Beaches in Mumbai

Juhu Beach

Like Chowpaty,  its uptown counterpart.  The Juhu Beach is a bourgeois paradise.  Juhu Beach get strokes of turquoise waves.  One can access this unruffled beach from Vile Parle, Santacruz and Andheri.  The lovely sight of sun descending into the vast Arabian Sea,  presents an amazing vista.

Girgaum Beach

Girgaum Chowpaty is Mumbai' s most famous beach.  In the evening the atmosphere is more like a carnival;  ferry wheels,  pony rides,  monkey shows, and even the odd self-styled gymnast who will demonstrate amazing yogic postures of a small fee.  At one end is a row of bhelpuri shops hawking Mumbai ‘s most popular snacks.  Chowpaty Beach is a famous site where the idols of Lord Ganesh are immersed in the sea, marking the end of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Manori & Gorai Beaches

Both these are excellent, safe suburban beaches, linked by a rocky headland and accessed across a small creek from mainland Mumbai. On the other side, Manori beach is a ten minute rickshaw ride away, fringed with swaying palm trees and a row of beach-side cottage hotels.  One of the most famous of these is Manori Bel, a cluster of white washed spanish-style villas with clean bright rooms and charming wicker furniture.

Marve & Erangal Beaches

Across the creek from Manori,  on the mainland itself,  Marve is the retreat of Mumbai' s beau monde.  This is where most of India’s big industrial houses have their weekend bungalows beautiful, sprawling mansions tucked along the winding coastal road.  Hotels on this stretch mainly cater to corporate types.   Further down at Erangal, the road tapes out into a large fishing village inhabited by koli – the fisherfolks.  At its southern tip there is a derelict seventeenth century Portuguese fortress that affords and unbroken view of Mumbai's famous skyline.  The nearest railhead, Malad is a suburban station on the western railways from where buses ply to these beaches.

Other Beaches around Mumbai

Dahanu – Bordi Beach

Located in the Thane District,  is a distinctively silent beach.  Dahanu is famous for the lines of fruit orchards and the fruit Chikoo,  Udwada, ‘the Mecca of Zorastrians’  is also very near to Dahanu.  Udwada has a beautiful temple which houses their sacred fire and is said to be kept burning for almost the last thousand years.  Dahanu town is around 145 kms away from Mumbai.

Ganapati Pule Beach

Located on the western coast of Maharashtra,  Ganapatipule is considered to be pilgrim.  Velneshwar Beach Temple and pawas where Swami Swarupanand’s Ashram is located,  can be seen from the beach.  You can also explore the Jaigarh heach and Jaigarh Fort.  Nearest airport is Mumbai and nearest railhead is Ratnagiri around 50kms away.

Baseein Beach

The Beach has been famous as a shipbuilding site for centruies.  It is also famous for its wide sandy beach,  its forts and exceptionally ravishing churches.  Its wide beaches are symmetrically covered with palm grooves and fort ruins which gives it a very calm look.  This beach is just 10 km. away from the capital of Konkan, Nalasopora Village,  which is believed to the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.

Daman Beach

Daman a Portuguese territory till 1961, is now a Union territory of India.  The Daman beach holds many fabulous attractions like Koti Daman Fort, Light House, Gandhi Park.  It is situated along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway,  around 170 kms from Mumbai and is easily accessible.  Silvasa and Vapi are two other beaches, which are close by and can be visited for their amazing waterfronts.   

 Harnai Beach

Located at distance of some 200 kms from Mumbai.  Its an isolated stretch that is lines with a fort on it is northern end.  You can also visit Murud,  the beach south to Harnai which is famous for its clean white sand and soothing water and Panhale Kazi,  the famous rock monument which is around 30 kms from these beaches.