Devbagh as the name suggests is a retreat for the divine. It’s an island of untold marvels and natural beauty. Jungle Lodges runs a beach resort here. What you will find here is golden sand, pristine beaches, blue skies, casuarinas plantations, numerous varieties of birds and marine life. You can stay in well-appointed log huts built over the stilts, tented cottages or Swiss tents. It’s fast emerging as a hot destination for eco-tourism. Devbagh is an ideal remedy for rejuvenating yourself from the rigmaroles of modern urban living. This beach is said to have inspired Rabindranath Tagore to write his first play!
What to do at Devbagh
The beaches here are easily the cleanest in India. You cannot resist from getting into the water most of the time! The frothy water gets a golden glow during sunset and is a real spectacle with birds returning to their nests. There is a small Baywatch type tower where you can sit and watch the tides and setting sun. Picking up curiously shaped shells is another fun thing to do here.
Afternoons are best spent on the hammocks. As you take a siesta you will be dreaming of never-never land!
When you feel a little restless after all the tranquility, take to water sports. Jungle Lodges can arrange activities such as banana boat rides, speedboat cruises, parasailing and scuba diving. Snorkeling can be done in a tiny secluded cove on Lady’s Island where even non-swimmers can give it a shot wearing life- jackets.
Take a nature walk early morning on one of the days you spend here. It’s a walk through the island and you will spot numerous species of flora and fauna. Don’t resist the urge to chase the hundreds of crabs into their holes when you crossover from the beach to the interiors of the island!
Mornings or Evenings are best spent spotting dolphins. Take a guided tour on a boat and you can get a glimpse of theses wonder creatures. Don’t forget to pamper yourself at the Ayurvedic wellness spa run by Kairali.
After your dream gets over at Devbagh, you can drop into nearby Karwar before proceeding to your return journey. It’s a port town on the banks of river Kali. Visit Sadashivgarh fort, which is located atop a rocky hill on the outskirts and offers glorious views of the sunset. You can have a look at an ancient Durga temple inside the fort. Venkataramana temple is a good destination to appreciate some aboriginal art as it houses some Ochre paintings. Another temple that might interest you is Naganatha , where an ant hill is worshipped!
Getting there
Devbagh is 22 kms south of Goa border, and is located at 3 km away from Karwar in Karnataka. Once you make a booking with Jungle lodges (080-25597021), they will arrange for a speed boat to drop you into the island.