Visit to Malvan (Chiwla & Devbaug Beaches)

There are few trips that you wish should get over and there are others that you wish should not get over. My trip to Malvan sea beaches was like the second type. I still miss the sound of sea waves, white sand and the delicious food that I enjoyed with my family on this trip. I am looking forward to have another such fantastic trip.
Typically when it comes to visit Konkan beach (arguably) the very first name that comes to mind is the famous Tarkarli beach. It has been some time now since tourists have been flocking to Tarkarli due to various reasons and hence it has become a very hot tourist spot. During my search for a good vacation Konkan beach I found Chiwla beach most suitable due to following reasons:

• Just few minutes drive from Tarkarli beach.
• Reasonable lodging rates as compared to Tarkarli.
• Similar beach as compared to Tarkarli with few tourists around if you are looking for a secluded beach.
• Good Malvani food (of course if you know the place).
• Nice local market.

At the time of my visit I was residing in Pune hence we had to go via. Kolhapur to Malvan. While going to Malvan we decided to use the route Pune - Kolhapur - Gaganbawda - Kankvali - Malvan. On our way back we chose the route Malvan - Kankvali - Phonda - Radhanagri - Kolhapur - Pune. We were told by one wise soul that the route via. Radhanagri is good as compared to Gaganbawda. Guess what it turned out to be similar if not worse. So unless you are very sure about the road conditions I will suggest not to change them. The route route via. Radhanagri is longer (by approximate 5 to 8 KMs).
The total distance from Pune to Chiwla beach (Malvan) is around 387 - 392KMs depending on the route you take. That lands you to a travel time of around 7 hours (if you go non stop) and around 8 - 9 hours depending on how many and how much break you take. Typically it would be wise to take one break in Kolhapur and another in between Kolhapur and Chiwla. There are two places that I would recommend which can be used for such halts if you are travelling with family. One is Hotel Manthan. It is located on the Pune-Kolhapur highway and is on outskirts of Kolhapur. The best part of the meal are Wheat Chapatis. Second is Stonarc Family Resort. This resort is right in the middle of Gaganbawda ghat and the food that they served us was pretty good. Following are few clicks that I took when we had halted at this place.

Red Blossom

Green Carpet

Basil Flowers

Yellow Blossoms

Refreshing Tea

Note, the time of our visit was first week of January.

We had booked "Mayekar's Holiday Home" for our stay in Chiwla. This is the kind of view that you get when you stand at the compound of this holiday home.

Fishermen To Fishing

Chiwla Beach

Not only is the view great but the arrangements at this holiday home are as well good. They don't server lunch/dinner but have an option of ordering breakfast. I would recommend to enjoy the local breakfast dishes (Amboli and Ghavan) that they serve. Following are few clicks that I took during our stay.

Morning Breakfast (Poha)

Morning Breakfast (Amboli)

Morning Breakfast (Ghavan)

Coconut Trees

Sunset At Chiwla Beach

Hammock

Coconut Tree

Tulsi Vrindavan

I would like to mention that Mayekar family was very cooperative in helping us cook food for our son as he is Lactogen intolerant. They as well helped us with names for few local food items and food joints that we could try out in Malvan.Once in Malvan you can visit Devbaug beach which is around 12 - 13 KMs from Malvan. At Devbaug you would get to enjoy all the water sports (Jet ski, Speed boat, Para sailing, Bumper ride, visit to various points, Dolphin watching, etc). I am told that charges for these sports are pretty cheap here as compared to charges in Goa. Few things that you should be cautions of are:

• Don't fall prey to the marketing gimmicks of boatmen. They try to charge you more by promising to take you to various points (crocodile point, bird inland, etc.) but it is just a waste of money as they are in hurry to take you back and you don't actually get to visit these places.
• Before embarking on your journey to see dolphins make sure to inquire whether the dolphins are near the sea coast and there is a high chance that you would get to watch them. In our case the dolphins had already left the sea coast and we had to cancel our dolphin watching trip.

Apart from enjoying water sports at Devbaug you can also spend your time in shopping around Malvan's local market. There are a variety of things that you can purchase:

• Khaje (made from gram-besan flour and coated jaggery).
• Chunkape (made from coconut and sugar).
• Ghivar (Made from gram-besan flour and sugar).
• Curry/Vegetable Spices.

My post won't be complete unless I also point out a place where you can have Malvani food. Hotel Chaitanya is the place were we had vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Typically Konkan region is more famous for its variety of sea food, but at hotel Chaitanya the also serve amazing vegetarian food that one should definitely try out.