Scuba Diving at Tarkarli near Sindhudurg Fort at Kurte Island

Quote of the Post: "Trip to Tarkarli is not complete without visiting Sindhudurg Fort and deep dive into the sea. " - Quote about 'Tarkarli' in Malvan, Maharashtra - Sachin Kumar Gupta

Tip: If you are planning to visit Tarkarli for Scuba diving, avoid visiting during monsoon, as you wouldn't be able to visit Sindhudurg Fort and can't do water activities - scuba and snorkling. If you are coming from Pune or Mumbai, you have to reach Kankavli. Below map will help you reaching from Mumbai and Pune. Mumbai - Pune - Satara - Kolhapur - Radhanagari - Phonda - Kankavali - Kasal - (Malvan - Kasal Road) - Sindhudurg Killa (Fort) route by market - Kurte Island by Boat.

Sindhudurg Fort at Kurte Island

Whenever I hear the name - 'Tarkarli', scuba diving picture comes into the mind. For adventure water sports lovers, snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are available at Tarkarli. In India there are a very few places where scuba diving can be done and Malvan is one of them. Due to its relatively clear sea water, Malvan serves as a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling with surface oxygen supply. Near the outer walls of Sindhudurg fort one can see lots of live corals and colorful marine life under the sea. 

For me it was my third undersea experience - First undersea walk at Cyprus from sea-shore, Second undersea walk from the boat-ladder at Coral Island, Pattaya. This time, It was totally different experience as we did scuba diving with cylinder, and closer to Sindhudurg Fort. This is being organized by 'Om Shiv Moreshwar Scuba and Snorkeling Centre, Malvan'. They offer different services at different rates per person:

Scuba Diving with Cylinder - 3500 INR per person

Scuba Diving - 1500 INR per person

Boating Suffer - 500 INR per person

Snorkeling - 400 INR per person

Dolphin Suffer - 300 INR per person

Boating - 200 INR per person
Sindhudurg Fort  - 50 INR per person

The full package can be combined with Sidhudurg Fort visit. They also provide photography and videography for snorkeling and scuba diving for additional 100-200 INR. Try to bargain as much as you can. A boat took us to the place from Malvan pier. For novice, well-trained snorkeling coaches, guide on snorkeling and ensure safety. They ensure that one can have the first & finest ever experience of marine life. They also provide life jacket, snorkel, face mask, stretchable dress, cylinder and other stuff as per picked service. 

You will also be amazed to know that you can purchase tea, coffee, snacks while on-board at boat...from another boat! This can happen only in India. For snorkeling, they give 10 minutes of training and 20 minutes of sea-world experience with 20-30 feet depth. Whereas for scuba diving, They give 15 minutes of training and 25-30 minutes of sea-world experience with 40-60 feet depth. The overall time taken depends on waiting time, and size of your group. Meenal and I went for scuba diving with cylinder together. 

Sindhudurg Fort at Kurte Island: Sindhudurg Fort (Fort in the sea) lies on a rocky island (Kurte) just off the coast of Malvan. Sindhudurg fort, built in the 16th century by Shivaji, is the only fort which has Shivaji temple inside the fort and palm imprint of King Shivaji. Sindhudurg was built with the help of huge rocks on the ‘Kurte' island, which amazes people. One of the best preserved forts of the Marathas, the 48 acre Sindhudurg fort has a four kms long zigzag line of 9 meters high and 3 meters wide rampart with 42 bastions. Three sweet-water wells are present on Sindhudurg Fort. While just roaming at the circumference of the fort, we enjoyed splash of sea-waves going higher than sea-walls and talking to them. 

How to get inside the fort: The fort is approachable from the Malvan pier by a boat. The boat was swinging on the tides and moving towards the main gate. You may take a guided tour of the place. The design of main door is an enigma. The technique was so deceptive for the enemy that they could not even realize where the entrance was due to blind curves. Zigzag pattern of outer wall was built in such a way that the enemy would be visible from any point inside the fort. During monsoon, Fort is mostly cut off and no water activity like scuba and snorkling happens. 

Things to see inside the Fort:

Shivaji’s palm and footprints

Shivrajeshwar Temple

Climb at the fort top and enjoy the 360 degree views

Talk to Sparkling sea-waves near fort edges