Alibaug Beach: A Complete Guide to the Best Beach Destination Near Mumbai

Are you looking for a perfect beach getaway from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai? Do you want to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea without traveling too far? If yes, then Alibaug Beach is the ideal destination for you.

Alibaug Beach is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in Maharashtra, located just 95 km from Mumbai and 140 km from Pune. It is a part of the Alibaug town, which is a coastal paradise with historical and natural attractions. Alibaug Beach offers a stunning view of the Arabian Sea and the Kolaba Fort, which is a 17th-century fortification that can be reached by boat or by walking during low tide. Alibaug Beach is also a hub for water sports, such as jet skiing, banana boat ride, parasailing, and kayaking.

Whether you are traveling solo, with your partner, with your family, or with your friends, Alibaug Beach has something for everyone. So, read on and discover why Alibaug Beach is the best beach destination near Mumbai.

Photo of Alibaug Beach 1/2 by — (C) The India Explorer

How to Reach Alibaug Beach

There are different ways to reach Alibaug Beach from Mumbai and Pune, depending on your preference and budget. Here are some of the options:

By road: You can drive to Alibaug Beach by taking the Mumbai-Goa highway (NH 66) or the Mumbai-Pune Expressway (NH 48). The road journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours from Mumbai and 3.5 to 4 hours from Pune. You can also hire a cab or a bus from these cities.

By train: You can take a train to Panvel or Roha from Mumbai or Pune and then take a bus or a cab to Alibaug Beach. The train journey takes about 2 hours from Mumbai and 3 hours from Pune. The bus or cab journey takes about an hour from Panvel or Roha.

By ferry: You can take a ferry from Gateway of India in Mumbai to Mandwa Jetty in Alibaug and then take a bus or a cab to Alibaug Beach. The ferry journey takes about an hour and operates from 6 am to 6 pm. The bus or cab journey takes about 20 minutes from Mandwa Jetty.

By air: You can take a flight from Mumbai or Pune to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai and then take a cab or a bus to Alibaug Beach. The flight journey takes about an hour from both cities. The cab or bus journey takes about 3 hours from the airport.

The best time to visit Alibaug Beach is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and dry. You can also visit during the monsoon season (June to September), when the beach becomes more green and serene. However, avoid visiting during the summer season (April to May), when the temperature can soar up to 40°C.

Korlai - The Hidden GEM of Alibaug

Best Beaches to Visit in Alibaug

Alibaug Beach is not the only beach in Alibaug that you can enjoy. There are many other beaches in Alibaug that are equally beautiful and fun. Here are some of the best beaches to visit in Alibaug:

Nagaon Beach: This is one of the most popular and crowded beaches in Alibaug, known for its clean sand, clear water, and coconut trees. It is also a hotspot for water sports, such as jet skiing, banana boat ride, parasailing, and kayaking. You can also enjoy camel rides, horse rides, and street food at Nagaon Beach.

Kashid Beach: This is one of the most scenic and secluded beaches in Alibaug, known for its white sand, blue water, and green hills. It is also a great place for camping, trekking, and birdwatching. You can also visit the nearby Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and Murud-Janjira Fort from Kashid Beach.

Mandwa Beach: This is one of the closest and easiest beaches to reach from Mumbai, as it is connected by a ferry service. It is also a popular destination for sailing, windsurfing, and kite surfing. You can also enjoy the views of the Gateway of India and the Mumbai skyline from Mandwa Beach.

Kihim Beach: This is one of the most peaceful and pristine beaches in Alibaug, surrounded by dense forests and exotic flora and fauna. It is also a paradise for nature lovers, as it is home to many butterflies, birds, and wildflowers. You can also visit the nearby Kolaba Fort and Kankeshwar Temple from Kihim Beach.

These are some of the best beaches to visit in Alibaug, but there are many more that you can explore and enjoy. Each beach has its own charm and vibe, so you can choose the one that suits your mood and preference.

Photo of Alibaug Beach 2/2 by — (C) Rahul

Other Places to Visit in Alibaug

Alibaug is not just about beaches, it also has many other places to visit that will enrich your experience and knowledge. Here are some of the other places to visit in Alibaug:

Alibaug Fort: This is one of the most prominent and historical landmarks in Alibaug, built by Shivaji Maharaj in 1680. It is located on a small island near Alibaug Beach and can be accessed by boat or by walking during low tide. It offers a panoramic view of the sea and the town Varsoli Market: This is one of the best places to shop in Alibaug, where you can find a variety of local products, such as handicrafts, pottery, jewelry, clothes, spices, fruits, and vegetables. It is also a great place to interact with the locals and learn about their culture and lifestyle.

Hirakot Farm: This is one of the best places to visit in Alibaug for nature lovers and organic enthusiasts. It is a farm that grows various fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers using natural and sustainable methods. You can take a guided tour of the farm, learn about the farming techniques, and taste some fresh and delicious produce.

Korlai Fort: This is one of the most impressive and picturesque forts in Alibaug, built by the Portuguese in 1521. It is located on a hill overlooking the Korlai Beach and the Revdanda Creek. It has a lighthouse that offers a splendid view of the sea and the coast. You can also explore the ruins of the fort, which have some interesting features, such as a church, a well, and a tunnel.

These are some of the other places to visit in Alibaug, but there are many more that you can discover and enjoy. Alibaug is a place that has something for everyone, whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or adventure.

Also Read: Head Over to This Beach Just 20kms Away from Alibaug

Best Hotels and Tours to Book in Alibaug

If you are planning to visit Alibaug Beach and its nearby attractions, you will need a comfortable and convenient place to stay and a reliable and affordable tour package to book. Luckily, we have got you covered with our best hotels and tours in Alibaug for different budgets and preferences.

Best hotels in Alibaug: We have a range of hotels in Alibaug that cater to your needs and expectations. Whether you want a luxury resort with a private beach, a cozy cottage with a garden view, or a budget hotel with basic amenities, we have it all. Some of our best hotels in Alibaug are:

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa: This is one of the most luxurious and elegant resorts in Alibaug, located near Varsoli Beach. It offers spacious rooms with balconies, an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar. It also has a private beach area where you can enjoy water sports and sunbathing. The price per night starts from ₹10,000.

Mango Beach House: This is one of the most charming and cozy cottages in Alibaug, located near Kihim Beach. It offers rustic rooms with wooden furniture, an outdoor pool, a garden, a terrace, and a lounge. It also has a friendly staff that can arrange activities such as cycling, fishing, and hiking. The price per night starts from ₹4,000.

Hotel Ravikiran: This is one of the most affordable and convenient hotels in Alibaug, located near Nagaon Beach. It offers clean rooms with air conditioning, a TV, a fridge, and an attached bathroom. It also has a restaurant that serves delicious local cuisine. The price per night starts from ₹2,000.

Best tours in Alibaug: We have a range of tours in Alibaug that suit your interests and schedule. Whether you want a one-day trip to explore the highlights of Alibaug, a two-day trip to enjoy the beaches and forts of Alibaug, or a customized trip to experience Alibaug at your own pace, we have it all. Some of our best tours in Alibaug are:

One-day trip to Alibaug: This is a perfect tour for those who want to visit Alibaug in a short time. It covers four places: Alibaug Beach, Kolaba Fort, Kanakeshwar Temple, and Varsoli Market. You can enjoy the beach activities, the fort views, the temple trek, and the market shopping in this tour. The price per person starts from ₹1,500.

Two-day trip to Alibaug: This is a great tour for those who want to enjoy the beaches and forts of Alibaug in a relaxed way. It covers six places: Alibaug Beach, Kolaba Fort, Nagaon Beach, Kashid Beach, Murud-Janjira Fort, and Korlai Fort. You can enjoy the water sports, the camping, the fort exploration, and the lighthouse visit in this tour. The price per person starts from ₹3,000.

Customized trip to Alibaug: This is a flexible tour for those who want to experience Alibaug at their own pace and preference. You can choose the places you want to visit, the activities you want to do, and the duration you want to stay in Alibaug. We will arrange everything for you according to your needs and budget. The price per person varies depending on your choices.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned more about Alibaug Beach and its nearby attractions. Alibaug Beach is a wonderful destination for a beach vacation near Mumbai, where you can relax, rejuvenate, and have fun.

Whether you are looking for adventure, culture, nature, or history, Alibaug Beach has it all.

Alibaug Beach Reviews

Megha Jamb

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On reaching Mandwa port we were taken to Alibaug via a free-bus service. The boat operators undertake these rides for everyone who takes their boat service. This can be the tricky part since it is a first-cum-first serve basis seat allotment. We had to stand in a crammed up position for almost half the way and managed to grab a set in the second half. In case you want an alternative, there are private rickshaws that ply on this route. An hour later at Alibaug, we enquired about how to go about further to reach Kashid beach which is 31 kms further. There were various options like share rickshaw, private rickshaw or the ST bus. The shared rickshaw takes you halfway to a remote village area and then you will have to take another rickshaw from there. At Rs. 20 this option was lucrative but not practical as it would have led to an unnecessary loss of time. At Rs. 500, the private rickshaw also wasn’t a feasible option either. Therefore, we waited half an hour for the ST bus that took us to a spot right outsider our hotel in almost an hour and fifteen minutes later. We paid approximately Rs. 50 per person. Moreover, a trip in the local mode of transport with the locals to accompany you is the best way to travel. On reaching the hotel, Nisarg hotel, we freshened up and hurried to go to the beach in the evening at 5.30pm. It was an amazing experience with the water sports options. There is the bumper ride, banana boat ride, jet ski and parasailing. An ATV ride adds to the charm of Kashid beaches. Definitely go to this place if you love the cheerful sunset, pristine water, unpolluted beach, adventure and a bit of bonhomie. All these rides are reasonable priced. However, stay a bit careful if you are a single girl or a bunch of girls as the ride operators can get too friendly at times. Pushing off from the beach post an amazing time amidst nature we headed to our hotel room and immediately ordered for food. Sadly, there are scanty hotel options around this area. Considering the fact that the food from our hotel (Nisarg guest house) wasn’t appetizing, we tried to scout the nearby area for other hotels but no luck. We had to make do with whatever the hotel provided. Their food seems to have no salt at all! The next day we took the same route of going by the ST bus but unfortunately we didn’t get any seats to sit in the rickety bus for the 1.5 hour journey. Getting a rickshaw at this stop is a tad difficult so we hardly had any choice. Upon reaching Alibaug ST Depot, we thought to gift ourselves a luxury ride in a private rickshaw that cost us Rs. 350 till Mandwa port. At Mandwa we took the boat ride back to Mumbai. The cost of Rs. 110 per person for the boat was justified as we witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets on our way back. Thus, our weekend journey to Kashid ended.

Trippin' Tipsy

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Even today Alibaug has a tightened grip on the history and legacy of Bene Israelites. The Bet El Synagogue, Jewish worship place, has witnessed joyous gatherings like village meetings, prayers and Konkan development meetings. Even Lord Curzon made a visit to this synagogue. Alicha Bagh was blooming and prosperous. But as every story ends, so did Ali’s. Another hero that Alibaug got was Shivaji, who built Kolaba Fort 2 km into the sea in 1652. By this time the Konkan region was his. He used this fort as one of his chief naval stations to keep a watch on British, Portuguese and Siddhis. Today, in 21st century, these stories seem to have faded. Shivaji’s Kolaba Fort is in ruins but its Siddhivinayak Temple which was built by Raghoji Angre in 1759 just isn’t. Though the fort has seen blood and wars in the bygone era, but today it helps it visitors fight their battle with stress. Fearless birds fly above its periphery, usually the sandpipers do, flashing poses for that perfect frame you might want. The water is either ankle-deep or sometime higher tides sway by. When its ankle-deep you can trace your footprints on the sand while heading to the fort till the sea washes it away. But I like to think of myself as a royalty on her cart with a sword in her hand. I have my metal boots and crimson cloak on, and there I point my sword towards my fort. I tighten my grip on the saddle and my white horse gloriously runs splashing the waves with sun setting on the background. So, I would opt for the other option for reaching the Kolaba Fort; Horse Cart. Alibaug caresses those looking for a serene time and it can enthral adventure-lovers. It can woo you with its art and heritage. Mumbaikars often visit Alibaug as a weekend getaway, as the glint of the sea here is not overpowered by pearly boulevard of modern infrastructure. The town is lazy and lovely.

Arushi Dutt

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In and around Bombay, a destination that surely should not be missed for a weekend getaway is the infamous Alibaug. A perfect amalgamation of lazing around but also checking out historic corners, Alibaug is a treat and one of the best places to visit near Mumbai. A glorious array of beaches lay scattered throughout this seaside getaway. Close to the Alibaug Beach lies the Kolaba Fort, a destination which can be reached by horse cart. The KihimBeach, on the other hand, showcases its pearly white sand. Having driven past coconut plantations and overlapping hills, the temple circuit begins. The KankeshwarTemple is marked by a sign: ‘Nagobacha Tappa’ warning about wild snakes. It leads up to 750 flights to a den of gods. As you keep climbing up, you hit the second point ‘Devachi Payari’ where supposedly Shankar’s feet landed in three leaps to the very top. Finally, you reach the destination, an eye-catching attraction, decorated with colorful miniature idols of the gods. Nearby, you can cross into the dense Kanakeshwar Forests at your own risk of encountering boars, snakes, and even panthers. A car, bus, or even the ferry from the Gateway of Mumbaiwill bring you to Alibaug within 1 and a half to 3 hours of a journey. If you’ve traveled by ferry, you would have cross Mandwa, the Mumbaiker’s ultimate choice to witness the pretty sunset. Interesting facts about Alibaug:The man who discovered Alibaug belonged to the Angre family, and was appointed commanders of the Maratha Navy at the time of Shivaji himself. At that time, Angre's order was placed upon the entire Alibaug principality, but over time his achievements and respect were long forgotten. Now, he lies buried just 5 minutes from today's bus station at Kekar Naka.

Shrutikantha Kandali

1303 Followers

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Not so far away from the hustling streets of Mumbai, lies a tiny coastal town called Alibaug. To reach Kashid, one has to hop on one of the ferries to Alibaug from Gateway of India. Once you reach the shores of Alibaugh, the same ferry ticket entails you a ride to the bus stop from where one has to take a bus ride to Kashid. The roads are concrete, with a few bumps here and there, but I can assure you, all of it is worth once you set your foot on the cool white sands of the Kashid beach. There are a few water sports facilities available at the beach and some super shacks where you get the light snacks. The best option however is to eat the home made local food. Must try: The different kinds of Fish fry. Accommodation is beautifully located by the beach banks. I would highly recommended staying at one of the home stay cottages as it gives you a different flavour into their Konkan lifestyle, the amazing food and the ambience. There are many resorts as well which have everything you can wish for at your footstep. The average cost per night at the peak time, such as weekends, New Years Eve etc goes upto 1500-2000 INR.

Traveloclue

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I had visited Alibag this monsoon, Places of beaches and forts. Alibag is a coastal town and a municipal council in Raigad district in Konkan region of Maharashtra. I had visited the place with my family for the weekend. Alibag is a quick weekend gateway for people staying in Mumbai and Pune.Which is approximate 110km by road which took us 3hrs to reach our destination. On my way to my Resort, which was in the interior of Alibag, what I saw was greenery and water all around. Rains were too high and the beach water splashing out on the roads was too much fun to see. We had a great time on our trip. The weather was very beautiful, The place was fully surrounded by greenery.