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Diving around Sindhudurg Fort combines marine exploration with historical immersion. The fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1664, sits on an island whose submerged foundations extend several metres below the waterline. The dive sites are concentrated on the seaward side of the fort island where rocky reef meets the fort's stone walls. Coral growth on the rocks includes recovering hard and soft coral species, while the fort's submerged stonework hosts encrusting organisms and provides shelter for reef fish. Depths are shallow, rarely exceeding twelve metres, making it accessible for beginners. Visibility varies from five to ten metres depending on season and tidal conditions, with the post-monsoon period from October to December offering the best clarity.

Several dive centres operate in Malvan town, offering both scuba diving experiences for beginners and guided dives for certified divers. Most operators are based near the Malvan jetty and provide boat transfers to the dive sites around Sindhudurg Fort island. A typical session includes equipment rental, a boat ride of about ten minutes, and a guided dive lasting thirty to forty-five minutes. Advance booking is recommended during the peak season from November to February, particularly on weekends when domestic tourists visit in large numbers. Costs are modest by international standards. Most operators accept walk-in customers on weekdays. Some operators also offer PADI or SSI certification courses.

Malvan is located on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, approximately five hundred kilometres south of Mumbai and one hundred and twenty kilometres south of the Goa border. The nearest airport is Goa's Dabolim or Mopa airport, from which Malvan is a two-and-a-half-hour drive south along the coastal highway. From Mumbai, the drive takes approximately nine hours via the Mumbai-Goa highway. The Konkan Railway serves Kudal station, about thirty-five kilometres from Malvan, with regular trains from Mumbai and Goa. Local buses and taxis connect Kudal station to Malvan town. Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses to mid-range resorts along the Malvan coastline.

Tarkarli is located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, approximately 500 kilometres south of Mumbai. The drive takes about nine to ten hours via the Mumbai-Goa highway, or you can fly to Goa's Dabolim Airport, which is roughly three hours' drive south. The nearest railway station is Kudal, about 35 kilometres from Tarkarli, connected to Mumbai by the Konkan Railway with an overnight train option. During the October to May diving season, several Mumbai and Pune-based dive operators run weekend trips with transportation included, making it a practical long-weekend destination.

The diving season at Tarkarli runs from October to May, after the southwest monsoon season ends and before it returns. The monsoon months from June through September bring heavy rainfall, rough seas, and virtually zero visibility, making diving impossible. The best conditions typically occur from November through February, when seas are calmest, visibility peaks at 10 to 15 metres, and water temperatures are a comfortable 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. March through May sees warmer water but can have increased plankton that reduces visibility.