Alibag beach, located in Raigad district, is a favourite one-day travel destination for tourists from Pune and Mumbai. Direct buses are available to Alibag from both cities. By road, Alibag is only about 110 kilometres from Mumbai. One can also reach Alibag from the Gateway of India in Mumbai via a boat ride that takes approximately an hour and a half. The road route from Panvel to Pen to Alibag takes about three hours. For those traveling by private vehicle, the Khopoli–Pen route via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway leads to Alibag. The nearest railway station is Pen, from where travellers can continue to Alibag by bus or private transport. Along with the main Alibag beach, several other beaches—such as Varsoli, Akshi, Nagaon, Kihim, Awas, Sasawane, Rewas, Chaul-Revdanda, Kashid, and Korlai—are located within a 25 km radius of Alibag. ... Just one kilometre west of the Alibag bus stand lies the clean, beautiful, and pollution-free Alibag beach, which stretches for about 3 to 4 kilometres. With tall Suru trees whispering with the coconut palms, soft dark sand like a spread-out carpet, the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea ahead, and the Kulaba Fort standing upright in the sea like a sentinel, this is how one could describe the Alibag beach. About a kilometre southwest into the sea from the beach stands Kulaba Fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to challenge the Siddis and keep the English in check in Mumbai. This fort is another key attraction of the Alibag shoreline. During low tide, walking barefoot on the soft sands to reach the fort is a unique experience. However, the path becomes inaccessible during high tide. About 3–4 kilometres southwest of Kulaba Fort, out in the sea, stands a 60-foot-tall lighthouse. The view from Alibag beach at sunset is simply indescribable. As the bright red sun sinks into the sea, one forgets the very sense of self. Even after the sun sets, the sky lit with vivid hues and clouds of various shapes creates a mesmerizing scene. At twilight, it’s hard to resist the allure of listening to the Koli fishermen singing their folk songs as they return home with their nets slung over their backs. From Kulaba Fort, one can see the bungalows on the shore, temples, dense coconut and betel nut groves, and the lush greenery in which Alibag is nestled. Although scenic and serene, tourists planning to visit the fort must be cautious of tide timings. One should avoid rushing back to the beach after the tide begins to rise and instead wait until the tide recedes. Admiral Kanhoji Angre, the head of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s navy, developed Alibag in the 17th century. In recent times, Alibag has seen significant development as a tourist destination. Additionally, accommodations and food options are available to suit various budgets. In short, if you’re looking for a beautiful one-day getaway, a visit to Alibag Beach is a must!
© Suresh Nimbalkar