Waking up to Max incessantly licking my ears, I get out of the tent with groggy eyes. It was a chilly winter morning and still twilight. Max and I set off for a walk on the beach. Fishermen were busy casting their fishing nets and some already heading to the market with their catch. It is a quaint fishing hamlet and the villagers start their day early. From the beach, we could see Korlai fort which was once under the Portuguese reign and the surrounding hills made for a great treat to the eyes. After a long walk, up and down the beach, we headed back to the campsite, where tea and piping hot Poha awaited us for breakfast.
A ferry and a bus ride away from Mumbai, this hamlet is a much welcomed break for folks who love to relax on beaches with a dash of adventure owing to the forts around the vicinity which prove to be good spots for exploring. Unlike the tourist thronged stretches of Alibaug, Revdanda is comparatively secluded with not many people around to disturb the peace and quiet you’re looking for.
It was a long weekend; which called for us to pack our bags and take a 3 day break from the urban chaos and head to this sleepy village. Our jouney began at Gateway of India. We took the Maldar ferry service which is the only service that allows you to travel with your dog albeit with a muzzle. The ferry ride is an hour long and drops you off at Mandwa Jetty. It is recommended to ride on the upper deck for a complete experience of the ferry ride. One of the main highlights of these ferry rides are the flocks of seagulls that accompany your catamaran for the most of the ride gliding in the air and making magnificent swoops and dives to grab the snacks thrown by the passengers. It’s an entertainment thing for the passengers and kids aboard.
There are three types of tickets available for each ferry service, the lower deck, the upper deck and the AC. Once we got off at Mandwa, we boarded the bus which took us to Alibaug. The cost of your ferry ticket covers this bus ride and you need not pay separately. Each ferry service has their own bus service at Mandwa to pick up and drop passengers. If you find the bus too crowded, you can opt for the local tum tums, the 10 seater sharing autos to get to Alibaug or Revdanda directly which is a costlier option than taking the bus to Alibaug and then switching to tum tums from there for the rest of the journey to Revdanda.
Our campsite was a stone’s throw away from the beach with three types of stay options. Our tents were pitched under a canopy of coconut trees and a space reserved for bonfire in the center. Some Prawn sukha,beer and the traditional fish thaliand made for a perfect sumptous weekend lunch. It was time for siesta. The hammocks around the campsite were a fantastic way to while away hours, laze around and the perfect options for afternoon naps. Evenings here generally start with a game of beach football with friends and end with a dip in the sea. The sea-bed is here is flat. I could just keep walking in the water for five minutes and the water levels would rise only to my waist. It is one of the safest and cleanest beaches to swim in. Water sport facilities like Jet-ski rides and Banana boats are available on the beach. Locals and other tourists start visiting the beach during evening. The North end of the beach is comparatively emptier than the main entrance and is a great spot to swim.
As the mercury dipped, mattresses were laid down and we gathered around the bonfire with our meals. Pink Floyd played on in the background to add to the vibe. The night concluded with a session of stargazing on the beach. The Orion was the first constellation to show up in the sky. I lost count of the number of shooting stars I saw that night. We finally retired to our tents, packed our luggage and called it a night.
How to get there: Take a ferry ride from Gateway as mentioned in the post or you could opt for a S.T. bus from Mumbai Central Depot. Busses for Murud and Alibaug depart at regular intervals. Ride duration can sometimes go upto 6 hours depending upon the type of S.T. bus and the road conditions. With permissions from the depot manager, you are allowed to carry your pet in the bus. One ticket needs to be bought separately and your pet can his/her own seat. Pretty neat yea ? You can opt for either of the four ferry services namely, Ajanta, Appolo, Maldar and PNP. Ajanta is the oldest service running and these fleet of ferrys don’t have AC sections. Here is the timetable and rates. All ferry services remains shut during the months of monsoon and road travel becomes the only option. Get off At Revdanda high school to get to the campsite.
How to get around: Best way to get around is by renting out two wheelers at Alibaug. Here are the rates as of February at SV bikes as found on their Facebook page. Do check with them for updated rates. Contact Number: 077383 34852
Non Gears
For 500 -New Activa, Aviator,Maestro,ray,wego
For 600- Honda Navi
For 700- Vespa 150cc
Gears
For 600-hero Honda Cbz, Yamaha FZ, Yamahaszs
For 800- Avenger200/220
For 1500- Thunderbird bullet
What to do: One of the first things would be to try the local food. Some nearby forts to explore are Sagargad, Murud Janjira and Korlai. Kashid beach is 30 minutes away from Revdanda. It was a camping hotspot amongst travelers but under surveillance since a case of drowning a year back. The tarmac from Revdanda to Murud is top notch and preferred by many cyclists when they are visiting the area.
Where to stay:There are a number of stay options including hotels and homestays to choose from which won’t burn a hole in your pocket. However, if you are looking to stay right next to the beach, the Wanderbuff campsite is a good option for an all inclusive package.
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