Date of travel: Mar 17, 2025
Sindhudurg is the southernmost district in the Konkan coast of Maharashtra and is bordered by Ratnagiri in the north and Goa in the south.
Konkan region is coastal zone in Western India nestled between Western ghat mountain range and Arabian Sea and stretches between Maharashtra and Goa. Same coastal part in Karnataka is known as Karavali and in Kerala called Malabar coast.
Konkan and Sindhudurg are treasure trove of natural beauty and rich history. They attract thousands of visitors throughout the year and is my favourite holiday destination in India. Being a Mumbai resident it is very convenient for us to venture in to this scenic and fascinating location home to many beautiful and serene beaches of Maharashtra.
Though we visited northern Konkan multiple times but could not get chance to visit Sindhudurg because of its long distance from Mumbai.
Major Attractions:
Tarkarli
Recently we decided to do beach hopping in Sindhudurg and started our cars early in the morning from Mumbai. We took time to reach Ratnagiri as the national highway was under restoration and it was late evening when we arrived at our hotel. Next morning after breakfast we started nonstop journey to Tarkarli in Malvan and reached MTDC resort.
Sindhudurg is dotted with stunning beaches, famous temples and awe inspiring forts.
Tarkarli is one picturesque beach with crystal clear water perfect for swimming, snorkelling and relaxation. Tarkarli is also famous spot for scuba diving and MTDC has special arrangements for training and certification course.
MTDC charges are fixed at INR 5000 plus taxes for the course. Though many private companies offer the same at much lower price but many people advise to go for MTDC sponsored courses.
Devbaug and Tsunami Island
Next we drove down the narrow spiral road to reach Devbaug beach at the end of the promontory where Karli river meets Arabian Sea.
Devbaug is serene quiet beach, offers breath taking views of the sea and is a perfect spot
for relaxation.
We also took a motor boat ride from the beach through the Karli river towards Tsunami island while enjoying nice breeze and greeneries on the riverside.
Tsunami island is actually a tiny island or piece of land which emerged after devastating tsunami of 2004 and remains submerged during high tide and reappears during low tide.
This place has many local water sports operators offering you banana boat ride, jet ski or kayaking. Ideal for swimming and snorkelling too.
From this point we returned slowly towards convergence of the river and Arabian Sea to enjoy spectacular sunset from our boat near Devbaug beach.
After such a memorable evening we drove back to our resort and had sumptuous dinner of delicious local cuisine. Afterwards we settled ourselves in the courtyard of the resort bang on the sea shore, enjoying the calming sound of the sea waves rejuvenating our senses while gazing at the twinkling stars in the clear night sky.
Malvan Beach, Sindhudurg Fort and Rock Garden
A beautiful sunny morning and chirping of birds all around sent us for a refreshing walk along the clear beach. After breakfast we headed towards stunning and picturesque Malvan beach. Its golden sand and clear water make it ideal for all kinds of water sports. A great local market attracts lots of visitors here.
Historic Sindhudurg Fort is situated off the Malvan coast very near to the beach. Built by Shivaji Maharaj in 17 th Century, this magnificent fort located on a small island can be accessed only by boat. Its main gate, wall, bastions and the museum can impress every tourist. View of the surroundings from top of the walls is spectacular and sunset is magical.
Fort has entrée fee of Rs 50 and boat ride costs Rs 200 usually. Another scenic spot is famous Rock Garden which features unique and beautifully crafted rock formations, variety of plants and flowers. The garden offers stunning views of Arabian sea and surrounding landscapes.
Kunkeshwar Temple and Devgad Beach
Our next destination was magnificent Kunkeshwar temple and serene Kunkeshwar beach. An hour long drive via Kolamb, Kalawali and Mithbav bridge took us to Kunkeshwar beach. This beach has rocky shores, very scenic and famous Shiva temple is situated here on a hill overlooking the beach. This historic temple was built in 12 th century and has majestic grandeur as you enter. It captivates you with splendid views of the surroundings from its courtyard. Bestowed with blessings of Lord Shiva we went to nearby MTDC resort for lunch.
After spending some relaxed time at the resort we started towards Devgad beach. On the way we stopped at Mithmumbari beach to capture captivating views of Arabian sea and serpentine coastal road along the beach.
Next stop was Devgad, a peaceful, charming coastal town with lovely beach and a fort. It is famous for its windmills which can be seen from far away and Devgad town also boasts of a windmill garden overlooking the sea offering magnificent view.
As evening approached, it was time to move towards Ratnagiri as our accommodation was booked there. I would like to conclude that this part of Konkan is a hidden gem and a must visit destination for beach lovers, adventure seekers, food lovers and for tourists who enjoy relaxation and rejuvenation.
Popular Activities:
Water sports – snorkelling, jet ski riding, banana boat riding, swimming, scuba diving, surfing, kayaking and boating. For swimming it is better to select beaches with gentle slope like Tarkarli or Devgad.
Nature walk, trekking, explorations of local market, fort visits all can be enjoyed. Devgad is home to dense mangrove forests which is ideal for birdwatching.
Local Cuisine:
Konkani cuisine is extremely delicious and is a blend of Portuguese and Indian cuisine. They are usually coconut based, rice and seafood preparations, uses lots of spices and famous for seafood dishes. Vegetarian food is very tasty too. One famous local drink is Sol Kadhi which is made of coconut milk, kokum fruit, spices and is very refreshing.
When to Visit:
Best time to visit is middle of September to middle of March when weather is pleasant. Rainy season should be completely avoided.
How to Reach:
Sindhudurg has a small airport but major airport nearby is North Goa airport. You need to rent a cab from airport and drive down. Better options are by train or by road. Trains stop at all major towns (but road diversions due to ongoing development work at the National Highway had delayed our journey.)
14 thoughts on “A Short Trip to Sindhudurg”
Superb…..both narration n pics. It’s so inspiring to visit
Thanks a lot
Bando never new you had this hidden talent it was like I was travelling with you and enjoying all the landscape and beaches a wonderful travel blog it was captivating and mersmerizing
Thanks bro.
Love this! Your photos are stunning and your writing is engaging. Keep sharing your adventures!
Hoping to go on a trip with you soon!!
Thanks a lot, Purnadeep.
very good description and beautiful picturesl
Asoke Ray.
Thanks Ashoke.
Wow awesome content! Thanks for sharing these amazing experiences with details on the places and beautiful pictures. Feels like actually being there ❤️🍻❣️
Thanks dear.
Wonderful description and lovely pics.
Thank you so much.
Stunning pics and avid description.
Thanks a lot