Dapoli is a small town and taluka in Ratnagiri district, on the southern Konkan coast, about 215 km south of Mumbai. It is set a little inland and above the sea, with some 50 km of coastline stretching from the Kelshi area in the north to Dabhol in the south, much of it covered in coconut groves. The town itself is a regional centre for the agricultural university, with little to see; the interest is in the villages and beaches around it.
Most visitors come for a mix of beach, temple and fort. Murud, Karde and Ladghar are the best-known beaches, with Anjarle and Kelshi offering quieter alternatives. Inland and near the coast are the Kadyavarcha Ganpati temple at Anjarle, the wooden-pillared Durga Devi temple at Murud, the woodland Keshavraj temple at Asud and the Panhalekaji rock-cut caves. At Harnai, a working fishing port sits beneath the ruined sea forts of Suvarnadurg and Kanakdurga.
The area suits a slow, two-to-three-day trip centred on one or two bases. Distances look short on the map but village roads are narrow, so a car and driver saves time and effort. Choose the cooler months, from November to February, when it is dry and comfortable. The monsoon from June to September brings very heavy rain and rough seas, which is beautiful but makes travel, beaches and boat trips unreliable.
For older travellers, the good news is that beaches and resorts are easy and level. The cautions are steps at Anjarle's temple, a woodland walk at Asud, rough roads to Karde and Panhalekaji, and a limited supply of hospitals and lifts compared with big cities. Plan sensibly, keep activities to one or two a day, and carry any regular medicines.
Before you plan
Dapoli at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is dry and most…November to February is dry and most comfortable; October and March are good. May is hot and humid, and June to September is heavy monsoon with rough seas.
- Ideal trip length
- 2-3 days for the beaches and main…2-3 days for the beaches and main temples; 4 days to add Kelshi, the caves and hot springs without rushing
- Airport
- Nearest scheduled airports are MumbaiNearest scheduled airports are Mumbai (BOM), about 215 km away, and Pune (PNQ), about 190 km; Ratnagiri airport is about 100 km but has limited services
- Railway station
- KhedKhed (KHED) on the Konkan Railway, about 29 km away; check which trains stop there
- Getting around
- A hired car and driver is the…A hired car and driver is the easiest option; ST buses run but may be inconvenient. Autos and local taxis work for short hops within Dapoli.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500-₹3,500 per person per…Roughly ₹1,500-₹3,500 per person per day excluding stay, for food, a car share and activities; varies with resort and car hire choices
- Senior comfort
- Good at beaches and resortsGood at beaches and resorts; moderate at Anjarle temple and Asud, where steps and a woodland walk are involved. Avoid the monsoon with older relatives.
- Language
- Marathi locallyMarathi locally; Hindi is widely understood. English is common in resorts but less so in villages
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Dapoli: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Dapoli itinerary
One good day
1 day in Dapoli
Start at Harnai port in the late morning to see the fishing boats and the view of Suvarnadurg and Kanakdurga, then drive to Murud for lunch and a rest. In the afternoon, visit the Durga Devi temple in Murud village, then spend the late afternoon on the beach or move to Ladghar to watch the sunset. Keep the day to these stops, because village roads are slower than distances suggest.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Dapoli
Begin at Anjarle for the Kadyavarcha Ganpati temple while the morning is cool, taking the steps slowly. Continue to Harnai port in the afternoon, then settle at Murud for the beach and a quiet evening. Ask your resort to arrange an early dolphin boat for the next morning.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Dapoli
Reach Dapoli or Murud by midday and visit Harnai port and the forts' viewpoint in the afternoon. Watch the shore-side fish auction if it is running, then take an easy evening at Murud beach.
Day-by-day plan →
