Beaches :

A road stretch through open arid land from the south of Diu town through the Fudam reach the Nagoa Beach (7 k.m) in Bucharwada village, with a row of Hoka palms, originally from Africa. This most popular and beautiful semi circle beach is ideal to catch up some real relaxation. The feel of grainy sand, the sight of miles and miles of sea water and the rhythmic crashing of gentle waves against rocks gives one pleasure beyond expression. In this serene beach, there are various water sports facilities like water scooter, water skiing, family boat, and parasailing. Chirag water sports Nagoa Beach, tel:254158, Scooter Riding Rs.30 for one round of 10 minutes, Speed Boat Rs.100 for one round of 10 minutes, Parasailing Rs.250 for about 1 k.m round

Watching sun as it emerges from the sea as an eternal ball of fire from the beach is a unique experience. The Nagoa beach is safe for swimming in all seasons.

Kohinoor, a real gem of the 3 star resort with a water park an a discotheque at Fudam, enroute Nagoa beach offers the ultimate luxury and fun. A three star luxury resort, Radhika Beach Resort at Nagoa beach is another place to relax and unwind. Near the airport and Nagoa beach is the Sea Shell Museum, a must see, another sea with a personal collection of over 3000 different kinds of shells collected over last 44 years.

South of the Diu town, 1 k.m, is the stunning Jallandhar Beach named after King Jallandhar who ruled Diu island in ancient times. Some ruins of the Jallandhar dynasty are visible here even today. Jallandhar is a small pleasant beach where one can experience the unbridled fury of the sea. Watching the sea waves crash into the large rocks is thrilling. Located on a hillock close to the beach is Jallandhar Shrine crowned with a dome. Nearby there is also a temple of goddess Chandrika. There are beautiful Govt. cottages near the beach available for staying. A short distance to the west of Jallandhar beach is yet another beach, Chakratirth, worth visit. Overlooked by a high hill, Chakratirth beach provides a spectacular sight of sunset from this high point. The landscape has been beautifully illuminated. Close by is the INS Khukri Memorial dedicated to crew of 18 officers and 176 sailors of the Indian naval ship who fell prey to three torpedoes fired by Pakistan Submarine, PNS Hangor, in the 1971 war.

The golden sand Ghoghla Beach, 3 k.m to the north near the barrier on the border with Gujarat undulates into the horizon while the Arabian sea laps away at the edge as though imploring the sands to let it find its own peace. A tourist resort, Suzlon Beach Hotel of the Suzlon Group provides comfortable accommodation and excellent facilities. One can do parasailing and water skiing here at the beach. Baria Water Sports tel:9426944712. Parasailing Rs.300 for 1 k.m road. Scooter riding Rs.30 to 10 minutes. Gomtimata Beach is more secluded to the west of the town near Vanakbara village, a place preferred by the foreigners.

Fort:

A massive and imposing structure situated on the coast of the island, Diu Fort is considered one of the most important structures in Asia. The fort constructed in 1535 by Nuno De Cunha skirted by the sea on three sides and a canal on the fourth, with its double moat (one tidal) gives a glimpse of the Portuguese might. Joao De Castro added to it structurally in 1542 A.D and Manuel De Souza built bastions. Inside the fort the gaunt majesty of the ancient stone work transports one to a bygone era of gallant soldiers where time stands still. Cannon balls litter the place and ramparts have superb array of old cannons (some in good condition). The moats around the fort made it virtually impregnable for the invading armies and murderous volley of gun fire of the Portuguese soldiers from the ramparts above would dishearten any army in the world. Its ramparts provide a breathtaking view of the sea and part of the vast 21 k.m coastline. The central part of the fort is still a jail having few inmates and a few remains of bombed out Chapel remains.

The bombed out and falling Cavaliero Light House recently resorted by the government is the highest point in Diu and the most attractive part of the fort. It is 15.5 m tall, stands at an elevation of 45.5 m and looks out to 24 k.m of sea during the day and 32 k.m during the night, when lit. a strange mist shrouds the entire fort. It is more conspicuous during winter, when fog spreads around it and the flicker of the gas flame becomes distant and misty. Entry is free, closes at 17:00 hrs. The fortress of Panikota (Fortim Do Mar) is an impressive stone structure in the middle of the sea, built right at the mouth of the creek. Approachable by a boat or motor launch, about one nautical mile from the Diu jetty, it has a light house and a small church dedicated to Our Lady of Sea. Legend has it that Fortim Do Mar was once connected with the land by an under sea tunnel.

Churches:

The churches of Diu have a distinctive and impressive Portuguese influence. These churches offer interesting glimpses into the history and are monuments of Portuguese and Catholic legacy. The most remarkable among them is St.Paul’s Church with a baroque marble façade, surmounted by a cross. Dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, construction started in 1601 A.D. The church adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell like motifs and fine wood paneling is considered to be the most elaborate of all the Portuguese churches in India. It resembles Bom Jesus Church in architectural style

The Church of St.Thomas in gothic architecture built in 1598 is now a museum and houses an interesting collection of Catholic statues – an archeological treasure house. It also exhibits various stone inscriptions of the earlier rules, wooden carvings, idols shadow-clocks and other artifacts. The church of St. Francis of Assisi built in 1593 was the friary of the Franciscans. The church has been converted into a government hospital.

Other notable church, Our Lady of Remedies, though in ruins is near the village of Fudam, about 2 k.m from town, has carved wooden altar with Madonna and Child remains inside. Vanakbara on the wetern tip of the Diu island has an old Church of Our Lady of Mercy.

Gangeshwar Temple:

About 2 k.m west of Diu Fort in Fudam village, is an interesting cave temple where the Lord Shiva makes his presence felt. Believed to be 5000 years old, the temple is supposed to have been built during the time of Pandavas’ (of Mahabharat Epic) 14 years exile in forest.

According to the folklore, the Pandavas landed in Diu while roaming about Kathiwad and being staunch Shiviate, they won’t eat until they prayed to the Lord. One day, not having found any shivalinga (phallic symbol of Lord Shiva) to worship till late evening, they installed a Shivalinga, each according to his height, I a narrow cave facing the sea. These have been worshipped down the ages by the saints and the practice continued after that. These shivalingas often lapped by the waves at high tide have mystic aura around them and are believed to fulfill all wishes. This place has no constructed structure but a cave and the shivalingas with idols of Ganesh and Parvati, and inscriptions in Brahmi. South west of the cave, facing sea is the kund (well) which supposedly gets filled with sweet water at low tide despite being surrounded by the sea. Regarding this as divine, the locals have termed the flow of sweet water as Ganga Dhara (flow of the sacred Ganga) and hence the temple has been named as Gangeshwar. It is believed that anyone spending the night in the cave will surely lose consciousness. Those who have dared infact have been reported to seeing a long haired and bearded man before losing consciousness. Locals claim to have heard occasionally the conch shells blaring at midnight at the temple but found no one on investigating.