The “Diu travel guide” includes complete info needed to plan a trip to this beautiful island.

• About Diu
• How to get to Diu?
• Where to stay?
• The best time to visit
• Places to visit in Diu
• Places to visit near Diu
• Travel tips

I recently travelled to Diu, and it was love at first sight. It’s funny how I know about the pristine beaches of Italy but was unaware of this stunning gem in my backyard.

Diu sees masses of tourists, mainly Gujaratis, so it isn’t a hidden gem. But I’m sure Diu isn’t on many people’s bucket list. It wasn’t on mine either.

So, don’t worry. After reading the “Diu travel guide”, you’ll want to add Diu to your travel bucket list.

ABOUT DIU

Did you know Diu Town and Diu District are different?

Well, I didn’t.

Before researching, I had no idea Diu Town was a fortified town in Diu District. And that Diu District is one of the three districts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu union territory.

The “Diu travel guide” is about the Diu District.

Diu is a small island just off the coast of Gujarat. Despite being a small island, Diu is a developed area with well-maintained roads, clean beaches, a range of hotels, multi-cuisine restaurants and preserved monuments.

A bridge connects the island to the mainland. Diu is a short drive away, but the vibe is the opposite. Travelling to Diu feels like you’ve teleported to an exotic island.

Are you searching for a serene and quiet place to relax without large crowds? Tired of the party scene in Goa and on the hunt for a new beach town? It’s Diu.

HOW TO GET TO DIU?

In this section of the Diu travel guide, discover how to reach Diu.

Diu District is well-connected to various cities in Gujarat and India by road, train and flight.

BY ROAD

A network of national highways, expressways and state highways connect Diu to various cities in Gujarat and India.

You can also reach Diu from other Indian cities. Diu is 746 km from Pune, 602 km from Mumbai and 1,560 km from Bangalore; whether you’re travelling from Pune, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore, follow the NH48.

Daily, eight buses travel between Mumbai and Diu. If you’re travelling from Pune, take the bus to Mumbai, then hop onto another bus heading to Diu.

A popular route among visitors is Dwarka, Somnath and Diu.

From Somnath temple in Prabhas Patan, you can hire a taxi or board a bus to Diu.

It is a 2-2½ hour drive to Diu.

Taxis charge Rs.2,100 onwards (one-way) for sedans and Rs.2,800 (one-way) for SUVs. Or you can take the bus to Diu from Prabhas Patan.

Or you can take the bus to Diu from Prabhas Patan; buses (AC and sleeper bus) run regularly between Somnath temple and Diu.

Upon arriving in Diu, you can take the auto or taxi to your hotel.

Or you can rent bikes and scooters for your stay from one of the many rental shops near the bus stand.

BY TRAIN

Diu is a small island and doesn’t have a train station.

Veraval station, 90 km away, is the closest railway station to Diu; there are direct trains from Pune and Mumbai to Veraval.

You can hire a taxi or board the bus to Diu from Veraval.

BY FLIGHT

Diu airport is small and has fewer connections to other Indian cities.

Travelling to Diu by flight from many Indian cities (except Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Surat) is infeasible– because there are no direct flights (meaning long halts), and the tickets are pricey.

If you are coming from Mumbai, Ahmedabad or Surat, then flights are a good option. There are direct flights to Diu from these destinations, and the tickets are cheaper than flights from other Indian cities.

The best way to get to Diu is by bus, train or self-driving.

WHERE TO STAY IN DIU?

Diu might be small, but it has a wide range of accommodations – budget hotels and luxury resorts; choose a hotel near Nagoa Beach or in Diu Town.

That’s because all the fun activities are at Nagoa Beach, and all the monuments are in Diu Town.

I stayed at the Kostamar Beach Resort and Spa at Nagoa Beach.

The best feature of Kostamar Resort was its proximity to Nagoa Beach. The sandy shore is across the road from the hotel.

Also, there is a row of food stalls and souvenir shops within walking distance.

Kostamar Resort is a large hotel designed in the form of villas; each villa has four rooms with views of the swimming pool.

The rooms are moderate-sized, equipped with a queen bed and a convertible sofa (for third person); the bathrooms are clean and spacious and have hot water 24/7.

Kostamar Resort’s breakfast buffet was good.

I also visited their rooftop restaurant and bar. While the food here was delicious, the service was unsatisfactory.

I had to wait 20 minutes for the staff to take my order and another 15 minutes to get a glass of water.

Despite the delays, the food was tasty.

The rotis were soft, and the chicken curry was spicy and flavourful.

The restaurant was short-staffed that day, as they hadn’t anticipated a large crowd during the off-season.

I would rate my stay at the Kostamar Beach Resort and Spa three stars.

It would have been four stars, but the pool was closed for restoration, and the service at the rooftop restaurant was poor.

NOTE:- It might not appear so, but they have ample outdoor parking and an underground parking lot.

BEST TIME TO VISIT DIU

The best time to visit Diu is from October to May.

From March to May are the summer months. Diu is an island and has tropical weather all year round.

From March to May, the temperature is on the rise, and it gets hot. If you’re visiting during this time, carry hats, sunglasses and lots of water while exploring Diu.

Summer months are the peak season because of the summer holidays. Many families are on vacation. However, you can find fewer people during early March and the end of May.

June to September are the monsoon months. Diu is an island in the Arabian Sea and receives heavy rainfall.

The temperatures are high in the morning and drop down at night. It is also off-season.

During the monsoons, water sports and other activities are closed due to rough seas.

October is an ideal time to visit Diu if you want to be away from crowds. However, due to the October heat, the temperature is high during the day and night.

I visited Diu in October, and it was boiling. After exploring the Diu Fort for two hours, I was dehydrated.

If you’re visiting Diu in October, bring hats, sunglasses and lots of water while exploring.

From November to February, the temperature is low, and the weather is pleasant.

It is time for winter holidays. So, it gets busy during this time. If you’re travelling during these months, pre-book hotels.

The best time to visit Diu is February, March, the end of May, October, and early November.

PLACES TO SEE IN DIU

Diu is a small area with lots to see and visit– clean beaches for swimming, a church, an old temple, a medieval fort, a battleship and more.

I have classified the places to visit in Diu into two types – beaches and monuments.

BEACHES

Diu is an island with several beaches, but not all are suitable for swimming.

• Nagoa Beach
• Dinosaur Park Beach
• Ghoghla Beach
• Jallandhar Beach

NAGOA BEACH

Nagoa Beach is the main beach of Diu because that’s where all the action lies.

Hotels, souvenir shops, and food stalls line the sandy seashore of Nagoa Beach.

Indulge in water sports, shopping, swimming and food tours, or ask a photographer roaming on the beach to take a photo (or a couple) for a fee.

TRAVEL TIP:- There is a big changing room towards the end of Nagoa Beach; ladies, enjoy the beach without worrying about walking around in wet clothes.

DINOSAUR PARK BEACH

There is no Dinosaur Park Beach in Diu.

It is a rocky portion of Nagoa Beach.

I named it Dinosaur Park Beach because of the dinosaur-themed playground on the shore, therefore the name.

You can find the gateway to the beach en route to the other end of Nagoa Beach (search for “Dinosaur Park” on Google Maps).

It is a part of Nagoa Beach, so why is it mentioned separately?

This section is rocky and is different from the rest of Nagoa Beach.

Dinosaur Park Beach is unfit for swimming but is the best place to watch the sunset.

NOTE:- Keep your cameras ready to capture the waves crashing against the rocky shore with a boom.

The best feature of this beach is the lack of visitors; people drive up to the beach, but when they see the rocks, they turn back after a few minutes.

Unfortunately, the dinosaur-themed playground is closed and in serious need of repairs.

GHOGHLA BEACH

On the other end of Diu is Ghoghla Beach; it is just as famous as Nagoa Beach, but Ghoghla Beach sees fewer visitors due to its distance from Diu town.

If you want a quiet beach with water sports and a few people, go to Ghoghla Beach.

Ghoghla Beach is often vacant except during peak season when it is bustling with activity.

The beach is ideal for swimming and relaxing on the shore without disturbance.

If you’re a morning person and a fitness enthusiast, go for a walk or morning run on the jogging track running beside the beach.

JALLANDHAR BEACH

It is a little beach near the heritage walk.

The famous Nagoa and Ghoghla beaches overshadow the little stretch of Jallandhar Beach.

I was there for almost an hour and didn’t encounter anyone.

If you want to enjoy beach time without disturbances and crowds, Jallandhar Beach is a good spot.

There is a car park for a couple of cars. Sometimes, during peak season, you can find a vendor (or two) selling refreshments and snacks.

TRAVEL TIP:- Climb the steps to the heritage walk, where you have aerial views of Jallandhar Beach and the surrounding area.

MONUMENTS

There are quite a few monuments to visit in Diu. But that’s not the best part. Due to their proximity, you can see them all in one day.

The parking attendant at Gangeshwar temple advised me to visit the monuments in the order mentioned below.

You should see the monuments in the mentioned order so you don’t waste time driving around the island.

• Gangeshwar temple
• INS Khukri Memorial
• Diu Museum
• St. Paul’s Church
• Diu Fort
• INS Khukri museum
• Naida Caves

GANGESHWAR TEMPLE

Gangeshwar Mahadev temple is a 5000-year-old temple along the rocky cliffs of Diu.

Lord Shiva, the presiding deity, worshipped at the temple along with Lord Ganesh, Vishnu and goddess Laxmi. The deity is Gangeshwar (Lord of River Ganga) because the River Ganga descends on earth through Lord Shiva’s tresses.

The temple is home to five Shivalingas of varying sizes. According to legend, the Pandavas built a Shivalinga each, according to their sizes. Devotees believe Bheem established the biggest Linga.

But what makes the Gangeshwar temple a must-visit place in Diu?

The location of the five lingas makes it a must-visit place in Diu. The five lingas are at the bottom of a rocky cliff. There is no pandit to worship the Shivalingas because the waves splash against the lingas, performing a natural abhishek.

Devotees can touch the lingas when the waves recede. But be careful of large waves as the ground is slippery, and the force of the waves can knock you down.

If you’re travelling to Diu, don’t forget to visit the Gangeshwar temple.

TIMINGS:– The temple is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

INS KHUKRI MEMORIAL

The INS Khukri (F-159) was an Indian Navy battleship. In 1971, during the Indo-Pak war, it was destroyed by three torpedoes and sank 40 nautical miles off the Diu coast.

INS Khukri went down with its Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, 18 Officers and 176 sailors.

The INS Khukri Memorial opened on 15 December 1999 on a hill at the Chakratirth Beach.

Atop the hill is a mini model of the INS Khukri and the names of those who sacrificed their lives during the war.

While climbing the hill, you can spot stone slabs engraved with the names of the officers on the green slopes.

INS Khukri Memorial offers panoramic views of Chakratirth Beach and the Diu coastline. You don’t want to miss them.

TICKETS AND TIMINGS:- The memorial is open from Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free. However, if you want to hire a golf cart, it is Rs.40 per person.

DIU MUSEUM

The Diu Museum is a church converted into a museum.

St. Thomas church is a Gothic-style church built by the Portuguese during their reign. Over the years, it has served as an orphanage, Old Age home, and police station, and before independence, it housed the Angolan Battalion.

After independence, the church lay abandoned for several years. In 1992, St. Thomas church the government turned into a museum, hence the name St. Thomas Museum.

The museum houses ancient stone inscriptions of rulers, statues, fountains and other artefacts that boast Diu’s history. The museum is home to 400-year-old wooden and marble statues of St. Thomas and St. Benedict.

I couldn’t visit the Diu Museum because it was closed for restoration.

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

The St. Paul’s Church, near Diu Museum, worships Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Therefore, it is also known as the Church of Immaculate Conception.

St. Paul’s Church is one of the three churches built by the Portuguese during their reign. It is also the only one that is working.

This 400-year-old church has religious and historical significance. It also shares similarities with the Bom Jesus Church in Goa: Gothic-style architecture and the Portuguese built them.

The Gothic-style architecture, volutes and shell motifs are beautiful and a must-visit. Also, the exterior makes for a good background.

DIU FORT

Diu Fort, or Fort of Diu, is a medieval battle fort built by the Portuguese.

The Arabian Sea surrounds the fort on three sides and a canal on the fourth side.

In 1535, D. nuno da Cunha built the Diu Fort. The then Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, and the Portuguese joined hands to fight against the Mughals. Diu Fort was a symbol of this alliance.

Again, in 1546, D. Joao de Castro rebuilt the Diu Fort. During the Portuguese reign, the fort served as a home for nobles, a church, chapel, warehouse, armoury, prison and barracks for soldiers.

The Diu Fort played a crucial part in Diu’s history.

TRAVEL TIP:- Diu Fort is enormous and requires a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Also, carry plenty of water to stay hydrated. I made the mistake of not bringing enough water and was extremely dehydrated.

The fort is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and entry is free.

INS KHUKRI SHIP

Don’t confuse INS Khukri Ship and INS Khukri Memorial. Both are different.

The INS Khukri Ship is a decommissioned naval ship. At the inauguration of INS Khukri Memorial, the Indian Navy gave it to the administrators of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

The INS Khukri Ship (P49) was the first missile corvette built by the Indian Navy.

This decommissioned naval ship is open to the public for tours.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the inside of the INS Khukri because it is closed to the public during heavy rainfall.

TICKETS:- A single ticket costs Rs.100 for adults and Rs.50 for children below 15 years old. Only 30 people are allowed at once.

TIMINGS:- It is open from Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

NAIDA CAVES

The Naida Caves are beautiful, at least the photos are. I didn’t go to see the caves because the government has closed them indefinitely to the public. But if they reopen the caves, be sure to visit them.

Naida Caves are a network of tunnels constructed by the Portuguese during their reign.

The Portuguese used the caves as a source of building material for the Diu Fort.

The caves are of varying sizes and shapes, and only a portion of the network is open. There’s still a lot to explore.

Research shows that the caves were a result of different geological processes.

According to locals, during Operation Vijay in 1961, the Portuguese hid in the Naida Caves to escape from the Indian Army.

The Naida Caves are closed, but I hope they reopen, so I added it to the list.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR DIU

In this section of the Diu travel guide, find a list of places to visit near Diu.

Diu is a long weekend destination, but if you have more time, here’s a list of places to add to your itinerary.

• Somnath temple
• Dwarka
• Gir National Park

All three destinations are in the neighbouring state of Gujarat. You can visit Somnath temple and Gir National Park on day trips from Diu. Dwarka is further away and requires an overnight stay.

SOMNATH TEMPLE

The Somnath temple is one of the twelve jyotirlingas and the most revered. Devotees from around the world come here.

Only 80 km away, Somnath temple in Prabhas Patan is the perfect day trip destination from Diu.

You can self-drive, hire a taxi (this option is expensive) or take the bus. If money is not an issue, another option is the helicopter. Recently, helicopter services have begun between Diu and Somnath.

There is plenty to see in Prabhas Patan aside from the Somnath temple: Samudra Darshan promenade, Somnath Beach and Laxmi Narayan Mandir.

If you’re travelling to Somnath, read my Somnath temple travel guide.

DWARKA

It is not a day trip destination, but many people travel to Dwarka along with Somnath temple and Diu.

Dwarka is an ancient city and home to the Dwarkadhish temple. I recommend at least two days to explore everything in and around the city.

I was in Dwarka for a day and visited the Dwarkadhish temple, Rukmini Devi Mandir, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Ojha and more.

The ancient city of Dwarka is 316 km from Diu and 237 km from Somnath temple. Bus, train and self-driving are the only ways to reach Dwarka from Diu.

There are no direct trains from Diu to Dwarka. Take the bus to Veraval from Diu. From Veraval, take a bus to Dwarka or a train (SMNH Okha Express) to Dwarka.

If you’re travelling to Dwarka, read my Dwarka travel guide.

GIR NATIONAL PARK

The Gir National Park is home to over 300 Asiatic lions and lionesses. It is the only place, besides Africa, where you can witness lions in their natural habitat.

Gir National Park is 110 km from Diu and takes 2-3 hours. The only way to reach the park is by self-driving or taxi.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit Gir due to time constraints. You need at least two days in Gir.

You can visit Gir National Park on a day trip and go on a safari. But, if you want to increase your chances of spotting the big cat, book 2-3 safaris.

I recently travelled to Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Based on my experience, I recommend planning a separate trip to Gir National Park.

TRAVEL TIPS

Travel tips are the last section of the Diu travel guide. I have added travel tips throughout the blog post. If you missed them, here’s a list of travel tips to make your Diu trip hassle-free.

• Always pre-book your hotels during peak season. Diu is a small island, so hotels fill up fast.
• If you’re travelling from Mumbai, Surat or Ahmedabad, flights are the quickest way to reach Diu.
• For those travelling from Pune, Bangalore, Delhi, and other Indian cities, trains, self-driving and buses are a better option.
• Water sports and other activities are closed during the off-season (from June to September, sometimes even October).
• You can rent scooters and bikes for commuting in Diu during your stay. You can find rental shops near the Diu bus stand.
• Nagoa Beach is the best place to stay in Diu. Resorts, water sports, restaurants, and shopping are within walking distance of the beach.
• Visit Gangeshwar temple early because there are fewer people in the morning. It gets crowded after 9 a.m.
• It gets hot and humid during the day, so try finishing sightseeing by noon. Carry hats, caps, sunglasses and lots of water while going sightseeing.

CONCLUSION

That concludes the Diu travel guide. Here’s a summary of the Diu travel guide.

• About Diu
• How to get to Diu ?
• Where to stay?
• The best time to visit
• Places to visit in Diu
• Places to visit near Diu
• Travel tips

If you’re planning a trip to Diu, don’t forget to read my 24 hours in Diu blog post.

I hope the Diu travel guide was helpful. If I missed something or you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Sea la vie!

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