Mumbai is about much more than the ubiquitous Bollywood stereotypes. It is the capital of Maharashtra, a state which boasts of 720 km long shoreline along the mesmerizing Arabian Sea. This makes the maximum city a great destination for beach lovers as well.
While the city of Mumbai has a few of its own beaches within city limits, the clean and pristine beaches outside the city are the ones which are highly recommended. The presence of many historical forts and age-old monuments make them interesting places to visit.
Many sightseeing tours are organized by private agencies, but you can simply hire an Innova on rent in Mumbai and take off to any of these beautiful destinations.
Here are a few beaches that should find their way on a beach-loving tourists’ schedule:
Ganpatipule
Counted amongst the most scenic beaches near Mumbai, Ganpatipule is located along the mesmerizing Konkan coast at a distance of 340 kilometres from the city. If peace and tranquility is what you are looking for, then this pristine beach should definitely fit the bill perfectly.
Image by Hasnain Ali via Flickr
Sparkling blue water, swaying palm trees, fresh and clean air, all of these factors make a visit to Ganapatipule well worth it. Book a comfortable mumbai outstation taxi to get here in a jiffy.
Image by Himanshu Sarpotdar via Flickr
Dapoli
This wonderful holiday destination is perfect to spend time with the family as this idyllic town is filled with temples, beautiful beaches and a fabulous climate. It is about 220 kilometres from Mumbai and is located in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.
Image by Sameer Karmarkar via Flickr
Ladghar beach is a popular beach for its breath-taking sunsets, exhilarating water sports and the grainy sand rarely found elsewhere. It is only 8 kilometers away from the Central bus stand, making it easy to reach and spend some quality time with family and friends.
Image by Himanshu Sarpotdar via Flickr
Kashid
This sleepy beach town offers those precious moments of quiet and tranquility, unheard of in our otherwise busy lives. If you are a surfing enthusiast then this is surely the place to be, with waves as high as 6 feet regularly hitting the shores.
Image by Omar Sharif via Flickr
It is about 170 kilometers away from the city and, with easy cab booking in Mumbai making the trip an extremely easy affair, one can experience a quiet weekend from the maddening city crowds.
Image by Tomas Belcik via Flickr
Alibag
The coastal town of Alibag is known for its fresh, invigorating air and sandy beaches. It is merely 100 km away from Mumbai and is ideally suited for that quick holiday getaway with the gang.
Image by Tomas Belcik via Flickr
Apart from the mesmerizing waters of the Arabian Sea, you should check out the 300-year-old Kulaba fort that was once the naval headquarters of King Shivaji. Fresh seafood is available at every beach shack and don’t forget to ask for a glass of appetizing “solkadi” to wash down the delicious food.
Image by Alosh Bennett via Flickr
Explore these myriad destinations on the Konkan coast and enjoy a scenic getaway that will put all your worries to rest. While the mad rush of Mumbai is a unique experience in itself, these lesser-known destinations nearby are an escape from it all.