Posted by A G Aranha | 10-10-2023
A coastal area in Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra, Dapoli-Murud is a beach destination.
Dapoli is located at a distance of 198 kms from Pune via Tamhini Ghat and 230 kms from Mumbai, accessible by road and rail. Khed is the nearest railway station located at a distance of 30 kms.
We started from Pune by road taking the Bhor-Mahad-Dapoli route at a distance of 209 kms as the road condition is good. The other access is via Tamhini Ghat. On the way we found the Neeradevghar Dam on the Nira River near Bhor. It was quite a picturesque sight.
Within a distance of 9 kms from Dapoli town, is Lotus the Eco Beach Resort managed by Orchids. This resort is located right next to the Murud beach. They have Konkan cottages, Konkan villas and Sea Breeze Suites. The sea breeze suites are facing the sea while the cottages and villas are located around. The rooms of the sea breeze suites are quite spacious with a sit out with a sea view. The resort has a small swimming pool and a games room.
Most of the adventure activities listed are not functional except rifle shooting and archery. There are no water sports anywhere near the resort. The Murud beach next to the resort is full of black sand.
The resort provides both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, which is quite tasty with local Malwani flavour. For stay in Sea Breeze suites one meal is complimentary. There are no other good restaurants in and around the resort.
Me and my spouse visited other nearby beaches 1) Karde beach 2) Harnai beach 3) Ladghar beach.
Karde beach is about 3 kms from Murud beach. It is also black sand beach with practically no activity such as food shacks, water sports etc. VITS Excelensea, a star hotel is located right next to the Karde beach. Sagarganj Beach Resort is located right next to it.
Ladghar beach is at a further distance of 5 kms from Karde Beach. There is not much activity at Ladghar beach also.
Harnai beach has a lot of fishing activity. There is a fish market near the beach. It is more populated than the other three beaches. You can see cars driven on the sea shore to approach the fish market as the outside approach road is quite narrow. There is a customs cottage right below the hillock with an old tower on the beach side. You can access this hillock by driving your car on the shore.
At a distance of about 1000 metres from Lotus Eco Resort, there is another resort named Silversand Resort. It is far more organised and right next to the sea beach. The cottages and rooms at this resort are well maintained and sea facing.
There is also Survarna Samudra Resort, a star resort near Harnai beach which is a little further away from the beach. It is nestled between cluster of trees on the one side and the sea view on the other.
In addition, Ocean Breeze Resort is located next to Lotus Resort and Aachal Resort and Cocorico Resorts are located slightly ahead of Lotus Resort.
This picturesque town was once a military camp for the British. The beaches are with black sand and mostly uninhabited. Only certain pockets of the beaches could be seen with people getting into the sea. Even beach sports are restricted to cart ride and horse ride. Being quiet town, the resorts in this place are ideal spot for a relaxed holiday.
Sea Breeze Suites
Games Room
Cottages
Bike ride on the Beach
