Alibag

Information About Alibag :

                A little coastal town tucked away in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Alibag or Alibaug is a very popular weekend getaway and has earned itself the name of 'mini-Goa', owing to the high tourist footfall all year round. Steeped in colonial history, Alibaug is a quaint little town located about 96 km from Mumbai and 150 km from Pune, and is replete with sandy beaches, clean unpolluted air, and plenty of forts and temples, ensuring that despite being a small town, you never run out of activities to do.

                Alibaug is famous for its numerous beaches, which are only a few minutes’ drive away from each other, so you won’t have to worry about which beach to visit and which one to leave out. The most visited beach in Alibaug is, of course, Alibaug Beach, which offers a spectacular view of not only the sunrise and sunset but of the Kolaba Fort as well, which you can take a short boat ride to. The Colaba fort was once the cornerstone of the Maratha Empire, and most of the edifice is still in good shape. Other popular beaches in the area include Kihim Beach, and Nagaon Beach, with Kihim beach being a photographer’s paradise.

Best Time To Visit Alibag :

               November to July is the best time to visit Alibaug to enjoy the beaches. Between August to October, you can explore the region on the rainy days, which exposes the lush green beauty of Alibaug. However, do note that boat service between Mumbai and Alibaug is not functional during the rainy season. The weather from November to February is cold and dry and provides the perfect ambiance for sightseeing. The temperature starts rising from March and lasts until the arrival of the monsoon in June.

How To Reach Alibag :

           Alibaug is well connected to the major cities in Maharashtra and the country through road, rail, and ferry. The two major nearby cities are Mumbai and Pune. Most tourists prefer to travel to Alibag from Mumbai via a boat from the Mandwa Jetty which takes about an hour to reach. From the Mandwa Jetty, Alibag is another 30-minute ride away. The nearest railway station to Alibaug is at Pen and Koha while the nearest airports are Pune and Mumbai.

1.How To Reach Alibag By Flight :

           The nearest major airport to Alibaug is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, located around 140 km away. From there, you can reach Alibag via bus, car, cab, or boat.

Nearest Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) - 48 km from Alibag.

2.How To Reach Alibag By Road :

           Alibag is located almost midway on the Mumbai-Goa highway (NH66). Being a popular scenic coastal highway, many tourists prefer to drive to Alibaug from Mumbai.

             There are also regular bus services from Mumbai, Pune, and other nearby towns to Alibag. These buses are operated by both government and private operators and are comfortable to travel in.

3.How To Reach Alibag By Train :

             The nearest railway station to Alibaug is at Pen, a small town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. The train services from Pen connect it to Panvel and Mumbai.

4.How To Reach Alibag By Waterways :

               The most popular and convenient way of reaching Alibaug is via a ferry from Mumbai. The nearest jetty is located at Mandwa with regular catamaran and ferry services from the Gateway of Mumbai. It takes around one hour to reach by ferry and 20 minutes by speedboat. From Mandwa Jetty, Alibag is another 40 minutes ride by bus, the cost of which is usually included in the ferry ticket.

Places To Visit In Alibag :    

1 . Water Sports in Alibag :

                    Alibaug is a coastal town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is famous for its tranquil black sand beaches which account for a peaceful weekend getaway from Mumbai. With the coastline that runs along the Arabian Sea, Alibaug offers a variety of water sports.

                 The famous sports in Alibag that offer a variety of water and adventure sports are Mandwa beach, Nagaon beach, and Alibaug beach. You can enjoy various water activities such as Parasailing at Nagaon beach, sea kayaking, jet ski and banana boat ride at Alibaug beach. To enjoy the enthralling sports of quad biking, you must make your way to the Mandwa beach for the best biking experience. Alibaug is also famous for its scuba diving and island trips. To get the best experience of scuba diving, head to Murud Jangira in Alibaug where you can enjoy scuba diving under the expert supervision of well-trained scuba divers.

Water Sports in Alibag

2 . Kolaba Fort :            

            Situated amidst the sea and surrounded by waters of the Arabian sea from all sides, Kolaba fort or Alibag fort is one of the most important tourist attractions in Alibag. It is a 300-year old fort that was once the chief naval station during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra. This isolated military fortification located amidst the Arabian sea is a spectacular sight. Located not more than 2 kilometers from the Alibaug beach, it can be reached by foot during low tides, but during high tides, a boat must be hired. The walk is quiet and scenic as the area is scarcely populated with only a few beachgoers here and there.

       The area within the fort itself is dotted with historical artifacts and vestiges such as cannons and carvings of animals and birds on the fort walls. Old temple buildings are also present here. Although the mighty fort is in the middle of the sea, surrounded by water on all four sides, an important hallmark is the presence of a freshwater well in the fort premises. A temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, built by Raghoji Angre in the year 1759, is also present on the premises and is still worshipped by the fishermen from the area. 

Kolaba Fort

3 . Alibag Beach :

                     Located along the coast of the Arabian Sea, the Alibaug Beach is a picturesque stretch of sand situated in Maharashtra. Alibaug is a black-sand beach that offers the panoramic sight of the Kolaba fort from the shores. Amber sand lies underneath its coarser black counterpart, and its unique sight is further accentuated by the rocks that lazily lie around the entire landscape. The ruins of the fort are clearly visible from the Alibaug beach which can be easily accessed by waddling through the waters in low tides and a short boat ride during high tides. The beach is famous for its picturesque sceneries of sunrise and sunset that one must marvel at when in Alibag. It is a great place to spend time in leisure while you marvel at the Arabian sea and landscapes of sunrise, sunset, and the silhouette of the Kolaba Fort.  

Alibag Beach

4 . Vrindavan Farm :

              Spread over a sprawling 28 acres, is a synonym to a day trip of nature walks through countless mango, chikoo, guava, custard apple trees, cacti, crotons, and more.

             Near Kanakeshwar, the Vrindavan Farm also houses an art and craft museum. One can also shop for a number of natural products here such as varieties of honey, spices, bee wax candles, and much more. One can also take home tribal and folk art and craft.

Vrindavan Farm

5. Nagaon Beach :

              Located on the shores of the Arabian sea, Nagaon beach is 9 km away from the Alibaug's city center. Lined palms, betel, and Suru trees, this beach is most famous for its cleanliness and for hosting water-based adventure activities available at a reasonable price. Experience the life of the locals at the many homestays and resorts here, which make Nagaon Beach the perfect weekend getaway.

                         

6 . Murud Janjira Fort :

               About 21 km from Kashid Beach, this fort is surrounded by the turquoise colored waters of the Arabian Sea. Dating back to the 15th century AD, built under the rule of Emperor Malik Amber, the ruler of Ahmednagar, the structure sports an enchanting entrance to the fort depicting a carving of a tiger trapped by six elephants.

                  The structure is known for the canons here. The fort was built in order to protect it from the pirates of the sea.   

Murud Janjira Fort

 

                                  
 
                                                          

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