Somewhere beneath the Arabian Sea, off the rugged Konkan coast, a retired warship is being colonised by coral. What was once a vessel of war is now a cathedral of the deep — and Maharashtra wants you to visit.
Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) will soon unveil the Ex-INS Guldar Underwater Museum. The former warship has been scuttled to a depth of 22 metres off the Sindhudurg beach, near the Nivati Rock formations to be developed into an underwater coral reef ecosystem and submarine tourism.
Unique attraction and amenities
The museum will provide a unique and rich heritage experience, along with an attraction for tourists to indulge in scuba diving. The site is expected to be fully functional with scuba diving and submarine tourism in about a year.
The location is accessible from Goa and Mumbai, with both budget and premium hotels and resorts nearby for tourists. Visitors can reach the site via a 1.5–2-hour drive from the Manohar International Airport the Manohar International Airport, Goa or a 1-hour drive from the Kudal Railway Station, Maharashtra. Tourists will take speedboats from local jetties to Nivati Rock. From there, they will board a specialised barge to access the wreck where they can experience scuba diving with a professional or take the submarine to the submerged ex-warship museum. The submarine, a 24–seater passenger vessel will provide a 360–degree panoramic view for a world-class underwater tourism experience. The jetty which will take tourists off the Konkan coast will also be a 25–seater passenger transfer boat. The entire experience is expected to last about 60 minutes.
Visitors are awaiting MTDC’s release of the diving slots, submarine bookings, and other tourist attractions through its official channels. The site is expected to attract both domestic and international tourists in large numbers, once the destination is fully functional in the coming months.
Project funding and economic impact
The project has received INR46.91 crore from the Central government and INR112.46 crore from the Maharashtra government. The attraction has been methodologically developed, keeping all sustainability measures in mind. This project is expected to generate employment for hospitality, water-sports activities, and photography in the long run.
Industry leaders react
Industry leaders commended MTDC for developing this unique attraction and extended support to bring traction to this tourist destination. Ravi Gosain, President, IATO said, “There is a need for marketing of this destination on a national and international level.” He, along with Subhash Goyal, Chairman, STIC Travel Group of Companies, extended their support to attract agents to this project.
Runeep Sangha, Executive Director, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) India Chapter stated, “This is a combination of adventure, experience, and heritage, which will attract the youth primarily.” The project is expected to attract adventure tourists and others interested in marine life, with Gen Z being one of the primary target groups.
Apart from focusing on the marketing aspect, Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC stressed the need for skilling to increase footfall on this underwater museum site. She emphasised the need to have skilled professionals to maintain safety and provide tourists with a wholesome experience.
Once open to visitors, this underwater destination will gain momentum to position Maharashtra as a global underwater tourism hub.
Shreya Bansal is a reporter at TravTalk India, covering the travel and tourism industry. She brings a keen eye for emerging trends, trade developments, and the stories shaping the travel landscape. Through in-depth reporting and on-ground insights, she connects industry stakeholders with news that matters. Beyond travel, Shreya has a growing interest in the premium lifestyle space, particularly the world of fine jewellery and is eager to explore the craftsmanship, culture, and commerce that define luxury living.