Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India, may be known for its fast-paced life, crowds, and excess. However, along the entire Konkan coastline of Maharashtra, there exist some of the most untouched beaches the entire west coast has to offer.
With beautiful coral reefs, ancient forts and temples, these beaches have slowly been seeing more and more tourism but at the same time have retained their cultural integrity. Though the city itself boasts a few beaches, only a few hours out you will find coastlines you never imagined and traditional Konkan seafood that will keep you hooked! Take a look at the 12 best beaches near Mumbai.
Best Beaches Around Mumbai City
1. Manori Beach
Despite being within the city limits, Manori is considered a getaway. This is because you need to cross over to it by ferry. It’s got some excellent resorts serving great seafood, and the water is good enough to swim in. And it will take you around two hours to get here even if you live in South Mumbai.
Manori also has a lot of mansions and row houses, which are frequently used as locations for TV shoots. Spend a few days here, and you’ll feel like you’re in Goa. A great beach around Mumbai that’s very easy to get to.
- Location: Manori, Mumbai
- Travel Tip: Great place to spot TV actors.
- Where to Stay: Hotels near Manori Beach Mumbai
2. Uttan Beach
Merely an hour’s drive from Mumbai City, situated in Bhayander West, Uttan is a sleepy, East Indian fishing village. A drive through the village to get to the beach will transport you to another time.
Tourism has become this Koliwada’s new avenue for income in recent years with many locals opening restaurants and resorts offering great service and superb food. Go exploring the area; visit the lighthouse and the markets. Check into one of the resorts and be pampered or just spend the day at the beach. This hidden gem is so close to the city yet feels a world away.
- Location: Uttan, Bhayander West
- Travel Tip: Great offers on group packages
3. Marve Beach
Very close to Mumbai City, Marve Beach has always been popular with day trip visitors. Famous for its beach parties in the full moon light, attracting hundreds of revellers from all over the city, Marve is extremely popular with the youth of the city looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and just completely unwind.
Picnic on the beach or visit one of the few local restaurants if you want to try out some local cuisine and fresh seafood caught right there. Marve Beach is also considered safe for swimmers except during the monsoons.
- Location: Marve Beach, Malad West
- Travel Tip: Close to Gorai and Manori beaches, stay in these hotels in Malad West for a great time
- Where to Stay: Hotels near Marve Beach Mumbai
4. Vasai Beach
Vasai is a city on the outskirts of Mumbai that features a lot of beaches. In recent times, it has even been used as a location for international shoots, such as the Coldplay video ‘Hymn For The Weekend’. The Vasai Beach is clean and families often head here for a relaxing day-long picnic.
- Location: Vasai
- Travel Tip: Great for a day-long picnic
Read: Top 7 Clean Beaches In Mumbai For A Short Break
Best Beaches Near Mumbai (Within 100 Kilometres)
1. Alibaug Beach
Sharing a name with the locality certainly has its advantages but Alibaug Beach does not rest on its laurels; over the last decade, it has become the go-to place for many Mumbaikars looking for a quick beach break. A hop, skip and jump away from Mumbai City, accessible by road or ferry, this beach offers its visitors many relaxing as well as exciting things to do.
Parasailing, ferry rides to the Kulaba Fort, kite surfing, kayaking are some of the adventure sports available. With many restaurants nearby as well as hotels, Alibaug Beach is a great overnight beach destination close to the city.
- Location: Alibaug Beach, Alibaug
- Travel Tip: Many adventure activities stop for the monsoon
You may also like: 14 Beautiful Beaches Near Navi Mumbai For A Fun Time
2. Mandwa Beach
Just a ferry ride away from Mumbai is the calm and tranquil Mandwa Beach. A perfect picnic spot, this lazy fishing village beach is densely covered with coconut trees and wildflowers.
Summer months see plenty of visitors from Mumbai that come to this nearby beach to escape the city crowds and also enjoy some water sports. Explore the Mandwa caves or just pitch your tent on the beach and listen to the waves crashing on the shore; this beach is a favourite with couples on weekends and holidays.
- Location: Mandwa, Alibaug
- Travel Tip: You can take a motorcycle or scooter on the ferry
3.Kelwa Beach
Located in the Palghar region of Maharashtra, just over 100 kilometers from Mumbai, by road, and even closer by train, Kelwa Beach sees a lot of visitors throughout the year, especially on the weekends.
The ancient Sitladevi Temple is a popular tourist attraction surrounded by beautiful gardens that are a stark contrast to the beaches close by. Explore the Kelwa Fort on horseback or take a camel ride on the beach, Kelwa is steeped in ancient history and the local culture is still evident on the beaches and in the form of fishing villages and lots of great food!
- Location: Kelwa Beach, Palghar
- Travel Tip: Take a break from work and go on a weekday to enjoy some solitude
You may also like: 12 Serene Places For Lakeside Camping Near Mumbai
Best Beaches Near Mumbai (Within 200 Kilometres)
1. Dahanu-Bordi Beach
Ten minutes from Gholvad Railway Station, in Dahanu, are the twin beaches of Dahanu and Bordi. These two black sand beaches are interconnected, forming a 15-kilometer shoreline, perfect for long walks and watching the sunset. The beaches, being environmentally protected areas, offer relaxing and unusual activities such as turtle watching and camel rides. Surrounded by miles of chikoo (sapodilla) plantations, the coastline is spectacular; lush and green on one side, with the pristine beach and horizon on the other.
- Location: Dahanu, Dahanu – Bordi Beach
- Travel Tip: Go for the Chikoo Festival in late January to enjoy some local food and culture
You may also like: 22 Romantic Things To Do in Mumbai For A Memorable Time
2. Kashid Beach
Approximately 30 kilometres from Alibaug, Kashid beach is famous for its clear blue water and white sandy beach. The 3-kilometre Arabian Sea coastline is surrounded by Casuarina trees offering great shade from the sun and small cottages or shacks for hire. A lot of water sports such as parasailing and jet-skiing, not to mention horse rides on the beach, are conducted here. A few caves in the locality make for a great adventure nearby.
- Location: Kashid Beach, Kashid
- Travel Tip: Avoid going during the monsoons if you want to swim and enjoy the water sports
3. Harihareshwar Beach
Undoubtedly one of the best beaches close to Mumbai, Harihareshwar beach is a sight to behold. Nestled between four hills, Harihareshwar, Brahmasri, Pushpadri and Harshinachal, this pristine beach has some of the unique topography along its coastline. A haven for photographers and anyone that loves nature, Harihareshwar beach is also famous for its many temples in the surrounding area. Restaurants, hotels and resorts can be found too if you are looking for some pampering or if you want to spend a night or two.
- Location: Harihareshwar, Raigad
- Travel Tip: 200 kilometres via the Mumbai-Bangalore highway
Read: 10 Amazing Waterfalls Near Mumbai That You Should Visit At Least Once
Best Beaches Near Mumbai (Within 400 kilometres)
1. Murud Beach
The coastal village of Dapoli is home to Murud beach. Frequented mainly by Mumbai locals looking for a nearby getaway for the day, this beach is easy to get to and rather close to Mumbai. Just over 150 kilometres from Mumbai, Murud beach is renowned for its adventure sports such as parasailing, kayaking, banana boat rides and dolphin watching. While there you can visit some of the small islands or explore the Janjira fort. The coastline is adorned with coconut trees, making the beach a tropical paradise you cannot resist.
- Location: Murud Beach, Dapoli
- Travel Tip: Visit during the Murud Beach Festival, usually held in December
2. Ganapatipule Beach
A small town along the Konkan stretch in the Ratnagiri region, Ganpatipule Beach has quietly become famous for its pristine waters and white sandy coastline. Tourism has received a boost in recent years thanks to the efforts of the Maharashtra Tourism Board.
Over the last decade, Gaapatipule has turned into a major tourist hub. Go during the summer months and enjoy the warm waters, fresh local seafood cuisine and most importantly the world famous Alphonso mango, considered the best in the world. There are many good hotels in Ganpatipule, where you can spend the vacation in a comfortable way. The monsoon sees fewer visitors venturing into the waters but there are activities all year round and great Malvani food to eat.
- Location: Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri
- Travel Tip: Mango festivals are held all through the summer months
So the next time you feel like a beach holiday, do consider all that Mumbai has to offer in this regard. Also, check out these amazing hotels in Mumbai where you can stay if you visiting the city. Have you already been to any of these amazing beaches? Did you go swimming? What were your thoughts on the adventure sports? Do let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to share this on social media! Have a great trip.
