Built by Shivaji in the 17th century on a rocky islet off Alibag beach, Kolaba Fort was a key base of the Maratha navy under Kanhoji Angre. At low tide visitors can walk or take a horse cart across the sand; at high tide it is reached by boat.

Rising straight out of the sea off the Konkan coast, Janjira was the stronghold of the Siddis and was never conquered despite attacks by the Marathas, Portuguese and British. Sailboats from Rajapuri jetty take visitors to its walls, bastions, cannon and freshwater tanks.

The capital of Shivaji's Maratha kingdom, where he was crowned in 1674 and died in 1680, Raigad stands on a plateau in the Sahyadri mountains. A ropeway or about 1,700 steps lead up to the ruins of the palace, the market street, the Jagdishwar temple and Shivaji's samadhi.

On a beach on the Konkan coast, the Ganpatipule temple houses a self-formed image of Ganesha said to be about 400 years old. The temple sits at the foot of a hill considered sacred, which pilgrims walk around, and the white sand beach beside it is one of the finest on the coast.

Shaped like a horseshoe and surrounded by the sea on three sides, Ratnadurg Fort at Ratnagiri was strengthened by Shivaji in the 17th century. The Bhagwati temple stands within, and a lighthouse on the ramparts looks over the Arabian Sea.

Built by Shivaji in the 1660s on a rocky island off Malvan, Sindhudurg Fort has walls stretching for kilometres with dozens of bastions. Inside are temples, including one to Shivaji himself, and freshwater wells. Boats cross from Malvan jetty.

Where the Karli river meets the Arabian Sea, Tarkarli is known for its white sand and exceptionally clear water. It is a centre for scuba diving, snorkelling and houseboat trips on the backwaters, and dolphins are often seen offshore.