Scuba & Snorkelling at Tarkarli beach

We did snorkeling almost the opposite direction to MTDC.

We did water sports at Sunami Island very near to Devbaug beach.

Yes, our snorkeling guide took it from the sea bed and placed on the boat for all of us to have a quick look after which it was released in the sea.

Noted, we snorkeled near the fort and then midway to Tarkarli .. Had taken a pvt boat for just 4 of us.

Very bad thing to do !

My thoughts -
I did snorkeling at the fort (late 2010) as i went and found the govt approved guides. Ferrying to the back of the forts entrance where I was supposed to snorkel, I was told how a guy (i forgot his name) and his wife studied the corals and then talked to the govt and created and trained the authorized guides who show the corals.

As I saw a private boat further away - I was told they were untrained people coming from other beaches in boats and trying to make buck from the tourists.

My observations -
The guides I was with did not break the corals but picked up the broken pieces and showed it to us. As corals take years to grow just a mm. The water was clean and the guides knew how not disturb the flora and fauna. They had brought some bread along with them which they used to attract the fish and give us some beautiful moments with the colored fish as they explained the types of fishes.
Snorkeling needs to be done in bright day so as to let the sun rays penetrate deeper in the see to get a better visibility.

This year my close relatives visited the place (dec 2011) and experienced scuba diving. They too had the same feed back that there was no certificate required for someone to go deeper in the sea. I seriously doubt that this is not legal and approved. I was also told that the corals were being broken for photo sessions.


Amar - The changes we observing are in a year. I wont be surprised if the whole commercial aspect ruins the rich corals on the rocks of the besides the fort.

Nice information.......
Snorkeling and scuba diving........