Everybody knows about the coastal Maharashtrian towns of Tarkarli (famous for watersports and bioluminescence) and Malvan. But, four kilometres from Tarkarli and eight kilometres from Malwan, is an extraordinary and relatively unheard of little island off the Konkan Coast called Tsunami Island. The island gets its name from the fact that during high tide it’s almost completely submerged, leaving only a tiny sandbank in its place, and some resourceful people have figured out just how to use the space best.

Located in the delta of the Tarkarli River, the island is barely an acre in size, and the best way to get there is to take a boat from Devbag beach. Nonetheless, it’s a popular location for water sports (banana boating, jet skiing, kayaking and parasailing), dolphin sighting, snorkelling and scuba diving. On the island, there are a few stalls that, like the island, are maintained by locals and serve delicious hot and spicy regional fare: fresh fish coated in masala and fried, succulent prawns in the signature Malvani style, and more. What’s interesting though is that regardless of whether it’s high tide or low tide, it’s business as usual. At low tide the little food stalls set up by locals dish out food like any other eatery. But once the tide comes in and submerges the island, you suddenly find yourself wading through two-or-three foot deep water from stall to stall sampling the food and drink. That itself is reason enough to make sure it lands a spot on your bucket list. And better still, if you want to carry your own alcohol, you can get drunk in the middle of the ocean too.

If you’re driving down from Mumbai, it’s a 530-km journey that can be done within 10 hours. Make Tarkarli your base. Kinara homestay (09665514055; starts at Rs. 2,950 per night for a room for two) and Mithbavkar’s Homestay (02365 252 941; starts at Rs. 1,000 per night for a room for two) are just two of a few homestay options available. Otherwise you can always check into the government-run MTDC lodge (02365 252 390; starts at Rs. 2,400 per night for a room for two) and make a day trip down to Tsunami Island.