Alibaug, a historic coastal town on Maharashtra’s Konkan coast, was once a strategic Maratha outpost dotted with sea forts and coconut groves. Today it’s Mumbai’s favorite weekend escape—easy to reach by ferry—where wide beaches, breezy casuarina trees, and low-tide adventures await.

Fun fact: the 17th‑century Kolaba (Alibag) Fort sits just offshore and can be reached by foot or horse cart at low tide. Add in calm beaches like Varsoli and Kihim, plus water sports at Nagaon and Mandwa, and you have a compact seaside playground with plenty of local character.

Practical notes: tides dictate fort access, so check timing a day in advance. Peak travel is October–March; monsoon months (June–September) are lush but rainy. Prebook the ferry on busy weekends, carry sunscreen and insect repellent, and bring a light shawl for breezy evenings.

Alibaug

Alibaug blends coastal history with a café-and-villa culture that hums on weekends. You’ll find seafood thalis, sandy sunsets, and a surprising art stop at Karmarkar Museum tucked amid quiet lanes. Distances are short; most beaches are 10–40 minutes apart.

• Top sights: Kolaba (Alibag) Fort, Alibaug Beach, Varsoli Beach, Kihim Beach, Nagaon water sports, Kanakeshwar Temple steps, Karmarkar Museum (Sasawane).
• Why visit: Easy ferry from Mumbai, reliable sunsets, authentic Malvani/Konkani cuisine, and a laid-back pace perfect for a 2‑day trip.
• Local flavors: Surmai fry, pomfret rava, prawn curry with coconut, sol kadhi, modak, and tender‑coconut ice cream.

Getting there (and around): Fly into Mumbai (BOM) and continue by road or ferry. Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From the airport, a taxi to Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) or the Gateway of India takes 45–75 minutes (INR 500–1,000).

Ferry options: Passenger ferries run Gateway of India–Mandwa Jetty (~50–60 min; INR 250–400). The M2M Ro‑Ro from Ferry Wharf carries cars and bikes (~60–75 min; INR 330–550 per person; vehicle fees extra). From Mandwa, a shuttle bus often included in your ticket takes ~25–35 minutes to Alibaug town. By road, Mumbai–Alibaug is ~3–4 hours depending on traffic.

Where to stay:

• Hotel Maple Ivy (good value in town; easy access to Alibaug/Varsoli): clean rooms, a small pool, and convenient location. Book via Hotels.com – Hotel Maple Ivy. Typical rates: INR 4,000–6,500.
• U Tropicana Alibaug (resort vibe near Kihim): leafy grounds, a large pool, and on‑site dining; great for families or couples. Book via U Tropicana Alibaug. Typical rates: INR 8,000–14,000.
• Private villas (great for groups): browse villas and bungalows near Awas, Kihim, or Varsoli on VRBO – Alibaug or compare hotels on Hotels.com – Alibaug.

Day 1: Ferries, Forts, and a Sunset Seafood Feast

Morning: Travel to Mumbai and onward to Alibaug. For flights into BOM, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com (from Delhi usually 2–2.5 hours; INR 3,500–7,000 one‑way in advance). Take a taxi to the Gateway of India or Ferry Wharf for a late‑morning or midday sailing; ferries run roughly every 60–90 minutes on busy days. Grab a light bite at the terminal—keep it simple so you’re ferry‑ready.

Afternoon: Arrive at Mandwa Jetty and shuttle to your hotel, drop bags, then head to Alibaug Beach. Time your walk/horse cart to Kolaba (Alibag) Fort with low tide; carry sandals you don’t mind getting wet. Explore ramparts with sea views, cannons, and the small temple inside. Expect a token entry fee (INR 20–50) and 60–90 minutes on site.

Evening: Shift to Varsoli Beach for a gentler sunset, with casuarina shade and fewer vendors. Dinner at Sanman in town—an institution since the 1980s—for the seafood thali (try surmai or pomfret), prawn koliwada, and sol kadhi; finish with their famed caramel custard. If you’d like a drink with a view, head to Boardwalk by Flamboyante at Mandwa Jetty for breezy cocktails and wood‑fired pizzas; it’s especially pretty under string lights.

Day 2: Coastal Cafés, Water Sports, and a Beachy Farewell

Morning: Breakfast at Kiki’s Café & Deli (excellent coffee, sourdough toasts, eggs, and seasonal salads) or your hotel. Then choose your adventure: - Nagaon Beach water sports (jet ski INR 700–1,200; banana boat INR 300–600 pp; parasailing INR 1,200–2,000; usually 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Oct–May), or - an early climb to Kanakeshwar Temple (~700 steps; carry water; start before it heats up) for sea‑and‑forest views. If you prefer art, the Karmarkar Museum (Shilpalaya) in Sasawane offers a quiet hour with evocative sculptures.

Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Bohemyan Blue Café under a thatched canopy—mezze platters, hummus with za’atar, and thin‑crust pizzas pair perfectly with iced coffee. Alternatively, try coastal classics at Kokum & Spice (inside a major resort) for Malvani gravies and ghavne (rice crêpes). If time allows, stop at Kihim Beach for a last stroll and birdwatching near the dunes; pick up kokum syrup, shrikhand, or banana chips from local stores in town.

Evening (Departure): Aim for an early‑afternoon ferry from Mandwa Jetty back to Mumbai (60–75 minutes), especially on Sundays when queues build. If you’re driving, buffer 3–4 hours for the road to the city. For onward flights, check updated timings and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Keep your ferry ticket handy; Mandwa has cafés for a quick tea before boarding.

More food and drink favorites (in case you linger):

• Patil Khanaval (Thal village): unfussy fish thalis with the day’s catch—go for mackerel curry or bombil fry.
• Aparanta (all‑day dining in a major resort): expansive breakfast buffets and kid‑friendly options.
• Beach snacks: roasted corn, masala bhel, and tender coconut on Alibaug and Varsoli beaches—perfect at sunset.

Local logistics tips: Two‑wheeler rentals near the bus stand run ~INR 500–800/day (helmet included). Most cafés take cards/UPI, but keep some cash for beach vendors. Tides change daily—confirm Kolaba Fort timings with your hotel reception the night before.

For more stays and last‑minute availability, compare options on Hotels.com – Alibaug or browse villas on VRBO – Alibaug.

Trip recap: In two easy days, you’ll ferry from Mumbai, climb a sea fort, sip at breezy cafés, and dine on Konkan seafood while catching golden‑hour skies. Alibaug’s close‑to‑the‑city convenience and coastal calm make it a repeat‑worthy escape any time of year.