One of the weekend getaways near Mumbai, Alibag is approachable either by road or by a ferry from the Gateway of India in South Mumbai. For those with an interest in history, this holiday site even has an old fort that was built during Shivaji’s rule.
Attractions:
Religious locations in Alibag include Kanakeshwar Devasthan temple and Vikram Vinayak temple. Less than 30 kms away is the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, while the historic Kulaba Fort is situated 1-2 kms inside the sea and one can walk up to it when the tide is low. Alibag has many beaches in its vicinity that include the Versoli Beach, Nagaon Beach, Akshi Beach and Kashid Beach. Another hill fort not too far from here is the Sagargad which is in ruins but worth visiting. En route to this place one can come across a seasonal waterfall nearby.
Activities:
Enjoy the pristine environs of the beach, try sea food, take a dip in the sea waters, walk up to the Kulaba Fort when the sea water is low. Bird watching in the Phansad Sanctuary will appeal to nature and bird lovers.
Type of Destination: Beach, historic, family and kid friendly
Distance from Mumbai: 95 kms
Best time to Visit: November to July
Mandwa beach is known for its panoramic views, right from the Gateway of India to the bay. It is unlikely to find a view as this from any other beach in Mumbai. One of the best places to visit in Mumbai, the Mandwa beach gives you an enthralling experience as you stare across the sea on a clear day, taking in the panoramic view that it offers you. The beach is usually less crowded and is extremely pleasant to visit in the evenings.
An extremely popular weekend destination near the busy cities of Mumbai and Pune, Akshi Beach is one of the most remarkable beaches in Alibaug. Known for its rejuvenating atmosphere and fun vibes, the beach is visited by several tourists throughout the year. A great place for swimmers and ocean lovers, Akshi Beach is also considered to be a fisherman’s beach, meaning that it isn’t as crowded or commercialized as some of the other beaches in the region.
Dotted with swaying palm and coconut trees, Akshi is supposedly one of the cleanest beaches in India, making it extremely attractive to several local and migratory birds from all around the world. Every year, hundreds of bird lovers visit the beach to get a glimpse of some of the exclusive bird species that inhabit the area, including plovers, seagulls, terns, and bar-tailed Godwit. It is believed that Akshi beach is visited by over 300 different bird species annually.
Located approximately 5 kilometers from the more dynamic and famous Alibaug Beach, the shore at Akshi beach is lined with several lavish resorts and cottages and comfy holiday homes. The perfect laid-back ambience of the beach enables visitors to unwind themselves and get in touch with the nature around them.
Murud Beach in Raigad district of Maharashtra is one of the most prominent tourist attractions of the western Indian region. It is famous for its beautiful sandy coastline adorned with majestic forts and bordered by columns of coconut and palm trees. The calm and serene atmosphere with splendid scenic beauty makes Murud a great place for a family holiday. With multiple options for accommodation, the beachside locale is the place to relax and enjoy a fun-filled holiday.
The golden beaches of Murud, sparkling waters of the ocean, adventurous water sports and gorgeous sunsets all these ingredients can make your vacation a memorable one here.Murud Beach is basically a vast swathe of black sand with clear turquoise waters that stretches around 1.7km along the coastline. Murud Beach is not only one of the famous beaches of the entire state of Maharashtra, it is one of the top destinations for tourists to visit in Alibaug.
Here, the beach is surrounded by hills on three sides. In the east, you will find Murud town, beyond which there is a range of mountains. With serene and fresh atmosphere round the year, this place is great for a weekend escapade.
Just 125 kms outside of Mumbai and 33 kms from Alibaug, Kashid Beach is a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra. This remains one of the few beaches in the country that has not lost its beauty even with a high number of visitors. The clear blue water of the Arabian Sea, with white, sandy beach is perfect for a weekend getaway.
You can plan a picnic under the shade of the Casuarina trees that line the 3 km stretch or indulge in the many water sport options available at the beach.Whether you are a solo traveller, planning a weekend getaway with your partner or taking your family for a holiday, Kashid Beach has something for everyone. Go for long walks, enjoy horse riding, get an adrenaline rush with all the water sports, plan a night camp under the star-filled sky, or simply spend some quiet time with your significant other.
Surrounded by a varied landscape of water, rocks, and cliffs, and due to its proximity to Mumbai, Pune, and Alibaug, the place witnesses a large number of visitors all year round. Weekends may be completely booked so plan your holiday in advance and make the most out of your experience. There are also a number of staying, eating and shopping options close to the beach to cater to your every need.
Located off the coast of the Murud village near the Arabian Sea, Murud-Janjira fort is one of the strongest and beautiful marine forts of India. Around 55 km from the popular town of Alibag in Raigad district, Murud-Janjira fort is a very popular historic fort. With the Arabian Sea on all the four sides, this mighty fort has stood for centuries and is a symbol of the brave Marathas of the region. The fort is around 50 feet in height and is regarded as an ancient architectural marvel.
Varsoli Beach is one of the most peaceful and serene beaches in the city of Alibaug. Situated at a distance of a few kilometers from the heart of the city, this beach has gained a lot of popularity for its clean shores, pristine waters, calm environment, thrilling water activities, and umpteen beachside cottages and resorts. Serving as Indian army’s naval base, the beach assures its visitors a fun-filled and tranquilizing beach holiday.
Varsoli Beach happens to be a stunning surprise to the eyes with its shores packed with glittering white sand and the sea boasting clear blue water. The 2 kilometers long picturesque coastline flaunts a host of casuarina, suru, and palm trees, which forms a truly mesmerizing sight. The shoreline is also lined with rocky stones up to a few meters, which further adds a charm to the virgin beauty of the beach.
There are also a number of well-equipped and comfortable cottages and resorts at the beach, offering visitors a splendid stay for a memorable beach vacation. In addition, there are even a plethora of decent and budget-friendly restaurants and cafés close to the beach, offering local as well as international delicacies to tourists. All these elements put together make Varsoli Beach a highly recommended getaway for a perfect beach holiday.
Situated along the beautiful Arabian Sea, the popular Nagaon Beach happens to be a clean and unpolluted beach lying cozily in the city of Alibaug. Packed with suru, betel, and palm trees, the shoreline of the beach is known for its mesmerizing greenery. The silky and shimmering golden sand of this beach offers an amazing place for visitors to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy interesting beach games.
Tourists can also try various thrilling water activities here such as Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Bumper Ride, Banana Boat Ride, Boating, and Swimming. Nagaon Beach forms the central spot for a number of other surrounding beaches such as Murud Beach, Akshi Beach, Kihim Beach, Mandwa Beach, Alibag Beach, and Kashid Beach.
Nagaon Beach features a long shore, stretching up to three kilometers and meeting the Arabian Sea waves. The sunset sights form the best attraction at the beach and propel a host of people to do evening walk here. A number of professional photographers also flock to the beach to take some stunning pictures during this time.
The shores of Nagaon Beach are also lined with a plethora of bustling beach shacks that serve lip-smacking seafood to visitors. The beach also offers visitors the soul-stirring opportunity to experience horse riding and camel riding.
All these unique elements propel tourists from nearby cities like Pune and Mumbai to visit the beach for a weekend getaway.
Guarded by the lush green hills, Alibaug Beach is a serene stretch of black sands edging the playfully rolling waves of the clear blue Arabian Sea. It is considered to be the primary beach of the town and hence one should definitely keep it in the list of attractions they will visit.