Last Updated on December 13, 2021 by Mrunal & Jiten
When someone says I want to visit Beach Alibag tell them Alibaug has not one, but many beaches. Kihim Beach is one of the most popular ones among others.
It is very near Mumbai, one of the most important cities in Maharashtra.
The sights of the white sands and sparkling waters at Kihim Beach leave a big impression and pleasant memories long after we leave the beach. This scenery at the backdrop of swaying coconut trees and coastal greenery of and vibrant conch shells complete the color palette.
This sandy beach has attractions for all age groups – young, old, couples, family, and friends.
Beautiful Sunrise and Sunsets beckon you here. The full moon is the time to be to check out the landscape with stars sparkling around the moon and the wave surfs touching and leaving the shore.
Wildlife enthusiasts will love this place teeming with colorful insects, birds, and diverse plant life.
Here are some fun activities that you can indulge in at Kihim Beach
- Sunbath
Just sit laid-back and watch at the rise and ebb of waves while your body absorbs the soft rays of the sun and the gentle blowing breeze.
- Swimming
The water is quite calm here. People of all ages can enjoy swimming in the safe waters of the Bay of Bengal
- Water sports
Water sports are aplenty here. Paragliders hold sway! Gliding over the azure waters soaking in the colorful environment below makes your day.
There are banana boats and other rides that can try after a session of Paragliding
- Bird watch
This beach is a bird watcher’s paradise! The variety is huge – red vented bulbul, Orange-headed Thrush, Green Bee-eaters, Myna, and Asian Koel, Plum and grey-headed parakeets, black hooded Oriole, and many more!
- Food
Indulge in local food on the beach and in the unlimited food outlets across the town.
Bed and breakfast schemes are popular with many tourists.
There are
- Dine in or drive through options like Kihim Beach Restaurant, Sain Inn Resort Kihim
- snack centers like Rajvir snacks centre to appease those in-between meals hunger pangs,
- fast food joints like Chandrabhaga cottage and
- Vegetarian options like Sumangal Family Restaurant.
- You can even try international fare in the multi cuisine restaurants Bohemyan Blue, Fashion bowl etc.
- Night camps are also popular
The moon beckons and so do a million stars for the company as campers pitch their tent on the beach for a special experience.
Attractions Nearby
Here are a few attractions that lie close to Kihim Beach…
- Kolaba fort
Kolaba Fort is 11.5 kms from Alibaug Kihim beach. It is also called Alibaug fort. It is at a distance of 1-2 km from Alibaug and some 25 km from Mumbai.
The fort is located inside the sea. So you need to take a boat to get to this fort during high tide. During low tide, however, it can be reached by walking.
This fort was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who undertook fortification of the same for coastal control.
The views from the top are amazing. This fort is a great place to take pictures for social media. Inside, one cannot miss the fresh water wells, which at one time provided drinking water to the inhabitants despite the salty seawater surrounding it. Now, these wells fill up during the monsoons. Two English Cannons are other artifacts that one can see in the fort.
The Siddhi Vinayak temple inside is also visited by devotees.
The Dargah of Haji Kamaluddin shah attracts the devout.
- Akshi beach
This beach is a popular beach lover haunt in Alibaug, not crowded though like the beaches in Mumbai or Goa.
A clean and lovely place where you can watch migratory birds seagulls, terns, and more than 300 different varieties flying in from across the world.
People come to swim in the placid waters or enjoy a sunbath. This place is famous for its numerous Resorts and holiday inns.
Akshi beach is perfect for a world-tensions-forgotten ambiance and connect-with-nature holiday.
Exciting boat tours, bird watching, and beach camping activities are arranged by the resorts located on this beach.
- Varsoli beach
Land in Madwa Jetty and reach Varsoli beach by one of the plentiful state transport buses arriving here every few minutes. This is an empty long beach but with ample parking space. Stalls are in plenty. The beach is shallow so even kids can play with waves. Catamaran rides are in abundance. Kids have great fun playing in the sand and building sandcastles.
- Karmarkar Museum
Art lovers can make time to visit this museum housing sculptures made by Late Karmakar. This place is about 11 km from Alibaug in a place called Sasawane.
There are about 150 sculptures here. The entry fee is just INR.5/-. Two popular sculptures are Hira Kolin and Shankhdwani. The collection includes sculptures of Indian leaders like Chathrapathi Shivaji, Gandhiji, and more. He was the recipient of the Padmashri award in the year 1964.
The museum is open till 5 in the evening.
Time to visit
Summer and spring are the best seasons to visit Kihim.
How to reach
Air
Kihim is connected to major cities in Maharashtra by bus. The nearest airports to this beach are Lohegaon airport in Pune and Chatrapati Shivaji airport in Mumbai.
By Train
Train CST terminus Mumbai, Pune, and Panvel railway station, Konkan connects to many places in Raigad
By Road
Alibaug is connected to major cities of the state of Maharashtra. One can take state transport buses from the Alibaug bus stop to this beach. There are auto, cab, and private services also available from Alibaug
Distance between Kihim beach and nearby places
Alibaug – 10 km
Pune – 140 km
Murud – 58 km
By Ferry
The most suitable mode of transport to Kihim Beach is M2M ferry services. Services are available from Gateway of India to Madwa Jetty. There are many bus services from Mandwa ferry Wharf towards Kihim beach.
