Summary
Unspoiled Tarkarli beach is best known for its water sports including parasailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The beach is long and pristine, and the area is reminiscent of Goa decades ago before development set in. Its narrow, palm-fringed roads are lined with village homes, and locals can often be seen unhurriedly riding bicycles or walking to get around.
Location
At the confluence of the Karli River and Arabian Sea, in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, Tarkarli is approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of Mumbai and not far north of the Goa border.
How to Get There
Unfortunately, reaching Tarkarli is time-consuming. Currently, there’s no airport in the area, although one is under construction. The nearest airport is 100 kilometers (62 miles) away in Goa.
The nearest railway station is at Kudal, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) away on the Konkan Railway. Expect to pay around 600 rupees for an auto rickshaw from Kudal to Tarkarli. Autos are readily available at the railway station, and local buses also run from Kudal to Tarkarli.
Alternatively, it’s possible to take a bus from Mumbai.
If you’re driving from Mumbai, the quickest route is National Highway 4 via Pune, taking approximately eight to nine hours. National Highway 66 (NH17) is another popular route, but it’s slightly slower, with a travel time of 10 to 11 hours. More scenic but much longer is State Highway 4, the coastal route from Mumbai. This route is best suited to motorcycles, involving numerous ferries, though the views are stunning!
When to Go
The weather is warm year-round, although winter nights can be a bit chilly from December to February. Summer months, particularly April and May, are hot and humid. Tarkarli receives rain from the southwest monsoon from June to September.
Most visitors to Tarkarli are Indian tourists from Mumbai and Pune. The busiest times are during the Indian festival season, particularly Diwali, Christmas and New Year, long weekends, and school summer holidays in May.
For pleasant weather and less crowded beaches, January and February are ideal months to visit. Off-season discounts are often available, and accommodations typically receive very few guests during the week.
The Beaches: Tarkarli, Malvan, and Devbag
Tarkarli is the region’s most well-known beach, bordered by two tranquil, lesser-frequented beaches—Devbag to the south and Malvan to the north, both home to fishing communities. Devbag is situated on a long, thin stretch of land with the Karli River backwaters on one side and Arabian Sea on the other.
What to Do There
Water sports are conducted on nearby Tsunami Island, a sandbar at the mouth of the Karli River estuary near Devbag beach. Local boat operators will take you there for a fee, with various water sport packages available. Prices range from 300-500 rupees for each activity, such as jet ski rides, while a full package might cost between 800-1,000 rupees. Parasailing with a speedboat costs about 1,000 rupees per person.
Malvan boasts one of the best coral reefs in India, making scuba diving (from 1,500 rupees) and snorkeling (from 400 rupees) near Sindhudurg Fort a popular choice. The best months for snorkeling and diving are November to February when the water is clearest.
If you’re interested in scuba diving training, Maharashtra Tourism’s Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports offers certified courses on Tarkarli beach. The courses are certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors in Australia. Two-day Discover Scuba Diving courses cost 3,500 rupees; while 45-day PADI Dive Master courses cost 65,000 rupees.
Sindhudurg Fort, located in the sea just off Malvan beach, is one of the area’s top attractions, built in the 17th century by the Maharashtrian warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji. The fort covers approximately 48 acres, reachable in about 15 minutes by boat from Malvan pier.
Traditional rapan net fishing is fascinating to observe, especially during Sunday mornings at Malvan beach when the village participates in a lively process to haul in the nets.
Where to Stay
Maharashtra Tourism operates a resort with dorms, bamboo boat houses, and Konkani cottages on Tarkarli beach. Reservations should be made in advance during busy times, typically packed with Indian guests. Expect to pay about 6,000 rupees for a bamboo house and 4,000 rupees for a Konkani cottage, including breakfast.
For better-maintained options, Visava is recommended, while neighboring Devbag and Malvan offer appealing places to stay as well. Enterprising locals have also created homestays among the coconut groves, providing comfortable but basic cottages steps from the sea, with prices around 2,000-2,500 rupees per night.
For a touch of luxury, Avisa Nila Beach Resort in Devbag possesses a few upmarket options with rates starting from about 3,900 rupees per night, including tax.
What to Note
The area primarily caters to Indian tourists, with many signs in the local language. Foreign women are advised to dress modestly to avoid attracting negative attention. Quiet Malvan beach provides much more privacy compared to busier Tarkarli beach.
Local Malvani cuisine, known for its use of coconut, red chili, and kokum, features seafood as a specialty. Choices for vegetarians are limited. Unlike many other beaches in India, you won’t find many shacks or snack stands lining the shore.
