The short answer: the best beaches in Alibaug are Kihim and Awas for quiet, tree-lined calm, Alibaug Beach for the town scene and Kolaba Fort, Nagaon and Varsoli for water sports, and Kashid — about an hour south — for the prettiest white sand on the coast. Each one suits a different kind of day, and this guide tells you which is which.
“Alibaug beach” isn’t one place — the Raigad coast has a whole string of them, and they’re genuinely different in character, crowd and safety. We’ve lived on this coast for years, in Kihim and Awas, and this is the honest local rundown: where to go for what, and where to actually stay to be closest to the good ones.
Alibaug Beaches at a Glance
| Beach | Best for | Crowd | Swimming | From Mumbai (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kihim | Quiet mornings, birdlife | Low | Calm, better at low tide | ~2–2.5 hrs by road |
| Awas | Long empty walks | Very low | Calm | ~2–2.5 hrs by road |
| Alibaug Beach | Kolaba Fort, food stalls | High | Not ideal (muddy, tidal) | ~2–2.5 hrs by road |
| Nagaon | Water sports | Medium–High | With caution | ~2.5 hrs by road |
| Varsoli | Water sports, quieter than Nagaon | Medium | With caution | ~2.5 hrs by road |
| Kashid | White sand, scenery | Medium–High | Cleaner, but strong waves | ~3 hrs by road |
Note: sea conditions change with the tide and the season. Nowhere on this coast is safe for swimming during the monsoon — see the seasonal note below.
Kihim Beach — The Quiet One (and Ours)
Kihim is a calm, tree-lined beach backed by coconut and casuarina groves, and it’s the one our Kihim villas sit a short walk from. It’s where you go for a slow morning swim and an evening stroll without the crowds that gather closer to Alibaug town.
Kihim has a quieter claim to fame too: the area has long been known for its birdlife — India’s most famous ornithologist, Dr. Salim Ali, spent time here — so an early walk along the treeline often turns up far more than just the sea.
Staying here: Mango Baug Kihim, Mango Beach Wadi, Mango Villa and Casa Mango are all in Kihim.
Awas Beach — Wide, Calm and Nearly Empty
Awas is a broad, uncommercial beach near Mango Beach House Awas — the kind of place that’s genuinely empty on a weekday. It’s made for long walks and quiet, not for stalls and selfies. If your idea of a beach is space and calm rather than activity, this is it.
Alibaug Beach — The Town Beach & Kolaba Fort
The main town beach is the busy one, with a broad, flat, black-sand stretch, horse-cart rides and food stalls. Its real draw is Kolaba Fort, the sea fort rising out of the water just offshore, which you can walk out to at low tide. It’s worth a visit for the fort and the buzz — just don’t expect solitude, and note the sand is firm and the water tidal rather than ideal for swimming.
More on the fort and the rest of the area in our complete guide to things to do in Alibaug.
Nagaon & Varsoli — The Water-Sports Beaches
If you’ve come for parasailing, jet-skis and banana-boat rides, head to Nagaon, a short drive south, or quieter Varsoli nearby. These are the activity beaches, liveliest in the dry season. One honest caveat: they’re busier and more commercial than Kihim or Awas, so come for the adrenaline, not the peace.
Important: all water sports on this coast shut down during the monsoon (June–September), when the sea is dangerous.
Kashid Beach — Worth the Drive
About an hour south of Alibaug, Kashid is the prettiest beach on this coast — a roughly 3 km stretch of near-white sand between two rocky headlands, backed by casuarina groves and blue water. Maharashtra Tourism describes it as a peaceful Konkan beach with soft white sand, clean waters, and lush greenery
, popular with nature lovers and weekenders alike (Maharashtra Tourism).
It’s a full day-trip rather than a morning stroll, and the one beach genuinely worth driving for. The waves can be strong, so swim with care — and if you want water sports with your scenery, they run here too in season.
Which Beach for Which Day?
- A quiet morning swim or sunset walk: Kihim or Awas — right on your doorstep.
- History and a bit of buzz: Alibaug Beach, for Kolaba Fort.
- Adrenaline: Nagaon or Varsoli, in season.
- A scenic day-trip: Kashid, about an hour south.
- Birdlife and calm: Kihim, early.
For the full picture of the area — Raigad’s coast has a long list of beaches across the district (Raigad District, Govt. of Maharashtra).
A Word on Safety & the Seasons
Three things worth knowing before you plan a beach day:
- The monsoon closes the sea. From June to September, swimming is dangerous everywhere on this coast and water sports shut down. The beaches are beautiful in the rain, but for watching, not wading. More on Alibaug in the monsoon →
- Mind the tides. The calmer beaches are best at low tide; Kolaba Fort is only walkable at low tide. Check timings before you set out.
- Best season for the beach: October to May, with the pleasantest weather from November to February.
Where to Stay to Be Closest to the Best Beaches
The quiet beaches — Kihim and Awas — are also the ones with the least accommodation around them, which is rather the point. Our five villas sit a short walk from the sea in exactly these two villages, so the good beach is the one outside your door rather than an hour’s drive and a parking hunt away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best beach in Alibaug?
For quiet, Kihim and Awas. For the town scene and Kolaba Fort, Alibaug Beach. For water sports, Nagaon and Varsoli. For the prettiest white sand, Kashid, about an hour south.
Which Alibaug beach is cleanest and best for swimming?
Kashid has the cleanest, whitest sand, though its waves can be strong. Kihim and Awas are calm and good for a gentle swim, best at low tide. The main Alibaug town beach is tidal and muddy and less suited to swimming. No beach on this coast is safe for swimming during the monsoon.
How far is Kashid Beach from Alibaug?
Kashid is roughly 30 km south of Alibaug town, about an hour’s drive along the coast, and around 125–135 km from Mumbai.
Which beach has water sports in Alibaug?
Nagaon and Varsoli are the main water-sports beaches, with parasailing, jet-skis and banana-boat rides; Kashid also offers them. All water sports close during the monsoon, from June to September.
Which Alibaug beach is least crowded?
Awas and Kihim are the quietest, especially on weekdays. They are tree-lined village beaches with little commercial development, unlike the busier Alibaug town, Nagaon and Kashid beaches.
Can you swim at Alibaug beaches during the monsoon?
No. From June to September the sea along this coast is dangerous and swimming is not advised anywhere, and water sports are closed. The beaches are still beautiful to look at from the shore.
Come Find Your Beach
Six beaches, six different days — and the two quietest are a short walk from our door. Spend a morning with the birds at Kihim, an afternoon at Kolaba Fort, and a day-trip down to Kashid, and you’ll see why this coast is more than a single beach you drive to.
