Be a beach bum

With the winter already has making its presence felt, the coastal beaches around the city are yet again accessible to adventure sports lovers. Mumbaikars are heading to the beaches for several fun events. From simply camping out on the beach and telling stories, to adventure sports like scuba diving and parasailing, there is something for every adventurous soul.

Harshal Nanavare, co-founder for DarkGreen Adventures organises scuba diving events targeted only at beginners that lasts over a period of three days. “We opt to do something relaxing and easy on the first day, like sightseeing. On the second day, participants try out scuba diving, and the last day is reserved for small activities like, games and bonfire,” says Harshal, who prefers taking 15 people in one group at a time. For `8,500, the cost includes everything from food to home-stay, and everything is taken care of by the organisers.

While our landscape is blessed with a long coastline, it is Tarkarli that makes for one of the more prominent scuba diving sites today. “At Tarkali beach there are four scuba diving points, but if you go further ahead, by Chivla point 7, in particular, is the one where one witnesses huge amount of live corals and rare variety of fishes,” adds Harshal.

Bird's eye view from Padale beach

Another hidden beach called Talashil Beach is preferred for diving, as it is here that people can spot a variety of fishes and corals. Talashil is blessed with a connecting forest, and also boasts of a backwater. “We prefer Talashil since it is still a hidden gem. Since the waves aren’t that high, adventure lovers can also opt for jet skiing,” says Harshal.

PR consultant Asmita Chattopadhyay, who opted for adventure sports like scuba diving, jet-skiing and parasailing in Malvan gives a thumbs up to the experience. She says, “Ours was a home-stay, where we had authentic Malvani seafood. The organisers spent a long time explaining the nitty-gritty of hand symbols for safety. Even when we got to the spot, they only let us dive only after we got completely comfortable breathing in the mask.”

She adds, “While it would be wrong to say that we unearthed aquatic treasures, we did spot a lot of fish and marine species during our session.”

While taking a plunge to discover underwater life is popular, beach trek — which involves walking across connected beaches and sometimes a hillock — is another popular option during the latter months of the year.

Water sports at Murud beach

Travel Trikon that organises such treks in Gokarna, is hosting a similar event in Dapoli by the end of this month. “For this trek, we will be covering 13 beaches, right from Kelshi to Ladghar in three days,” informs Manoj Kalwar, the company’s founder.

And for those who like to take it slow, camping is a more viable option. “These events include campfires and games. As it is a one-day affair, people are allowed to do whatever they want. Since these trips are close to Mumbai, it’s a perfect idea to unwind, and get through the next few weeks,” says Sneha, the co-founder of Mapping Journey, that organises camps at Akshi beach in Alibaug once a month.