Dona Paula Sightseeing - National Oceanography Institute

The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) with its headquarters at Dona Paula in Goa is one of the 38 constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research New Delhi. It was established on 1 January 1966 and since then the institute has grown into a large oceanographic laboratory of international repute. The focus of research has been on observing and understanding the special oceanographic features that the North Indian basin offers. This marine school encourages not only marine biology, but also almost all the major branches of coastal and marine oceanography. And if you are the type who loves to read, then visit the library which has around 15,000 books and 20,000 back volumes of research journals, making it the best collection of printed literature on ocean sciences in the country. Another major attraction here is its Marine Biology Museum and Taxonomy Reference Center situated in the institute which is a must see.

The Mandovi River which is the lifeline of Goa meanders its way through this scenic state, finally pouring into the Arabian Sea. Spanning across the Mandovi River near Panjim is the majestic Mandovi Bridge. The bridge was infamous for its collapses in the 1980s before a new bridge was constructed to accommodate heavy transport vehicles. During the winter months, the peak tourist season, special dusk cruises on the Mandovi River with serenading bands, dances and the works add to the charm of the river.