It’s that quiet time of year in Kolkata, when the rain gathers its limbs and departs, leaving the sun diffused and indulgent. Making our way through the tree-lined roads of Fairley Place, we reached BBD Bagh Railway Crossing. Behind the railway tracks lies the Ferry Ghat, a narrow ledge between departure and return. The river sparkles in the waning orange of dusk, alongside the Howrah Bridge rising like a steel city sentinel.
While we wait, the ferry docks at the ghat. We’re getting on the plane. When sailing, the city retreats.
In the heart of the Ganges, the true marvel awaits – the Nautilus, a two-deck passenger cruise, 70 x 13 feet wide, 24,000 square feet long, moored deep in the river’s invisible bottom. Powered by shifting tides and currents, it rotates almost imperceptibly, a full 360 degrees. Through its glass belly and open deck on the second floor, the city spreads out on the far edges of the river. Before us are the length and breadth of the SBI headquarters, the giant football-shaped radar atop the new secretariat, the white dome of the General Post Office, the Eastern Railway headquarters, and the Howrah Bridge through which countless cars pass every second.
Nautilus is the brainchild of Ayan Banerjee. Ian, a sea captain, understands the world of shipping and navigation like the back of his hand. He tells us about the idea of the project, explaining: “In Kolkata everyone loves to party. All over India, if there is anything on a boat, you have to book the whole boat or go somewhere where tickets are issued. I wanted to find a way for people to come on the water and enjoy the water. I could have done it anywhere in India but I wanted to do something for my city. I would have made more money in Goa. But since I love to party, I want others to be able to party and enjoy the atmosphere of the Ganges. They don’t have this concept anywhere in India.”
He adds, “The vessel was a banquet vessel. I included it. We did not touch the hull. Everything you see here – all my employees put their heads together and came up with ideas for the interior decor,” says Ayan.
Explaining the name, he says: “Nautilus has two meanings. In Jules Verne’s novel.” 20,000 leagues under the seaCaptain Nemo’s fictional ship is called the Nautilus. Secondly, the nautilus shell is said to have a golden ratio, making it the most beautiful in the world.
Recalling his experience at sea, the captain recalls, “The largest ship I have ever sailed is five times the size of the Nautilus at just 72 metres. The entire ship is diesel powered, including the electrical connections that power the bar, nightclub and upper deck. This has been a dream project for my city.”
Inside Nautilus | Image source: special arrangement
Nautilus was opened during Durga Puja on September 26, 2025. This unique concept features a nightclub and a shisha bar on the first floor, while the upper deck offers cabana-style seating arrangements along with a larger open-air lounge.
In the near future, the owner plans to introduce live seafood counters “like you see in Singapore,” he says, where guests can choose fish, crab or lobster, and have it prepared fresh at the counter.
Nautilus Bar | Image source: special arrangement
Food and drinks
The bar and food menu includes Indian, continental, Chinese, Italian and fusion dishes. From shots of Don Julio to GH Mom celebrations, martinis, margaritas, gimlets, and an array of liqueurs, the offerings are neither ostentatious nor basic but manage to straddle both. The menu includes Kolkata favorites like fresh river lobster and lobster Bhatki In fish Kalia or Dab chingriI work in Kasonde (mustard), along with pizza, pasta, Thai curry, baked roshogula, Japanese cheesecake, darsan for dessert, and much more. Although the food and beverage menu is not experimental, the dishes are comfortingly familiar and tailored to Kolkata’s eclectic palate – indulgent and without pretense.
The menu has options like Thai curry, lobster, and pizza. | Image source: special arrangement
On special occasions like Bhai Phonta, Deepavali or Durga Puja, curated thalis priced between INR 1,300 and 1,500 are prepared by the on-board chef.
When asked about the safety of guests returning by ferry after consuming alcohol, Ayan confirmed that necessary measures are being taken. “The ferry transporting guests to and from the ship will soon be covered with a net, and several guards will be stationed on board,” he says. He adds that the ferry is reserved exclusively for Nautilus patrons.
In a city where nostalgia often trumps modernity, Nautilus offers a slice of innovation that doesn’t stray from heritage. It brings the relationship between Kolkata and its river full circle: where once an artery of commerce and empire, the Ganges is now a theater of leisure, light and belonging.
Located at BBD Bagh Kolkata, Fairley Place 1, the price for two people is approximately INR 1,800-2,000. No cover charge. For reservations call +91 9147762462
