Alibaug is the nearest beach getaway from Mumbai, just two decades back it was an infamous suburb of Mumbai which featured in news and many hindi movies for negative reasons. Today Alibaug is the favourite weekend escape for the Mumbaites. Alibaug is famous for beaches like Kihim, Nagaon and Alibaug.surrounded by the coconut trees the Mumbai citizens love their sojourn to Alibaug.
Alibaug by road is 110 kms from Mumbai, the Gateway of India is visible far away from the Mandawa jetty. You can drive from Mumbai to Pen using the Mumbai Goa Konkan expressway, from Pen detour to Alibaug and drive around half an hour through lush green Mahrashtra countryside to reach Alibaug.
M2M RORO Ferry: - Another fantastic comfortable option exists to reach Alibaug you can ride a M2M Roro ferry which plies between Bhaucha Dhakka a wharf in Mumbai near the Thane creek you can ride your car straight into the ferry. This ferry takes around an hour to reach the Mandawa jetty. Around 40000 people use the Roro ferry everyday between Mandawa and Mumbai. The ferry is a modern sea faring vessel with multiple decks, there are plush air conditioned lounges and restaurants. The fare for an individual stands at INR 400 (2022). Alibaug is around half an hour drive from Mandawa jetty. The nondescript village of Mandawa was made famous by Amitabh Bachhan starrer Agnipath movie.
What to see in Alibaug: - Alibaug is the mini “Goa”of Mumbai, the beach is long and has multiple activities to enjoy. You can do para sailing, boat ride, Jet ski etc. An amazing activity you can enjoy at the alibaug sea front is a horse driven carriage ride all the way to Kolaba fort, when the sea is in low tide the sea water recedes and the horse driven carriages run easily on the sandy sea floor. The Kolaba fort is an impressive structure with high walls gates and round bastions. This fort once was the domain of Maratha fiefdom later it was won by the Portuguese finally the fort was taken over by the British east India Company until the Indian independence.
There are other picturesque beaches like Kihim beach and Nagaon beach not very far from the Alibaug beach.
Fooding and lodging: - Being a favourite weekend getaway from Mumbai the Alibaug is a fairly developed tourist destination there are ample of hotels, homestays and eateries serving all sorts of cuisines. Do remember the weekends are overtly crowded so book your room in advance if you plan a weekend trip to Alibaug.
Best time to Visit Alibaug: - Being a coastal area this beach town is best to be visited from November to March when weather is fairly conducive. The summers are hot and the rains fall incessant for five months.
