Beyond Velas Turtle Festival- Offbeat things to do near Velas

Velas Turtle Festival amasses crowds from various parts of the state during the months of December-May, when Olive Ridley Turtles come ashore to nest along the Konkan coast. The region is however not only limited to this festival and has a lot to offer; from pristine beaches to unique encounters with rare birds, which often goes unnoticed. Here is a list of 3 things you can do when planning your Velas trip.

Kalinje mangrove tour

As beaches and temples take priority, the stretch of mangroves along the Konkan coast often goes unnoticed by tourists. We would also have been unaware of its existence, if not for Mr. Mohan, our homestay owner in Velas, who informed us of the rich biodiversity that can be witnessed in the region. He arranged for a boat tour for us, but one can easily book the tour by getting in touch with Kalinje Mangrove Ecotourism. This is a guided tour, where local women who have been trained in ecotourism, provide in-depth knowledge about the mangroves paired with bird watching on a 45-minute-1 hour boat tour.  We spotted birds like Grey heron, pond heron, Western Reef heron, Green sandpiper, Eurasian curlew, amongst many others.

Tip:  Although binoculars are provided as part of the boat tour, I would highly recommend carrying a camera if possible to capture the various species of birds spotted during the tour.

Anjarle mangrove kayaking

We were lured to Anjarle by the prospect of getting to kayak amidst the mangroves, an activity I had tried only once before, but instead met with warm locals who were passionate about the conservation project and where we were also treated to delectable Maharashtrian cuisine. Situated around 45 km away from Velas, Anjarle is another beach, where turtle conservation takes place in full swing. As a result, many beach-facing accommodations have cropped up in the area. We reached Anjarle with a lot of expectations which were met the moment we step foot in the town. The old style architecture paired with the laid-back style of the village, put us at ease and quickly transported us to another time leaving all of us in awe.

After having a hearty breakfast, we headed towards the beach, wore our life jackets, took the paddles and set out with only basic knowledge on how to kayak. I consider myself lucky as we spotted a jackal in the distance, who had arrived on the shore to quench its thirst. Having started on a great note, the one hour journey ahead only got more exhilarating as we spotted various species while having the liberty to enjoy the experience all to ourselves, given there were no other tourists.

The cost for kayaking per head is 300 per person. Homestay options with private rooms are available close to the beach. If you do not want to stay, and are planning to just go kayaking, breakfast and lunch can be arranged at the homestay.

Kindly leave a comment for the contact to partake in this activity.

Vulture nests

Vulture nests can be seen in the coconut orchards around Srivardhan beach. They are most commonly seen during winter time; however, a tour can be organised to view the nests. We were unable to visit the farm, due to time constraints, but I would highly recommend everyone to, as it is not often one is able to witness this. The location is mentioned below: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EN6eqAQ3biPL9GLJ7

Budget for a Velas trip

If you are travelling by public transport, and mimic the itinerary we followed, it will cost you around 7500rs per head, with the cost split between two people. If you are travelling in a group, the cost decreases further. Also, you can skip a day or switch plans to further bring the budget down. If you want a detailed itinerary on how to visit Velas and plan your trip, head here: https://platterpalette.com/2024/09/18/velas-turtle-festival/