Porbandar-Diu, Dwarka-Jamnagar cruises to be launched in Gujarat

India’s longest coastline state is set to have cruise services connecting various districts. After the Ro-Ro ferry service between Hazira and Ghogha was launched 2017, to push ‘coastal tourism’, Gujarat government is planning to introduce cruise circuits on various routes such as Padala Island–Rann of Kutch, Porbandar–Veraval–Diu, and Dwarka–Okha–Jamnagar.

Recently, the Gujarat Maritime Board organised a workshop to define the framework for a cruise shipping policy under the Cruise Bharat Mission. As part of this initiative, Gujarat has proposed several potential cruise circuits along its western coastline.

These include major destinations such as Diu, Veraval, Porbandar, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Okha, and Padala Island, along with the currently operational Ro-Pax service between Ghogha and Hazira. The proposed routes have been divided into three clusters: Padala Island–Rann of Kutch, Porbandar–Veraval–Diu, and Dwarka–Okha–Jamnagar.

Each cluster has been designed keeping tourism in mind—especially ensuring that each one includes major religious, natural, and cultural sites within a 100-km radius. This approach aims to offer tourists a wide range of attractions and entertainment options.

Notably, the Cruise Bharat Mission was launched last year with the goal of making India a global cruise tourism hub in the coming decade. The mission also aims to increase sea cruise tourism tenfold by 2029.

While major ports like Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, and Mormugao have made significant progress in developing cruise terminals, Gujarat still lags far behind in this area.

Proposed cruise circuits:

• Padala Island – Rann of Kutch
• Porbandar – Veraval – Diu
• Dwarka – Okha – Jamnagar