Ratnagiri and Ganpatipule Beach

Ratnagiri is 303 km away from Pune, which means it takes almost 6-7 hours to reach here if you drive. There is no direct train to Ratnagiri from Pune, so you have to reach Mumbai first and take the train to Ratnagiri. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Pune to Ratnagiri. Mumbai to Ratnagiri is a journey of 340 km or 8-9 hours if you drive. Alternatively, direct flights are available to Ratnagiri. Direct buses and trains are also available.

The best time to visit Ratnagiri and Ganpatipule is winter i.e. from Nov to Feb. The summers here are humid and intense but can be bearable. In the monsoon, due to the weather and wild sea, beach fun gets ruled out. 

1. Ratnadurg Fort - Ratnagiri Fort is also called as Ratnadurg Fort or Bhagwati Fort. The fort is along the coastline of Ratnagiri, almost 2 km away from the main town of Ratnagiri. The Bhagwati temple inside the fort is a popular attraction. You can also go caving below the fort a recent discovery.
2. Thiba Palace - This is a great historical place in Ratnagiri. This is a palace of King Thiba and it is interesting as well as beautiful. The place has many things for archaeologists. The architecture is different than the normal Maratha style. The palace was built for a Burmese king and his queen.
3. Bhatye Beach - Bhatye Beach in Ratnagiri is a calm and beautiful beach. It is known for mushy and muddy shores. It is the perfect place to get away with your stress. Many tourists visit it from all over Maharashtra. And they prefer living close to this beach due to its cleanliness and the perfect sunset views.
4. Ratnagiri Lighthouse - Ratnagiri Lighthouse is the best place to get panoramic views over the sea and the town. The approach road is a bit narrow. You can climb up, to the top by the spiraling staircase. The lighthouse is a great place to visit at the time of sunset.
5. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary - The Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary near Ratnagiri is a reserved forest that protects tigers and leopards and black leopards in the area. There are many trails and hike around here. But you need a permit to enter the area.
6. Ratnagiri Marine Fish Museum - This lovely museum in Ratnagiri has aquariums and skeletons of fish. Even turtles can be found at the aquarium. There is a skeleton of Whale in this museum. The museum is informative, especially for children.

Ganpatipule is a town on the Western coast of Maharashtra in the Konkan region. The place is a popular spiritual destination for all the people from Maharashtra, due to the Ganesha temple here. Apart from the temple, the beach is beautiful and fun. You can choose between popular resorts and comfortable homestays. Seafood is very famous here you can sample local fish which is fresh from the sea. Nearest city is Ratnagiri which has very good stay options available for all budgets. 

Ganpatipule is 325 km away from Pune, which means it takes almost 7 hours to reach here if you drive. There is no direct train to Ganpatipule from Pune.  You have to reach Ratnagiri first and take the bus or taxi to Ganpatipule. Alternatively, buses are available from Pune to Ganpatipule. Mumbai to Ganpatipule is a journey of 338 km or 8-9 hours if you drive. Alternatively, direct flights are available to Ratnagiri and direct buses and trains are also available.

Ganpatipule Temple is an important sacred spot near Ratnagiri. The idol of Ganesha here is said to be Swaymbhu. It is a really old temple. The place is an important pilgrimage spot for all Maharashtrians. It is a tradition to bathe in the sea waters, and then enter the temple to seek the blessings. Although care should be taken as Ganpatipule beach is quite dangerous and unpredictable.