Ruins of Dutch Church Manalkadu

On the peninsula’s eastern coast, the roofless ruins of the church at Manalkadu, sometimes referred to as St Anthony’s Church, stand half buried in drifting sand dunes. The name Manalkadu means ‘sand forest’, and the sight of carved stone arches rising from golden sand is one of the most striking and photogenic in the north, especially at sunrise or late afternoon.

The ruins are about a 58-minute drive, roughly 37.5 km, from Ratnagiri Heritage Home Stay, so make it a longer outing alongside the northern coast. Bring water and sun protection, and keep to marked paths.