Are you looking for a relaxing weekend on the beach surrounded by nature’s beauty, but don’t want to travel far? Well, you don’t have to! Alibaug is the perfect weekend getaway destination for beach lovers from Mumbai & Pune. It is just 100 km from Mumbai & can be designed as a day’s trip too!
Alibaug is a coastal town in the Raigad district. Interestingly enough, it has derived its name from a rich Bene Israelite landowner named Ali who had many mango & coconut plantations in the area. Over the years, the name Ali-Baug or Ali’s Plantations stuck.

Alibaug has many explored & unexplored beaches which are not only beautiful but also have a dense coconut grooves backdrop. Tourists should not miss the mesmerizing sunsets on this beach while riding in a horse-drawn buggy!

Given a high tourist footfall, many beaches have small shacks to provide you with local cuisine & to relax in the shelter. It is the perfect way to enjoy the seas while you chill out in the shade with a cool drink in your hand.

Some of the top things to explore in Alibaug are:

1.Nagaon Beach:

Visit the yet pristine & rarely known beaches of Nagaon – a small village 6 km from Alibaug. It is ideally located to reach other small beaches such as Murud, Kashid, Akshi, Kihim etc. Many water adventure sports are available here for interested tourists.

2.Dolphin Trip:

You can opt for a Dolphin sightseeing ride from these beaches to catch a glimpse of the synchronized dance of the dolphins with the waves! Many locals arrange for these rides early morning & during sunset for the tourists.

3.Kulaba Fort:

Constructed by the great Maratha King Shivaji, this great fortification once served as the chief naval station of the Maratha empire. Many parts of the fort are still in good shape & tourists can spend some time learning about the rich history of this place.

4.Brahma Kund:

Located around 10 km from Alibaug is an ancient Kund known as Brahma Kund. It is said that the current architecture of the Kund is as old as the year 1612. It also has some mythological importance. Located nearby is a Maruti temple & Mirchi baba.

5.Water Sports:

Many adventure & water sports activities have now opened up on Alibaug beach such as speed boat & Jet Ski rides, Banana ride, Parasailing & cruising rides. You can enjoy these with your friends & family to create some happy long-lasting memories.

How to Reach Alibaug:

Interestingly one can reach Alibaug by road, rail as well as the boat from Mumbai. By road, it is about 100 km from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Goa highway via Pen. You can also step into a catamaran from Gateway of India to reach Mandwa & travel further by bus. Nearest railway station is Pen.

Best Places to Stay in Alibaug:

Being the quintessential Konkan town, Alibaug has many farmstay options with Coconut & mango plantations surrounding it. When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Same goes with Konkan! You cannot experience the rich regional culture & traditions without understanding the ways of life of the Konkanis. It is only when you share experiences with the locals, does one truly understand the essence of any place. Alibaug is a tourist friendly destination & also has other stay options like hotels, resorts, lodges apart from the farmstays.

Best Time to Visit Alibaug:

Alibaug experiences heavy rains & unless you are a rain happy soul, it is advisable to make travel plans only post monsoon. Best time to visit would be from Nov to March.