Tarkarli is a strip of beach situated in Malvan taluka of the famous Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The most striking thing about this beach is its sparkling clean and blue water. The clear waters offer a view of almost 20 feet deep into the seabed which is a rarity. The place is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and offers tourists one of the best holidaying experiences ever. The tall Shuru trees, typical to this region, add to the scenic value of the beach.

History

Tarkarli is without doubt, the best white sand beach in the entire Konkan stretch. It is one of the most-visited beaches in southern Konkan despite its proximity to Goa. The beach is boxed in by the beautiful Karli backwaters on one side and the stunningly blue sea on the other. Tourists love to take a sojourn here as the wide river, the lovely sailboats and the picturesque hamlets on the riverbank provide them an experience that they cannot enjoy anywhere else in the Konkan belt. Another key attraction for tourists is the sighting dolphins; again a rarity on Indian beaches. Fishing is carried out round the year as the sea water remains amassed in the region. There are many 17th century forts also in the region including the much-visited Padmagarh Fort.

Location

Tarkarli is located six km to the south of Malvan taluka and is at the convergence of Karli River and the Arabian Sea. It is about 30 km from Sindhudurg.

Main Attractions

Tourists come here to enjoy the gentle waves of turquoise blue water and the silver-white sandy beaches which stretches out for miles. There are state-run and privately organized boat cruises on the tranquil backwaters of the Karli creek. The fresh, sumptuous seafood is definitely one of the highpoints for those who love no-vegetarian food. If you manage to sight some dolphins too, it completes one of the most awesome beach vacations you would have ever had. The MTDC Resort is the best place to stay as rooms and air-conditioned cottages are available at cheap prices. It is advisable to book rooms in advance if you plan to go in the peak vacation season as rooms are heavily booked by domestic and international tourists.

If your idea of a vacation is curling up with a good book on the beachfront, there are numerous hammocks and beach umbrellas strewn all over the place. Cell phones do not work as there are no mobile towers in the vicinity. However, MTDC resort provides landlines so that you may remain connected to the outside world but only if you wish to.

There are a few Konkani huts also provided for enjoying a unique staying experience. Booking houseboats to stay can also be an exciting experience. They offer cruises during daytime around Tarkarli every day. Tarkarli is one very few places in Maharashtra where tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts can indulge in snorkeling and scuba diving. It is a great way to explore the fascinating underwater life and the seabed. Snorkeling and scuba diving is also done near Sindhudurg fort, Devbag Sangam and Vengurla rocks.

How to Reach Tarkarli

By Road

State transport and private buses run at frequent intervals from Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur and Malvan to Tarkarli. Mumbai to Tarkarli is 546 km, Pune to Tarkarli is approximately 400 km and Kolhapur-Tarkarli is 180 km. It is just 7 km from Malvan.

By Rail

The nearest railway stations are: Kankavli – 47 km, Sawantwadi – 52 km and Panjim – 104 km.

By Air

The nearest airport is Dabolim – 130 km