SINDHUDURG: Hello Sunshine

Learn how to swim.

The first and most important thing you can do is learn to swim. Virtually any community center or local Red Cross offers swimming lessons for children and adults at reasonable prices. The sooner children learn to swim and be comfortable in the water, the easier and more natural it will be for them.

Always wear a life jacket.

Regardless of your swimming ability, make sure that you always wear a life jacket,personal flotation device, wet suit or other appropriate gear. A full 90% of boaters who drowned in 2008 were not wearing life jackets. Even if you’re a great swimmer, you could be knocked unconscious, exhausted by the currents or overcome by the elements. Wearing a life jacket not only keeps you afloat, but makes you more visible to rescuers in the event of an accident.

Never go out on the water alone.

Make sure you have someone with you at all times whether you’re swimming, boating or fishing. Make sure that friends or family on shore know where you’re going on the water and for how long. This will help them know where to look for you if you’re gone longer than expected.

Make sure you have the proper equipment.

Regardless of the water vehicle you’re using, be sure to carry extra equipment. For example, extra life jackets, flares, a whistle, and ship to shore radio can all come in handy in an emergency. Carry extra maintenance equipment as well, such as a repair kit and fire extinguisher. Make sure you have a first aid kit with you at all times. Store these items safely, and make sure everyone on the boat knows where they are and how to reach them.

If you are out on a boat, have a good GPS navigator system on board. Even if it is a portable handheld GPS unit, it will help to provide valuable information, such as directions, currents, water depth, buoys,and obstacles in the water. If an emergency does occur, you can quickly determine the fastest way back to shore.

Know the correct way to use and store your equipment.

Make sure that everyone in your party knows the proper use and storage of recreational equipment such as water skis, skate board, Airhead towable tubes and the like. Be sure the equipment is stored safely and securely on your vehicle prior to use.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Malvan

Arrival in Malvan and check in at pre-arranged hotel by the beach.
Afternoon at leisure.
Early evening drive to Tondavli (proposed site for developing a sea world) to view the setting sun. The drive through suru trees (casuarinas trees) is sheer pleasure. Here you can see dolphins from the beach.
Return to the hotel late evening.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 2: Malvan | Local Sightseeing & Water Sports

This morning after an early breakfast, proceed to Devbaug.
Board a fishing boat to take you on a ride till Nivati Fort. En route halt at Tsunami Island for water sports. Enjoy activities like jet ski, speed boat, dolphin ride, banana ride. Don’t miss the main attraction, i.e Sofa Ride. A ride on a sofa bumping rigorously in the creek water, is a life time experience for sure. Besides the water sports, Tsunami Island is a site to see. A small island midst of Karli creek confluencing Arabian Sea. Recommended to visit it during high tide, when the island is sunk in knee deep water.
The Nivati Rocks in Arabian Sea close to Nivati Beach is a treat for photographers.
Later, drive to Ghumde, a small temple village for a spice plantation trip. The thickly wooded farm holds a gala surprise, rain showers in sizzling sun. Wash and change and get ready to enjoy a Malvani meal. A brief nap under a cozy shelter and a spice plantation trip refreshes you for sure.
Evening, proceed for a brief tour covering major attractions of Malvan. A visit to Rock Gardens in Malvan by the sun set ends the tour.
Late evening return to hotel.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 3: Excursion to Devgad

After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing of Devgad.
Devgad is world known for alphanso mangoes (Devgad Haapus Aam). However, its still unsung in many ways. The Devgad is the northern coastal Taluka is full of exotic beaches, creeks and forts, the sites which can give “best beaches of India” a run for their money.
Don’t believe us? Lets talk once you visit Mithbav, Mithmumbari, Munage and especially Kavundla (a beach between hills… you can reach only by boat.
Afternoon enjoy a special lunch organized in a mango farm.
Late evening return to hotel.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 4: Excursion to Vengurla & Sawantwadi

After breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing of Vengurla.
Vengurla is a southernmost coastal taluka of Sindhudurg district touching Goa. Like Goa, Vengurla’s lifestyle is bit different than of other district. Pristine beaches, temples, relaxed lifestyle, fishing villages, cashew plantations are major attractions here. Probably that’s why you will find many foreigners taking day trips on some of the offbeat beaches here from Goa.
Kondura, Khavna, Vayangani (Olive Ridley turtles visit it for laying eggs), Ubha Danda, Mochemad, Velagar (popularly known as Paradise beach among foreigners), Shiroda, beach, Khavna Beach are just few of the popular beaches.
By evening visit Sawantwadi for shopping wooden toys.
Late evening return to hotel.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Malvan.

Day 5: Backwater Island Hospitality | Jeep Safari

Sindhudurg is blessed with pristine backwaters. These inhabited islands shows you the real Sindhudurg at its best.
One such handpicked island is Pankhol Jua, close to Hadi near Malvan. This island is full of palm trees… so much so that the sky can not seen from almost 70% part of the island. Bit exaggeration though ;). This trip is inclusive of traditionally cooked meals during the day.
Eaerly morning Transfer to the island by fishing boats.
Traditional welcome and quenchers
Breakfast.
Tour de island with locals. See the locals at work, small schools and children playing in the field.
Local fishermen teach you traditional fishing… you may swim in the backwaters.
Sampling of Maadi (a natural drink alike coconut water).
Traditional lunch awaits you at a local host’s house.
Brief siesta, followed by a backwater boating trip.
Evening tea with traditional Malvani snacks.
Late evening you are transferred to the mainland by fishing boat.
You shall be then driven to Kankavli for a jeep safari.
Sindhudurg in Konkan is a plain land between Arabian Sea on West and hilly terrain on east connecting Kolhapur & Belgaum. This hilly terrain (average altitude is 600m +) is thickly wooded and accommodates unique flora and fauna. Dajipur Sanctuary on the borders of Sindhudurg is known for rich bison population while Amboli Ghat is world’s one of the Eco Hot Spots.
Few enthusiasts offer their customized open top jeeps to tourists to drive through the thickly wooded jungles. Regular inhabitants like wild boars, variety of deers & monkeys, fox, bisons are seen during the drives. Wild elephants and leopards are also sighted at times.
Dinner at a traditional house. Board the jeep for a thrilling drive accompanied by a nature guide and a guard. Later in mid-night, halt at a specially built machan by a watering hole.
You may spend the whole night on machan or drive back to the host’s house.