The fort was known to the Portuguese as 'Morro de Chaul'.
It was built on an island that historically acted as a strategic buffer between the Portuguese and the Maratha Empire.
The lighthouse located within the fort boundaries was established in 1964 and remains functional.
The site includes remnants of an old chapel that still features a carved stone cross.
The fort was transferred to the Marathas in 1739 following the Battle of Vasai.
The interior contains a series of water cisterns designed to capture rainwater for the garrison.
Korlai Fort is a 16th-century Portuguese fortification situated at the end of a narrow peninsula jutting into the Arabian Sea near the Korlai village in Maharashtra. Originally commissioned in 1521, the fort served as a strategic military outpost to guard the mouth of the Revdanda Creek. It occupies a rocky island connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land, functioning as a defensive watchtower. The structure features seven gates, a central lighthouse, and the ruins of a Portuguese church within its perimeter. Much of the original stone masonry remains, reflecting Portuguese military engineering of the colonial era. The site offers panoramic views of the coastline and the adjacent Revdanda Fort across the water.
The highest point of the fort near the lighthouse, offering a 360-degree view of the Arabian Sea and the peninsula.
Wear footwear with high-traction soles as the paths inside the fort are uneven and rocky.
Bring your own drinking water, as there are no facilities available inside the fort perimeter.
Carry a hat or umbrella, as the upper ramparts provide very little shade.
Do not attempt to explore the outer cliff edges, as the terrain is unstable and steep.
Maintain silence near the functional lighthouse area and avoid climbing on fragile historical masonry.
