her. A crew of 18 officers and 176 sailors perished along with her when she sank 40 nautical miles off the coast of Diu. Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, who later awarded the Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous) of the Indian Navy, decided to die along with the battleship at the time he was commanding the ship. The gallant act of Capt. Mulla and his brave crew upholds the highest traditions of the Indian Navy by standing as a shining example of steadfast courage and unwavering spirit. On December 15, 1999, the INS Khukri Memorial, which is situated on the hills at Chakratirth beach, was officially opened. It is a precise replica of the navy vessel INS Khukri.
Visitor’s Guide to the Memorial
The Ghoghla beach in Diu is a well-liked vacation spot. It draws visitors who want to avoid crowds due to its calm location in the northern part of Diu town. This beach offers a variety of neighbouring restaurants and water sports. This beach is considerably cleaner than the other beaches in the town because there are fewer visitors there. It might be found close to the Ghoghla settlement, which is around 15 kilometres from the main Diu town. This beach is a well-liked tourist destination since it has lodging and dining options. Due to its location in the suburbs, not many people are aware of it.
It’s the perfect location for visitors who wish to enjoy solitude while engaging in water sports like parasailing, surfing, and banana boating because it’s clean and secure. The beach is regretfully the least used location, while being well-maintained and the best choice for a family vacation. The beach, which is close to the entrance and is considered the largest in the U.T. of Diu, is a candidate for the prestigious “Blue Flag Certificate” internationally. It has expansive flat tidal areas, gentle waves, and golden beaches. The water is perfect all year round, being crystal clear and clean. Aesthetically pleasant tourist amenities and facilities that also preserve a healthy environment and tourists’ safety and security.
Ghoghla also offers recreational amenities such an open gym, a kids’ play area, and gardens, in addition to giving pure drinking water facilities, tourist information boards, and change rooms with integrated shower panels that are ergonomically designed. The presence of trained lifeguards with emergency apparatus and security personnel at “Safe Swim” areas. At “Safe Swim Heaven” locations on the beach, the safety and security of visitors depends on the presence of knowledgeable lifeguards with water rescue equipment and security officers.
