Maharashtra · India
Alibaug
A laid-back Konkan-coast getaway near Mumbai — sea forts, palm-fringed beaches, coconut and betel groves, and fresh Malvani seafood, the weekend escape of the city.
Alibaug is Konkan-coast ease: the tide-linked Kolaba fort, Alibaug and Kihim beaches, the Murud-Janjira island fort nearby, coconut groves, and Malvani seafood with sol kadhi.
Plan your trip
Alibaug Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Alibaug Photo Spots
High crowdEntry Free
Alibaug Beach
- Best timeLate afternoon to sunset, when the fort turns into a dark outline against an orange sky; early morning at low tide for reflections on the wet sand.
- ColorsWhiteCoralAqua
Medium crowdEntry Free
Kanakeshwar Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when light filters through the trees and the coast below is clear; late afternoon for warm light on the temple and fewer people on the steps.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteForest green
Entry Free
Kihim Beach
- Best timeEarly morning, when the beach is empty and the light through the casuarinas is soft; sunset for dark tree outlines against an orange sky.
- ColorsWhiteSandAqua
Medium crowdEntry Nominal
Kolaba Fort
- Best timeMorning at low tide, for soft light on the walls and people walking across the sand; sunset from the beach, when the fort is a silhouette against the sky.
- ColorsRustWhiteAqua
Medium crowdEntry Boat fare + entry
Murud-Janjira Fort
- Best timeMid-morning, when the sun is behind you on the boat and lights the sea walls; late afternoon for warm colour on the stone from the jetty.
- ColorsRustWhiteCobalt
For the feed
Trending Wear in Alibaug
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Alibaug Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Alibaug
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Alibaug
Across the harbour from Mumbai
Alibaug, written Alibag on most official signs, is a small town on the Konkan coast in Raigad district. It sits across the harbour from south Mumbai, which is why so many people treat it as a weekend escape. By road it is roughly 95 to 110 km, depending on the route, and weekend traffic can stretch that to three hours or more. Most visitors cross by water. Passenger ferries sail from the Gateway of India to Mandwa jetty, and a car ferry (the RoRo) runs from Ferry Wharf, also called Bhaucha Dhakka, to Mandwa. From Mandwa a bus or taxi takes you on to town.
Forts that depend on the tide
The town beach faces Kolaba Fort, a Maratha sea fort a short way offshore. At low tide you walk across the wet sand; at high tide the fort is cut off. This one fact shapes a day here, so look up the tide table before you plan anything else. Low tide comes roughly 50 minutes later each day. Further south, Murud-Janjira Fort stands on its own island off Murud and is reached by sailboat from Rajpuri jetty.
Beaches, woods and a hilltop shrine
Alibaug Beach is the busy one, with food stalls and evening crowds. Kihim Beach, about 10 km north, is quieter, with casuarina trees and plenty of birds. The ornithologist Salim Ali spent time there. South of town you will find Nagaon, Akshi and Varsoli beaches. Inland, Kanakeshwar Temple sits on a wooded hill near Mapgaon, reached by a long flight of stone steps.
The Angres and the Bene Israel
The Maratha admiral Kanhoji Angre made Kolaba his naval base from 1713 and raided British ships from here. His samadhi (memorial) is in town. Alibaug also has deep Bene Israel Jewish roots, and one story says the name comes from "Eli cha bagh", the garden of a Bene Israel landowner. The Magen Aboth Synagogue still stands in the old part of town.
Food and the fishing calendar
Meals here revolve around fish, rice and coconut, with pink sol kadhi on the side. Fishing boats are banned from the sea from 1 June to 31 July each year, so fresh catch is thinner in those weeks. The local white onion has a GI tag. See the food guide.
When to come
October to March is dry, warm and easy. The monsoon arrives in early June and is heavy. The sea turns rough, swimming is unsafe, and in recent years the Gateway ferries and the Janjira boats have stopped from late May to about the end of August. More on the best time to visit.
Questions
Alibaug — FAQ
Can I take the ferry from Mumbai to Alibaug in the monsoon?
The passenger ferries from the Gateway of India to Mandwa usually stop from late May to the end of August. The RoRo car ferry from Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) has generally kept running in the rains, weather permitting. Check the operator's schedule before you set off.
How many days do I need in Alibaug?
One night is enough for the town beach, Kolaba Fort and a sunset. Give it two or three days if you also want Kanakeshwar, Kihim and a day trip south to Murud-Janjira.
Is Alibaug the same as Alibag?
Yes. Alibag is the official spelling used by the government and on many road signs. Alibaug is the spelling most travellers and hotels use.
Can I see Kolaba Fort and Murud-Janjira on the same day?
It is possible but tight. Janjira is about 50 to 55 km south, and both visits depend on the sea. Do Kolaba at the morning low tide, then drive south in time for the last Janjira boats in the afternoon.
Is it safe to swim at Alibaug?
Only in the calm months, close to shore, and where others are swimming. Currents can be strong, and you should not count on lifeguards. Do not swim at all from June to September, when the sea is rough.