If you thought Goa is known for its pristine virgin beaches, then you haven’t seen what Maharashtra has to offer! Bordered by the Arabian Sea on the west, Maharashtra has over 700 kilometres of Konkan coastline that is sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and the Sahyadri range. Ranging from the busy, populous beaches in and around Mumbai to the more tranquil blue-green waters of the Shreevardhan belt, which offers an adventurous experience, Maharashtra has something for everyone.
From among the countless amazing beaches, we list down 5 virgin beaches that you must visit in Maharashtra:
1. Ganpatipule
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Ganpatipule, located approximately 375 kms south of Mumbai (approx. 300 kms from Pune) in Ratnagiri district, is known to be one of the most magnificent beaches along the Konkan coast. The beach is known for its scenic beauty, white sand, clean water and numerous palm trees. It is home to the 400 year old Swayambhu Ganpati Temple that attracts tourists from across the country.
With the increase in tourism, a number of hotels and resorts have opened up, the most significant one being the Maharashtra Tourism Development Centre (MTDC). Other hotels include The Blue Ocean resort and spa and Abhishek Beach Resort that provide decent accommodation.
You can look for directions to Ganpatipule from the map below:
2. Murud
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Murud, considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Alibaug region, is about 150 km away from Mumbai and 200 kms away from Pune. Murud is a quaint little fishing village, made famous by one of the most famous and strongest marine forts along India’s western coast that goes by the name of Murud-Janjira. It is situated on an oval-shaped island near the port town of Murud. This fort belonged to the dynasty of Siddis and a visit to it will take you back 100s of years!
You can look for directions to Murud from the map below:
3. Tarkarli
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Tarkarli is among the southernmost beaches in Maharashtra and is a great stop over if you’re on your way to Goa by road. It is about 480 kms from Mumbai and 400 kms from Pune, situated in the Sindhudurg district bordering Goa. It is considered to be one of the finest white sand beaches in Maharashtra with crystal clear waters, where the seabed can be seen upto a depth of 15 feet sometimes. Besides enjoying this picturesque beach, the famous Sindhudurg fort and Padmagarh fort are not too far from here which are a must visit. Owing to the pristine waters and coral reefs, Tarkarli has slowly become the top destinations in the country to enjoy Snorkeling and Scuba diving.
You can look for directions to Tarkarli from the map below:
4. Shrivardhan
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If you are a foodie, looking to get away for the weekend to have some of the best Konkan sea food then Shrivardhan beach is the place to visit! Known for its mouth-watering delicacies, Shrivardhan has a rich history that dates back to the Maratha and Peshwa Empire which can be re-lived by hiring small fisher boats to explore some of its rich history. It has been maintained well with a meticulously built promenade with benches, public toilets and dustbins. Located approximately 200 kms from Mumbai, this beach is home to the famous Kalbhairav Shiva Temple and the Lord Shankar Temple.
You can look for directions to Shrivardhan Harihareshwar from the map below:
5. Velneshwar
Located at a distance of about 370 kms from Mumbai, this is one of the most peaceful beaches along the Konkan coast. Known for its rock-less waters and beetle nut trees, this beach is suitable to visit all year round, however the best time to visit is in March during Maha Shivratri Fair and Holi. The entry to the beach is marked by the Velneshwar temple of Lord Shiva that is over 1,700 years old. The MTDC Resort and Kinara Beach House offer a pleasant and economical accommodation.
You can look for directions to Velneshwar beach from the map below:
Have you visited any other virgin beach in Maharashtra that is worth a mention? Comment and let us know!
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