ALIBAUG TRAVEL GUIDE
Recently, before the heavy rains and storms, I took a short road trip to Alibaug, a coastal city.
Alibaug— 147 from Pune, 88 km from Mumbai, and 77 km from Navi Mumbai— the perfect day trip destination.
Want to leave the city for a while and get some Vitamin Sea? Have time only for a mini vacation?
Alibaug is the best place for a short and quick road trip.
You can get in your Vitamin Sea, get in your thrills with the water activities, or get a history lesson at one of the nearby forts. Lastly, enjoy delicious and fresh seafood.
My sister and I had been planning a day trip to Alibaug. So, of course, we read up about the coastal city and made a list of all the places we wanted to visit.
Since we’ve researched everything, you don’t have to.
If you’re reading this, it means you’re intrigued. So, you might as well keep reading. Here’s what you’ll find in the Alibaug travel guide.
- A HISTORY LESSON ON ALIBAUG
- HOW TO GET THERE?
- MUST-SEE PLACES IN AND AROUND ALIBAUG
- ONE-DAY ALIBAUG ITINERARY
- WHERE TO STAY? (If you spontaneously decide to spend an extra day or two)
- TRAVEL TIPS
A HISTORY LESSON ON ALIBAUG
Alibaug, or Alibag, is a city along Maharashtra’s Konkan coastal strip.
Founded in the 17th century by the Maratha Empire’s Naval Admiral Kanhoji Angre, Alibaug’s strategic location played a vital role in the operating coastal trade and served as a naval base.
Kanhoji Angre contributed to the development of Alibaug. But Alibaug is named after a foreigner.
Interestingly, some 2000 years ago, a Bene Israelite, Elizah/Elizah, while escaping the oppressive treatment of the Roman Empire against Jews, wrecked his shop on the shores of Maharashtra.
Years later, he began an oiling company and established a mango plantation and coconut groves. The locals referred to his plantations as “Eli cha Bagh”, meaning Eli’s garden. As the years passed, the new generation shortened “Eli cha Bagh” to Alibaug.
That’s all for a history lesson on Alibaug.
Up next is how to get to this beautiful coastal town.
HOW TO GET TO ALIBAUG?
Alibaug is 4 hours from Pune and 3 hours from Mumbai, making it reachable without extensive planning.
Alibaug is well connected to Mumbai and Pune by trains, buses and cars. You can also board a ferry from Mumbai to add a little adventure to your day trip.
GETTING TO ALIBAUG BY BUS
The cheapest and easiest way to reach Alibaug is by bus.
Daily buses run from Pune and Mumbai to Alibaug.
The bus ride to Alibaug takes 4 hours from Pune, 3 hours from Mumbai, and 2 hours from Navi Mumbai.
The earliest bus leaves Pune from Swargate at 5:30 a.m. Tickets are available online and at the bus station.
The earliest bus leaves Mumbai at 5 a.m. and arrives in Alibaug at 8:30 a.m. You can board the Alibaug bus from Panvel, Dadar East, Sion, Andheri, Chembur, Vashi, and other areas.
Shivashahi (AC), Hirkani (semi-luxury, non-AC), and the Day Ordinary (Lal pari, non-AC) travel to and from Alibaug, and the fares for each are different.
Shivshahi charges the most, and Day Ordinary is the cheapest one.
Upon arriving in Alibaug, hire a taxi or rickshaw for the entire day. That’s because you’ll be travelling to beaches other than Alibaug Beach, and finding a ride back is challenging.
Don’t forget to negotiate the fare with the driver. I didn’t see any Uber or Olas in Alibaug. But you can try.
The last bus from Alibaug to Mumbai leaves at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. for Pune.
GETTING TO ALIBAUG BY TRAIN
Trains are a good option if you’re not driving, but it is slightly inconvenient. Here’s why.
Alibaug doesn’t have a train station. The nearest train station is 28 kms away at Pen. Moreover, there are no direct trains from Pune and Mumbai to Pen.
If you’re travelling from Pune, you’ll have to change trains somewhere in Mumbai, maybe even change stations to board the one heading to Pen.
Also, not all trains from Mumbai head to Alibaug.
While trains are budget-friendly, they aren’t convenient. If you don’t mind all the hassle, there is nothing better than trains.
Your hassle doesn’t end there. You still have to figure out transport to get to Alibaug.
You can hire a taxi for the day from Pen or take the bus to Alibaug.
Also, don’t forget to note the time of the return train.
GETTING TO ALIBAUG BY ROAD
As I always say, driving is the best way to explore India. This time is no different. Driving to Alibag is the best way to explore the beaches and neighbouring sites.
Alibaug is a 145 km drive from Pune and takes 3½-4 hours. The road conditions are good, but expect traffic until you leave the city and join the expressway. As you get closer to Alibag, the roads grow smaller.
P.S. Just because you are driving on the expressway doesn’t mean no traffic. I travelled on a weekday, and there was bumper-to-bumper congestion despite my leaving at 6 a.m. On weekends, it’s twice as busy.
It’s a 2-3 hour drive from Mumbai to Alibag. Depending on traffic, the arrival time might change.
Driving to Alibag is the best for Punekars, and for Mumbaikars, the ferry is the quickest way to reach Alibag.
GETTING TO ALIBAUG BY FERRY (FROM MUMBAI)
For Mumbaikars, the best and most scenic route to Alibag is by ferry. It is the quickest way to reach the beach town and takes 1 hour.
From Mumbai, there are daily ferries and catamarans to Alibag.
There are four major companies — M2M, PNP, Maldar Catarmans and Ajanta Ferries.
TRAVEL TIP:- Book your ferry tickets in advance, especially during weekends. You could also purchase a ticket at the ticket counter on the docks.
Apart from M2M Ferries, the other companies offer passenger-only ferries, meaning no vehicles are allowed onboard. It caters solely to passengers.
If you’re taking your car, bus, jeep or bike to Alibag, take the M2M Ferries. They are slightly pricier than the other companies but have better services.
Those taking the Maladar Catarmans have the advantage of not having to fend for transport to Alibag upon arriving at Mandwa Jetty. The ticket includes a bus fare. You can take the bus to town from the Jetty.
TRAVEL TIP:- The M2M ferry leaves Mumbai from the Ferry Wharf, Bhaucha Dhaka, and the others dock at the Gateway of India.
Also, don’t forget to note the time for the return ferry.
MUST-SEE PLACES IN AND AROUND ALIBAUG
ALIBAUG BEACH
People often travel to Alibaug for the beach. I did too.
It has been a few years since my previous visit, so a lot has changed. I was expecting to see the sandy shore hugging the sea, but a tall seawall welcomed us.
Since I had travelled long, I decided to spend some time walking around and seeing the area through a new lens.
After walking around, I came across a few steps leading to the water. It was high tide, so only a few people were down there.
There were rocks, big and small. Only a few were visible due to the high tide. So, I wouldn’t recommend swimming here.
Despite all the negatives, I added the Alibaug Beach to my list of must-visit places because it offers a wide range of water activities.
Secondly, the seawall is a great place to sit and watch the colourful boats swaying with the sea’s ebb and flow.
Also, it is the base for speed boats to Kolaba Fort, another must-see place in Alibaug.
You could go window shopping, take a walk on the seawall, partake in water activities, or take pictures with the I ♥️ Alibaug sign.
I would have loved to go on the banana boat, but they had suspended all the water activities due to the rough sea.
So, learn from my mistakes and visit Alibaug before or after the monsoon season.
KOLABA FORT
The Kolaba Fort was one of the many forts under the Maratha empire ruled by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
After Konkan was free, Shivaji Maharaj designated Kolaba Fort as one of the chief naval bases of the Maratha Empire. Under the command of Darya Sarang and Mainak Bhandari, the troops conducted several raids against British ships.
Shivaji Maharaj ordered the construction of the Kolaba Fort in 1680, but unfortunately, he died before its completion.
However, in 1681, Chatrapati Sambhaji Raje completed the fort, and it played a significant role in defending the Marathas against the British.
This naval base is a beautiful place to visit. It is visible from Alibaug Beach. There are a couple of ways to get to the fort.
You can take a boat for Rs. 200. It is the quickest but expensive option. If, like me, you’re visiting Alibaug for a day, speed boats are the best option.
Another interesting way to the fort is by a horse carriage (Rs. 100 per person). Unfortunately, this service is available only during low tide, when the water level is low.
There’s one more way. It’s stupid but fun. You can walk from Alibaug Beach to the fort in knee-deep water, but only during the low tide.
I hadn’t known about the horse carriage and walking until recently. When I visited, it was high tide and the sea was rough. Therefore, the boats couldn’t dock at the fort. So. I couldn’t go to the fort.
But, based on the hundred glowing reviews, it takes 1-2 hours to walk around and explore the fort, and it is one of the must-see places in Alibaug.
TIMINGS:- Kolaba Fort is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday through Sunday.
TICKETS:- A single ticket costs Rs. 25.
KASHID BEACH
As I said earlier, Alibaug Beach is unsuitable for swimming, but I did see a few brave souls get in the water.
Many visitors then head to Nagaon Beach, 25 minutes away, to enjoy the sea. Initially, that’s what I did too.
When I arrived, this beach was not the beach I had adored years ago. It was dirty.
Plastic bottles, seaweed, horse and camel dung littered the beach. So, we decided to drive even further to Kashid Beach.
The drive to Kashid Beach was 45 minutes, but it was so worth it.
Upon arriving at Kashid Beach, I realised I’d made the right decision. The beach was clean with golden sandy shores lined with coconut trees and had few people. There were small shacks selling snacks, cold drinks, clothes, and toys.
Some shacks offered changing room services for Rs. 50. It was awesome because now I wouldn’t have to change out of my wet clothes in the car.
When I was done swimming and fooling around in the sea, the shack owner even provided me with a bucket of cold water for Rs. 20 to wash off the sand.
It was a gift, because I was visiting an aesthetic cafe after, and I didn’t want to look like I had just rolled around in the sand.
Since this beach is away from tourist areas like Alibaug and Nagaon beaches, only families visit here.
So, if you’re on a girls’ trip, this is a safe beach. You’ll be surrounded mostly by families, so you can relax and enjoy yourself.
TRAVEL TIP:- Those travelling to Alibaug by bus or ferry will have to hire an auto or taxi for a few hours. Finding a taxi or an autorickshaw to Alibaug might be difficult.
MANDAWA JETTY
The next must-see place in Alibaug is the Mandawa Jetty.
If you’ve seen the movie Agneepath, you’ll know that when the protagonist asks for Mandawa, he’s referring to this area.
When I was a kid, I thought Mandawa was a fictional place, but as I grew older, I realised it’s a real place, just a few hours from Pune.
Another reason I wanted to visit Mandawa Jetty was for the cafes. There are a couple of cute, aesthetic cafes at Mandawa Jetty. After all, a vacation is incomplete without visiting an aesthetic cafe.
During my visit, I stopped for a drink at the Ocean Club, next to Starbucks, but it has permanently closed.
I’m sad they closed down, because they had amazing views of the Mandawa Beach and the Mumbai skyline in the distance. I spent some time here just relaxing and enjoying the view.
If you stay a while, you might see the ferries arriving at Mandawa.
There are other small food stalls and cafes.
The Boardwalk by Flamboyante was on my list, but I didn’t go there. It too has stunning views, but is slightly expensive.
Those travelling to Mumbai by ferry, this is the best place to watch the sunset and the sprawling Mumbai skyline in the distance.
MANDAWA BEACH
Right next to the Mandawa Jetty is the secluded and quiet Mandawa Beach.
It is another clean beach, with very few visitors.
When I first arrived at the Jetty, I saw the beach, but I couldn’t find the way to the beach.
It was later, when I was sitting in the ocean club, sipping on my peach iced tea, that I saw a family following a rocky path from the parking area.
They were a family of four. While the kids played in the sea, the parents laid out a picnic. I, too, wanted to have a picnic, but I settled for watching the sun paint the Mumbai skyline golden.
For those travelling from Pune to Alibaug, you’ll realise that the Mandawa Beach is a slight detour. For those who have your vehicle, I would highly recommend coming here to watch the sunset.
During the day, the beach would be too hot to enjoy with little to no shade. However, in the late afternoon, it is the perfect place to chill and enjoy some quiet.
For those travelling to Alibaug by bus or train, you might want to visit here during the day so you won’t miss your ride back home.
ONE DAY ALIBAUG ITINERARY
Recently, I travelled to Alibaug for a day. It is the ideal day trip to the beach from Pune and Mumbai, and I have the perfect one-day itinerary.
- Wake up early and get on the road to avoid traffic on the expressway, especially during the weekends and public holidays. It is a 3½ to 4-hour drive from Pune. Stop for breakfast at one of the food malls along the expressway.
- Upon arriving in Alibaug, head to the first must-see place, the Alibaug Beach. Take a stroll on the seawall, click pictures of the sea, and the I ♥️ Alibaug sign.
- Next, hire a boat to the Kolaba Fort. Spend an hour or two wandering and exploring the fort. Later, head back to the shore.
- When you return, it’ll be time for lunch. So, head on over to Sanman restaurant for some delicious seafood.
- After a scrumptious lunch, it’s time to take a long drive to Kashid Beach for some vitamin sea.
- Spend time at Kashid Beach, swimming, taking a ride in the horse carriage, or going on the banana boat or jet ski.
- After a refreshing dip in the sea, it’s time to change and head to Mandawa Jetty for golden hour. It is another 30-40 minutes from Kashid Beach.
- Upon arriving at Mandawa Jetty, head to one of the cafes for a cup of coffee or light snacks. Enjoy your drink while gazing at the Mandawa Beach and enjoying the sunset over the Mumbai skyline in the distance.
- Before heading home, it’s time for one last stroll along the Mandawa Beach adjacent to the Jetty.
- Now, it’s time to head home. Upon arriving in Pune, stop by Blue Nile for a delicious late dinner.
WHERE TO STAY?
When I had initially planned to go to Alibaug, it was supposed to be one giant family affair with my cousins, aunts and uncles.
However, as the days drew near, one by one they tapped out. In the end, only my family decided to go, but for a day trip.
The moral of the story is that when 15 people were joining us, I had searched for accommodations in and around Alibaug. I’d gone through a long list of hotels and Airbnbs.
The good hotels were too pricey, and the mid-range hotels were far away, and the rooms were minimalist for that price.
I then searched Airbnb. They were way better and for a better price.
So, I’d recommend staying at an Airbnb rather than a hotel. Here are some of my favourites.
- Privy stays Triangular villa
- Friday Nest by Privy stays
- Green Palm villa by Privy stays
NOTE:- These are my personal recommendations, not sponsored.
TRAVEL TIPS
We’ve arrived at the last section of the Alibaug travel guide, the travel tips. Here are a handful of travel tips for a hassle-free and worry-free time in Alibaug.
- Get on the road early to avoid traffic on the Pune-Mumbai expressway, especially during the weekends.
- Don’t go to Nagaon Beach. There are far better and cleaner beaches with fewer crowds. The Mandawa and Kashid Beaches are a short drive away.
- The internal roads in Alibaug and the neighbouring areas are single-lane, and often the traffic is slow-moving. It can take a while to drive short distances.
- Always pre-book your accommodations, especially during festivals, public holidays and long weekends.
- When booking a hotel or Airbnb, ensure there are cafes and restaurants within walking or driving distance.
- The best time to visit Alibaug is after the monsoons from September to February. The temperature is moderate and the weather is pleasant. September and November are the best times to witness gorgeous sunsets by the beach.
- Before a road trip, always have your vehicle checked. I have a checklist that I go through before a long road trip.
CONCLUSION
That concludes the Alibaug travel guide.
In this guide, you’ve read about Alibaug’s history, the routes, the must-see places, a one-day itinerary, where to stay and travel tips.
Besides Alibaug, there are other one-day destinations around Pune and Mumbai.
I hope the Alibaug travel guide was helpful. If you have any queries or suggestions, let me know in the comments.
I hope this ignites your wanderlust because
We all deserve a little wanderlust.
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