Plan your trip · Malvan
Best time to visit Malvan
Go between November and April for calm, clear water and all the boats running. The monsoon arrives in early June and stops almost everything on the sea.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Feb
Humid in October, then warm, dry and pleasant from November to February — the peak season on the coast, with the calmest sea.
Pack: light, breathable clothes with a thin layer for the odd cool evening.
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
RecommendedMar – May
Hot and humid by the sea — bearable early and late, sticky in between.
Pack: light cottons, a hat, sunscreen and swimwear.
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jun – Sep
Very heavy rain from early June to September, with rough seas. Swimming is unsafe, water sports stop and boats to the sea forts are suspended from late May.
Pack: a good rain shell or umbrella, quick-dry clothes and sandals that cope with flooded streets.
Plan a monsoon day →November to February: the main season
This is when Malvan works best. Days are warm and dry, the sea is calm, and visibility for snorkelling and diving is at its best. The Sindhudurg Fort boats run all day. Christmas, New Year and long weekends bring crowds from Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur, and rooms at Tarkarli fill up early.
March to mid-May: hot, but still open
It gets hotter and more humid each week. Mornings and evenings are fine, but the middle of the day is tiring. The water is still good for snorkelling, and April and May are also mango season, when Alphonso mangoes come to the market. School holidays in May make the beaches busy again.
Late May to August: the monsoon
The port authorities usually stop fort boats and water sports from about 26 May to 31 August. The monsoon breaks over the Konkan in early June and the rain is very heavy. The sea is rough, swimming is unsafe, and fishing stops for June and July. What you get instead is a green, quiet coast, cheap rooms and big waves at the Rock Garden. Come for the rain, not the beach.
September and October: waking up
Boats normally restart from September, but the sea can stay choppy and visibility low for a few weeks. Ganesh Chaturthi, in August or September, is the biggest festival of the year here. Families return from Mumbai to their home villages, and trains and buses are packed. By October the rain has mostly gone and prices are still low.
For divers and snorkellers
Plan for November to April for the clearest water. Visibility changes day to day with wind and tide, so leave a spare day in case a trip is cancelled.
For festivals
The Anganewadi fair falls in February or March, and Narali Purnima, when fishermen offer coconuts to the sea, falls in August. See the events and festivals page.
Questions
Malvan — FAQ
Is June a good time to visit Malvan?
Not for the sea. The monsoon arrives in early June, boats and water sports are stopped, and swimming is unsafe. It suits travellers who want rain and quiet.
When does scuba diving start again after the monsoon?
Operators usually restart around September or October, once the sea calms. The water is clearest from November to April.
Is Malvan crowded at New Year?
Yes. The last week of December is the busiest time of the year, so book rooms and dive trips well ahead.