India’s First Underwater Warship Museum To Open In Sindhudurg: What Travellers Can Expect

Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district will soon be home to India’s first underwater warship museum, artificial coral reef, and submarine tourism project. The ambitious marine tourism initiative is focused on INS Guldar, a decommissioned Indian Navy warship that has now been submerged off the Konkan coast near the Nivati Rock formations.

Resting at a depth of 20 to 22 metres below sea level, the former naval vessel is expected to become a major attraction for scuba divers, marine explorers, underwater photographers, and adventure travellers.

Officials say the project is the first of its kind in both India and Asia to combine naval heritage, marine conservation, and underwater tourism. The project is being developed by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and is expected to be fully operational within about 1.5 years.

INS Guldar Becomes India’s First Underwater Warship Museum

INS Guldar, a Kumbhir-class landing ship of the Indian Navy, served for nearly four decades before being formally decommissioned on January 12, 2024.

In February 2025, the Indian Navy transferred the vessel to MTDC at no cost for conversion into an underwater tourism attraction. Before the submersion process began, the ship underwent extensive cleaning, and all hazardous materials were removed to ensure it would be environmentally safe underwater.

The vessel was submerged near the Nivati Rock formations off the Sindhudurg coast on May 19. According to officials, expert teams worked continuously for about 36 hours to carefully position the ship on the seabed at the designated location.

Once operational, visitors will be able to explore the underwater warship through scuba diving expeditions, guided underwater tours, and underwater photography experiences.

The site is also expected to gradually transform into an artificial reef ecosystem, attracting fish, coral growth, and other marine life over time.

Sindhudurg To Launch India’s First Submarine Tourism Experience

One of the biggest highlights of the project is the planned submarine tourism facility being developed by MTDC. The idea is to make the underwater attraction accessible even to visitors who do not scuba dive.

According to MTDC Managing Director Nilesh Gathane, tourists will be able to safely observe the underwater warship and the surrounding marine ecosystem from inside a submarine without entering the sea.

The submarine rides are expected to offer close views of the submerged vessel, marine biodiversity, and coral development around the wreck site. Officials believe this will significantly widen the appeal of underwater tourism in Maharashtra by allowing families, elderly visitors, and non-swimmers to experience the attraction comfortably.

The project is also expected to position Sindhudurg alongside global marine tourism destinations known for underwater museums and artificial reef attractions.

Artificial Coral Reef To Boost Marine Biodiversity In Maharashtra

Apart from tourism, the project also focuses heavily on marine conservation and sustainable development.

As the submerged warship settles underwater, it is expected to naturally evolve into an artificial coral reef. Such reefs create habitats for marine organisms and help support biodiversity in surrounding waters.

Officials say the initiative will encourage sustainable use of marine resources while also boosting awareness about underwater ecosystems.

Sindhudurg Collector Trupti Dhomase recently visited the Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports (IISDA) in Tarkarli and stated that the project would give marine tourism in India a completely new direction while ensuring the sustainable development of natural resources.

The Konkan coast, already known for its clear waters and scuba diving activities, is expected to benefit significantly from the addition of a large-scale underwater attraction linked to marine conservation.

Sindhudurg Tourism Expected To Get Major Boost

The underwater museum project is expected to create new opportunities for tourism and local employment across the Sindhudurg region. Officials believe the attraction will strengthen adventure tourism in Maharashtra, especially in the Konkan belt, by drawing domestic and international tourists interested in scuba diving and marine experiences.

The project has received support from the Maharashtra government, including state tourism authorities and local leadership. Further infrastructure development is currently underway to ensure safe visitor access and operational readiness once tourism activities begin. Once completed, tourists will be able to participate in guided diving experiences led by certified PADI divers, explore the marine life surrounding the wreck, and take submarine rides to witness the underwater ecosystem up close.

With INS Guldar now resting beneath the Arabian Sea, Sindhudurg is set to emerge as one of India’s most unique marine tourism destinations in the coming years.

(With inputs from various sources)

FAQs

1. Where is India’s first underwater warship museum located?

The museum is being developed off the coast of Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra near the Nivati Rock formations.

2. What is INS Guldar?

INS Guldar was a Kumbhir-class landing ship of the Indian Navy that served for nearly four decades before being decommissioned in 2024.

3. How deep is the underwater museum site?

The submerged warship rests at a depth of around 20 to 22 metres below sea level.

4. What activities will visitors be able to do?

Visitors will be able to experience scuba diving, guided underwater tours, underwater photography, and submarine rides.

5. What is the purpose of the artificial coral reef?

The submerged vessel is expected to evolve into an artificial reef, supporting marine biodiversity and coral growth.