Daman & Diu -Tourism

The second smallest union territory in India, Daman and Diu is located near Gujarat. Daman lies on the Gujarat coast while Diu is an islet in the southern fringe of Kathiawar peninsula. It is bounded on its north and south by Bhagwan and the Kalem Rivers respectively, on its east by the Gujarat state and on its west by the Arabian Sea. 

Diu lies in the Gulf of Cambay near Veraval Port and is separated from the southern extremity of the Saurashtra peninsula by a narrow channel running through a swamp. The island is connected to the mainland by a narrow channel on the north. Daman has a mild and humid climate while Diu has a sultry climate. It has no subdivisions. The Daman region administered by a collector while Diu is under the charge of a civil.

Places to Visit in Daman and Diu- Daman and Diu offers you a refreshing holiday. Daman and Diu is a destination for everyone and for all seasons. Idyllic sunbathed-beaches, nostalgic forts and churches and a rich local heritage and culture - tourist attractions in Daman and Diu are galore.

The history of Daman and Diu dates back to some 2000 years. Diu even finds mention in the Mahabharata, that the Pandava brothers spent a few days here during their fourteen years exile.

Owing to its matchless beauty, Daman and Diu were often gifted to victorious kings and princes.

Places to See in Daman and Diu

Devka Beach- It has an amusement park with a number of colorful fountains and is a place to frolic around.

Moti Daman Fort- The huge fort dates back to 16th century. A large number of Portuguese gentry used to reside within the confine of the Fort with their families.

Nani Daman- It has an ancient church, a fort and a fishing dock. The lighthouse offers that mystic charm to its lovely beach.

Damanganga Tourist Complex- An artificially built complex self-contained with Cafeteria, Cottages, Conference Hall, Health Club etc is sure to enchant you with its beauty, facilities and size.

Fort of Diu- Among the tourist attractions in Daman and Diu, the Diu Fort acquires a prominent position. Skirted by the sea on the three sides, the imposing structure dominates the townscape and offers a magnificent view of the sea.

Hilsa Aquarium- The recently developed Hilsa Aquarium displays a good collection of exotic and colourful fish.

Jampore Beach- The serene beach is an ideal place to be at and listen to the whisper of the palm tress and laze around.

Church of Bom Jesus- The church was built by the Portuguese in 17th century and is famous for their impressive rosewood carvings.

Nagoa Beach- This semi-circular beach is in Bucharwada village. You can swim or engage in various water sports.

Gangeshwar Temple- The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva houses five lingas in the midst of the rocks on the seashore.

Fort Jerome- Fort Jerome is situated at North side of the river Damanganga. The fort was named after St. Jerome. In fact, St. Jerome's statue can be seen while entering the fort. However, the Church of Our Lady of the sea is the main attraction of this fort. The Church was constructed in Portuguese style architecture and a part of it has been converted into a school. The other thing which equally makes this fort famous is the Portuguese war cemetery. The age of the cemetery and the fort is almost same.

Zampa Gateway- Zampa Gateway is a notable attraction for being the entrance to the District of Diu. Its construction was done during the medieval era. The carvings of priests, lions and angels on its walls make it a must visit place. What makes it even more interesting is the chapel which was built in 1702 A.D.

Naida Caves- Naida caves is not as famous as the other attractions of Daman and Diu, but over the years it has become a favourite spot of the photographers. This cave is located outside the Diu fort and tourists who are fond of tunnels and want to explore caves, should visit this place. 

Reach Diu by Road- In order to reach Diu by road tourists can avail the numerous buses and private vehicles. Diu has to its credit, a wide network of roads which connects this island to the rest of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Diu is connected to Vapi at a length of 13 kilometers, which is again linked to the Bombay- Ahmedabad national highway.

The actual distance between Mumbai and Diu is190 kilometres and between Ahmedabad and Diu is 768 kilometers. Diu and Vapi are well connected to each other by means of excellent roadways. The network of roads connect Diu to places like Una, which is 30 kilometers away from Diu. 

There are luxury buses and direct seater buses, which carry passengers from Ahmedabad to the island of Diu. These buses leave Ahmedabad at 9.30 pm and takes around 10 hours to reach Diu. The sleeper or luxury buses provide full relaxation to the tourists during their journey. The most popular bus travel agencies who provide excellent traveling facilities via buses are Sahjanand Travels, Paldi Char Rasta, Shiv Skati Travels. 

Private cars and hired taxis take around 7 to 8 hours to reach Diu from Ahmedabad. These cars take 6 to 7 hours to reach Diu from Bhavnagar. The taxis charge around 4,000/- in order to reach Diu.