Alibagh Tourism And Travel Guide

An exotic little coastal town renowned for its beaches, ruins of ancient towns like the Portuguese settlement of Chaul and early fortresses and temples, Alibagh lies in the Konkan region of the state of Maharashtra. With the Arabian Sea lapping at its shores, Alibagh is a hot touristy weekend destination for people from the cities and towns nearby.

Lovely black and white sandy beaches, small island forts and ruined temples, wild life sanctuaries and ample opportunities for watching the birds are what make Alibagh one of the most preferred tourist destinations of Maharashtra. Aptly called Mini Goa, for its profusion of coconut and betelnut groves that fringe the lonely beaches on the offbeat routes of the coastal town, Alibagh is a perfect haven for the people who need a break from the hustle of city life.

If you would like to plan a trip to Alibagh, our travel and tourism guide should help you plan a memorable trip.

Located quite close to the capital city of Mumbai, Alibagh has good access by air, road or rail and even by water. The most ideal way to reach Alibagh would be by road or an exciting trip on a ferry.

By Air:

The nearest airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport at Mumbai. The airport serves domestic flights to most cities of India as well as international flights to a number of cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Kuala Lampur. From the airport you could hire a cab to Alibagh.

By Rail:

The nearest railway station is Panvel that has trains lugging in from cities across the country. There are long distance superfast trains as well as local and passenger trains that halt at Panvel or the next nearest Pen station. You could hire a cab from either of these stations to reach Alibagh.

By Road:

A common option is driving to Alibagh from Mumbai, though plenty of MSRTC and private buses ply to Alibagh from places like Mumbai, Satara, Aurangabad and Pune.

By Ferry:

A far more quicker and exciting option is a ferry ride from Mumbai to Alibagh. There are ferry wharfs that transport vehicles to Alibagh, so you could use your own transport once you reach the coastal town.

Getting Around:

There are, if you are not self-driving, tuk tuks and 8-10 seater auto rickshaws for getting around. For longer distances you could hire a cab or the resort you might be staying in, could make transport arrangements.

Alibagh has a tropical coastal climate through the year, with hot humid summers, rainy monsoons and pleasant winters. The most ideal time to visit would be winters, with summers being the second best.

Summer (March – June):

Summers are hot and humid, though evenings and early mornings are pleasant with a gentle sea breeze blowing in from the coast. Summers are ideal times to spend a pleasant sunset by the beaches.

Monsoon (July – September):

Alibagh does get beautiful during the monsoons, with the waterfalls in full force and a verdant landscape as well, but the coastal region gets heavy rainfall that might make travel and sightseeing bothersome.

Winter (October – February):

Winters are pleasant, with cool nights and warm days. These are the ideal months for sightseeing, trekking and spending time by the beaches.

Water Adventures:

The beaches at Alibagh offer more than a stroll across the coastline, watching the sun set or gathering sea shells. Check out the varieties of wild and adventurous water sports that Alibagh has to offer.

Trekking Trails:

Hike up the Sagargad Fort, which has the charming Dhondane Waterfalls and an ancient temple for Shiva. One of the hottest things to do on a visit to Alibagh is march off on a Sagargad monsoon trek.

A stroll on the beachfront:

Who wouldn’t love a peaceful stroll or a horse cart ride at a beach, sipping at a hot cup of tea or biting into a hot corn on cob on a cool winter evening? The beaches of Alibagh are some of the best things that the coastal town has to offer.

Cascades:

Enjoy a long drive to some of the most impressive water falls near Alibagh. The Aadoshi falls, the Gaarambhi and Vardhayini falls are beautiful cascades that are a delight to watch.

Kanakeshwar forest and a temple:

The still and mysterious woodlands of Kanakeshwar is a refuge to wild animals and birds. Check out the Nagobach Tappa or Place of Snakes where according to legends, snakes congregate during Nagpanchami, and Devachi Payari in the mid of the hillock of Kankeshwar Temple.

Islands Forts:

Visit the island fort of Undheri, a small fort that is located near the hamlet of Thal. An ancient fort on the waters, the fort is a lovely place to visit in low tides.

Birding:

The seas off Alibagh, Gokuleshwar and the lily covered Kurul lakes and the hills of Ramdharaneshwar and Kanakeshwar are some of the best places to photo shoot a plethora of birds. Many migrate during winters from their homes, but all year round you will find local birds twittering around.

Fresh fish caught off the seas are a state delicacy. Ghol, saranga, surmai and pomfrets are a must try. Other specialities are staple bhakri or rotis and solkadhi and you could also try the selections of cuisines; be it in South Indian food, Konkani, Maharashtrian, Gujarathi thalis or even Chinese or Continental dishes.

A walk down the beachside and you can get a whiff of the delicious seafood wafting down the breeze. There are plenty of seaside shacks where you could bite into prawn fry, surmai thali. kalwa masala, poori baaji, chicken biryani, or a simple sweet corn or an ice gola. You could binge on mangoes, watermelons and tender coconut water in summers.

Alibagh is not ideally a shoppers’ destination, but you could look around for beachside shacks that sell shell crafted accessories, conches etc. The main markets might interest you with handicrafts, clothes, antique clocks, Kolhapure chappals, dried seafood and fresh fruits, especially Alphonso mangoes that can be packed to be carried back home, and vegetables as well.

White onions of Alibagh known as Khandale Kande are quite popular and are much sought after stuff. Hunt around near the beaches for shops that sell exotic jewelry and ornaments made of seashells and pearls and little trinkets like lampshades, mirror frames and wall hangings that can be gifted as souvenirs.