Konkan · 2D/1N · Easy
Velas Turtle Festival 2027
4.6 (64 reviews)
Overview
Velas is a small, unspoiled Konkan coastal village in Ratnagiri district that becomes the centre of Maharashtra's best-known sea turtle conservation event each hatching season. Local villagers, organised as turtle-protection volunteers, patrol the beach through the nesting months to guard Olive Ridley turtle nests from predators and poachers, relocating eggs into a protected hatchery on the beach. Visitors stay in village homestays and gather at dawn or dusk to watch newly hatched turtles make their short, closely supervised crawl into the sea, alongside stalls and talks on the village's community-led conservation work.
2 Days
Duration
Sea level
Max Altitude
Easy
Difficulty
February
Best Season
Trip Highlights
- ✓Guided release of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings into the sea
- ✓Stay in a local Konkan village homestay
- ✓Visit to the protected hatchery and turtle conservation exhibits
- ✓A quiet, uncrowded stretch of Konkan coastline
Gallery
Day-wise Itinerary
Arrive at your homestay in Velas, settle in, and take an evening walk through the village and along the beach to learn about the local turtle-protection effort.
Inclusions
- ✓Homestay accommodation
- ✓Guided hatchery visit and turtle release (subject to hatching activity)
- ✓Local village guide
Exclusions
- ✕Transport to/from Velas
- ✕Meals beyond those provided by the homestay
- ✕Personal expenses
Things to Carry
Torch or headlamp (for dawn/dusk beach visits)Light warm layer for early morningsComfortable sandals or walking shoesReusable water bottle