Maharashtra is blessed with a 720 kilometres long coastline and is shared with Konkan, Thane, Ratnagiri also Sindhudurg districts. Many marine creatures come to visit. However, the exact count and type are unknown from what is believed, and there is no detailed study available. In the year 2000-01, it was found that a species of turtle, Olive Ridley is a prominent visitor to the shores of Maharashtra for breeding purposes. Other species are the Green Turtle, Hawksbill and Leatherback. Much other information is already available online, like what turtles eat and how a turtle looks—the difference between a turtle, tortoise and a terrapin.

After the success of the Velas turtle conservation project, many villages in Maharashtra have started the same model and hosting the Turtle festival in India at different locations. It helps with seasonal tourism income and also helps increase turtle numbers in the sea. 

 Why Velas Turtle Festival Maharashtra? 

Velas is a small fishing village on the western coast of Maharashtra. About 220 km away from Mumbai, a little over a hundred houses on the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is that time of the year again when a tiny grey head pokes out of the golden sand and takes a breath of the fresh salty air of the Arabian Sea. 

It is a culmination of a lengthy process, which started when its mother emerged out from the rolling waves to lay her heap of 100-120 eggs on the sandy beach under cover of darkness. Oblivious to the world that awaits it outside its a sandy cocoon, the tiny hatchling is soon followed by a hundred others, all crawling their way towards the brightest lights of the horizon- in this case, the sea

Velas Turtle Festival Cost

 With Transport -Mumabi to Mumbai AC bus Rs 2499/- per person (5 Years and above)

Kindly Note Velas Kasav Mahotsav 2025 Tour package information

• Traveling by A/C Bus to Velas from Mumbai or Pune. 
• On Ghat road, the AC might be switched off. 
• Due to the closure of the Ambet Ghat traveling route has changed from Mahad city. 
• Bus breakdowns are possible due to bad road conditions.
• Hatchling sighting is not guaranteed.
• The maximum batch size is 20 travelers on a first-come, first basis.
• Pick up and Drop at centralized locations only.
• Turtle Festival Velas is a budget trip
• We will stay at Homestay at a local house.
• Food will be local Konkani cuisine
• Velas turtle festival 2025 dates are available for all weekends in April.  

Itinerary for Velas Turtle Festival 2025

Day Zero - Friday Night.

• 21:00 Pick up at Virwani Bus Stop, Goregaon.  (https://goo.gl/maps/youofNYahBSwqsms8)
• 21:10 Leave for the trek
• 21:30 Pick up at Gundavali Bus Stop, Andheri East. (https://goo.gl/maps/gorbeX9fencdiqfh8)
• 21:45 Pick up at Kalanagar bus stop, Bandra. (https://goo.gl/maps/CAsqYFeK8aTRBk9B7)
• 22:00 Pick up at Everard Nagar bus stop, Sion. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nLw5e7K6QTbwywa99)
• 22:15 Pick up at Diamond Garden, Chembur. (https://goo.gl/maps/y2rbSdA3VyMhoudC7)
• 22:45 Pick up at Vashi Plaza. (https://goo.gl/maps/uY6ZEs9hyiviHfKQ9)
• 23:05 Pick up at McDonald's, Kalamboli. (https://goo.gl/maps/EJksuJiNC8uVFaoM7)

Day One: Saturday

• 06:00 Early morning arrival at Velas.
• 06:15 Visit to Velas Beach for Turtle sighting.
• 08:30 Breakfast at Velas Homestay.
• 10:30 Visit to Bankot Fort.
• 13:00 Lunch & Rest.
• 17:00 Visit the beach for turtle sightings.
• 20:00 Dinner and enjoy Team Games.

Day Two: Sunday

• 06:00 Wakeup and Freshenup
• 07:00 Depart for Harihareshwar temple from Velas village.
• 08:00 We will cross the Bankot creek, Savitri River in a boat with the Bus from Veshvi Jungle Jetty to Bagmandala jetty.
• Breakfast at Harihareshwar.
• 11:30 Departure for Mumbai from Harihareshwar temple.
• Lunch on the way.
• 20:00 Approx. arrival at Mumbai

There can be delays due to bad road conditions, bus breakdowns, health issues of fellow group travelers, and breaks for the driver.

Turtle Festival Velas Event Details 2025

• Traveling by A/C Bus to Velas Maharashtra 
• The stay will be in a Velas turtle festival homestay.
• Food Arrangement: Homestay with Veg and Non-Veg food already arranged
• Velas Bus Transport Travel by the exact private vehicle for the entire tour
• The height of Bankot fort or Himmatgad is 500 feet above sea level, the first residence of the East India Company in Southern Konkan. 
• Base Village Velas, Velas Taluka Mandangad, Velas District Ratnagiri, Velas Region Konkan
• Route from Mumbai to Velas turtle festival of India > Mumbai - Panvel - Mahad - Madangad - Velas
• Route from Velas to Mumbai: Velas to Vesvi - Bagmandle Ferry Boat to Harihareshwar to Mhasla to Pen to Panvel to Dadar Mumbai 
• The distance from Mumbai to Velas is 220 kilometers.
• The total time required to visit Bankot Fort is two to three hours. ( No trek or climbing required ) 
• Total distance for climbing none. The bus will go to the parking of the Fort. 
• The bus will go to the parking of the Fort. 
• Parking is available at Velas village.
• Please note Bus breakdowns are possible due to bad road conditions on the highway
• Route changes are possible due to road closure or traffic.

 Please Note

• As Velas Turtle Festival's stay is in homestay. So homestays have limited capacity. After first 18 bookings, stay will be in another homestay
• In without transport option, for Bankot and Harihareshwar visit, you'll be travelling in your vehicle only.
• Ferry and Parking charges of your vehicle is not included.
• For AC Rooms cost will be Extra rs 300 per person. if available