Plan your trip · Alibaug
Best time to visit Alibaug
October to March is the easy season in Alibaug: dry, warm and calm enough for the ferries, forts and beaches. The monsoon from June is heavy and changes almost every plan.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Feb
Humid in October, then warm, dry and pleasant from November to February — the peak season on the coast, with the calmest sea.
Pack: light, breathable clothes with a thin layer for the odd cool evening.
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
Mar – May
Hot and humid by the sea — bearable early and late, sticky in between.
Pack: light cottons, a hat, sunscreen and swimwear.
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jun – Sep
Very heavy rain from early June to September, with rough seas. Swimming is unsafe, water sports stop and boats to the sea forts are suspended from late May.
Pack: a good rain shell or umbrella, quick-dry clothes and sandals that cope with flooded streets.
Plan a monsoon day →October to March: the main season
After the rains ease in October, the hills behind the coast stay green for a few weeks and the sea calms down. Days are warm, evenings are pleasant, and humidity drops. This is when the Gateway ferries, the Janjira sailboats and the walk to Kolaba Fort all work as planned. December to February is the most comfortable stretch. It is also the busiest, with Mumbai weekenders filling hotels and ferries, so book ahead for Christmas, New Year and long weekends.
April and May: hot and sticky
The heat builds from March, and by May the air is heavy and humid. Early mornings and sunset are still good on the beach. Plan the Kanakeshwar climb for first light. In late May the sea starts to turn, and in recent years the passenger ferries and the Janjira boats have stopped from around 26 May.
June to September: the monsoon
The monsoon usually reaches this coast in early June, not July, and Alibag gets around 2,400 mm of rain a year. The sea is rough, swimming is unsafe, and fishing boats stay ashore from 1 June to 31 July. The Gateway to Mandwa ferries have usually been suspended until the end of August, and the Janjira boats for a similar period. The RoRo car ferry has generally kept sailing, weather permitting, and the road via Pen is always an option. Kanakeshwar is green and misty, and the steps are slippery.
Plan around the tide
Whatever the month, the tide decides whether you can walk to Kolaba Fort. Low tide moves roughly 50 minutes later each day, so check the table for your dates.
Festival weeks
Ganesh Chaturthi (August or September) is the biggest festival on the Konkan coast. Narali Purnima in August marks the return of the fishing boats. Maghi Ganesh Jayanti (January or February) fills the Kolaba Fort temple. See events and festivals.
Questions
Alibaug — FAQ
When do the Mumbai to Mandwa ferries stop for the monsoon?
In recent years the Gateway of India to Mandwa passenger ferries have stopped from about 26 May to 31 August. The exact dates are set by the authorities each year, so check before you travel.
Is Alibaug worth visiting in the monsoon?
Yes, if you want green hills, rain and a quiet resort. It is not the time for swimming, water sports or Murud-Janjira, and the ferries are limited.
When does Murud-Janjira reopen after the monsoon?
The sailboats usually stop from late May for about three months, so the fort tends to reopen around the end of August or in September. Check locally before driving down.
What is the weather like in Alibaug in December?
Dry, warm days and mild evenings, with calm seas. It is one of the best months to visit, and one of the busiest.