Beaches in Maharashtra

Good day to all,

After a long break of a month, we from Phila Tours & Travels, expect that you must have enjoyed the Diwali celebration and now, with this new blog we are here to inform you more about beaches of Maharashtra. 

Well, when someone talks about beaches in India, the first thing comes in mind is Goa, and no doubt about that, being the state proclaimed as tourist state, having enormous number of beaches and all well known worldwide, but it would not be wrong to mention Maharashtra’s beaches too to be breathtaking and beautiful. Though not all are so peaceful and possible for good time of swim, but nice to relax on or enjoy some time spending there. Not only Mumbai, but the whole stretch of more than 700 kms from northern part touching Gujarat and southern side going way down till Goa, some of the beaches are awesome, breathtaking and beautiful. So, let’s get started knowing some of them, we will start with the some of them in Mumbai.

JUHU BEACH:

This most popular beach of Mumbai on the shore of Arabian Sea is sorry to say not good for swimming as is always crowded and lots of stalls of food items, road games, horse rides etc possible there, this beach is very near to the places of good luxury hotels and also nearby are the residences of the Bollywood stars, this beach was also a favorite place for shooting of earlier Indian movies.

MARINE DRIVE and CHOWPATTY:

Located at the Heart of the City, was built during 1920-30 claiming land form the sea. As the street passes in curve at this place, during evening the illuminated street lights looks as if a shining necklace, so this also is known as the Queen’s Necklace. The Chowpatty beach is on the end of Marine Drive, which is again a beach but now good enough for much of the swimming, people flock here during evening for enjoying the food sold on the stalls such as Bhelpri, Panipuri, Ice Gola (made of crushed ice and sprinkled with various flavored syrups for taste), ice creams and Kulfi (handmade pot ice cream), Paan (beetle leaves filled with various ingredients to taste sweet). On the beach a small park is opened for senior citizens called “Nana-Nani Park”.

MADH ISLAND:

Though this place is located near the rural fisherman’s village, treacherous sea currents making is not safe for swimming and not so picturesque or scenic, still the tourists come and enjoy the place for parties with friends and relaxing from the fast and exhausting life of Mumbai. 

MARVE, MANORI and GORAI BEACHES: 

About 30 kms form the downtown of Mumbai, this beach lies near Borivli, though now an industrial and business hub, still one can see the remains of colonial times, the view of sunrise and sunset is marvelous here and a ferry for about 15-20 minutes from here will take you to Manori beach or Gorai beach. Manori beach is famous for its all night parties under the moon light. Gorai Beach is safe for swimming during the time besides monsoon season, which is near 4 months from June onward  this beach gives the relaxed feeling from the city’s hustle-bustle and even the locales of Mumbaikar do come and enjoy the time here.

Here we mentioned some of the beaches in Mumbai, not let’s move out of the city limit of Mumbai and go to find some more places to enjoy the time with sea, sand and sun…

MANDWA and KIHIM BEACHES:

Kihim, this beach is just 10 kms away from the city limits of Mumbai, though it seems a totally different experience due to the dense coconut trees, pollution free air and serene atmosphere, it is a sort of nature lovers’ outing spot, with sea adds up to the atmosphere to the surrounding area and enjoy the surfing in the sea with an advantage of forest near by giving the more reason to enjoy a perfect stay near beach in a tent or cottage.

The mandwa beach on the other end gives a serene atmosphere just few kms away from Kihim, and one can enjoy the peace and quietness around spending some time here. One can visit the nearby Colaba fort which is again a few kms from the beach also can be seen are the Portuguese fort ruins, Buddhist temple, hamam khana, church, a temple as well as a synagogue.

BASSEIN BEACH:

Near to nalasopara, just about 10 kms away, and around 75-80 kms from Mumbai, have the feel of one of the seren beaches of Goa, with added advantage of less crowd. Quite a historical place surrounding, one can visit the Portuguese forts in ruins inside the dense forest of brushwood and palm groves, it also has nearby place of Buddhist relice, vajreshwari temple, alkoli hot water springs and few other old temples and churches during the portuguese time.

DAHANU BORDI BEACH:

Nearly 145kms away from Mumbai in the Thane district, towards the southern side of state, this tidy and clean beach boast not only the beautiful place, but also has a surrounding vast plantation of chikoo fruit. Between the stretch of 17 kms from Dahanu to Bordi, one can find many safe, beautiful and peaceful beaches though during the summer time weather is hot, but the cool breeze makes it a pleasant and enjoyable temperature.

Mecca of the Zorostrians, a magnificent temple which is believed to have the flame of eternity being alive for more than 1000 years and the place is more exotic with the culture kept alive of Iranian and Persian. It is said that the Persians landed at this beach in search of peaceful place to live out of their country and they were accepted by the then king of the area.

MURUD JANJIRA:

Located near Alibagh in Raigarh district were not so famous beaches till some time back, but nearly emerging more and more likable by the enthusiast with the outing for a night not only for the beaches of Murud Janjira but also for Kashid and Nandgaon beaches which are close by. Now becoming the most popular and alluring beaches of Maharashtra added with the beauty and freshness thanks to the lush green palm trees.

There is also a fort with marvelous design which I about 300 years old, along with the nawab’s palace and Janjira caves making it more interesting place to visit.

SRIWARDHAN HARIHARESHWAR:

Nearly 200kms from Mumbai, the speciality of the beach is picturesque and tranquility, where adventure as well as food lovers both can enjoy, as there are lots of verities of seafood available on and near the beach and the adventure lovers can take a boat ride to venture to explore where the Peshwas were originally residing. This place is also known for the historical monuments of Peshwas, temple and Fort. 

HARNAI BEACH:

Harnai, about 200kms from Mumbai, earlier not very famous beach, being now enjoyed for its white sands and safe water by many from Mumbai as well as Pune for getaway of relaxed, peaceful and scenic beach. Near to this beach is Harnai fort, one of the old and historical place to visit and in south of this fort is Palm Fringed beach of Murud, From this Murud - Harnai, about 30 kms distance is Panhale Kazi, a famous rock cut monument. Accommodation is available near the beach of Harnai at resorts for night stay too.

VELNESHWAR BEACH:

About 370kms away from Mumbai near Chiplun (by road or by train from Mumbai) the Velneshwer is a small village but its beach is quite famous for swimming and sunbathing. Water sports are the frequent activities, which are carried out here. The green coconut palm grooves and rock free sea water make the beach so beautiful and attractive. It very well comes in between on old route of Mumbai to Goa or Vice versa.

GANPATI PHULE:

375 km south of Mumbai, Ganapatipule is regarded as one of the most important beaches of Maharashtra. The waters are crystal clear and pristine, entire stretch of beach is covered with fresh greeneries, water sport facilities are also available over here, silver sands, a gentle lapping sea, which soothes frayed nerves, attracts large number of tourists. One can see a glimpse of the entire beach, which is covered with white sand and blue waters from the top of the hill.

Ganapatipule is also known as a pilgrimage site for its 400-year-old temple of Swayambhu Ganpati (naturally formed monolithic Ganesh). Other nearby attractions worth visiting are Malgund and Ratnagiri.

VIJAYDURG – SINDHUDURG:

Vijaydurg is 425 km from Mumbai and Sindhudurg is 510 km, apart from the picturesque beaches these places have lots of historical sites to see, most important of all is the Vijayadurg fort built by hhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th century. The great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji used Vijaydurg - Sindhudurg as naval base during his reign. Sindhudurg has temples dedicated to Bhavani, Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush and Shivaji spreading over 48 acres.

VENGURLA MALVAN BEACH:

Vengurala is 514 km away from Mumbai and 200 km from Ratnagiri. Kolhapur is the nearest railhead, while one can also access this place through Ratnagiri, which is well connected by road. Vengurla is famous for its long stretch of iridescent sand, lined up with thick groves of cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango. Vengurla rocks is so near to this beach. 

Malvan is thickly covered with palm trees. This place is famous for the temples as well. Malvan was once an important center for trade, which was twice destroyed by the attacks between 1664-1812. There are also forts to visit near by of Malvan namely Sindhudurg and Padmagadh.

TARKARLI BEACH:

Tarkarli is situated 6 km south of Malvan and 546 km from Mumbai on the west coast of India. This place has gained prominence because of its long and narrow stretch of beach with pristine waters. Takarali beach is known for is clearness of water. One can sometimes see the seabed unto a depth of 20 ft. If we look the beach panoramically, the beautiful sailboats and the tiny magnificent islands make the beach more delightful.Nearest railway station is at Kudal on the Konkan Railway, it is easily accessible from Malvan by bus and rickshaw.

All in all, the beaches of Maharashtra are also the place to be visited though they all are not so famous as of Goa, but sure one can have a nice weekend at these places and the best part of the beaches of maharashtra are, the places are not only for beach, but also has some importance including the production of fruits, serving of seafood, pilgrimage of temples and other religion places as well as historical importance, so one can never get tired of sitting on beach, can always have some other activities also possible to do.

So, with this we end this blog and hope you are now well informed of some of the beaches also possible to visit in Maharashtra, hope you enjoyed reading and we look forward for any assistance we may be able to provide for you by contacting us.