[6][5] The Portuguese won the fort but not having enough men to stand guard there chose to destroy it[5] leaving only the central tower and a battery intact.

[5] On the inland side - the only place where it was susceptible to be attacked - it was protected by a ditch and could only be accessed by a drawbridge.

The area within the fort walls is divided into three enclosures by two lines of bastioned fortifications.

It has a large rainwater cistern with three mouths, each one foot wide, and the ruins of the magazine and a church.

One, over a doorway in the centre and highest part of the fort (see picture), reads as follows: This castle was commanded to be built by the Viceroy of India Dom Filipe Mascarenhas in November of the year 1646 and Fernão Miranda Henriques being Captain of Chaul, and was finished in May 1680, Cristóvão de Abreu de Azevedo being Captain of this fort.

The inscription is surmounted by a cross with a coat of arms having the Portuguese stars in the centre and surrounded by seven castles.

[5] During the brief Maratha rule, some of the names of the bastions were changed but now the only indication of their presence is some dismantled shrines.

The hill slopes surrounding the fort are in control of the Maharashtra Forest department.

There is ample of water on the topmost fortification, so a night halt can easily be made.

Adorned in hues reminiscent of Goan and Portuguese architecture, these private villas are perched on a secluded stretch of Korlai beach with no permanent habitation for half a kilometer on either side.

The best and cheapest way to enjoy the real taste of sea-fort is staying in the abandoned church on the fort.

The trekkers should carry a sleeping bag, torch, and drinking water for a night stay.