Today’s blog post, “Karde Beach travel guide”, is about Karde Beach in Maharashtra.

A few days after the 26th January long weekend, I travelled to Karde Beach.

It’s been a few years since I visited this beach. The recent trip brought back the reason why I love Karde Beach.

Quiet and serene beach? Check. Water sports? Check. Hotels within walking distance? Check. Beautiful sunset? Check. Budget-friendly? Check. Weekend destination? Check.

Karde Beach is a peaceful shoreline along the Kokan coast.

Karde Beach travel guide covers a series of topics about the beach. In the Karde Beach travel guide, discover the what, why, where, when and how of Karde Beach.

• How to get there?
• Where to stay?
• When is the best time to visit
• Places to explore near Karde Beach
• Travel tips

2024 has quite a few long weekends. If you’re hunting for a budget-friendly beach destination, visit Karde Beach.

But what and where is the beach?

Karde Beach is a part of the Kokan coast. This black sand beach is a quiet and serene strip of shoreline, 13 km from Dapoli. The neighbouring Murud Beach often overshadows this peaceful shore (which I’m grateful for).

Now that you know the location of Karde Beach, let’s find out how to reach this beautiful place.

HOW TO GET TO KARDE BEACH?

Karde Beach is easily accessible by road, bus and train. The best way to travel to Karde Beach is by road.

BY ROAD

Three roads lead to Karde Beach from Pune. They are- via Bhor, Tamhini Ghat and Mahabaleshwar.

Upon searching for routes from Pune to Karde Beach, the roads via Bhor and Tamhini Ghat will appear. If you add Mahabaleshwar as an additional stop, it will direct you to a different route.

I recommend travelling to Karde Beach via Bhor or Tamhini Ghat and reserving the Mahabaleshwar route for the return journey (in case you’re not ready to head home yet).

VIA BHOR

This road is ideal for people travelling from Mundwa, Kalyani Nagar, Hadapsar, Magarpatta, etc.

The road distance is 202 km, and 5½ hours drive to reach Karde Beach.

Pune – Kapurhol – Shirural – Bhor – Verandha Ghat – Mahad – Dapoli – Karde Beach.

Or you can take the following route.

Pune (Hadapsar) – Dive Ghat – Saswad – Bhivandi – Narayanpur – Kapurhol – Shirural – Verandha Ghat – Mahad – Dapoli – Karde Beach.

I travelled to Karde Beach via Bhor but with a slight deviation from the Google Maps route. It was a scenic route dotted with beautiful viewpoints.

VIA TAMHINI GHAT

The route via Tamhini Ghat is ideal for those travelling from Pimpri Chinchwad, Baner, Aundh, Wakad, etc.

The road distance is 209 kms, and 5½-6 hour drive to Karde Beach.

Pune – Pirangut – Paud – Mulshi – Tamhini Ghat – Mangaon – Mahad – Dapoli – Karde Beach

Travel this route after the monsoon season. That’s when you will find hundreds of waterfalls. It is a mesmerizing sight. However, the waterfalls dry up by the summer months.

VIA MAHABALESHWAR

The route via Mahabaleshwar is 231 kms and takes 7 hours. I recommend travelling on this road only during the week or on the return journey.

The route from Pune to Mahabaleshwar sees bumper-to-bumper traffic jams on weekends. But, once you cross Mahableshwar, there are fewer cars. However, driving past this hill station will add an hour or two to your journey.

Pune – Kapurhol – Dhangarwadi – Wai – Pasarni Ghat – Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar – Pratapgarh viewpoint – Poladpur – Khed – Dapoli – Karde Beach

BY TRAIN

The nearest station to Karde Beach is the Khed railway station. However, if you’re travelling from Pune or Mumbai, there are no direct trains to Karde Beach or Dapoli.

If you’re travelling from Pune, there are no direct trains to Khed. So, you can either go to Mumbai. From Mumbai, take the direct train to Khed. Or you can take the weekly train from Pune to Chiplun, 22 km from Khed and 69 km from Karde Beach.

Chiplun is a prime train station. From here, hire a taxi to Karde Beach or take the bus to Dapoli.

If you’re travelling from Mumbai, the closest train station is Khed.Take the direct train to Khed train station, 41 kms away from Karde Beach. From here, you can hire a taxi to Karde Beach or take the bus to Dapoli.

Daily, trains run between Khed and Mumbai. Tutari Express, Sindhudurg Express, Mandovi Express, and Konkan Kanya SF Express are a few of them.

BY BUS

Buses run regularly between Pune and Dapoli.

You can choose between AC and non-AC buses. However, I recommend the AC buses, especially for overnight travel.

While buses are cheaper and best for budget-friendly travel, they are time-consuming. Buses take at least 7 hours to reach Dapoli from Pune.

BY FLIGHT

The nearest airport to Karde Beach is Pune Airport.

Pune is a big city. Taxis, buses, rental cars, and trains are available to Karde Beach.

Self-driving or hired taxis are the best way to explore Karde Beach because Ola and Uber aren’t available there. Also, public transport is scarce near Karde Beach unless you’re in Dapoli.

WHERE TO STAY IN KARDE VILLAGE?

Karde village is comparatively smaller and lesser known than Dapoli or Murud.

Until a couple of years ago, there were only a handful of hotels in Karde village. However, new establishments have emerged since then.

Before I recommend hotels in Karde village, I want to note something. When searching for hotels in Karde village, don’t expect 3-4 star establishments. All the hotels in the area are 2-star.

You can find hotels like Fern and Lemon Tree in Dapoli.

On that note, here’s a list of hotels near Karde Beach. All the listed hotels are less than two minutes from the beach.

• Vits Excellensea
• Sagar Raj Beach Resort
• Sagar Sawali
• Sea Face Beach Resort

SAGAR RAJ BEACH RESORT

Over the years, I’ve always stayed at Sagar Raj Beach Resort. That’s because it was one of the well-equipped (with basic amenities) hotels in Karde village.

I haven’t stayed at Sagar Raj for a while now (because I haven’t returned to Karde Beach in years). But, from what I recall, the rooms were spacious and had a clean ensuite bathroom.

The rooms have basic amenities, and each room has a sea-facing balcony. Since then, they have made quite a lot of changes. Unfortunately, I didn’t stay there during my recent visit to Karde Beach.

VITS EXCELLENSEA

This time, I stayed at the Vits Excellensea, next door.

Vits is a well-known brand, so I had a few expectations.

The rooms were spacious and clean. The ensuite bathroom was moderate-sized and had running hot water 24/7. Each room has a TV, AC, mini fridge, kettle, provisions for making tea or coffee, and Wifi. Also, the rooms have small balconies with views of Karde Beach.

Of all the hotels listed above, I recommend Vits Excellensea and Sagar Raj Beach Resort. That’s because they are the closest to the beach, less than 30 seconds away.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KARDE BEACH?

Of the three seasons, winter and summer seasons are the best time to visit Karde Beach.

SUMMER

Summer months are from March to May.

Karde is a coastal village, so the temperature is always high, and humidity is present. Therefore, you can expect the temperatures to rise to 35°C during the summer months.

The days are hot, and the heat is oppressive. The night temperatures are more bearable than the daytime, but not by much.

Summer months are the peak season because schools close for summer vacations. That means a lot of families are travelling. It is during this time that hotels are pricey and often fully booked. So, don’t travel without reservations.

I recommend travelling between early March and mid-April. That’s when most children have exams, and offices are busy with the end of the financial year.

WINTER

Winter months are from November to February.

The temperatures are in the low 20°s, and the weather is pleasant. The sun is bearable during the day, and the nights are cold.

Winter months are peak season, so hotel prices are sky-high and fully booked.

A hotel employee informed me that in 2023, families travelled to Karde village without reservations to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. Most of them had to spend the night in their cars due to the unavailability of accommodations.

Learn from this and avoid travelling to Karde village during Diwali, Christmas, and New Year.

MONSOON

Monsoon months are from June to September.

Karde is a coastal village and receives heavy rainfall. It is low season, and hotel prices are at an all-time low. Due to heavy rain, locals suspend water sports and other activities.

Avoid travelling during the monsoons unless you want to spend your entire vacation locked up in your room.

The best time to visit Karde Beach is the end of October, November, early December, January, February and early March.

During this time, the temperature is low, and the weather is pleasant. It is also when crowds are fewer. The hotel prices are also reasonable. These months are the best time to visit because schools have resumed, and important festivals and holidays have passed or have yet to come.

PLACES TO VISIT NEAR KARDE

Karde is a small coastal village 12 km from Dapoli. Despite its size, there are half a dozen places to visit nearby. Here’s a list of all the serene beaches, bustling ports and historic forts you can explore.

• Karde Beach
• Murud Beach
• Harnai Port
• Suvarnadurg
• Kanakdurg
• Goa Fort

KARDE BEACH

As the name suggests, Karde Beach is in Karde village. The 2 km beautiful coastline gets overlooked due to its famous neighbouring Murud Beach.

On the positive side, it means fewer people. If you’re searching for a place to relax without the bustling crowds, head to Karde Beach.

Of course, a visit to Karde is unthinkable without a swim at Karde Beach. I mean, that’s the whole purpose you’re reading this post.

This lowkey shoreline is perfect for swimming, beach walks, relaxing and watching sunsets. You can also indulge in water sports like jet skis, banana boats and more. Or take the ATVs for a spin and ride a camel.

Another great feature of Karde Beach is its calm waters. Usually, the waves get rough in the evening. That’s not the case at Karde Beach. I remember swimming in the sea until it was dark and the waves were calm. Also, the bottom of the beach is shallow. I waded almost 20-25 feet, and the water reached my hips. I’m 5 ft 1in. So, if you’re travelling with children, it is a safe beach.

TRAVEL TIP:- If you’re an early riser, I highly recommend a morning walk on the beach. There are only a couple of people here in the morning.

NOTE:- Don’t forget to catch a colourful sunset at Karde Beach.

MURUD BEACH, DAPOLI

Ok, there’s a common mistake. There are two Murud Beaches. One is near Dapoli, and the other is in Murud, 145 km away.

If you’re in Karde, drive down to Murud Beach, 2.4 km away. Compared to other beaches in the vicinity, Murud attracts the most visitors.

The best time to visit Murud Beach is in the afternoon. By then, the shops have opened, vendors have arrived, and waves are high for water sports.

One of the reasons why Murud Beach is more popular is that tourists can drive their cars on the beach. While most beaches don’t allow cars on the sandy shore, that’s not the case at Murud Beach.

During my recent travels, I saw a couple of cars and bikes racing across the sandy shores. While it is all fun and games, sometimes cars get too close to the water and get stuck. Locals will come to help, but they will charge an exuberant amount. So do this at your risk.

Murud Beach is a fun place for spending a fun-filled day with families and friends.

HARNAI PORT

For all my seafood lovers, trust me, you don’t want to miss Harnai Port. 9.2 km from Karde Beach is Harnai Port.

But why is Harnai Port a must-visit? That’s because it is where the fish market takes place. Every day, fishermen bring fresh catch and auction it to the locals.

The auction takes place early morning at 6 a.m. (I think) and again at 3-4 p.m. Even after the auction, the fish market is open all day long. But the earlier you arrive, the fresher the seafood.

At Harnai Port, you can find a variety of seafood, namely Prawns, Crabs, Pomfret, Surmai (King Mackerel), Vaam (eel), Lobsters, Bangda (Indian Mackerel), Bombil (Bombay duck), Halwa (Black Pomfret), Sukat (sun-dried baby shrimps), Sode (dry shrimp), and other local varieties.

Here, you can purchase fresh seafood for meals or to bring home. The best way to get the most out of your money is to ask a fisherwoman for assistance.

She’ll walk you around the market and guide you through the sales. And if you want, they will slice and clean the seafood for a small fee.

I visited Harnai Port twice a day during my stay at Karde Village. Even if you’re not a seafood lover, I recommend visiting Harnai Port. It is the best place to witness the local way of life. The auction is disciplined chaos.

During my last visit to Harnai Port, my mother saw a small shop selling dried chillies and spices. So, she asked a fisherwoman what spices they added to their curries. She then guided us and measured out the exact quantities of spices. So, if you want to make your masala, ask the locals.

SUVARNADURG

A must-visit place near Karde village is the Suvarnadurg.

But what is Suvarnadurg? It is an island fort off the coast of Harnai village.

The fort is visible from Karde Beach. From afar, the island seems like a giant rock arising from the sea and appears as a part of the mainland. But it is far.

Suvarnadurg was a fortified structure and played an essential role in the Maratha Naval defence. It protected the mainland against attacks from colonialists and local rulers.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built the fort after capturing it from Ali Adil Shah II in 1660. The fort was then named Suvarnadurg, the Golden Fort because it was another pride of the Maratha Empire.

In 1696, the fort served as the naval base for Kanhoji Angre, the Admiral of the Maratha Navy, and his fleet.

Suvarnadurg has two entrances, the Mahadarwaja and the Chor Darwaja. The former is the main entry and faces the mainland. The Chor Darwaja facing the sea is the secret entrance for emergencies.

Earlier, an underground tunnel connected Suvarnadurg to Kanakdurg. The years have destroyed the tunnel and rendered it defunct. Now, the only way to Suvarnadurg is by boat.

So, where do you get a boat? At Harnai Port. At Harnai Port, you can ask the local boatmen to take you to Suvarnadurg. They charge around Rs.200-300 per person.

It takes 30 minutes to reach the fort, and you have another 30 minutes to explore the structure. The entire expedition takes 2-3 hours.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit Suvarnadurg because I came at 4:30 p.m. The sun would set soon, so no boats were available. So, plan for the morning.

The best time to visit Suvarnadurg is early morning at 9 a.m. because the afternoon heat is unbearable.

KANAKDURG

It is another fort in Harnai near Harnai Port.

Kanakdurg, Fattegad and Goa Fort formed a barrier between Suvarnadurg and the colonialists and local rulers.

Earlier, there might have been proper structures on the fort. But now, only a few ruins remain. The fort is home to the Harnai Lighthouse, and the locals use the grounds for sun-drying fish.

You can walk up to the lighthouse. From atop the fort, you have sprawling views of the Arabian Sea, Harnai Port and Suvarnadurg in the distance.

The best time to visit is early morning or afternoon when the fishing boats dock at Harnai Port. The fleet of colourful skippers makes for a pretty picture.

GOA FORT

When you drive towards Harnai Port, you will see the entrance of Goa Fort on the right side.

At first, I thought the entrance led to Suvarnadurg. Later, I concluded it was a separate fort.

Like Kanakdurg, Goa Fort was a barrier between Suvarnadurg and the enemies. Apart from that, there’s not much information about the fort.

The fort’s outer walls are intact, whereas the internal structures are partial ruins.

Of the two, Kanakdurg and Goa Fort, the latter has more to explore and better views. Goa Fort boasts of the maritime achievements of the Maratha Empire.

Entry to the Goa Fort is free. Park your vehicle on the side of the road and walk in. The structure is not maintained, so watch your step.

The best time to visit Goa Fort is at sunset.

TRAVEL TIPS

In this section of the Karde Beach travel guide, I have compiled a list of travel tips for a worry-free trip.

• Always reserve your hotels in advance. Karde village has a few accommodations that fill up quickly during weekends, major holidays and festivals. Otherwise, you will have to stay in Dapoli, 12 km away.
• The best place to buy fresh seafood is Harnai Port. They hold a fish market daily, twice a day. The first market opens around 6:30 a.m. and the second at 4 p.m.
• Apart from your hotel’s in-house restaurants, there are no restaurants in Karde village. Visitors often prefer dining at a local’s house. They are called Khanawals.
• There are several Khanawals in Karde village. If you want local-style seafood, they will prepare it for a fee But, you have to purchase the seafood. If you want vegetarian food or chicken, the locals prepare that too. You don’t need to buy vegetables or chicken, only seafood. Also, you have to place your order a few hours before your meals.
• I recommend trying the Sol Kadhi and uldiche modak at the Khanawals.
• Airtel and Jio don’t have network connectivity there. BSNL has a spotty network.
• During winter, carry a simple jacket because the nights are cold. In the summer, bring hats and caps as the afternoons are hot.

CONCLUSION

That brings us to the end of the Karde Beach travel guide.

Karde Beach is an ideal beach destination 5 hours from Pune. It is the perfect place for spending a relaxing weekend by the sea. And the lack of crowds is the icing on top.

If you’re searching for a quiet and serene beach town, Karde Village it is.

Here’s a summary of the Karde Beach travel guide. In this blog post, I have included all the info needed to plan a trip to Karde Beach.

• About Karde Beach
• How to get there?
• Where to stay?
• When is the best time to visit?
• Places to visit near Karde village
• Travel tips

I hope the Karde Beach travel guide was helpful. If you have any queries, let me know in the comments.

I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

A quiet walk to the seashore is a meditation in bliss.

angie Weiland Crosby