A ship which sank near Vasco in South Goa over half a century ago has recently become Goa’s most popular tourist attraction. Drawing visitors from across the country, the SS Rita is reportedly a sight to behold. Here’s everything you need to know. By Eshita Srinivas
India’s sunshine state and beloved seaside destination is known for its bustling parties, eclectic shopping markets, mouth-watering local cuisine, and stunning beaches. Adding to the list of must-dos in Goa is a new tourist attraction that requires adventure-seekers to head to the bottom of the Zuari river. Referred to as the SS Rita, the ship sank in the 1960s and is now believed to be a breathtaking view.
The shipwreck is located about 14 metres under Zuari river
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Once carrying rail tracks from Gujarat to Goa, SS Rita is believed to have capsized near Grand Island after ramming into a set of rocks. However, records of the incident aren’t available at the moment. Skandan Warrier, a former Navy official who now runs a scuba diving institute was quoted by Deccan Herald as saying, “There is a lot of interest among tourists in seeing the shipwreck. It is one of the seven diving sites near the island.”
To head to the fascinating wreckage, which has now reportedly turned into an artificial reef, travellers must dive about 14 metres under Zuari river – known to be the largest in the state. “There are hardly any other shipwrecks that can be explored the way you can explore SS Rita,” Warrior added before noting “It has also become a shelter for fish.”
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On display are the ship’s winches, bow, davit, portholes, and ladder. Most of these are intact and divers regularly give the experience rave reviews. It’s also a part of the seven diving sites that are popular around Grand Island. The island is known for dolphin spotting tours and is a popular feature in most bucket-list travel recommendations in the state. Reportedly, there are two more ships which have sunk in the same region. However, owing to their place of resting – about 20 metres under water – they aren’t as accessible as SS Rita for novice divers.
Representative Hero and Feature image credit: Olga Tsai/Unsplash
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Written By
Eshita Srinivas
Eshita is a food, alcohol, travel, and entertainment writer who spends her days zeroing in on the next big trend to write about. She’s a communication graduate with bylines in Conde Nast Traveller India, GQ India, Deccan Herald, and Girls Buzz. When not at work, you’re likely to find her hunting for a good read or charting out the perfect itinerary ..Read More
