Tarkarli is a long, quiet beach a few kilometres south of Malvan town, with the Karli river backwaters on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. It gives you the Konkan coast Goa had before it got busy: fishing villages, Malvani seafood and home-run stays instead of clubs. Kudal on the Konkan Railway is the railhead, about 30–35 km away, and Malvan's jetty is the base for boats to Shivaji's sea fort at Sindhudurg and for snorkelling and diving trips. Three nights is right: one day for the fort and the water, one for the backwaters and Devbagh, one to do nothing.
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When to go
October to March. December to February has the calmest sea and the clearest water for snorkelling and diving. All boats, diving and water sports stop from June to September for the monsoon, and the fort ferry does not run.
Tarkarli right now and the next 7 days
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Tarkarli on the map
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The area
Places to see
Day trips
Tarkarli · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
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Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
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Tarkarli in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Sindhudurg Fort by ferryHalf day · price to check · Shivaji's island fort, now part of the Maratha Military Landscapes World Heritage listing. Boats from Malvan jetty, about an hour on the island; closed in the monsoon.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Snorkelling off the fort1 h · ₹500 each · ₹500–800 for an hour at the coral patch near the fort. Best December to February.
- 09:30Try dive (Discover Scuba)Half day · ₹1,500 each · Reported at ₹1,200–2,500 on boat operators; ₹2,500–3,500 with pool training at MTDC's IISDA, a PADI 5-star centre. Prefer a certified centre.
- 14:00Lunch break
- 15:00Dolphin trip from Devbagh2 h · ₹300 each · ₹300–500, early morning, around 6:30 to 8:30.
- 08:00Kayak the Karli backwaters1 h · ₹300 each · About ₹300 an hour. Paddle to where the river meets the sea at Devbagh.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Tarkarli
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Train + road
Check fareKudal is on the Konkan Railway, with overnight trains from Mumbai and Pune. Taxis wait outside; local buses run to Malvan.
Local bus Last leg
Check fareMaharashtra state buses run through the day. From Malvan, Tarkarli is a few kilometres further by auto.
Flight + taxi
Check fareChipi has had flights to Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, but its schedule has changed often. Check what is actually flying before you plan around it.
Train via Sindhudurg
Check fareSome Konkan Railway trains that skip Kudal stop here instead. Check IRCTC.
Getting around once you're there
Auto-rickshaw
Check priceMalvan to Tarkarli, Devbagh and the jetty. Fix the price first.
Scooter hire
Check priceThe best way to move between Malvan, Tarkarli and Devbagh. Ask your homestay.
Ferry to Sindhudurg Fort
Check priceFrom Malvan jetty, cash only. Recent reports range from ₹70 to ₹200 return, sometimes with a life-jacket charge.
Where to stay in Tarkarli
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Homestay
₹1,700/nightKonkan homestays from about ₹1,700 a night, often with breakfast. Many will cook a fish thali on request.
Homestay with breakfast
₹1,900/nightVillage homes a short walk from the beach, from about ₹1,900.
Beach resort
₹0/nightState-run cottages on the beach, plus two houseboats on the backwaters. Rates change by season and weekend; check the live price on the MTDC site.
Beach villa
₹3,500/nightWhole houses from about ₹3,500 a night. Best value for a group of four or more.
What to eat, and what it costs
Malvani fish thali: surmai or bangda fry, solkadhi, rice
Check priceThe reason to come. Priced by fish size and type; ask before you order.
Vade sagoti or a veg thali
Check priceMalvani rice-flour puris with coconut curry. Ask for the veg version.
Home-cooked dinner
Check priceMany homestays cook on request with the day's catch. Agree the price when you book.
Things to do in Tarkarli
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Sindhudurg Fort by ferry
Check priceShivaji's island fort, now part of the Maratha Military Landscapes World Heritage listing. Boats from Malvan jetty, about an hour on the island; closed in the monsoon.
Snorkelling off the fort
₹500₹500–800 for an hour at the coral patch near the fort. Best December to February.
Try dive (Discover Scuba)
₹1,500Reported at ₹1,200–2,500 on boat operators; ₹2,500–3,500 with pool training at MTDC's IISDA, a PADI 5-star centre. Prefer a certified centre.
Dolphin trip from Devbagh
₹300₹300–500, early morning, around 6:30 to 8:30.
Kayak the Karli backwaters
₹300About ₹300 an hour. Paddle to where the river meets the sea at Devbagh.
Open Water diving course
₹22,000₹22,000–26,000 for a PADI or CMAS course. One of the cheapest places in India to get certified.
Day trips and next stops
Devbagh sand spit
Check fareAuto or scooter
Chivla beach and Rock Garden, Malvan
Check fareAuto
Vijaydurg fort
Check fareTaxi
Amboli ghat
Check fareTaxi or bus via Sawantwadi
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Strong currents and no lifeguards on most of the beach. Wade, don't swim far out.
- All boats, diving and water sports stop from June to September. Don't book a monsoon trip for the sea.
- Water-sports prices vary a lot between operators. Use a certified centre for diving and agree the price first.
Ways to spend less
- Do your first dive here. A try dive costs a fraction of what the Andamans charge, and you get there by train.
- Go on a weekday. Weekend crowds from Kolhapur and Pune fill the jetty and push up prices.
- Stay in a homestay in Tarkarli village and eat what the family cooks. It is the best Malvani food you will get.
Before-you-go checklist
Tarkarli in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Tarkarli?
Jan–Feb, Nov–Dec is the best time. October to March. December to February has the calmest sea and the clearest water for snorkelling and diving. All boats, diving and water sports stop from June to September for the monsoon, and the fort ferry does not run.
How do I reach Tarkarli?
Train + road: → Kudal (KUDL), then bus or taxi about 30 km to Malvan and Tarkarli. Local bus: Kudal → Malvan bus stand. Flight + taxi: → Sindhudurg (Chipi) airport (SDW), then taxi. Train via Sindhudurg: → Sindhudurg station (SNDD), then road to Malvan
How much does a 3-day trip to Tarkarli cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹3,900 on a shoestring, ₹6,900 mid-range or ₹12,600 in comfort over 3 days.
How many days do you need in Tarkarli?
3 days is right for most people. That covers Sindhudurg Fort by ferry, Snorkelling off the fort, Try dive (Discover Scuba), Dolphin trip from Devbagh without rushing.
Is Tarkarli good for families or solo travellers?
Tarkarli works best for couples, groups, families.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Tarkarli?
Workable but you have to ask. Malvani cooking is seafood first, but every thali place has a veg thali, and solkadhi, usal and amboli are vegetarian. Vegans do well: coconut, not dairy, is the base of most curries.
Will my phone and cards work in Tarkarli?
Main Indian networks work in Malvan and Tarkarli. Resorts and dive centres take cards; homestays mostly UPI or cash. Carry cash. The fort ferry is cash only and small eateries want cash or UPI.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- mtdc.co OfficialMTDC Tarkarli resort exists with bamboo and boat-house rooms; tariff varies, weekend rates differ, final price at checkout
- trekgo.inPrices (Aug 2026): boat DSD ₹1,200–2,000, MTDC-certified DSD ₹1,500–2,500, IISDA ₹2,500–3,500, Open Water ₹22,000–26,000, snorkelling ₹500–800, dolphin trip ₹300–500, kayaking ₹300/h; Kudal 30 km; season and June–September closure
- trawell.inFort 10:00–17:30, closed Tuesday (as listed), boats 9:30–17:30 except monsoon; fees ₹5 entry, ₹70 boat
- wanderlog.comVisitor reports of ₹100 adult / ₹50 child return ferry, cash only
- outlookindia.comKudal railhead about 35 km, Tarkarli 7 km from Malvan, 8 km beach, strong undercurrents and no lifeguards, MTDC houseboats, Malvani dishes (2015, used for geography only)
- traveltriangle.comHomestays from ₹1,700 (Wairy Malvan) and ₹1,900 (Tarkarli), 2026
- thrillophilia.comVillas from ₹3,500 a night (undated)
- travelcostcalculator.orgSindhudurg Fort part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India World Heritage listing; ferry ₹120–200 with life jacket
- mypunepulse.comJuly 2026: Chipi airport operates flights to Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru; Navi Mumbai route announced
- freepressjournal.inSeptember 2026: state still seeking airlines for Navi Mumbai–Chipi under UDAN
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Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Abhinav_Varshney · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Kanj Saurav · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Uttpal Krushna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Sanjaybhagwat · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Shreyas m balappanavar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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