AMAZING PICS: The very BEST of Konkan

We bring you some of the most stunning images of the most popular travel destinations along the Konkan coast.

They say best of Maharashtra lies along the Konkan Coast. As arguable as the claim may be, the truth is this rugged section along the western coastline of the state has much to offer. In the pages to follow, we bring you 15 of the best travel destinations that you absolutely must visit.

Amboli

Amboli is situated at an altitude of 690m in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. Snuggling coyly, in the southern ranges of the Sahyadri hills, is the last mountain resort before the coastal highlands settles, with a sigh, to form flat beaches.

You can spend hours angling for a fish at Hiranya Keshi or picnic at Nagatta Falls, Mahadev Gadh and Narayan Gadh. For a few days of isolation, Amboli is an ideal resort.

Amboli is 549 kms by road from Mumbai; the nearest airport is Belgaum (64 km); nearest convenient railhead: Sawantwadi (28 km) on Konkan Railway.

Are-Ware Beach is situated near Ganapatipule in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, just about 15-kms from Ratnagiri City. It is among the best virgin beaches of Ratnagiri.

However, it couldn't escape from the eyes of the tourists. There is a belt of Suru trees coming fairly close to the seashore. At Are-Ware, the road travels past a high cliff, below which the sea waves ferociously lap without pause.

Are-Ware Beach is 370 kms from Mumbai by road; buses plying from Mumbai to Ganpatipule via Ratnagiri pass through Are-Ware

Bhandarpule is located in Ratnagiri district of Maharshtra. It has a very beautiful beach which is secluded and less crowded than Ganpatipule. You can get a beautiful view of Ganpatipule and Bhandarpule beach from the top of the hill before descending to Bhandarpule.

Bhandarpule is 354 kms from Mumbai by road.

The train station at Ratnagiri is the closest to Ganapatipule at distance of 25 km

Ganapatipule is a small village in the Ratnagiri District on the Konkan coast with a series of beaches and vantage points offering some stunning views of the sea.

The 'Swayambhu' Ganpati Temple, on the Ganapatipule beach itself is the prime attraction  that draws thousands of pilgrims every year to this village.

The twin beaches of Aare-Ware and the Malgund flank either sides of the Ganapatipule beach.

The nearest airport is Kolhapur.

The nearest railhead is Bhoke, on the Konkan Railway, however, Ratnagiri is more convenient      

Mumbai-Ganapatipule (via Mahad) is 375 kms.

Situated in Ratnagiri District on West coast of India, Guhagar is a scenic town with hilly terrain. A perfect tropical paradise. It is even called a temple town. Guhagar beach (about 6 km long) is one of the main tourist destinations and is a unique places to enjoy Konkani culture.

Long lonely beach with silky white sand is a perfect getway to rural tourism.

Guhagar is 288 kms from Mumbai by road. Chiplun is the closest train station.

Located in Sindhudurgh district, Kunkeshwar is situated on the bank of the Arabian Sea. Lord Shiva temple adjoining the beach adds up to the beauty.

This temple is holy place in Konkan, so it is also known as Konkan Kashi. It is blessed with 700 meter long beautiful seashore and is also famous for production of Alphonso mango of Devgad.

Kunkeshwar is 474 kms by road from Mumbai; Nandgaon is the closest railhead.

Situated in the Raigad district, the oval shaped rock structure in midst of the Sea near the port town of Murud, Janjira is one of the strongest marine forts of India.

It is probably the only impregnable fort on 720 kms Maharashtra coastline. The fort is situated deep in the Sea 3 kms from Murud.

Murud is 150 kms from Mumbai by road; Roha is the nearest railhead.

The Raigad Fort is situated in the Raigad district. It was the capital of Shivaji's kingdom.

This was the fort on top of a steep hill where he was crowned and where he died. The upper plateau is covered with a large number of remains of buildings and reservoirs.

On a low mound in the centre is the site of Shivaji's throne.

To the north of the fort is Jagadishwar temple in an enclosure and also the samadhi of Shivaji as also that of his favourite dog, Waghya.

Raigad fort is 99 kms from Mumbai by road; Veer is the closest railhead.

Ratnadurga fort in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra is surrounded by the Arabian Sea from three sides. The fort is having a shape of Horse Shoe and a length approximately 1300m and width 1000m.

It's having strong fortifications from south-east to west side. Approximately at the center of the fortifications, there is a main entrance gate. There is a Lighthouse on one of the bastion. This bastion is called as "Siddha Bastion".

Ratnadurga is 345 km from Mumbai by road and only 4 km from Ratnagiri bus stand.

Shrivardhan fort is one of the two hill forts in the Raigad district that constitute the Rajmachi fortification, the other being Manoranjan fort. Semicircular in shape, a gate forms the entrance of the fort. Constructed in typical Maratha Style, the fort has a cave belonging to Buddha period located a little further. Two huge water tanks in the fort remain inundated with water all year round.

Shrivardhan fort is 180 km from Mumbai by road; Mangaon the closest railhead.

The Sindhudurg fort lies on the shore of Malwan town of Sindhudurg district.

One of the best preserved forts of the Marathas, Sindhudurg fort has zigzag rampart with 42 bastions. There are three sweet water reservoirs in the fort ramparts.

Sindhudurg Fort is 537 kms by road from Mumbai. Sawantwadi and Kudal are two most reliable railheads closest to the fort.

Tarkarli is a village in Malvan Taluka, district Sindhudurg. Golden sands, blue waters and clear skies describe Tarkarli the best.

It's becoming a tourist hot spot because of the pristine beaches and great sea-food. Snorkeling and Scuba diving makes your trip an amazing experience altogether. Experience a dream journey on board in the new houseboat at Tarkarli.

Settle down in the lap of luxury as the tranquil waters take you away from the crowds, the noise and your worries.

Tarkarli is 493 kms by road from Mumbai; the nearest railway station is Kudal.

Velas is a village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, famous for its beaches and turtle festival to create awareness about endangered species and develop ecotourism which is held by the local people of Velas and Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra.

The beach showcases some of the rare marine turtles in India. Velas and its picturesque surroundings have been popular locales where several Bollywood movies have been shot.

Velas is 218 km by road from Mumbai; Veer (41 km) is the closest railhead.

Vengurla is a town in Sindhudurg District of Maharshtra. With its long stretch of white sands, and hills covered with cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves lies the pristine and beautiful town of Vengurla.

It has two well-known temples: Shri Devi Sateri temple and Rameshwar Mandir. To the West-North lie the Vengurla Rocks, also called Burnt Islands.

The rocky terrain of Malvan has two forts -- Sindhudurg Fort and Padmagad Fort. Today known for its salt pans, Chinese clay pottery and the special Malvani cuisine which is quite distinct from Konkan food.

Vengurla is 499 km by road from Mumbai; nearest railhead is Kolhapur (178 km).

Vijaydurg fort is situated on the mouth of the Vaghotan river that separates Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts. One of the strongest marine forts on the west coast of India and also an excellent harbour.

Vijaydurg and its surroundings are famous all over the world for the delicious Alphonso mangoes. The palatial house of Dhulap in 'Vijaydurg' village has some beautiful wall paintings of natural colors.

This is only one of the two forts of the Maratha kingdom, where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag.

Vijaydurg  is 475 kms by road from Mumbai; nearest railheads are Kudal and Rajapur.