Dhom Dam guide

An earth-and-masonry dam on the Krishna river, built in the 1970s, whose reservoir now backs up into the valley between the surrounding ridges. The water is still, the hills come right down to it, and the scale is bigger than people expect from the drive in.

It is not a developed tourist site. There is no ticketed entrance complex, no boardwalk and limited food. That is a large part of why it is still pleasant.

The road from Wai is narrow in stretches and unlit, so if you stay for sunset you will be driving back in the dark. That is fine, but go slowly and do not plan it as your first drive of the day after five hours from Mumbai.

Boating is the main activity and the main reason people make the trip. Operators run speedboat rides and larger shared boats out onto the backwaters, typically short circuits rather than long cruises.

Two things worth knowing before you set out. Boating is weather dependent and can be suspended entirely during heavy monsoon or when the water is high, so it is worth a phone call ahead in July and August. And operating hours are daylight hours, so if your plan is a sunset ride you need to arrive well before sunset, not at it.

Rates vary by operator, boat and season, so agree the price and the duration before you get in. We deliberately do not quote figures here because they change and we would rather you were not misled by a stale number on a webpage.

The hour before sunset is the answer for almost everyone. The light across the water is the reason to come, the heat has gone, and the surface is usually at its stillest.

Early morning is the alternative if you want it genuinely empty, and it is better for birdwatching. Midday is the one time not to bother - harsh light, no shade, nothing gained.

Season-wise, October to February is the most comfortable. The monsoon fills the reservoir and looks spectacular, but boating may not run. See the season guide for the fuller picture.

Carry water and snacks - options on site are limited and close early. There is little shade, so a hat matters outside the winter months. Facilities are basic; plan accordingly before you leave Wai.

Wear footwear you do not mind getting wet if you are boating, and keep phones in something closed on a speedboat. Take your litter away with you; there is very little collection here and it shows in places.

Dhom Dam on its own is about two hours. To make an afternoon of it, combine it with Menavali Ghat, which is on the way back towards Wai, and finish at the riverfront temples in town.

If you would rather have somewhere to come back to that is six kilometres away rather than an hour, we are the nearest private villa to the dam.