Velas Beach
वेळास
A Konkan fishing village known for olive ridley turtle conservation, where during the turtle festival you can watch baby turtles scurry toward the sea on the sand.
Velas is a small fishing village about 30 km north of Dapoli. A local environmental group has protected the olive ridley turtles that nest here since 2002, and holds a turtle festival from February to April. During the hatching season, in the early morning and evening, visitors can watch newly hatched turtles crawling toward the sea from outside the beach enclosure. The number varies with the day’s hatching. Visitors stay with family homestays in the village, where Konkan home-style cooking is served. Contact the homestay or the festival organisers in advance to confirm hatching times. Velas is also the hometown of Maratha statesman Nana Phadnavis.
Opening hours
During Turtle Festival 07:00–08:00 and 17:30–18:30 (per organizer notice)
Nearby sights
- Anjarle Beach & Kadyavarcha Ganpati
- Suvarnadurg Fort
- Harnai Port
- Karde Beach
- Murud Beach (Dapoli)
- Keshavraj Temple, Asud
- Ladghar Beach
- Panhalekaji Caves