Friday 27 April 2012

Trip to beautiful Malvan - Tarkarli

After Mahabaleshwar trip, my next target was to visit Konkan beach before Monsoon. We (Me and my wife-Renuka) decided to visit Malvan-Tarkarli area. As we had to attend my friend’s wedding on 26th in Sagali, we planned to move ahead and spend our long weekend in Malvan area. Malvan is around 385 – 390km away from Pune city.

About Malvan – Tarkarli
Malvan is a town in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra. It is known as Sindhudurg Fort, Malvani cuisine (Fish curry and Solkadi), Alphonso – Mango and local food. Malvan is considered as heaven for the non-vegetarians especially seafood lovers.
Tarkarli is just 7 km from Malvan with very beautiful long coastline with white powder sand beaches, clear sea water. Tourists get attracted towards Malvan - Tarkarli because of clean, beautiful beaches, Fort, lovely nature, and very less crowd. People generally opt to go to Goa as it is hardly 100km away from Malvan. Now it is a famous spot for Snorkeling and Scuba diving.
Our main intention to visit this place is Snorkeling and scuba diving.
Sindhudurg fort in Malvan

Tarkarli Beach


Best way to reach Malvan is Pune – National Highway 4 (NH 4) – Reach to Kolhapur – from Kolhapur city either you can join Radhanagar forest road OR Gaganbawada ghat road – Vaibhavwadi (If you opt Gaganbawada ghat road) – Take a right at Phonda and join state highway 116 – Join National highway 17 at Phonda Phata (Humbrath Titha village) – Take right at Kasal - state highway 118 – Malvan.


To reach Tarkarli, take a left turn after Malvan Bus stand. The distance between Malvan and Tarkarli is 7km. Resort MTDC is considered an endpoint of Tarkarli and you can go ahead to visit Devbag by the same road which is the end point of Malvan – Tarkarli road.
           Regarding Radhanagar-Phonda ghat and Gaganbawada ghat, both routes are same in terms of distance. If you want to enjoy dense forest then prefer Radhanagar-Phonda ghat and if you want to enjoy driving then Gaganbawada is best. Road quality in Gaganbawada is too good.

We planned our visit to Malvan for 5 days i.e. on 27th April and 1st May 2012.

Day 0 (26 April 2012): Pune – Sagali – Kolhapur (Distance traveled: 300km)
                As we have to attend friend’s wedding, we left home by 5am. We were traveling with my friends. After few hours we took breakfast at hotel Virangula on NH-4. This is one of my favorite restaurants on NH-4. Don’t miss Sabudana khichadi at Virangula.


virangula restaurant
            After attending the wedding function, friends went back to Pune whereas we continued our traveling towards Kolhapur. We wish if they could have joined us for our further trip. When we entered in Kolhapur, we were welcomed by heavy rain and thunderstorm. It was difficult to drive the car at that point. As per our plan, we took a halt in Kolhapur at my Uncle’s place.

  • Car petrol: INR 4500/- (Avg INR 70/lit., Total distance cover by car 1200km)
  • Toll on NH-4 (Khed-Shivapur): INR 70/- one-way entry
  • Breakfast at Virangula: INR 150/- for both
  • Toll on NH-4 (Anewadi-Satara): INR 50/- one-way entry
  • Toll on NH-4 (Taswade): INR 58/- one way
  • Toll in Sagali: INR 12/- one way

 Day 1 (27 April 2012): Kolhapur – Malvan via Radhanagar forest (Distance traveled: 165km)
                We woke up in the early morning and went to Mahalaxmi Temple. Because of the rain the day before, the weather was very pleasant. There were fewer people in the temple and hence we managed to come back within an hour. After a nice breakfast, we actually began with our trip to Malvan. We decided to go via Radhanagar forest and while coming back to Pune we preferred Gaganbawada ghat route. Road journey was through very dense forest and hardly had we seen any vehicle on this road. Definitely, you should avoid this route after sunset.

Radhanagari forest

          We wanted to have lunch in Malvan but because of lots of pit stops in the forest and in Phonda ghat we were not able to make it. We took our lunch on NH-17 and reached to Malvan by 3pm. There are a lot of hotels and homestay options in Malvan and Tarkarli. Tarkarli gives you real Konkani feel so we went to Tarkarli. After research and lot of enquires, we decided to stay at Annapurna Nivas. This was homestay and within our budget. Room was ok but the surrounding property was excellent. Tarkarli beach was just 2-3 min walk from our Room. We could hear the sea from our room. After resting for a while, we planned to visit the beach for swimming. Surprisingly, even at 5.30 p.m., there were hardly any visitors. The beach slope was gentle and sea water was clean enough to see the seabed. This beach is much better than any other famous beach from Konkan area. Unfortunately, we were not able to witness sunset as the weather was cloudy. After some playful and relaxing time at the beach, we headed back to the resort. We gave a call to Mr. Rupesh who arranged snorkeling and scuba diving for us. As we had purchased our own kit and were aware of snorkeling, he was ready to give us boat transportation service and useful dive site information.
              We had our Dinner in Malvan at “Atithi Bamboo” restaurant which is famous in Malvan for Fish. Renuka ordered vegetarian meal whereas I ordered Surmai fish meal (king mackerel or seer fish in English). Food was simply awesome and we decided to have dinner here for next 3 days. Malvan trip is incomplete without having dinner in “Atithi Bamboo” restaurant. We ended our day 1 with a tasty dinner.

Surmai fish thali

Vegetarian thali
  • Lunch at Royal paradise on NH-17: INR 170/- (Punjabi food + rice)
  • Surmai meal at Atithi Bamboo restaurant: INR 150/-
  • Veg meal at Atithi Bamboo restaurant: INR 70/- (with sweets)
  
Day 2 (28 April 2012): Malvan – Sindhudurg fort – Snorkeling – Rock garden
                  Early morning we went to the beach for a walk. Clear weather and cool morning breeze from the sea made us feel fresh. In breakfast, Gosavi aunty offered us local food. It was Konkani base rice Amboli with coconut milk. It was heavy breakfast before we proceeded to Sindhudurg fort. 

Konkani base rice Amboli with coconut milk

                We took ferry tickets to visit Sindhudurg fort. It takes hardly 10 min boat ride to reach there. We hired a guide so will get to know the history of the fort. Sindhudurg (Sindhu = sea, durg = fort) was built by the great Maratha warrior King Shivaji in 1664. Fort was built over a period of three years spread over 48 acres area. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside. This fort has the only temple of great Maratha warrior King Shivaji. The fort also has a Bhavani temple and the impressions of hands and feet of Shivaji Maharaja. Construction of fort is very solid. Guide told us all the details about the fort. We wanted to spend more time on the fort for photography but we moved ahead for snorkeling. Mr. Anavay (Rupesh’s Brother) came to pick up us from the fort and took at the snorkeling point which is nearer from the fort.

Sindhudurg sea fort

temple of great Maratha warrior King Shivaji


temple of great Maratha warrior King Shivaji

           As we have our own kit, we quickly entered the water. It was fun to see marine life for 1 hour. It was ending the season so visibility was bit poor. Best time to visit this place for snorkeling and diving is Nov and Dec month. Local people feed those fish with bread to attack so people can see them while snorkeling. We saw 4 to 5 types of fish. It was really a great experience, seeing the beauty of sea wildlife. Our scuba dive was planned on Monday but due to bad weather, we were not able to do it. We promised Rupesh to come back in the month of November just for Scuba diving. He gave us few snaps taken during snorkeling and scuba dive.

Our Snorkeling gear kit


Photographs were taken during our snorkeling.


Photographs were taken during our snorkeling.


Photographs were taken during our snorkeling.


Photographs were taken during our snorkeling.

               When we were back, we were too hungry so we went directly to restaurant name “Chaitanya”. This was an alright restaurant. Due to peak summer, we preferred to stay in our room for relaxation. In the evening around 5:30 PM we went to Rock garden in Malvan. The garden is so named because of its close proximity to the rocky shores of Arabian Sea. We spent more time on the rocky patch than in the garden. The Rock Garden is a good place for spending evenings. You can spend an entire evening just to view waves hitting on rocky patches creating huge water splash. Sunset at this point was amazing.

Relaxation

Sunset from Rock garden

sea wave splash
 
             Walking around the market we picked up some Malvani shopping items like Masala, kokam, Amba-poli, pickles etc. Once our little ‘Malvani items shopping’ trip was over we headed back to our room. Aunty gave us information about a dealer/ wholesale agent who is the owner of Mango (Alphonso) business from Malvan town. We meet him at his place. His family is in this business from last 35yrs. They greeted us with Mango and other fruits. We got to know how they run this business. They take all mango trees from town on 5 or 10 yr. lease. They take care of trees for an entire year and then collect the Mangoes in the summer to sell in Mumbai/Pune/abroad Market. We requested them as we wanted to buy Mango and purchased 4 Dozen large sizes Alphonso at INR 400 per dozen rates (That time market price in Pune was INR 700-800/-).


  • Car parking at Malvan jetty: INR 30/-
  • Boat (ferry) ride to Sindhudurg: INR 74/- for both (return ticket)
  • Guide at Sindhudurg: INR 100/-
  • Lunch at Chaitanya restaurant: 280/- (Veg + Amaras meal for both)
Day 3 (29 April 2012): Tarkarli – Malvan.
                I and Renu wanted to see Rapan (Traditional way of fishing in Malvan) so we woke up early morning at 4.45 a.m. and went to the beach by 5.15 a.m. Yesterday we got to know the timing by a fisherman about Rapan so we managed to reach there before time. Fishermen sail into deep sea in the midnight with huge size fishing net and spade it in such a way that it forms U shaped wall in the sea. In the early morning, they start pulling out the net with their bare hands in perfect coordination with each other. It looks graceful but I have no doubt that it must be very hard. There are at least 30-40 people pulling this Net. At the end when the complete net was pulled out of the sea, we saw too many live fishes. Nobody was in the mood to talk but when the whole Rapan process ended they gave us to answer to our all quires. We clicked a few photos and then local auction begins. It was completely fun to watch this Auction and the entire process.

Rapan

fishes in Rapan

Sea snake

These are my Crabs :)

Sea snake
 
                We just roamed around the beach in the morning and spent 2-3 hours in water. Then we sat down on the beach for watching the sea and the waves. It was a nice morning and no work pressures, no daily routine. This was the laziest morning of the trip.

Tarkarli Beach

           We came back to the room and went for lunch in Tarkarli at hotel Tarkarli Nivas. The menu in the vegetarian Thali (Meal) was very simple but the food was tasty. We took rest in the noon on rope hammock.
           Our evening plan was to visit Devbag which is an endpoint on Malvan Tarkarli road. But due to the maintenance of the road, we were not able to go there. Runtime we decided to visit Ozar place for caves which is just 7-8km away from Malvan. After watching the cave we came to Ciwala beach which is in Malvan. The evening walk by the beach is also stressed relieving and revitalizing.

Ozar

Roots

Sunset from Chivala beach


 We had dinner again at “Atithi Bamboo” restaurant. I ordered Pomplet Fish Meal (Bramidae family fish/type of Stromateidae fish) with Solkadi (a Local non-alcoholic drink made of fresh coconut milk in mangosteen/ red mango juice spiced with ginger, garlic, and coriander). It was an awesome dinner.

Pomplet fish meal
 
  • Lunch at Tarkarli Niwas: INR 160/- (Veg Meal for both with extra Solkadi)
  • Pomplet meal at Atithi Bamboo restaurant: INR 220/-
  • Veg meal at Atithi Bamboo restaurant: INR 70/- (with sweets)
Day 4 (30 April 2012): Tarkarli – Devbag
            We woke up at 8 and went to the beach for swimming. After spending hardly half an hour we came back for breakfast. Monday is the local Market day so we decided to visit the market. Lots of local people selling a verity of the product as well as some local products. We did some local food shopping and came back.
             We were a bit confused about our day plan. We had 2 options; Relax in the resort for an entire day or visit Kunkeshwar temple along with Vijaydurg. We decided to go with plan 2.  Visit Kunkeshwar temple was nice. Temple is built upon the seashore. Kunkeshwar is the most devoted Lord Shankar Temple in the Sindhudurg District. A local guy told us the history of the temple that a cow, instead of milking for her master, was delivering it on a stone in the jungle. Her annoyed master once followed her to that stone. Seeing the behavior of the cow, he tried to axe the stone. As the axe hit the stone, the red blood emerged out of the stone. The master understood that this was not an ordinary stone; he apologized to the stone & started worshipping it. That stone is the Shiva-Linga (The symbol of Lord Shiva). 

Seashore from Kunkeshwa

               Later we went to Devgad but strong smell of dry fish from port made my wife uncomfortable and we decided to go back to resort. We took some rest and planned to visit Devbag (Devgad and Devbag are two different places. Devbag is 7km south from Tarkarli and Devgad is 66km north of Tarkarli) where Karli creek meets the Arabian Sea. Devbag is a small fishing village based on a thin strip of land with Karli backwaters on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Amazing view and must visit place in the evening. The location of this small beach is superb with its north and south side concealed by two hillocks and eastern side surrounded by backwater.

Devbagh beach

Devbag beach where Karli creek meets the Arabian Sea

At Devbagh beach

                    After spending 20-30 min on a small beach, we decided to go to our next destination, the Tsunami Island beach. This island has emerged in 2004 after Tsunami waves hit the coast. A local fisherman told us that prior to 2004, this place used to be underwater at least by 3-4 feet even during the low tide. After the tsunami wave hit the coast, it has turned into an island during low tide but gets submerged by 2-3 feet during high tide. This island is very small and you can see it during low tide. Water sports are arranged on this island and even during high tide, you can go there.

Tsunami Island during high tide
     
           To reach to the tsunami island you have to hire a boat which cost you INR 500/- per boat. No one was there to share the cost so we said no to them. Local fisherman (young boy) approached towards us and he was ready to take us there in his own small size fiber boat (local name Dinghy) in just INR 200/-. The experience was thrilling and we entirely enjoyed this journey. Due to sea waves, the boat started rocking from side to side. Both fishermen managed to keep the boat steady. We spend 30 min on the beach and did Bumper ride. We were confident and comfortable during our return journey from tsunami island to Devbag beach. I liked the overall experience and gave him INR 70/- extra for making our last evening special. With the Devbag and tsunami island, our trip to Malvan-Tarkarli comes to an end.

Bumper ride
        
         I don’t want to go home without having fish in dinner on last night so we headed to “Atithi bamboo” and had Surmai fry and Savandala fish meal (Local name). This was my last full fish meal at the restaurant as we were going to head back to Pune the next morning.

Savandala fish meal
 
  • Car parking at Kunkeshwar temple: INR 20/-
  • Lunch at Devgad: INR 90/- (for both at small local hotel)
  • Boat ride(Dinghy) to Tsunami island: INR 270/- return fair for both
  • Bumper ride at tsunami island: INR 400/- for both
  • Dinner at Atithi Bamboo restaurant: INR 212/- (Savandala fish meal + Veg meal)
Day 5 (1 May 2012): Malvan – Pune via Gaganbawada ghat (Distance traveled: 395km)
              We got up early and went to the beach for a while where we saw local fishing activity. We had our breakfast and left Malvan by 10 a.m. We followed the same route but instead of Radhanagari, we came via Gaganbawada ghat and reached home by 8 p.m. It was truly a stress-relieving trip.

Stingray fish

We, the traveler
  • Home-Stay at Annapurna Nivas for 4 nights: INR 2800/-
  • Breakfast at Annapurna Nivas for 4 days: INR 160/- for both.
  • Lunch at NH-4: 180/- (Punjabi food and rice for both)
  • Toll on NH-4 (Kini): INR 58/- one-way entry
  • Toll on NH-4 (Taswade): INR 58/- one way
  • Toll on NH-4 (Anewadi-Satara): INR 50/- one-way entry
  • Toll on NH-4 (Khed-Shivapur): INR 70/- one-way entry
 Contact numbers for your reference:
  1. Annapurna Nivas for Homestay: Vandana Gosavi – 02365-253537, 9404442990.
  2. For snorkeling and scuba diving: Rupesh – 9766420038, Anavay – 9823857576.
  3. For local boat (Dinghy) Ride in Devbag: Dhananjay – 9420336845.
  4. Mango-Alphonso dealer from Malvan: Chandrakant Salunke – 02365-252516. 
  5. Atithi Bamboo restaurant: Sanjay Gavade – 9423304327.
Visit Places which we miss due to lack of Time:
  1. Tondavali Beach (16-18km from Malvan)
  2. Day visit Vengurla town for temples and beautiful beaches nearby Vengurla.
  3. Burnt island visit from Vengurla or from Tarkarli.
  4. Dolphin ride from Tarkarli. (best time for ride is November to January else you should be lucky enough to spot at sea)
 I will try to upload more and more travel blogs. Thanks for reading this Travel Blog.
 Pritesh Kulkarni
Pune

117 comments:

  1. Bhushan Joshi8 May 2012 at 16:49

    Another good one...Good going :)
    Happy Travellng!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Konkan is the best place in India, even some times better than Kerala. At least every Maharastriya person should visit Konkan. In continuation with earlier blogs, this is also very informative, neatly arranged and most importantly one start feeling to visit this place. I have passed on link to my friends. - GP Ghopspurkar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your valuable comments.

      Delete
    2. Nice One but you dont write any thing about local travelling and travel from Kudal station to Tarkarli.
      Can you pl give some hints?

      Delete
    3. For local traveling, Auto are available
      From Kudal to Malvan, shared Auto or Jeep transport is available. Also you can hire private Auto. Not aaare of cost for same.
      MSRTC buses are also available from Kudal to Malvan but not aware of Time table

      Delete
  3. This is just awesome!!!!
    Konkan is really such a beautiful place and you surely explored the naturistic side of it... Very beautiful..

    -Ashwini

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ashwini, hopefully will able to explore entire Konkan soon.

      Delete
    2. Awesome place ..thank u for information ..my collage trip will be coming soon to visit this place...

      Delete
  4. Nice blog, want to visit in india http://www.goforindia.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Replies
    1. That’s true sagar… Entire Konkan have lovely nature.

      Delete
  6. perfect Information for a budget trip..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey Pritesh,
    Thanks a lot for the detailed description abt ur trip...it indeed will be of great help to me as i will be goin there next month...Initially I had no clue how to reach there and go about but ur blog has been of great help giving me a intricate outline....thnx a lot:-)....In future do share ur trip experience to other places too...

    Regards,
    Manasi.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Manasi ,
      Sure…will upload my travel blogs. U can have a look on my other blogs on Andaman, Diveagar and Mahabaleshwar too.
      Happy Traveling

      Delete
  8. Shailesh Kulkarni23 May 2012 at 17:20

    Mast ree... aaj jara nivant blog vachala tuza Kokanancha.. :D chan detail lihilays.. really nice places.. Specially amhala Devbag far avadala.. Tithe stay kela hota amhi... nice creek view and that Tsunami wala iceland.... :) BTW , really nice blog.... :) Specially budget lihilays na te avadala mala... Haa Haa Haa...

    ReplyDelete
  9. hi prits...
    actually we are planning to go tarkarli tomorrow...
    really your blog makes our trip very smooth....
    thanks alot for your valuable informatiobn. this will really help us lot.
    Please keep blogging :-)
    and nice photos....

    Sharayu..

    ReplyDelete
  10. I totally believe you. i have been there in 2002. And it was like heaven on earth:)

    Anita

    ReplyDelete
  11. We have a travel website which is a Maharashtra travel Guide in which we have a page for Tarkarli with lot of information regarding the place including Tarkarli

    Hotels
    . We also have a page for blogs on Tarkarli. Do let us know if you would like to feature your blog in the Tarkarli Blogs page. Please write to puneritraveller at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. You have a very nice blog. I liked your travel post on Malvan.I have been visiting Malvan regularly since childhood as it is my parents native place.Atithi Bamboo is one of the best restaurants for Malvani food.My parents have a nice house in Malvan which is close to where Atithi Bamboo is located. They make it a point to visit Malvan every 3-4 months. I last went to Malvan in 2009.I wish I could visit Malvan more often but since I am outisde India i get very few days when in India.I have also written a travel post on my Malvan trip. http://medhastravel.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/malvan-jewel-in-konkan.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Medha and your travel post on Malvan is really nice. I am planning again to visit Malvan in this year.
      Happy Traveling...!!!

      Delete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      Blue water resort is average resort. personally traveler spend most of the day time on beach and on other destinations so considering such travel plan this resort is fine.
      MTDC resort (bit costly but very nice location) and hotel Niwas (for A/C rooms and Food is ok ok) are also good option for stay.

      Happy Traveling.

      Delete
  14. HI,

    thanks for such a good post....we 4 with my 2 kids are planning to visit tarkarli on diwali vacations. we have booked blue water resort for 3 days..... if u could share some details about the hotel will be good....also please provide more information (like address ) on that Bamboo restaurant that u mentioned in ur posts.... me and my kids are vegeterian so please suggests few good hotels from tarkarli...thx in advance.... Dhananjay- Pune

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blue water resort is average resort.
      personally traveler spend most of the day time on beach and on other destinations so considering such travel plan this resort is fine.
      Athithi Bamboo is in the Malvan. Do not confused with New Athithi BAmboo.
      All most all hotels from Tarkali provide nice veg food.
      Mostly i will visit Malvan in this Diwali for Scuba diving.

      Delete
    2. thx for a quick reply.....sorry i am asking too many questions ... we have decided to go tarkarli via gaganbawada.... do u hv any information on the route to tarkarli from kolhapur...i mean driving directions.... we are planning to leave pune early in the morning and reach tarkarli around 2 or 3 pm. ...

      Delete
    3. Gaganbawada route is smooth and safe to drive which also gives u breathtaking Sahyadri views. Once U reach at Kolhapur, ask any local person about ghat direction. They will guide U.
      Another route is via Radhanagari ghat, It is dense forest and very nice route but it is lonely. so better to avoid in the evening.
      Try to leave Pune by 6 so U can reach there till 2.30 with few pit stops

      Delete
  15. Hi all, I am Ejaj Khan, from Mumbai, I want to go to Tarkarli and other places in KONKAN, with my wife and daughter of 4yrs, my budget is limited ,so ,please provide me all information for homestay and other details. Contact details 9820059857 / 9221692736.

    Thanks
    Ejaj

    ReplyDelete
  16. I must say this is one of the most detailed and very nicely written blog I have seen,. Its really tempting !! & I have got lot of useful info. from this blog.

    Some queries :) -
    I am travelling with my wife during March end, I wanted to know if I should stay near Tarkarli beach or near Malvan (there are nice stay options near Chivala beach), since most of the visiitng spots are near Malvan town like Jetty for Sindhdurg fort , Rock gardens, malvan market, Watching Rapan process, etc.

    Also, is Tarkarli really more clear and transparent as compared to other nearby beaches like Chivala , Devbag , etc.


    Looking forward for you reply :)

    Thanks for the post & keep blogging :)

    Regards,
    Madhav

    ReplyDelete
  17. One more thing is it preferable to do advance bookings for stay out there considering March month, I would not go for MTDC resort and looking for a home-stay or a budget hotel for 2 nights stay.

    Thanks Again ,
    Madhav

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mr.Pritesh, thank u very much for valuable information.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. hey buddy too god and very helping too. is it advisable to go there during monsoon.reply on heodedhia@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot....Check your mailbox for my e-mail.
      Happy Traveling...!!

      Delete
  21. The greenery, beaches and food are all so yumm..!!

    Thanks so much,
    Jyoti

    ReplyDelete
  22. an excellent insight into the area , thanks for your tips !!

    one place nearby is REDI LAGOON and FORT , and is really worth a look on your next journey ! i posted on my blog , mostly goa with one dy to maharashtra/redi

    hope you enjoy as much as i enjoyed yours ;-)
    cheers rob www.tharobster.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Know what I bookmarked your page!!..

    ReplyDelete
  24. lovely informative blog..keep blogging...

    ReplyDelete
  25. it really helpful to traveler.....
    my all queries are cleared..........
    thanks so much

    ReplyDelete
  26. hi pritesh your blogs and informatio provided are really helpful..
    keep travelling and enjoying:)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very informative and to the point....
    Keep writing and sharing the experience...

    - Mahesh

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great information Pritesh... A very thorough review about the places and the activities to be done there. Planning to visit within a day or two. Hope to have a great experience with friends. It was very nice of you to provide the costs and the things to be done while on Malvan and nearby places.

    ReplyDelete
  29. could you please let me know was the weather in april, generally it is said best time to visit tarkarli is between nov to feb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, best time is between Nov to march. April will summer time so best way to take rest on noon and spend morning and evening time on beaches. I love summer time in konkan as U get chance to eat Mangoes and other fruits. Also rest in coconut plantation in summer time gives best feeling!
      Happy traveling...

      Delete
  30. i can plan my trip in april now, so wanted to clarify how was the weather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. plz check above comment...Happy traveling

      Delete
  31. Hi,
    Please suggest best route for Biking from kolhapur to malvan.
    some people told me gaganbawda is a dangerous route for Bike.
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hello Pritesh your blog is giving good information about malvan, Great information and explanation about malvan places, beaches, food. Good Blog

    ReplyDelete
  33. Malvan is the best place for tourist and your blog give us good idea about malvan. can you please give me more information about malvan in monsoon.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi great blog ... just mentioned your blog for readers of other website.

    Check out http://www.edoubts.com/questions/can-someone-suggest-a-good-blog-on-malvan-konkan-trip-/?edr162#.U4gbMXKSzQB

    ReplyDelete
  35. Malvan is beautiful, calm and loving place where one can enjoy lots of adventures also. I visited last year with my friends and have some unforgettable memories of Malvan.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Konkan is best place to visit.. Malvan cuision and culture is great...Tarkarli is one of the most popular beaches in southern Konkan....Thanks for sharing the post.

    ReplyDelete
  37. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment... Please avoid ads/website link in the comment... such post will be deleted

      Regards,
      Pritesh

      Delete
  38. Wonderful write up with all details one would need.

    I'm gonna do SCUBA dive. Good that you mention about buying those gears and trying dive on own for hours :) ! It must be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  39. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment... Please avoid ads/website link in the comment... such post will be deleted

      Delete
  40. mastch.... :)
    i want to see whole kokan
    thanks for sharing
    keep blgging

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi

    I am going to visit Malvan in April End. I m going there by Car from Ahmedabad. Can u suggest me route please ?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Route: Ahmedabad -> Bharuch -> Valasad -> Navi Mumbai -> Khopoli -> Pali -> Join Mumbai-Goa highway and take left on highway -> Mahad -> Chipalun -> Rajapur -> Kasal -> Take right at Kasal -> Malav via Chauke -> Malavan -> Just 1-2 km before Malavan take right for Tarkali.
      Prefer stay at Tarkali

      Regards,
      Prtesh Kulkarni

      Delete
  42. I was wondering on route from PUNE . Will that not work ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Route via Pune is longer as compared to above route.
      No idea about other stay locations. Check google for more stay options!

      Delete
  43. I just called @ Annapurna Nivas. They are asking for Rs. 1700.00 per night.. Do u know any other option ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really sorry brother but you can check other resoort on google

      Delete
  44. Hello! Prits,
    I am planning to visit Malvan in mid of August so do you think it's advisable to visit now as it's monsoon. Could you tell me Goa is better or malvan to enjoy because I am going with bachelor friends. I live in Pune if you can suggest any nice place to visit during this time where we can spend two to three days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sandeep,
      Both locations are completely different.. Tarkali-Malvan is place where you can enjoy beautiful clam beaches with peace whereas Goa is full of vibrant life.
      August:- Due to monsoon, enjoyment on beaches will be limited

      Pritesh

      Delete
  45. Hi Pritesh,

    Excellent Information.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Very helpful blog Pritesh! Thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi Prits,
    Love this blog. Already bookmarked it. We are a group of six girls planning to visit Malvan. Is it convenient to travel by public transport from Pune to Malvan? Also, are there any means of transportation for local sight-seeing like Malvan to Tarkarli/Tondavali/Vengurla/Devgad?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Prits,
    Love this blog. Already bookmarked it. We are a group of six girls planning to visit Malvan. Is it convenient to travel by public transport from Pune to Malvan? Also, are there any means of transportation for local sight-seeing like Malvan to Tarkarli/Tondavali/Vengurla/Devgad?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Trupti,
      Yes, bus from Pune to malvan is safe to travel. Also Train service is available to Kudaal.
      you can hire Auto or car from Malavan to visit places like Tarkarli/Tondavali/Vengurla/Devgad

      Pritesh

      Delete
  49. hi Pritesh,

    Returned from a wonderful trip to Malvan yesterday. We were there for 4 days. Thanks to your blog, we had a fabulous trip. Took the Gaganbavda route while going and returned to Pune using the Radhanagari route. We missed Devbag but Kunakeshwar temple, scuba diving, Sindhudurg fort were amazing. I wish i can have one more meal at Bamboo house.
    We used this blog for reference. Thanks a lot.

    Harikishan Bhat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much... I am glad that by blog helped you to plan your trip. Thank you
      Pritesh Kulkarni

      Delete
  50. My visit to Tsunami Island , Maharashtra,India
    http://girishpalkartravel.blogspot.in/2015/08/tsunami-island-malvan.html

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hello Pritesh,

    Awesome blog... I thoroughly enjoyed it, very informative. I am planning to go there in June between 8th to 11th. Please suggest if it's a good time to go there & what call activities can be possible. Please inbox me your views - mandar.m.dabhadkar@gmail.com


    Cheers,
    Mandar :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much.... I have sent you an email with required details.
      Pritesh

      Delete
  52. My trip to Tsunami island, Maharashtra, India
    http://girishpalkartravel.blogspot.in/2015/08/tsunami-island-malvan.html

    ReplyDelete
  53. Nice blog Pritesh...I really luv malvan. Kankavli is my native place & the malvan is nearest to kankavli. specially I luv My Konkan very much. I have visited Sindhudurg fort with my father at my childhood. I wish I could visit malvan more often but is is impossible due to busy routine. I luv fish. It was mouthwatring dishes you preferred at malvan. Very nice. I really wish to visit malvan this year after reading your blog . Thank u for the awesome especially you have mentioned all bugdets. It is very heplful. Again thanks.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Megha for your comment and description about Malavan. I have been to Kankavali and it is very sweet place to spend Time. In-fact entire Konkan region is my favorite for holiday

      Delete
  54. Very Nice informative & Useful blog by Mr. Kulkarni. I need such information about GUHAGAR If you Have Please tell me,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,
      Thanks for comments.
      My Guhagar travel Blog: http://pritskulkarni.blogspot.in/2013/11/kokan-paradise-guhagar-and-surrounding.html and http://pritskulkarni.blogspot.in/2015/12/trip-to-guhagar-hedvi-velaneshwar.html

      Regards,
      Pritesh

      Delete
  55. very nice and informative

    BR
    Tushar

    ReplyDelete
  56. Good writing and most important is pics and references. They really helps others.

    And I guess you must have visited Chorla Ghat, Wildernest. One of the best place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Very good narration of the events. After reading your full blog, I am planning my trip. Got some very nice tips (process of Rapan) I will definitely try to check that one once I go there.

    ReplyDelete
  58. HI Pritesh,
    Thanks a lot for sharing informative trip experience. I am planning with my family at tarkali. After reading ur blog I got confidence of choosing the right place and making it good trip for family. and yes true its helpful about costing you mentioned.....thnx a lot....In future do share ur trip experience to other places too...specially Andaman...wil read and plan...Thanks again..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment
      Andaman Blog link: http://pritskulkarni.blogspot.in/2012/03/amazing-andaman-2012.html

      Pritesh Kulkarni

      Delete
  59. Hi Prits,
    After reading ur Informative blog I got confidence of choosing the right place for a trip with family.I generally go to kokan with family in every May vacation for sea and alphanso specially for my mother.She loves mango too much.
    I am planning in this month to trip Tarkali,Malvan. And yes true, its guidance and prior information to plan- about the costing you listed.The information is really at a glance than searching from google in general.Thanks a lot...As other said..keep blogging abt ur trip experience...specially Andaman..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment
      Andaman Blog link: http://pritskulkarni.blogspot.in/2012/03/amazing-andaman-2012.html

      Pritesh Kulkarni

      Delete
  60. Hello Pritesh,

    Awesome blog..., very informative. I am planning to go there between 30th September to 2nd October. Please suggest if it's a good time to go there.

    Regards,
    Rupesh

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thanks Pritish ! We used your blog as our reference to Tarkarli trip without even looking at anything else. We just set off and had a nice trip !

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thank you very much... I am glad that my blog helped you to plan your trip. Thank you
    Pritesh Kulkarni

    ReplyDelete
  63. Thanks Pritish for such informative blog. Me and my sister's family are planning for tarkarli in 25 to 28 dec 2017. We will have 3 kids with us. 1 yr, 3 yrs and 10 yr old. We are planning to follow this plan with some modifications for kid's comfort. Would you like to give any advice or change in plan for the same?

    ReplyDelete
  64. This is a really great info, makes to plan for a trip .
    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  65. Scuba diving in Malvan..Place is superb cool with lots of colored verity fishes. I would like to go back to this place again. But all things are possible to watch me because of Sea Water Sports. staff was helpful. They helped me a lot. I thank to sea water sports.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I am planning to visit malvan on 26 may 2018.. Whether water sports will be available at that time?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, water sports are available at Malavan near Fort area and at Sunami island near Devbag beach

      Delete
  67. Kindly suggest best sea food restaurants in tarakki and malvan with names and contact number....We are going in mid April....Also tell me about MTDC resort.because we are going to book it soon.
    My contact no.9970780285 (what's app also)
    Mail id-pagare0@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Nice blogs and has all useful information !! Thanks for creating such informative blogs

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hi,
    Awesome review!

    Can you please advise on idea of travelling to Kankavli from Pune by road in August? What do you think based on road network etc..?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can either travel via Gaganbavada ghat or from Amba Ghat... Route are safe and good to enjoy the monsoon nature

      Delete
  70. Fantastic. Thanks for sharing the details of the stay & food & the spots. Can you comment on my below queries?
    1) Where is stay preferred? Malvan / Tarkarli / Devbag?
    2) Where should water sports be done? Malvan / Tarkarli specially scuba?
    3) Do daily bus services operate from Pune to Malvan?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. 1. I prefer stay in Tarkarli
      2. Scuba diving at Malvan Near Sindhudurg Fort. Contact Anway Prabhu for scuba and Water sports 9823857576
      3. Yes, buses are available from Pune to Malvan.
      Malvan-Tarkali is famous Konkan destination so you can plan your own rather than taking any tour operatar package

      Regards
      Pritesh kulkarni

      Delete
  71. Hi prit very informative blog. Just wanted to know the resort where u stay is ac or non AC. How's the whether there in summer.is it okey to stay in non AC room is it comfortable'in summer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for comment!
      Our stay was at budget hotel and now same hotel is converted into building category hotel. They have AC and Non AC rooms.
      For Summer, I will prefer AC rooms. As I said, it’s budget hotel so if you’re looking for ambiance’s then better to find other options as well

      Delete
  72. Useful info!
    I am planning to visit malvan next month and this article give me a clear idea about all the things.
    Thank a lot!

    Happy Travelling

    ReplyDelete
  73. Awesome blog Prits!!! We're planning Malvan in coming days, hope this would help us.. keep writing for other travelling experiences too ..

    ReplyDelete