bea_ahmedpur2

There are 6 beaches to choose from- Nagoa is the best, a beautiful, white sanded, crescent shaped beach, enclosing a cove of quiet blue water, perfect for a swim, wading in the shallows, relaxing by the sea, water sports(same as in Ahmedpur Mandvi, but jetskiing and knee board surfing are being introduced) and camel or pony riding. Jalandar is pleasant and quiet, less frequented by tourists, and very close to town. Chakratirth has a good beach, a sunset point, a Shiv temple washed by the sea and a summer bungalow with views. Goghla beach is the Diu union territory section of the Ahmedpur Mandvi. The Simmer beach on the mainland is being promoted for beach sports-beach volley ball, fishing, sailing. The Gahirmata beach is a 10-12 km virgin stretch of white sands from Nagoa to Vanakbara, which is being landscaped-should be a resort very soon.

Watersports at Ahmedpur Mandvi

In your rush to spend time at the beaches, do not miss seeing the imposing, huge battlemented 16^th century fortress of Diu, which spanning an area of over 5 1/2 sq km, rates among the largest fortresses on India's west coast and one of the greatest Portugese fortifications in all of Asia. It is easy to imagine why Diu must have been an impregenable enclave even for the mighty forces of Greek born Ottoman ruler, Sulaiman Pasha, as you gaze at the massive walls, streghtened by bastions named for various Christian saints, gaurded by the sea on one side and a dual moat, one being tidal, cut into rocks on the other, and the imposing gateways. The fort is now a ruined complex of the governor's palaces, churches, cathedrals, barracks, dwellings and prisons. A highlight of the fort is the massive rampart, gaurded by canons, one of them with an inscription dating it's casting to 1624 on order of Don Diego De silva Conde De Porta Legre during the reign of Don Phillippe, Rex D' Esp, with breathtaking views of the sea and the island fort of Panikhotha.

Nagoa beachy

A short distance from the fort, the church of St Paul, built in the 17th century, has a perfectly proportioned facade of white marble, with intricate workmansion, a tall rounded arch door flanked by smaller rectagular entrances, the whole surmounted by a cross. Inside, we saw intricate wood carved galleries, an impressive altar and arcaded Jesuit seminary, and behind it a courtyard with rounded arches and greenery. Wood carvers from Goa are said to be responsible for this church to Her Lady of Imaculate Conception. Another church nearby, Sao Tome or St Thomas church, is now a museum with a good collection of wooden sculpture and archeological finds. St Francis of Asisi church at Fudam,dedicated to our Lady of Remedies, is now a primary hospital. Bucharvada village in the Fudam locality of Diu has a strong Portugese flavour. Vanakbara has a fishing pier, fort and church.