Konkan, an amazing location for scuba diving, allows you to peep into the wonderful marine worlds of the Arabian Sea. With clean waters, alive coral reefs and thriving marine life, it is just perfect beneath the long coastline of Maharashtra and Goa. With all the biodiversity, as well as calm underwater scenery, scuba diving in Konkan guarantees an experience of a lifetime. Well-known diving spots have good visibility for observing colourful fishes, sea turtles, and even shipwrecks underwater. Dive sites across Konkan cater to all skill levels for beginners and experienced divers, including certified training and guided dives.
Quick Details About Scuba Diving In Konkan
Location: Konkan Coast, Maharashtra, India ( Tarkarli, Malvan, Devbag, Vengurla)
Timings: Typically 8 AM – 4 PM (varies by operator and tide conditions)
Entry Fee: Free for beaches; scuba diving packages range from ₹1200 – ₹5000 per person, depending on depth and duration
Best Time To Visit: October to May, with peak visibility from November to February
Top 5 Locations For Scuba Diving In Konkan
Scuba diving in Konkan offers a mix of marine biodiversity, shipwrecks and vibrant coral reefs. Here are some of the best locations:
1. Tarkarli (Sindhudurg)
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Tarkarli is a small village in the Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra. The water here is clean and offers under-water visibility from 15 feet to 25 feet. This makes it possible to view the exquisite marine life like angelfish, parrotfish, sea cucumbers and on rare occasions juvenile rays. Here, diving is quite suitable for beginners, as the water can be as shallow as 8 feet. It is good for introduction dives under well guided courses with certified instructions. The spots for diving at Tarkarli are well maintained. These are operated by the professional services offering commercial diving and training courses.
Cost Per Dive: ₹1200 – ₹5000
Nearest Railway Station: Kudal (45 km)
Best Time To Visit: October – May
2. Malvan
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Malvan, a coastal town in Maharashtra, is a scuba diving destination along the Konkan coast. The clear waters here let visitors to see a myriad of coral reefs and marine creatures from angelfish, parrot fish, and groupers. The diving sites are quite shallow, where the depth ranges from about 5 – 20 meters, ideal for both beginners and experienced divers. Malvan diving centers provide certified instructors from PADI, thus ensuring the safety of the first timers. Malvan provides a lot of other adventure sports, like snorkelling and water sports, thus becoming a wholesome adventure destination.
Cost Per Dive: ₹1,000 – ₹4,500
Nearest Railway Station: Kudal (30 km)
Best Time To Visit: October – May
3. Devbaug
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Devbaug, situated in Maharashtra’s Konkan coast, is an upcoming scuba diving destination. It has a relatively undisturbed underwater ecosystem. Besides Devbaug being close to the Karli River confluence with the Arabian Sea, it is also rich in marine life and clear waters. It provides a rather peaceful diving experience. Devbaug is not spoiled by commercialised settings, making it perfect for people searching for a truly serene experience. Here, the dive sites showcase an array of fish species, coral formations and sometimes rays and turtles swim by. Dive centres in Devbaug have diving introductory courses as well as guided dives only for certified divers.
Cost Per Dive: ₹1,200 – ₹4,500
Nearest Railway Station: Kudal (35 km)
Depth: 10 – 30 feet
4. Vengurla Rocks (Near Goa Border)
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Vengurla Rocks extends near the line marking the border between Goa and Maharashtra. It is one of the most sought-out diving havens situated on the Konkan Coastal region. This group of small islands located outside Vengurla, known as Vengurla Rock, offers unusual and elderly underwater elements. Rich in sea life, this diving area contains many underwater structures such as corals, angelfish, parrotfish, as well as morays. Unfortunately this spot does not cater to the young or beginners. The corals and rocky structures can be found at a rather great depth, requiring a quick and deep descent.
Cost Per Dive: ₹2,000 – ₹6,000
Nearest Railway Station: Sawantwadi (30 km)
Depth: 15 – 50 feet
5. Murudeshwar (Karnataka Border)
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Murudeshwar lies in the heart of the Karnataka coast near the shore of the Konkan region. It can undoubtedly be counted as one of the best spots for scuba diving in Konkan. The place is famous for the wide variety of marine species, shipwrecks and extremely good visibility for underwater photography. The diving spots provide such wonderful nature underwater. Netrani Island or the Pigeon Island is adorned with a beautiful coral bed, fishes and marine animals. The waters around Netrani Island offer depths varying from 6 to 40 meters which cater to non-expert and expert divers.
Cost Per Dive: ₹3,500 – ₹7,000
Nearest Railway Station: Murudeshwar (2 km)
Depth: 12 – 70 feet
Where To Stay
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You will find every kind of place to put up on the Konkan coast. These range from budget homestays to top-end luxury beachfront resorts near popular diving locations. Top choices among these are Tarkarli Niwas Nyahari, Sai Raj Beach Resort and Blue Heaven Beach Resort. There are a few others in the Tarkarli and Malvan areas for easy access to the diving spots. Vengurla and Devbaug tend toward quieter stays like Coconut Garden Beach House and Konkan Crown Resort & Club. You can dive in Murudeshwar and choose RNS Residency to enjoy some of the most stunning views of the Arabian Sea.
Where To Eat
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Most dive sites have beachside eateries, complete with fresh seafood and local dishes of Martini, Malvani and other Goan dishes. Chaitanya Restaurant (Malvan) is pretty famous for its signature Malvani thali. Bhogwe Eco Stay (Vengurla) is popular for its fresh coastal seafood cuisine. For great seafood in Tarkarli, one should visit Athithi Bamboo. With a more appealing oceanfront prospect, a person can dine at Naveen Beach Restaurant (Murudeshwar). Many resorts also have a restaurant in-house that offers a variety of food.
Other Factors To Consider
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The best time for scuba diving in Konkan is from October to May. At this time, the sea is very calm, with good underwater visibility as well.
Average Cost Of The Trip
Low priced accommodations are available from ₹800 a night. You can find decent medium-priced resorts for ₹2000 to ₹5000. Luxury beachside resorts are available for ₹7000 per night and more. Diving experience charge is between ₹1200 to ₹5000 per dive subject to the depth and location.
Tips For Travellers
- Choose certified dive operators to ensure safety and a good diving experience.
- Carry underwater cameras if photography isn’t included in the dive package.
- Avoid diving after heavy meals to prevent discomfort.
- Stay hydrated but avoid alcohol before diving.
- Check weather conditions before planning a dive, as visibility can be affected by tides.
Scuba diving in Konkan is one of the most awaited adventures that expose the coral reefs in this beautiful coastal region. Whether you are a budding or expert diver, you’re going to experience some of the best underwater life. Professional diving centers ensure safety and guidance while making an exciting trip to the Arabian Sea even more accessible. Plan your next trip easily for the best scuba diving packages with TripXL to have your adventure seamlessly.
Cover Photo: Sebastian Pena Lambarri / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only